c. 2006 Religion News Service

Church of the Brethren Calls for End of War in Iraq

(RNS) The Church of the Brethren passed a resolution calling for the end of the war in Iraq at its recent annual meeting.

“As disciples of Christ and members of one of the three historic peace churches, we cannot ignore the death, destruction, and violence in the war in Iraq,” the statement reads.

Passed by delegates during the meeting held July 1-5 in Des Moines, Iowa, it urged the return home of troops now in Iraq and the development of a nonviolent plan for peace in that region.

The church’s news service reported “a sizable minority” voted against the resolution, with some noting that telling their congregations of its passage would be “an unwelcome task.”

Delegates to the meeting also considered _ but declined to adopt _ a resolution on “Divestment from Companies Selling Products Used as Weapons in Israel and Palestine.” Instead, they urged agencies and people of faith “to review their own investments and refrain from investing in businesses that profit from war and violence.”

In other matters, delegates passed a statement urging congregations and facilities to recommit to being “fully accessible” and inclusive of all people. They also called for support of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, which include combating infectious diseases and reducing child mortality.

The Church of the Brethren, which will celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2008, includes about 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico.

_ Adelle M. Banks

Top Episcopal Bishop Challenges “Two-tier” Plan

(RNS) The outgoing leader of the Episcopal Church challenged a recently proposed plan to divide the worldwide Anglican Communion into two camps of churches, saying that it “raises serious questions about how we understand ourselves as being the church.”

“Such a two-tiered view of our common life suggests to me amputated limbs and severed branches without any life-giving relationship to the One who is the source of all life,” said the church’s Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.

Griswold’s nine-year tenure as presiding bishop ends in November, when Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will assume the role.

The two-tier plan was proposed in June by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, in response to the controversy that has erupted since the Episcopal Church elected an openly gay man as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003. With 2.2 million members, the Episcopal Church is the American arm of the Anglican Communion.

Many of the 37 other Anglican provinces consider homosexuality a sin and at least 22 have declared themselves in “impaired” or broken communion with the American church.

Under Williams’ plan the 38 Anglican provinces would be divided between “constituent churches” with decision-making privileges and “churches in association” without those privileges. Particular provinces’ stances on homosexuality could be a crucial factor in deciding whether they are full members of the Anglican Communion.

The Episcopal Church moved to address some concerns over its liberalism on sexuality issues in June when it called on church leaders to “exercise restraint” by not ordaining any more gay bishops.

“Our response expressed a strong desire to engage the work of reconciliation as part of a global communion in which strongly held opinions on variations in human sexuality have threatened to displace the creeds and sacraments in articulating the faith we share,” Griswold said.

_ Daniel Burke

Virginia Governor Pardons “Witch” After 300 Years

(RNS) Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine pardoned Grace Sherwood, 300 years after she was convicted of being a witch.

“With 300 years of hindsight, we all certainly can agree that trial by water is an injustice,” Kaine said in a statement.

In July 1706, Sherwood, a self-proclaimed healer and midwife, had her thumbs tied to her feet and was thrown into waters off what is now Virginia Beach.

The idea was that she would float if she was a witch and she would drown if innocent. Sherwood floated, and served a seven-year sentence in jail. After being released, former Virginia Gov. Alexander Spotswood restored her property rights and she lived with her three children until she was 80.

The magic behind the pardon was Belinda Nash, 59, who volunteers as director of the Ferry Plantation House, a historic home where she greets visitors in costumed character playing Sherwood.

“I feel such a relief for her knowing that this pardon has lifted her guilt, because I never thought that she was a witch,” Nash said.

Nash didn’t use any magic to exonerate Sherwood, just elbow grease. For 23 years she dug through court and church vestry records from libraries and historical societies. Nash serves as the historian in Old Donation Episcopal Church, in Virginia Beach, Va., where Sherwood was tried.

During an annual re-enactment ceremony Monday (July 10) near the spot Sherwood is believed to have been thrown into the water, Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf read a statement from Kaine restoring “the good name of Grace Sherwood.”

“According to the records, Ms. Sherwood’s offenses were to be an independent, intelligent woman at a time when that was frowned upon by some,” said Kevin Hall, a spokesman for Kaine.

_ J. Edward Mendez

Quote of the Day: Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine

(RNS) “With 300 years of hindsight, we all certainly can agree that trial by water is an injustice.”

_ Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine after pardoning a woman convicted 300 years ago of being a witch.

DSB/JL END RNS