|
|
| |
The Next Step podcast for July 23 is up at www.epostle.net or through iTunes.
This week we looked at dreams - making them real. An update on Darfur and an exclusive interview with Gor Mkhitarian. At the end of the podcast - you get to hear the premiere of "Miracles."
Miracles is one of 10 songs to be featured on our new CD - to debut in December of this year. We're very excited with the creation of this new Armenian spiritual music. Gor discusses his music and specifically his own spirituality in the podcast.
The Next Step is part of the expanding vision of the In His Shoes Mission and the Armenian Church Youth Ministries' Center in Glendale. Its available exclusively on the epostles net - www.epostle.net - on iTunes, do a search for "Fr. Vazken" and you'll go right to it.
Remember to send comments to feedback@epostle.net or use the voice-feedback line at In His Shoes - (626) 275-AMEN.
Enjoy!
|
| |
| |
If there are young people (identified to age 40! - pretty nice) in our community who would be interested in this opportunity - please let me know. I'd be happy to help out. There's only 10 days left to apply.
From: Sarah Talcott To: uri-globalyouth@uriglobal.org Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 4:28 PMSubject: [uri-globalyouth] Forum of Global Young Leaders Dear URI Global Youth, Here is an opportunity to participate in the Forum of Global Young Leaders, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, that will take place in Switzerland, in January 2009. If you or a young person in your organization meets the criteria, you would need to fill out the nomination form by JULY 31st, 2008! Note that companies and organizations can only nominate ONE candidate every TWO years. Here is more information from their website: www.younggloballeaders.org Good luck! Peace, Sarah About the Process Selection Process The Forum of Young Global Leaders has established a comprehensive selection process for identifying and selecting the most exceptional leaders 40 years of age or younger. Every year, thousands of possible candidates from around the world are proposed and assessed according to rigorous selection criteria. Only the very best candidates are selected and all efforts are extended to create a truly representative body. The shortlisted candidates are evaluated by the Selection Committee, which is chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and includes eminent international media leaders. The Selection Committee aims to assemble a group of nominees that is diverse, geographically balanced and representative of a wide range of professions, talents and perspectives. Reflecting the diversity of stakeholders, the Young Global Leaders include leaders from the worlds of politics, business, civil society, academia, and arts and culture across the seven geographic regions. Together they form a unique community that can dramatically affect the lives of future generations and craft innovative responses to address global and regional challenges. Selection criteria Potential candidates for Young Global Leaders are selected based on the following criteria: - He/she is 40 years of age or younger at the time of nomination (to be eligible for the 2008 nomination process, the candidate must have been born on or after 1 January 1968);
- He/she has a recognized record of extraordinary achievement and a proven track record of substantial leadership experience, typically this means 5-15 years of outstanding professional work experience and a clear indication of playing a substantial leadership role for the rest of his or her career;
- He/she have demonstrated a commitment to serve society at large through exceptional contributions;
- He/she must have an impeccable record in the public eye and good standing in his/her community;
- Candidates from the Business Sector must be responsible for the full operation of a qualifying corporation or division and must hold one of the following titles: President, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Managing Partner or Publisher, or equivalent of any of the above. If the company is a member or partner of the World Economic Forum, the candidate requires the approval of the CEO or Chairman of the Board of the respective company;
- Companies, organisations and entities can only nominate one candidate from the qualifying company every two years.
Nomination Process Nomination Deadline 31 July 2008 To qualify for the 2008 selection process, all nominations must be received in the Foundation’s office by 31 July 2008, at: The Forum of Young Global Leaders
World Economic Forum
91-93 route de la Capite
CH – 1223 Cologny/Geneva
Switzerland All applications received after that date will enter the 2009 selection process. Nomination Form
Nomination forms can be completed online or downloaded in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
Eligible nominations are submitted from nominators who are wellacquainted with the nominated leader and can attest to his or her qualifications. The nominator must be someone other than the nominee or a family member. Nominators do not need to collaborate with the nominee in putting forth the nomination package, neither do they need to keep the submission confidential.
