Amnesty International Charges f Nicaraguan Rights Violated, Lives Lost Amnesty International recently called on the Nicaraguan government to take urgent measures to prevent further unlawful killings by army troops of peasants suspected of col laborating with the Contra opposition forces in rural war zones. The worldwide human rights organization said that there had been noticeable improvements in the human rights situation in Nicaragua. However, it remained concerned about reports this year of human rights abuses that include summary killings and "disappearances." A new report, "Nicaragua: The Human Righto record 1986-89," said cases of unlawful killings by govern ment soldiers had been reported since the beginning of the armed con flict and had continued to be reported after the ceasefire came intoeffect in April 1988. Other peasants reportedly arrested by the security forces have “disappeared” and the government has not yet accounted for them. The majority of those killed or “disappeared” lived in rural areas where opposition forces have concen trated their military activity and targeted civilians, causing many casualties. The Contra forces have frequently executed civilian and military captives and hundreds of civilians are reported to have been forcibly recruited into the Contra forces after being abducted from their homes. Amnesty International said the cir cumstances of the killings attributed to government troops often indicated that the victims were killed after cap ture and ware unarmed, and were singled out because they were suspected of sympathising with the Contras. , Dozens of such eases have been reported since Ml in remote parts of Jinotega, Matagalpa and Juigalpa departments. Five Catholic lay preachers were abducted in March 1968 during house-to-house searches by government troops looking for suspected Contras. The mutilated bodies of all live were reportedly found a day later. Amnesty International said, however, that many soldiers have been prosecuted and sentenced to prison terms for crimes against civilians. In April, a military court sentenced an army lieutenant to the maximum 30 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty or executing two unarmod civilians, Santos Olayo Garcia Paras and Ignacio Crus Valdes, in December 190*. Govern ment responses to casea submitted to it by Amnesty International since 1M7 on Mallaged victims of unlawful! MHiy fiyt “(liHppcarsnras'1 stow that 17 military and police personnel have been sentenced to prison for boom of then ahueaa. but in Other cases Investigations havo boon suspendad or are still incomplete. TRIUMPH Every triumph of life leads back by various paths to earlior preparation. Anmvmous DOING GOOD Do all the good you can and make no fuesabout It. _!_■ Charles Dicfcana BORN AB/UN-Mu Asiatics, Dskkys Tumsr, a 14-yur^M calaga caad, Is PN«t PlWfi DVIUuiUI Ml I NiR>l|M Winiilllli viVWIIVV MIPV I WwflWH nImci af BO isHan viewers, the Jsnesbers, Ark. saliva pata har MHi Is Bad Nrst la her Ms, and wfl racslva awards Including $44,000.00 Is schelarshlps, massy, ap Is $200,000.00 far ptrsonal appsarascas and a 1000 Carvstts Consumer Tips for Charity Giving During the Holiday Season News USA (Nu) - More than 400.000 chari table organizations exist in America today. During the holiday season, it seems each one of them is asking for donations. The daily mail is filled with solicitations. The tele phone rings with calls from fund raisers of all types. The problem faced by the poten tial giver this time of year is coping with the rising tide of requests — distinguishing the responsible and accountable from the fraudulent and mismanaged. United Way of America, the national service association for the 23.00 United Ways across the coun try. developed the following list of questions people should investigate before making a contribution. Some information can be gathered through telephone conversations, while other informational docu ments can be requested from the organizations. Get Some Background 1. Does the organization publish an annual report and provide it upon request? Does the annual report contain a detailed annual budget certified by an independent public accounting firm? 2. Does the organization have an active and responsible volunteer governing board? 