As Nigeria’s general elections draw closer, media regulatory bodies have unveiled codes to guide proper coverage of the elections. The new media code, does not permit one-sided reportage of political campaigns, among other rules, Jacqueline Ogoh reports .
At time when the focus many in Nation’s Capital is on youth gangs and violence, historic Metropolitan AME Church in down town will spot light youth who are achieving academically and will display their creativity in music and dance at Youth Day 2014. The community is invited to share the joy of this event on Sunday, June 8 at 11 am at the church, located at 1518 M St. NW. The church will hold its usual 7:45 am worship service; however, the congregation and community will gather at 11 a.m. in a special service tp spotlight their youth. Rev. Rodney Barnes, pastor of Gethsemane AME Church, Landover, Md. will be guest preacher. With the theme of “God’s Gift Looks Good on You,” the worship service will feature the youth choir, small youth orchestra and Liturgical Dancers. Metropolitan’s 2014 graduates will also be recognized. A new future vision for youth was stated by the Rev. William H. Lamar IV, who was named Metropolitan’s new pastor on April 11. When asked in an interview if he had any specific plans for Metropolitan’s youth, he responded with his philosophy. “(I plan) first of all to listen to the youth and not tell them who they are; give them permission and support to do the kinds of ministry that speaks to their generation. We have to be a permission-giving culture for the young. …We have to speak to who (they) are or aspire to be. The best and healthiest churches are multigenerational. Our biggest mission is to build a stronger Metropolitan for today, bringing generations together– doing things together. One of Metropolitan’s greatest assets is that we have people over 100 and we have babies too.
The officers invite Church of the Brethren members to join them in prayer on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. (each in their own time zone) until the start of next year’s Conference. The officers have provided an online prayer calendar guide for this time of prayer each week. “The Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 stands at an important intersection of New Testament faith,” writes moderator Tim Harvey in his theme statement, in part. “Jesus has just completed his earthly ministry, a time when his life and teaching gave evidence of another kingdom among us. This kingdom is hidden from those who will not see, and yet made clearly present through his life and ministry. Jesus taught, healed, felt deep sorrow at the suffering of others, confronted injustice, invited other persons into this kingdom life, and finally was crucified. Three days later, he was raised. And now, perhaps moments before his ascension into Heaven, Jesus gives the disciples this instruction, words that will serve the Brethren as the theme verses for the 2012 Annual Conference: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:19-20, NRSV). “As 2012 Annual Conference moderator, I look forward to hearing stories of how the Brethren are ‘Continuing the Work of Jesus’ in our congregations around the world,” Harvey’s statement concludes. “Along the way to St. Louis, we will be reminded of the way Brethren of years past continued the work of Jesus in their time. And I will strive to challenge all of us to greater faithfulness. The world needs the testimony of Jesus. Brothers and Sisters, let us dedicate ourselves to ‘Continuing the Work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.’” In addition to the overall theme for the Conference, daily themes and scriptures also have been announced, drawn from the newly identified “Directional Goals” of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board. “The directional goals have the potential to become the spiritual disciplines of our denomination,” Harvey writes, “faith practices that both nurture us in our faith and challenge us to continue the work of Jesus in very specific, disciplined ways.” Daily themes and scriptures are as follows: Saturday, July 7, “International Mission,” Philippians 1:3-6; Sunday, July 8, “Brethren Voice,” Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 1:79; Monday, July 9, “Congregational Vitality,” Hebrews 10:23-25 and 1 Corinthians 12:13-27; Tuesday, July 10, “Service,” 1 John 3:16-18; Wednesday, “Church Planting,” 1 Corinthians 3:6.
Christian and Jewish leaders from the United States have committed to “developing an effective and ongoing national dialogue” during a March 27 summit in New York City. Among the Christian leaders were the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, former ELCA presiding bishop who co-convened the summit along with Rabbi Steve Gutow, president and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. In a mutually agreed-upon statement, leaders at the summit discussed strategies to strengthen and maintain relationships “even in the face of significant disagreements.” “We affirm a strong commitment to continue working together on domestic and international issues of common concern. We will aspire to genuine and ongoing dialogue related to Israeli-Palestinian issues, seeking to identify and discuss, in respect and humility, areas of real or potential disagreement and of real and potential cooperation. “As people of faith we enter the holy season of Easter and Passover to celebrate the gift of our renewed relationship and look to the future to enhance our closeness and our commitment to serve the common good.” The Jewish and Christian leaders who met today committed to meeting at least annually and to “reconstituting the traditional Jewish-Christian roundtables” suspended in October 2012, after an Oct. 5, 2012 letter by Christin groups calling on Congress to investigate Israel’s use of U.S. military aid. Other Jewish leaders in attendance were: Abraham Foxman, national director, Anti-Defamation League David Harris, executive director, American Jewish Committee Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president, Union of Reform Judaism Daniel S. Mariaschin, executive vice president, B’nai B’rith International Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president, Rabbinical Assembly Rabbi Steven C. Wernick, chief executive officer, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi David Saperstein, director and counsel, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Other Christian leaders were: The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, general minister and president, United Church of Christ The Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk, General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, ecumenical office, Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and president, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