Please note that only complete nomination forms will be considered. Supporting Documents
To complete the nomination package, please include a current CV of the candidate as well as a confidential letter of recommendation, which outlines the reasons for supporting the nomination of the candidate and provides information on the candidate's commitment to serve society at large. Please feel free to also include optional information such as a recent photo, citations, articles and dated newspaper clippings of the candidate. Notification
The 2009 nominees will be invited to join The Forum of Young Global Leaders in January 2009. Given the large number of applications, we will only notify the candidates who have been selected by the Selection Committee. The complete list of Young Global Leaders 2009 will be announced through a global media launch in April 2009. ***************** Sarah Talcott United Religions Initiative Young Leaders Program Coordinator mailto: stalcott@uri.org Skype: sarita817 www.globalassembly2008.org Phone: 1-415-561-2300 ex. 23
|
| |
| |
This story touches very close to home. It’s on all the Southern California local newscasts. Please help get the word out. Also - check out this website for more details: http://www.georgesilah.com/
WATCH: Here are the mothers pleas: http://cbs2.com/local/Children.Missing.Abduction.2.776424.html Please read the info below, forward and help get the word out.
Police seek 3 Playa del Rey children
From wire reports Article Launched: 07/22/2008 06:56:44 AM PDT
Video: Frantic mothers plead for help Police today sought the public's help in finding three children abducted by their fathers who appeared to have abandoned the home in Playa del Rey where they lived together. Jean John Silah, 47, picked up his child, 9-year-old Greg, from his ex- wife for a summer vacation visit on June 23.
A court order obligated him to return Greg to his mother by July 2.
He failed to do so, and police noted that he had threatened to take their son to his native country, Syria, in the past.
At the same time, Jean John Silah's brother, George Silah, 46, had his two sons, Alexander Silah, 12, and Zaven Silah, 8, at the home the brothers shared in the 7300 block of West 81st Street, near Lincoln Boulevard.
He was scheduled to take his sons on a cruise on July 5, but did not take it.
Police discovered that the brothers had not paid the rent for several months and the home appeared to have been abandoned.
Anyone with information on the abductions was asked to call Lt. Richard Mossler of the Pacific Division at (310) 482-6313.
--- Google Search results at noon 7/22/08:
KNX1070 | Police seek 3 Playa del Rey children
Daily Breeze, CA - 5 hours ago
At the same time, Jean John Silah's brother, George Silah, 46, had his two sons, Alexander Silah, 12, and Zaven Silah, 8, at the home the brothers shared in ...
2 brothers allegedly abduct their 3 sons abc7.com
2 LA brothers allegedly abduct their children San Jose Mercury News
Brothers Suspected of Abducting 3 Children ktla 5
abc7.com
all 27 news articles » |
---
Personal appeal from the mother:
My Children Alex and Zaven have been missing as of Wed. night July 2nd, 2008. They have been abducted by their criminal father, George Silah during visitation with their dad and are believed to have fled the U.S. They were last seen at their father's home in Los Angeles. If anyone sees them in the U.S. please call 911. If they are spotted outside the U.S. please call local authorities imediately.
|
Subject: Missing: Alex and Zaven Silah
To:
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 12:36 PM
Appeal from mother:
My Children Alex and Zaven have been missing as of Wed. night July 2nd, 2008. They have been abducted by their criminal father, George Silah during visitation with their dad and are believed to have fled the U.S. They were last seen at their father's home in Los Angeles. If anyone sees them in the U.S. please call 911. If they are spotted outside the U.S. please call local authorities imediately.
|
|
| |
| |
In His Shoes is teaming up with artist Gor Mkhitarian and producing an album of 10 spiritual songs, set to be released late Autumn '08 or early Winter. It's an exciting and fresh sound and I'm very excited to be a part of this project.
This Friday evening, July 18, Gor will be performing in Pasadena. It's a free-outdoor concert. Here's some info: www.gormusic.com
Hope you can make it.
|
| |
| |
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/wheel/la-fi-gas17-2008jun17,0,4265578.story
From the Los Angeles Times Oil prices fuel fury from the pulpitSome clergy question the car's role in society as gasoline costs keep some of the faithful away from services. By Ronald D. White
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 17, 2008
Record gasoline prices have been painful, but now they have begun to test the limits of faith.
In houses of worship nationwide, preachers are railing against the forces of energy evil, and congregations are praying for lower fuel prices.
