E-Newsletter for November 28, 2006

In this issue:

• Ohio Group Details Ways to Expand Faith-Based Prison Programs
• Faith-Based Bills Vie for Time as Congressional Session Dwindles
• An Interview with the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar of the National Council of Churches
• Faith-Based Organizations Request Re-Hearing of Birth Control Challenge
• Don’t Miss Out! Roundtable Conference Fast Approaching, 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! Ohio Group Details Ways to Expand Faith-Based Prison Programs

Ohio's Correctional Faith-Based Initiatives Task Force, formed a year ago, has released a report
with 16 recommendations for how to expand religious groups' work with inmates who are preparing
for new lives back in their communities. The group suggested such efforts as developing marketing
plans to recruit faith-based organizations and volunteers, involving religious groups in developing
new prisoner release plans, and equipping religious groups with evidence-based programs shown to
work with ex-offenders.

In compiling its suggestions, the Task Force considered such issues as the unmet needs of prisoners;
the faith-based programs that are already doing such work in Ohio and elsewhere; information
about the kind of approaches that have proven to work to reduce recidivism; and the legal problems
that can arise if programs are set up without consideration of the separation between church and state.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

New! Faith-Based Bills Vie for Time as Congressional Session Dwindles

Congress returns next week for a lame duck session focused on unfinished business, but with little
time to complete many of the faith-based proposals of the 109th session of Congress.

With barely three weeks in the December congressional calendar and a host of major items pending,
it is doubtful that lawmakers will have time to complete most faith-based legislation before year's
end, according to staff who have shepherded legislation to this point. They said many of the measures
would be reintroduced next year using the base of consensus between parties and chambers built
over the past two years.

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

New! An Interview with the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar of the National Council of Churches

The Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar is general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
USA. Thirty-five Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, historically African-American and peace
communions, to which approximately 45 million congregants belong, work together in the Council to
promote unity and to serve churches and people worldwide. Since Dr. Edgar took office in 2000, the
Council has focused on efforts intended to overcome poverty, protect the environment, foster
interfaith understanding, and build international peace.

Edgar is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church who was president of Claremont School
of Theology in California during the 1990s. During the 1970s and 1980s, he served six terms in
Congress, as a Democratic Representative from Pennsylvania.

He is the author of "Middle Church: Reclaiming the Moral Values of the Faithful Majority from the
Religious Right," published in September. In October, Edgar announced his decision to step down
from his position with the Council at the end of 2007.

Click here to read the interview.

Faith-Based Organizations Request Re-Hearing of Birth Control Challenge

A group of Catholic and Baptist charities, hospitals and schools have petitioned New York State's
highest court to re-hear their case challenging a law that requires them to cover the cost of
contraceptives when they offer employees other prescription drug coverage. The state's Court of
Appeals ruled last month that the law - the Women's Health and Wellness Act - is consistent with
state and national constitutions. But the 10 religious organizations argue in a document filed with the
court on Nov. 20 that the judges' decision was wrong. The plaintiffs argue that the Court
misinterpreted a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court decision (Employment Division v. Smith) to mean that a
neutral law of general applicability is necessarily constitutional, without regard to whether the law
unreasonably interferes with religious freedom. And, they say, the Court failed to recognize that the
law creates an incentive for the plaintiffs and similar entities to deny prescription drug coverage
altogether, potentially denying those employees the contraception coverage they would have if the
plaintiff was exempt from the law.

Click here to read the memorandum supporting the plaintiffs' plea for re-argument.

Click here to read the Roundtable's article on the Court of Appeals' decision last month.

