News from Accra

Covenanting on a matter of life and death Refusing to remain silent in the face of the scandalous death of 24,000 people every day from poverty and malnutrition, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) has covenanted to work for justice in the economy and the earth. (07.09.2004)
Reformed Christians end meeting with public action on economic justice Rainbow colours danced on the sea of worshippers. Reformed Christians from around the world passed small strips of cloth back and forth as if they were the new currency of hope. (13.08.2004)
Work for peace, WARC urges church members around the world With a reminder that God comes before country, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) has called on its member churches around the world to become active peacemakers, particularly in the face of religious and ethnic conflicts. (11.08.2004)
A young Indonesian woman pastor shot dead at the pulpit. On the evening of July 18 2004 at 7.35 p.m., while leading the Sunday evening worship at Effata Church in Palu, capital of Central Sulawesi province in Indonesia, Rev Susianty Tinnlele was shot dead as she was about to lead intercessory prayer at the pulpit. (11.08.2004)
Keep HIV/Aids on list of priorities, executive told Don’t shy away from encouraging the use of condoms in the fight against HIV/Aids, the 24th general council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) was cautioned Tuesday. (10.08.2004)
Sing to God a new song Walter Blege is the Ghanaian musician who wrote the catchy theme song for this general council. The refrain’s call to “celebrate, celebrate” echoes through this general council, whether sung aloud with the choir or quietly to oneself. (10.08.2004)
Globalization and “empire”: a challenge to Christian mission Threats to the earth and its poorest inhabitants mean the church must rethink its mission, a worldwide gathering of Reformed Christians said in a report issued Tuesday in Accra, Ghana. (10.08.2004)
WARC delegation visits president of Ghana A delegation of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) paid a visit Tuesday to the president of the Republic of Ghana, John A. Kufuor. (10.08.2004)
General council elects new executive committee Seasoned church administrator Clifton Kirkpatrick was elected August 9 as the new president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. (09.08.2004)
American elected president of WARC American Clifton Kirkpatrick admits there is “more than irony” in his election as president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) as its 24th general council discusses the impact of the economic and political empire seated in the US. (09.08.2004)
Youth Call For Life in Fullness HIV/Aids and economic injustice are serious problems for young people and should be priorities for the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), young Reformed Christians from around the world say. (08.08.2004)
The general council in statistics: Plenty of male clergy among delegates A dream of Reformed youth who met 15 years ago in Seoul is closer to being fulfilled at the general council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches taking place in Accra, Ghana. (07.08.2004)
Growing garden changes cafeteria into chapel Students come here in term-time for food for the body. (07.08.2004)
German theologians in spat over EU constitution Two German theologians have openly disagreed over whether the new constitution for the European Union defends social welfare principles. The text of the constitution was agreed upon by leaders of the union's 25 states in Brussels in June. (07.08.2004)
Moving toward greater inclusiveness of young people Twenty-four-year-old Natalie Maxson from Canada has been watching and listening. (07.08.2004)
Standing on holy ground From the modern facility of the University of Ghana in Accra to the shame-drenched “slave castles” of the Ghanaian coast – this was the journey back in time that delegates to the 24th World Alliance of Reformed Churches general council made on Tuesday August 3. (05.08.2004)
Shall we covenant for justice in the economy and the earth? For Argentina, neoliberalism was the continuation of dictatorship by other means, Roberto Jordan told the plenary on covenanting for justice on Wednesday August 4. The generals pushed foreign debt from 8 billion to 45 billion US dollars; neoliberalism sent it soaring to USD 130 billion. (05.08.2004)
Providing healing and wholeness to a divided world Churches must challenge the political, economic and military empire centred in the US or face a loss of credibility, says Philip Wickeri, professor of mission and evangelism at San Francisco Theological Seminary. (04.08.2004)
Multimedia show launches talks on threats to life in fullness “I hate feminists,” were the last words of an enraged gunman to 14 engineering students, all women, in a Montreal college before he shot them dead. (02.08.2004)
Pilgrims to visit slave dungeons – and revisit their past (02.08.2004)
Africa: more an inspiration than a hopeless continent Africa is an inspiration to the church and the world - not only home of some of the worst stories of human misery in history. (01.08.2004)
Ghana’s premier square awash with Reformed worshippers It was as though the ocean had come crashing over the wall of Ghana’s premier square. A blue tide of Christian worshippers surged back and forth over the dusty tarmac, singing and swaying, rhythmically twirling their white handkerchiefs like wavelets bobbing on this sea of humanity. (01.08.2004)
Reformed women cry shame over churches’ inaction “The church is not a safe place for women,” Reformed women from over 60 countries said in a statement July 31 in Accra, Ghana, referring to stories of clergy sexual abuse worldwide. (31.07.2004)
Commitment to Christian unity, focus on justice and human rights The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) is working more closely with three partner church organizations, general secretary Setri Nyomi told delegates to the 24th general council on its first day of business. (31.07.2004)
God invites us to play games that lead to life The churches of the Reformed family are being urged to use the voice of their 75-million-strong membership to deliver a blunt message to the world’s leaders: stop playing games of deadly destruction. (31.07.2004)
Don’t leave Accra empty-handed, Alliance president urges delegates Make the big decisions, don’t postpone them, Taiwanese theologian Choan-seng Song urged Reformed church delegates in Accra, Ghana, July 30. (31.07.2004)
Vandana Shiva: “Start to become the source of the renewal of life” A leading figure in the environmental movement has challenged Reformed churches to take on the cause by questioning water privatization, lifelong seed patents and economic growth that is killing the planet. (30.07.2004)
Reformed should put on their dancing shoes, says Alliance president The world's Reformed Christians would let their feet do the talking, if Taiwanese theologian Choan-seng Song had his way. (30.07.2004)
WARC president calls for rebuilding of community - with Spirit The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) must rebuild community in a world of greed, hatred and senselessness, says Rev. Dr. Choan-Seng Song, in his president’s address to the 24th general council. (29.07.2004)
Malawian theologian pulls no punches on human sexuality Malawian theologian Fulata Moyo pulled no punches when she spoke to a gathering of Reformed women about the sexual desires of African women and men. (29.07.2004)
Welcome to Argavia, the land of divided churches It may have been fiction, but delegates to the Reformed youth forum being held prior to the 24th general council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) got a dose of reality from Thursday's role-play on mission. (29.07.2004)
Indian theologian blasts "language of crusades" used in war on terror Indian theologian Aruna Gnanadason has slammed the "new language of hatred and violence" that is emerging along with the "war on terror". (28.07.2004)
Setri Nyomi: youth must challenge the Reformed family There’s a place for you within the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). (28.07.2004)
Reformed women dance the High Life in meeting's opening worship service Some 300 women from all over the world joined together in celebration during the opening worship of the women's pre-council meeting, held on July 27 in Accra, Ghana. (27.07.2004)
Reformed youth forum: called to be leaders of the church (27.07.2004)
Global institute energizes students from many lands Dorcas Wamalwa writes poetry. (26.07.2004)
Young theologians benefit from Reformed council Theological students and young pastors from over 20 countries are taking advantage of the large number of Reformed theologians who are in Accra, Ghana, to attend a major meeting of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). (26.07.2004)
Ghanaian hospitality awaits WARC delegates Almost 1,000 participants are descending on Accra, Ghana, for the 24th general council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. (26.07.2004)
We gather in Accra to unite in common action Two thousand years ago, as the young church began to face its first challenges, there was a great gathering in Jerusalem (Acts 15.1-29). (26.07.2004)