So far, no results.
The Energy Department's weekly survey Monday showed U.S. pump prices hitting a fresh record of $4.08 a gallon. Oil neared $140 a barrel, but then retreated.
The problem is affecting even the holy business, driving down attendance at churches, synagogues and mosques. Religious leaders are struggling to help their members cope, spinning new themes about a society that has become almost sinfully reliant on motorized transport. Others are viewing the energy-price squeeze as a test of the way they serve God and their communities.
Pastor Matthew Barnett is spending nearly $11,000 a week to power a fleet of aging trucks and buses that ferry members to his megachurch at the historic Angelus Temple in Echo Park.
The buses also are used to give teens in troubled neighborhoods an all-day respite at the church's Dream Center and to deliver food and medical care to the poor. Financial advisors and other church leaders have suggested diverting the money spent on the fleet to a television ministry.
Barnett doesn't think so.
"I know a lot of churches that are folding up their bus ministries, but when you're called to do God's work, you have to weather the hard times," Barnett said. "The way to impact a community is to keep showing up and being consistent. We have to be a positive force, and there's no amount that gas prices can go up to that will stop that."
Some economists say Americans are spending more on foreign oil as a percentage of gross domestic product -- 3% -- than at any time since the oil shortages of the 1970s.
"Between 1987 and 2002, the percentage was below 1%, then came the recent rise in energy prices," said Edward Leamer, head of the UCLA Anderson Forecast. "This weekly slap in the face we get at the gas pumps is a symptom of an annoying reality: Americans are not as wealthy as they used to be."
Or as morally focused, some church leaders believe. One pastor, Ed Black of Arena Christian Church in Lincoln, Calif., told his flock on his blog Sunday that the car -- and the fuel it rode in on -- might be one of the roots of modern society's ills.
"With the invention of the car," Black wrote, "young men would change the dating scene, picking up girls, and taking them away from their parents, without supervision, dropping [them] off later after who knows what went on."
Fuel's expense is cutting across cultural and religious beliefs.
At the Islamic Center of Southern California, it was common before the surge in gasoline prices to see people visit five times a day to find fellowship and pray.
Now, coordinator Ahmed Mohamed says, many people come "just two or three times a day and sometimes less. They can't afford to drive here as often. I've never seen anything like it."
High oil prices remain the primary driver behind rising gasoline prices. But California's gas has taken several unusually large jumps in recent weeks, in part because of refinery glitches. Few facilities outside California make the state's super-clean gasoline formula.
California's average gas price jumped 15.5 cents in the last week to $4.588 a gallon, the Energy Department said. In the last month, California's average has increased nearly 64 cents a gallon while the U.S. average has risen 29 cents. A year earlier, the average was $1.35 lower in California and $1.07 lower nationwide.
The volatile oil gauge soared to a record $139.89 a barrel early Monday despite weekend reports that Saudi Arabia would boost production. But the commodity couldn't break the $140 mark and lost steam, closing at $134.61, down 25 cents.
Although gas is cheaper in other states, the $4 mark is being seen in most of the country.
At the First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga., a sign proclaims "Free Gasoline," referring to the raffle of two $500 gas cards during a recent church revival.
At the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Valley City, Ohio, Pastor D. Murawski's message Sunday was simple. By all means, cut back on your driving but not your driving to church.
"Yes, it may be more difficult at the end of the month to pay our bills and fill our tanks," he wrote on the church's website, "but one thing that hasn't diminished one iota is the commitment of God to love you, forgive you, and watch over you."
But one place of worship's cause for concern is another's apparent opportunity.
Chuck Warnock, pastor of Chatham Baptist Church in Chatham, Va., said the leap in gas prices "bodes well for small neighborhood churches, and badly for those who have a long commute to church."
"Small churches that position themselves to minister to their community will be attractive as our country refocuses on small, local, sustainable experiences from food production to education to work to worship," Warnock said on his blog, titled "Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor."
Back in Los Angeles, Barnett said he was looking for ways to improve his bus fleet.
"Some of them are 10 years, 15 years, 20 years old," he said of the church's vehicles. "We're open to any idea to keep them rolling."
ron.white@latimes.com
|
| |
|
|
Subscribe to this blog