Don't Miss Out! Roundtable Conference Fast Approaching, 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. Departments of Justice, and 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

He gives medical care to the poor for free
PEOPLE Magazine -- HEROES AMONG US

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5587

Pastor Chosen to Lead Christian Coalition Steps Down in Dispute Over Agenda
The New York Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5603

Nother Plea Over Holiday City Display Group Asking Council For More Than Christmas Tree
The Coloradoan (Fort Collins, Colorado)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5604

Churches recruited to help in disasters; CDC director asks faith community to practice readiness.
News Leader (Arkansas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5605

Group's aim is to promote, strengthen marriages;
One result will be fewer children in single-parent homes and fewer social problems, it believes.
Dayton Daily News

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5606

Black Female Ministries Target AIDS Danger
Women's eNews

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5607

Shifting of money could be illegal; Lakewood Christian school using public funds to support religious program
Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5608

Abstinence Requirement in President's AIDS Relief Plan Questioned
US Medicine

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5609

Court turns down Maine school vouchers case
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5588

$253,000 grant to group seeking health-care insurance for children
St. Louis Business Journal

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5589

From The Heart; Volunteers in Kentucky And Nonprofit Groups In New
Orleans Band Together To Build Homes For Local Families
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5590

World AIDS Day: Who's Positive Calls for Immediate Action to Prevent
HIV/AIDS Among Youth in the United States
PR Newswire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5591

The Bible as Literature -- 'It has everything'; High school offers different kind of Bible study
The State (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5592

Family leaves homelessness behind
The Honolulu Advertiser

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5594

Delegate says religious display meant to inspire, not preach
The Daily Mail (Charleston, West Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5597

Tuition donors score big tax credit; The break is 65 percent for contributors to private school scholarship funds.
The Des Moines Register (Iowa)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5598

Ministry Village poised to offer many service
The Walton Tribune (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5595

Delivering aid - and values; New interest by faith-based groups in problems like
AIDS bring church resources and hands to a cause. It also brings concerns.
Orange County Register (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5593

Stopping youth violence becoming key in city
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5568

Reclaim, Rebuild, Rejoice
The Hartford Courant (Connecticut)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5569

Filling empty stomachs in U.S. a growing challenge; Though donations to food banks
tend to rise over the holidays, a patchwork of providers must scramble the rest of the year.
Chicago Tribune

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5570

Faith-based group finds calling at detention home
The Washington Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5563

Local teens feel the power of INFUSION; Interdenominational youth program
focuses on dealing with 'marginalized' in our society
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5564

Denver's homeless initiative encourages lasting bonds between families, churches
Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5565

Homeless find holiday refuge; Meals, clothing, bed part of Oak Ridge Baptist Church's 'Be Our Guest' program
The Daily Times (Maryland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5566

Michigan's most willing volunteers are women
The Detriot Free Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5571

Promise of healing, reward
The Citizen (Auburn, New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5572

The Pueblo Chieftain
The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5573

A class trip with a purpose; Lancaster Christian seniors go to Dominican Republic to help school
Lancaster New Era (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5574

Religion rebounds at YMCA; More branches are showing a spiritual side,
with ministry services and Christian rock. For some members, it's just not working out.
Los Angeles Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5575

Choices for women
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5567

Dinner guest: 'I'm just thankful to be alive': Without Walls serves meals to homeless in Tempe
The Tribune (Mesa, Arizona)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5582

Homeless Hospice
Religion and Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5596

Federal funds help curb N.D. abortions Forum staff reports
The In Forum News (North Dakota)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5586

Special Calling; Police chaplains bring comfort to many - this time in the form of a Thanksgiving dinner
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5576

Some Alabama charities feel Katrina chill on giving
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5577

Operation Gang Out comes to East Clarendon High School
Manning Times (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5578

City OKs study of homeless complex
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5579

Faith groups urge action after shooting
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5580

Brownback to put feet to his faith;
Pondering a presidential run, he plans a focus on social needs with an HIV test and a prison stay.
The Kansas City Star

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5581

Shelter system gives homeless a safe place to sleep
Sacramento Bee (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5583

Community resource center offers hope
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5584

Group to open downtown soup kitchen
The Janesville Gazette (Wisconsin)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=5585

Weekly Opinion Roundup -11/28/2006
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/11-28-2006_opinion_roundup.cfm