Film in review: “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”
The fourth installment of this series recovers some of the swagger and fun of the earlier versions, perhaps because of the welcome addition of Penelope Cruz.
The Presbyterian Outlook
Creating and curating trustworthy resources for the church, the Presbyterian Outlook connects disciples of Jesus Christ through compelling and committed conversation for the proclamation of the Gospel.
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Walton Award-winning North Carolina church will use grant to construct eco-friendly building
STATESVILLE, N.C. (PNS) Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, N.C., already has plans for the $50,000 Walton Award it won in April.
NewFOG: Too Much Change, Too Much Uncertainty, Unintended Consequences, Especially Now.
Although I had not planned to write in opposition to newFOG, I have decided to do so now . There were two tipping points for me:
CHURCH LEADERS QUIET ON MAJOR ISSUE
I am disappointed that the 25 moderators of previous General Assemblies who wrote
a letter posted on the Outlook's website have not been speaking out in regard to the
theological problems and deficiencies in controversial amendments, particularly
Amendment 10-A;
Ecumenical gathering in Jamaica focuses on promoting peace
KINGSTON, Jamaica (ENI) Some 1,000 worldwide faith leaders and
peace practitioners are exploring the concept of "just peace" and recent
advances in peacemaking practices at a weeklong International Ecumenical
Peace Convocation (IEPC) in Kingston.
Film in review: “Hesher”
“Hesher” won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival last year, and it’s
easy to see why.
Films in review: “Carancho” & “The Strange Case of Angelica”
Ah, romance. It takes such wondrously variegated forms. Even in movies.
San Francisco Seminary taps new president James McDonald
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (PNS) After 18 months under an interim president, San Francisco
Theological Seminary has named the Rev. James L. McDonald as its 11th president.
Sudan’s churches promote peace as date for independence nears
NAIROBI, Kenya (ENI) As independence for South Sudan approaches
on July 9, churches there are coordinating efforts to bring lasting peace to
a region exhausted by a long civil war.
Europe/Middle East forum seeks ‘practical ways to improve society’
WARSAW, Poland (ENI) Interfaith initiatives should focus on the practical, non-political task of building grassroots relationships, according to participants at a religious
symposium which ended May 15 in Poland.
Muslim-Christian meeting in Lebanon warns against internal divisions
JERUSALEM (ENI) Lebanese religious leaders have warned against
growing internal divisions in their country and urged national leaders to
work towards unity and tolerance, following a joint Christian-Muslim meeting
convened May 12 in Bkirki by newly appointed Maronite Patriarch Beshara
Rai.
Reformed church group approves strategic plan
Geneva (ENI) The largest global grouping of Reformed churches has approved a strategic plan for 2011- 2017 that focuses on youth leadership development, increased collaboration with regional church groups and a call to make visible the connection between Reformed theology and justice concerns.
nFOG heads down to the wire, Belhar struggles for breath: An update on amendment voting
UPDATED MAY 17, 2011 – Now that Amendment 10-A has accumulated a majority of affirmative votes to assure adoption, attention focuses upon the ratification votes for the New Form of Government (nFOG) and the Belhar Confession. Both hold a lead at present, but the final outcomes are too close to call.
Free indeed
Former President George W. Bush seldom carried crowds with the force of his oratory. He was known for mangling the language, for twisting up his words, for blurting countless “Bushisms,” as they were dubbed, and then following with an ah-shucks, self-deprecating grin and shrug.
Conference centers try to make ends meet
LOUISVILLE, KY. Both the Ghost Ranch and Stony Point conference centers continue to lose money.
GAMC: Another year, another new name?
LOUISVILLE, KY. The GAMC is considering changing its name from “General Assembly Mission Council” to “Presbyterian Mission.”
2011 Walton Award winners announced
LOUISVILLE, KY. (GAMC) Five new church developments have been named winners of the 2011 Sam and Helen R. Walton Awards. Each recipient church ministry will receive $40,000. The winning churches are
Justice consultation features visit to tomato pickers
FT. MYERS, FLA. (WCRC, CRC) The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) held its first ever justice consultation in early April, hopeful that it had advanced its mission to seek fair treatment for workers and others who are marginalized in the world.
European churches wrestle with anti- Christian violence
WARSAW, POLAND (ENI) When Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's only Christian cabinet minister, was assassinated on March 2 after criticizing his country’s laws against blaspheming the name of the Prophet Muhammad, it was only the latest act against Christians to provoke outrage worldwide.
Protestant churches gear up to deal with clergy sex abuse
Sexual misconduct in the church has been much in the news in recent years — with many of the headlines involving stories of Catholic priests molesting boys in parishes and schools. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), two major investigations have substantiated reports of abuse at boarding schools involving the children of Presbyterian missionaries serving in Africa and Asia.
Eyes wide open on our collective moral vision
c. 2011 USA Today (RNS) In its relatively short history, the United States has stood as the world's beacon of freedom, defender of democracy and pillar of principled power. An exceptional country, one blessed by the very hand of God. Right? Well, sort of.
Torture here at home cannot be tolerated
Newark Star Ledger
Organizations and individuals from across the globe took to the streets a couple of weekends ago to protest the U.S. government’s treatment of Pfc. Bradley Manning (of WikiLeaks fame), who has been held in solitary confinement for more than nine months. As founder of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, I agree that solitary confinement is not the answer.
God Is Not A Christian: Speaking the Truth in Times of Crisis
God Is Not A Christian: Speaking the Truth in Times of Crisis
by Desmond Tutu
HarperCollins Publishers. 2011. 223 pages.
reviewed by Sterling Morse
This book by Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu is a defining statement of his ministry and life. It is a treatise on interfaith tolerance.
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? A Historical Introduction
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? A Historical Introduction
by John Fea
Westminster John Knox Press, 2011. 320 pages.
reviewed by HENRY G. BRINTON
Political commentator Glenn Beck has devoted a great deal of television time to his exploration of America’s Christian heritage.
Film in review: “Last Night”
Reviewed by Ronald P. Salfen
“Last Night” spends a lot of time building up the tension….is it gonna happen or not…..finally offers some incomplete resolution, then invites the viewer to finish the story.