E-Newsletter for November 14, 2006

In this issue:

• Democratic Congress May Back Some Faith-Based Efforts, But Undo Others
• Changes in Congressional Leadership Could Change Faith-Based Agenda
• An Interview with John C. Green of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
• Government Cannot Support Shelter That Offers Religious Services, Court Says
• Event Update: Plenary Session Descriptions for Roundtable Conference on Dec. 5
• Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community Organization Eligibility
• Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research project
of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State University of New York.

New! Democratic Congress May Back Some Faith-Based Efforts,
But Undo Others

Last week's elections gave Democrats control of Congress for the first time since 1994. But victory
came with a slim margin and was led by socially conservative candidates who are likely to carry the
baton for laws that provide government money to religious charities. They will be joining more
traditional liberal Democrats who, as majority members, will chair important committees that may
scrutinize or offset past Republican-promoted laws to fund faith-based projects.

President George W. Bush, who spearheaded a Faith-Based and Community Initiative in 2001 to
increase opportunities for religious organizations to win government contracts, said last week that he
hopes Democrats will support the nearly 6-year-old effort when they take power.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris.

Click here for a roundup of other news stories on religion and the 2006 midterm elections.

New! Changes in Congressional Leadership Could Change
Faith-Based Agenda

The Democratic victory in last week's mid-term elections means a change of faces and duties among
members involved in the advancement of faith-based legislation when the 110th session of Congress
convenes in January. In some instances, conservative Republican candidates were unsuccessful in
taking seats from incumbents. Other Republican moderates and conservatives were unseated by
Democrats, some of whom campaigned in support of conservative issues, like bans on abortion and
same-sex marriage. One major impact of the election will be the change in leadership posts as
Democrats claim chairs of committees in both the House and Senate.

Click here for a list of expected changes in Congress by Roundtable Correspondent Anne Farris.

New! An Interview with John C. Green of the Pew Forum on
Religion & Public Life

John C. Green is a senior fellow in religion and American politics at the Pew Forum on Religion &
Public Life and director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron.

He has conducted extensive research on American religious communities and politics, including in
the most recent 2006 mid-term elections. In addition to being a professor of political science at the
University of Akron, Green is also co-author of “The Diminishing Divide: Religion's Changing Role
in American Politics,” “The Values Campaign: The Christian Right in American Politics,” “The
Bully Pulpit: The Politics of Protestant Clergy,” and “Religion and the Culture Wars.”

Click here to read the interview.

New! Government Cannot Support Shelter That Offers Religious
Services, Court Says

The government cannot directly fund religious activities. That, say legal experts, is clear from recent
interpretations of constitutional protections separating church and state. But what about a building
in which religious activities – as well as secular ones – take place? Can government provide money to
fund that, in the interest of supporting non-religious activities that provide a public benefit?

No, a federal appeals court said on Nov. 9 in a decision that has caught the attention of those who
watch the shifting relationship between church and state. It is the first case to address the issue of
public aid for religious structures since a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling six years ago that has
defined the limits of direct government aid to faith-based organizations.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Claire Hughes.

Event Update: Plenary Session Descriptions for Roundtable Conference
on Dec. 5

Just how well are government partnerships with religious social service providers faring in
communities throughout the country? The Roundtable's Annual Conference – “Partnering with
Faith: Assessing Government Alliances with Religious Groups in Key Service Areas” – will address
that question. We'll hear from Jay Hein, the newly appointed Director of the White House Office of
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, on the status of the federal effort and plans for its progress
during the Bush Administration's final two years. We'll have expert analysis from the Roundtable's
legal research directors, Ira C. Lupu and Robert W. Tuttle, on developments in the law concerning
the relationship between church and state.

Then four separate sessions will explore government and faith-based partnerships in service areas
that have been identified as key to the federal effort. Panelists will include top government officials,
faith-based social service providers, researchers and skeptics. They'll share information on current
activities, program effectiveness, and the sometimes controversial issues surrounding taxpayer
support for encouraging religious charities to participate in such work.

Click here for descriptions of the conference plenary sessions.

Click here to register now. The conference is free, but you must register to attend.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are
through programs administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs may require specific
technical expertise.

