Washington Post Cybercast News Service Americans United for Separation of Church and State Ashcroft nomination nears Senate vote Liberal and conservative Christian lobbies are mobilizing their supporters for one final push as the Senate nears a vote on the Ashcroft nomination. Both People for the American Way and the Christian Coalition, among many other groups, are targeting moderate Democratic Senators who are wavering on the controversial nominee. On Monday, Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said Ashcroft's. On Sunday, Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman said he was troubled by Ashcroft's record on race and equal protection for lesbians and gays. TThe people of El Salvador are still recovering from the Jan. 13 earthquake, where the death toll exceeds 600 with more than 1,200 people still missing.
Strong aftershocks continue to hinder rescue efforts.
Most of the damage was centered along the Pacific Coast and in communities west and north of the capital city of San Salvador. More than 20,000 mostly wood and adobe homes must be replaced and 47,000 other homes repaired. The quake has displaced nearly 46,000 people. The UCC's longtime partner, the Lutheran Church of El Salvador, has dispatched emergency teams to the affected areas to assess needs and begin relief operations. UCC Disaster Page New York Times Episcopal women want equality On Jan 16 and 17, more than fifty representatives from women's organizations and ministries in the Episcopal Church gathered at the Episcopal Church Center in New York to discuss how national mission programs and structures can be more inclusive of women.