3.1s there a clear statement of purpose, and do the organization's programs and services address that stated purpose? Friday Afternoon Book Club Meets The Downtown Hudson Belk Capital Room was the scene of the Friday Afternoon Book Club's recent monthly meeting. The hostess for the day was Ms. Mabel Young, but due to Iter absence Ms. Maude Evans substituted for her. After greetings by the president, Ms. Elizabeth Jor dan, a luncheon was enjoyed by members and guests. The devotion, led by Ms. Lucy Stan di, followed the luncheon. She also submitted the secretary’s report. The treasurer’s and amenities reports were heard from Ms. Dorothy Sanders and Ms. Naomi Debnam, respectively. The members were happy to have Ms. Mildred James present. She is doing well after undergoing a heart operation. The members will continue to keep her and the other sick members in their The dub agreed to give a donation toward the raffle tickets for the Friends of the Shaw University Library. The Christmas party will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Sanders on South State Street. The chairperson, Ms. Dorothy Sanders, will Inform the members of the final The visitors included Ms. Mayette Ford of Virginia and Ms. Maggie Holley of Raleigh. Ms. Holley brought the entertainment to the group. She was presented by the acting hostess, Ms. Maude Evans. The members then sat back ind relaxed while Ms. Holley took tbemon an Imaginary trip through the Holy Land as she shared her visit tbsre through filmstrips. The narration was provided by Ms. Holley's daughter, Juanita. Ms. Holley was presented a gift by thehostees. Ms. Marjorie Phillips thanked the i tor the meeting. were Ms. La .Pauline Young, Ms. Nora Lockhart, Ms. Marjorie Phillips, Ms. Dorothy Sanders, Ms. Maude Evans, Ms. Naomi Debnam, Ms. Mary Lane, Ms. Elisabeth Bur ton, Ms. Santo Ms. Beulah Ms. 4. Does it have a responsible pro gram. along with responsible man agement and fund-raising expenses? 5. Is the organization providing services in your community? 6. Who decides how yourcharitable donation is spent? For example, money given to a United Way goes through a committee of volunteers that makes funding decisions based on an assessment of community needs. 7. Are the organization's publici ty and promotional materials ethical and accurate? What does the charity claim: does it deliver? Organizational Resources Givers also can check with sever al organizations before making a contnbution. One of these organiza tions is the United Wavs which can tell you if your local United Way is supporting the organization you plan to aid. For the telephone num ber. see the white pages, or contact United Way of America at 703-836 7100 in Alexandria. Va. The Internal Revenue Service can tell you if the organization is tax exempt. If not, your gift is not deductible. Other groups offering various guidance to the potential giver are The Council of Better Business Bureaus at 703-276-0100 in Arlington. Va.. and the National Charities Information Bureau at 212-929-6300 in New York City. So be a responsible giver, know the charity you are supporting or check on it if you don’t. »Y I Come 1 Let’s Think) BY EVA L. PERRY GIVE US THIS DAY Lord’ I’ve just sat down to write You Not knowing where to start. Because Your many mercies Sustain my fainting heart. But now the world is groaning ’Neath famine, war, and flood. Lord, can You sitll protect me, Provide my daily food? Then as I sat there anxious, A mockingbird flew down, And looked for seeds and berries Upon the frozen ground. “I say, you silly fellow, Now how will you survive? The bear has sought his burrow, The honeybee his hive. The harvest time is over, Each bush and tree is bare. The fields are brown and barren And you’re not fraught with care?” The mockingbird was startled And flew into a tree. / “Why don’t you know?” he seemed to Trill, “God watches over me.” Thanks, mockingbird. Your carefree Song Removes my senseless doubt. Henceforth I’U share your trust and Joy And spread the word about. 