Click here for the grant digest, compiled by Roundtable Correspondent Allison Sarnoff
with Lisa Montiel.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Oshkosh Nonprofit Heading To Sudan;
Shelter For Life International Plans To Spend $3 Million In That Troubled Country's South.
Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5493

Local clergy to pray in support of police;
Special event is part of a citywide effort to get religious community involved crime prevention
Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5503

After shooting, prayers for the fallen and of forgiveness
The Union Leader (New Hampshire)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5504

Katrina was more than a year ago; have we lost interest in helping?
Richmond Times-Dispatch (Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5506

Nonprofit to dedicate shelter service center
Fredrick News Post (Maryland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5508

Tutors push challenged children to succeed; Making a Difference
Augusta Chronicle (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5509

Government's refusal to recognize Wiccan symbol leads to lawsuit by widows of veterans
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5511

Religious right's agenda endangers liberty, author says
Critic says warnings are attempts to bully pastors, other faith leaders
The Tennessean

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5512

All Saints to defy IRS; Subpoenaed church vows louder anti-war voice
Pasadena Star-News (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5513

Grant gives shelter hand helping homeless vets
New Haven Register (Connecticut)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5514

SF Salvation Army Gets Grant To Help Homeless Vets
CBS5.com (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5515

Adoption Effort To Target Peninsula Churc
CBS5.com (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5510

Federal Economic Development Agency Enlists Support of African-American Churches in the Tennessee Delta;
The DRA's New Healthy Delta Program Will Include Diabetes Awareness Day
PR Newswire US

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5507

Praying for job prospects; Faith-based group presses politicians on local hiring requirements
Buffalo News (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5505

A Scarred Region Mends, With Help From Many Friends
The New York Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5499

Activists seek more jobs through NOAH
The Tonawanda News (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5500

Motorcyclists roll for charity
Mississippi Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5501

Fugitives get chance to give up - at church; Surrendering at church may result in leniency
The Arizona Republic

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5494

Spirit of cooperation; Cooperative Care Center maintains helping hand for Pueblo's needy
The Pueblo Chieftan

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5495

Season for giving; Midstate food bank preparing for Thanksgiving, Christmas
The Macon Telegraph (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5496

Faith-based aid not going to most black N.J. churches
NorthJersey.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5497

Foundation of faith; Church groups build housing ministries
The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5488

Women's center embraces religion; Transitional home teaches self-sufficiency
The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5489

Spirit Lake church responds with help in Gulf Coast town
Sioux City Journal (Iowa)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5490

Chaplains provide comfort, hope to county inmates
Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5491

Agency ups goals for kettles; Salvation Army sets target at $655,000
Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette (Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5483

Jailed, but not lost; A forum dealt with the issues faced by women in prison.
The Philadelphia Inquirer

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5484

Faith-based recovery programs provide alternatives to addiction
Santa Cruz Sentinel (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5485

President Hopes Democrats Preserve Faith-based Intiative
Today's THV (Arizona)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5486

Family plight inspires help for recovery
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5470

Panel offers lots of ideas to cut crime;
A mayoral task force put together to combat the city's murder rate has 'tough conversations.'
Orlando Sentinel (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5461

Meeting informs parents about Ave Maria school
Naples Daily News (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5462

Council rejects sex-ed, health suggestions
Odessa American (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5463

Christian nationalists seek dominance
Cleveland Jewish News (Ohio)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5464

Preschool effort taxes nerves;
Measure 1A is winning slight approval, and firm election results are possible today.
Denver's teacher union raises questions about the program's standards.
The Denver Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5465

Preschool plan leaves public questioning;
Local residents and educators quiz Virginia officials on a new program,
which would provide funds for centers to expand early childhood education access.
Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5467

CIW inmates laud faith-based program
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5492

News - Marriage group with church ties hit with lawsuit
The Christian Chronicle

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5502

Our Daily Bread seeks food donations
The Mississippi Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5480

After outreach, group will help close to home; Homeless -
Tualatin-based Bowls of Grace will work in the city, giving food, clothes and comfort
The Oregonian

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5481

Parolee home in Bloomington not likely to happen
The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5468

Idaho Values Alliance: City of Boise Has 'Rejected God'
KBCI 2 (Boise, Idaho)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5469

Grant to help promote fathers' involvement with kids
The Associated Press State

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5471

Urban churches beneficiaries of new faith-based office
City Pulse (Lansing, Michigan)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5475

Perdue's 'Sonny-Do' list for second term scant on details
The Associated Press State

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5476

Preschool Education Tax Measure to Help Kids Trails, But Few Returns Are In
The Denver Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5477

Voters in Denver weigh preschool sales-tax hike;
Proposal would provide tuition assistance for up to 2,000 children
Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5478

New York Times v. DiIulio, etc.
Reporting on Faith
Weekly Standard - Correspondence Section

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=5460

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 11/14/2006
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_11_14_06.cfm