Thursday, November 30, 2006

Chicao Bans Publicity on "The Nativity Story" !

Chicago Bans Nativity Movie From Christmas Festival
November 30, 2006 – The city of Chicago has banned advertisements for “The Nativity Story” from a local Christmas festival for fear it might offend non-Christians.

Traditional Values Coalition Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon was outraged when he learned of this latest attack on Christmas: “Just when I think political correctness can’t possibly become more ridiculous, along comes Chicago’s leaders to show me there’s no limit to how insane this kind of thinking has become. Will they insist during Ramadan that there be no public discussions of Muhammad? Will they insist that Jewish Menorah’s be removed from public displays to avoid offending Muslims? Are Santa Claus and his tiny reindeer next on the list of banned characters from Christmas? This anti-religious lunacy must stop.”

In a related anti-Christmas story, a Crate and Barrel executive says the company will definitely not have its employees say “Merry Christmas” to customers. According to the company, it has atheist, Jewish, and Muslim customers. Crate and Barrel spokeswoman Betty Kahn: "We would definitely not say Merry Christmas," she said. "It's all about holiday shopping, getting together with friends and family."

“TVC supporters may want to contact Crate and Barrel and tell them why they will not be shopping at their store this Christmas season,” said Rev. Sheldon.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Unity Prayer Breakfast

National Black Evangelical Association Unity Prayer Breakfast


Host: Chicago Chapter of NBEA
Location: Salvation Army - Temple Corps
1 North Ogden (at Madison & Ashland), Chicago, IL View Map
When: Saturday, December 9, 9:00am-11:30am
Phone: 312-733-1516
Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray and not to faint." In the spirit of Christ, we invite you to join with us in our Unity Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, December 9th. There are many issues that we need to pray about, such as HIV/AIDS in our community, an end to the Iraq war, the leadership of our nation, crime and violence, drug addiction, incarceration of our men, the growth and focus of our churches, glocal missions, as well as personal concerns.

In addition, we need to ask the Lord to give us wisdom as we wrestle with defining ourselves as Black evangelicals as it impacts our dealing with issues that confront us. We believe that God will show us together and in unity the paths to take. Rev. Dr. Walter A. McCray, our national president, will give a prayer meditation.

At the NBEA Summit held in June of this year, the participants engaged in spirited dialogue about what is a Black evangelical and what do they do? This prayer breakfast is one phase of moving beyond dialogue into action.

Summary materials of the Summit are available at your request. For additional information, contact:
Dr. Ruth Bentley
312-733-1516
ruthbentley@sbcglobal.net
Temple Corps Phone #: 312-492-6803

What Is the NBEA?

The National Black Evangelical Association was organized in 1963 by a group of committed followers of Jesus Christ, who possessed a burning desire to holistically reach their community for Christ. It is an umbrella association called of God to identify, empower, and unite leaders for Jesus Christ, who demonstrate biblical and cultural integrity.

Our National Board members are:
Dr. Ruth Bentley, Rev. Russell Knight,
Rev. Dr.Walter McCray, Rev. Ertie Nevels - Chicago, IL
Mr. Robert Crossland, Ms. Barbara Pope - Dallas, TX
Rev. Carl Ellis - Chattanooga, TN
Rev./Mrs. Donald Govan, Rev. Ronald Potter - Jackson,MS
Dr. Dwight Guinn - Memphis, TN
Rev. Milton G. James, Sr. - NYC
Rev. Troy Lewis - Lusaka, Zambia
Bishop George D. McKinney, Rev. Marshall Sharpe
San Diego, CA
Rev. Dr. Velma Smith - Washington, DC


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Thursday, November 09, 2006

Observe Wolrd AIDS Day in Chicago - December 1st

Each day, 6,000 children are orphaned by AIDS.
Every 14 seconds, another child loses a parent.
We must take action.

On World AIDS Day, take 6,000 steps (about 3 miles) and raise awareness and funds for the 6,000 children orphaned each day. Join Chicagoans to advocate for these children and make others aware of the greatest humanitarian crisis of our generation.

World Vision's AIDS Walk for Orphans


Downtown Chicago


North Shore - Glenview
Date: Friday, December 1
Date: Friday, December 1
Time: 5:30 pm
Time: 6:30 pm
Start: Christmas tree at Daley Plaza, Dearborn and Washington
Start: Park Center,
2400 Chestnut Ave
End: Caffe Baci for hot chocolate, 225 W. Wacker
End: same as start

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

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Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Pastor of Europe's Largest Church Hits Chicago

Ukraine-based pastor Sunday Adelaja, who has made international headlines for encouraging Christians to get involved in social and political campaigns, is bringing his message to the United States. The Nigeria-born pastor of Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations in Kiev will lead a one-day conference in Chicago on Nov 12, titled “The Return of the Kings,” which host pastor Gregory Lanre Ijiwola of The CityLight International Assembly hopes will stir Christians in his city to a higher level of civic involvement. “[The conference] is to stir up the pastors and laymen people in Chicago to the kingdom of God,” Ijiwola said. “We believe there is an apostolic grace [now]; this will help break the ground.” The pastor of Europe’s largest church, Adelaja has been called a revolutionary leader with an apostolic gift for the 21st century. He grew in prominence after encouraging his 10,000 members to join the Orange Revolution, which was marked by a series of protests in response to electoral fraud during Ukraine’s 2004 election and forced a second election. “If we don’t do anything as a church that is big enough to make a difference, posterity will not forgive us,” Adelaja said. “I feel it is the direct responsibility of the church to campaign for a good government and good leaders.” He will be the only speaker at the Chicago event, which is expected to draw several hundred pastors and lay leaders. –Felicia Mann

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Thursday, November 02, 2006

Unity Without Conformity

The ‘School of the Prophets’ is an ecumenical group of men and women from many backgrounds who have been meeting together since January 2000. Please see the attached PDF of our brochure to get more details on our history and purpose. Our next gathering is this Saturday November 4, at 7 a.m. at Austin Corinthian Baptist Church at 823 S. Cicero Ave., just 2 blocks south of the Eisenhower Expressway on the east side of the street next to Marvin’s Soul Food Restaurant.

Our aim is to pursue the unity of believers that Jesus prayed for in John 17:20:

“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

This Saturday our teaching and devotional time will be led by Rev. Tim Hoekstra. Brother Tim is a founding member of the School of the Prophets, and will be addressing our group on the topic “Unity Without Conformity.” Tim is a graduate of Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. After serving in different churches in the mid to late 80’s as far away as Ripon California, he was called back to his home town of Chicago to plant the church he now pastors, Suburban Life. In 1997 Suburban Life, Back to God All Nations Christian Reformed Church, and Austin Corinthian Baptist Church crossed paths and began a relationship that continues to thrive today.

The Lord began preparing Tim for this ministry of conciliation in his formative years growing up in Roseland neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. In junior high Tim recalls being the only white kid on the softball team. Indeed, his family was among the last to move out of Roseland.

Tim has also been the chaplain at Trinity Christian College since 1999, while maintaining his responsibilities at Suburban Life. Tim and his wife Laura have three children and live in Darien, IL.

We will begin our time together at 7 a.m. with worship and prayer. We will allow plenty of time for discussion and questions.

If you can stay, breakfast will be served at around 8:30 a.m. for a cost of $5.

To the glory of God!

Brother Bob Marsh
323 West Chicago Ave.
Hinsdale
, IL 60521
630-290-2388
bob@marshdesign.biz


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