0 Lord, forgive my lack of faith, I thank You for that bird. Through him You’ve ended my Concern, And thus Your voice I've heard. —'Theodore E. Miller Listen, era you thankful? You should be. Regardlces of how old you are, you have taken one breath of air at a time up until this present mo ment. Who gave you that air? Think about it! God is love, and He proves to you and me that He Is love. Wemust thank Him for “letting us be.” I, Eva Perry, do very often lift my voice in praise to God and sing, “1 have so much to thank my Jesus for." I Just can’t count all of my blessings. Glory be to God! Read your Bible prayerfully and think! Corns Worship Wltfr Us Laowcea United CHURCH OF CHRIST 2004 Rook Quarry Road Ralaiflh, N.C. 27010 Phonal 032-2704 “Upward And Outward” Sunday Seliool Sunday Si SO All Morning Woralilp Sunday 11iOO All Prayor Mooting Wod. TiOO P.M. Blblo Study Wod. SiOO P.M. The Rev. 6. C. Hawkms pastoh RUSH METROPOLITAN A.M.E. BON CHURCH ST. AMBROSE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 813 Darby Straat Phone: 833-8055 Rev. J. Arthur Calloway, Rector SERVICE SCHEDULE: 8 ».m. Each Sunday — Holy Communion * 10 a.m. Each Sunday_Church School 11 a.m.Holy Communion 0 Sormon *11:30 a.m. Wodnoidayi. Lucnoon Euchartat •Only Adult Classes during Summer Vacation Are You an Inactive Catholic? Are you a Catholic who hasn't been to church in awhile? Do you miss being part of a parish family? Have you been thinking about returning to the Church? If you would like to give the Catholic Church another try, we are waiting to welcome you into our parish SUNDAY MASS 9:00 AM 11:30 AM A parish m the Roman Catholic .tradition small enough to call home Peartree Lane ai Pooie Road Raleigh. North Carolina -ALL ARE MVITEO TO MATWPATE FIRST COSMOPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH IBIICrMlMRMd Winn. Myth Caul— 27610 | VaAAkAM |AB>jiaa ft Bmua* IuhIm TBMMft RNVW9 • rtifli •iffWi Trf-If.7: JO FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST S410 CrMoh Road RaMgh, N.C. 17*10 PIMM 832-4704 R.la|rm, Pastor .10:00 i.m. .11:00 ta. .__ . *»»»••"•••.. Wat 7:00 Ml HwrtftaiMlantM.Fit. 0:00 s.*. &untiap Ueggon NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH Revelation 21:1-7, 22-27 Heaven and earth ha we been around a long time. "la the begin ning God created the heaven and the earth," we read at the eataet of the Bible (Genesis 1:1). David exulted, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the fhrma ment sheweth his handiwork" (Psalms 11:1), Most Jews considered the near by Mediterranean Sea a place of danger and evil. That Is probably why John said, “There was bo more sea” in the new order (Revelatioa 11:1). Like a child entering a aew school, getting braces, taking his first airplane ride, and coming home to Had his tree house Mown down all la the same day, wo are disturbed by any disruption of the things that are familiar to as. Therefore, oar minds cry for a satisfying interpretation of what we learn la Revelation 21, name ly, that the earth aad firmament we know will be replaced by something new. Actually, the events of Revela tion 21 are aot the first of their kind, for God has been making things new all along. He gavo a new heart to Israel aad a new covenant through Jeans. He gives new hope for the hopeless aad new life for thoae who are dead ia their sins. Here, though, ia the new heaven aad earth, Is the completion of now things, the summing np of the human story begun ages ago. Notice the perfection. God will dwell with His people. Suffering and death will bo baalaked. All the limitations of the present age will be gone. New Jerusalem will be Uke "a bride adorned for her husband.” The promiae of these conditions, which will be ac complished by God, Is assured by His nature. The authority in the city will be God Himself. He wUl freely give the “water of Ufo" to all who thirst. Having overcome the trials of earthly Ufe aad death by the power of Christ, we will Uve forever with God. Talk about urban revival! There has never been a city as great as God’s city. Now Jeru salem, will be. Imagine a travel agency trying to come up with a brochure describing this deatlaatlsa. How lucky we are to have a record of John’s guided tour. Unlike cities today, security in God’s city wiU bo no problem. Traffic will flow freely as people seek to pratoe God. All the blessings in Now Jerusalem wiU flow from the presence aad centrality of God. John’s vlslea of a now boavoa and now earth brings Revelation’s moosage to a stirr ing finale. God's presence with His people wiU become a glorious reality. Our hope of dwelling securely In God’s presence will bo realised through Jesus Christ. Thin is a groat truth w» ought not lose Wdtoflils^ WOKIMY MM-WMkPwywt PiHwtir<w».IMm, Hh lvN^| • • ■ • 7*30 P»Mb Mrhajjw(lM)..ItM Urn • ■ 1 SMTH TEMPLE FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH tamo? PlMM 133*1147 [Ur. tIraAmr pn^ tartar Mad.. 1trtPa.au PanlapWanUp.11rt«MU Taaata'a PaaMap.Wrt.7rtSpm Piavar Santaa.....Wai.SrtSp.au SHAW ONNTY SCHOOL COMMUMTY CHURCH | PIwm: mTi4M «rMt-1*4* .1 MLMMNTT.HMaM.fMlV *r ‘

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