Vatican drops condoms-AIDS study
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican office responsible for health care matters has acknowledged that it stopped work on a long-expected study of condoms and AIDS and that “nothing serious” was done on the project.
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Marriage committee concludes inconclusively
LOUISVILLE
The General Assembly Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage has approved its final report — ending its journey with civility and mutual respect, but also with the clear possibility of a minority report.
Good, not good enough
The Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage hammered out its final report over the weekend of January 23 -24. I attended those meetings as an observer.
No king in the land
Four times in the last five chapters of the Book of Judges we read that there was no king in Israel, and that all the people did what was right in their own eyes.
Church educators feast on the word and the song
This crowd needed to hear only one thing to fall in love all over again with singer-songwriter Amy Grant, and it wasn’t a particular song she might sing.
Unlikely leader: Educator of the Year sees education as act of “unbinding”
NASHVILLE (PNS)
Jann Treadwell’s background might not be typical of church educators. She didn’t go to Sunday school or Vacation Bible School. She went to only one youth group meeting. And she didn’t major in education in college.
“All Together Now” – No, stop that tape
We all have worn, unhelpful tapes winding through our thoughts, and church leaders do as well. One tape they need to stop playing is we-all-need-to-be-together-in-one-place.
Presbytery’s decision to ordain gay man challenged
A formal challenge has been filed to the decision of John Knox Presbytery to ordain Scott D. Anderson, a gay man who has lived in a committed partnership for close to 20 years.
Three marriage/civil union committee members issue minority report
Three members of the General Assembly Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Unions and Christian Marriage have written a minority report making it clear their view that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should not support committed same-gender partnerships.
First section of Middle East report made public
The General Assembly Middle East study group, whose work already has drawn scrutiny and some controversy, is releasing its final report in three sections, from March 5-10.
PC(USA) leaders ask for prayer in wake of Chilean earthquake
LOUISVILLE — Leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have offered a prayerful statement in the wake of the earthquake that struck Chile Feb. 27. The statement is also available in Spanish.
“Alice in Wonderland”
Tim Burton’s treatment of “Alice In Wonderland” is just as whimsical as you’d expect, with his trademark dark humor accompanying it, and with the CGI (computer-generated imagery) of Wonderland thrown with 3-D, it’s a feast for the eyes, as well.
Associate Reformed Church synod removes 14 Erskine trustees
At a specially called meeting March 2-3, the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Church released fourteen members of the Board of Trustees of Erskine College and its related institution, Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, S.C.
Scottish pensioner leaves fortune to Salvation Army
EDINBURGH (ENI) — The Salvation Army is renowned for helping people, sometimes when they are in desperate need.
Protest to go on against Israeli occupation of Christian-owned land
Beit Sahour, West Bank (ENI) Palestinian activists say they will continue protests against an apparent re-occupation of an abandoned Israeli army outpost on the outskirts of Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, despite being repelled by the Israel Defense Forces.
Jewish groups laud hate-crimes charge in Canadian cross burning
TORONTO (ENI) — Canadian Jewish groups have been among the first to applaud the laying of hate-crime charges against two men accused of using racial epithets, and burning a cross at the home of an interracial couple in the country's Nova Scotia province.
Valentine re-elected to second four-year term
LOUISVILLE — Four years ago, the General Assembly Mission Council had just undergone a major downsizing and budget reduction — 75 layoffs and $9 million worth. The staff structure at the Presbyterian Center had been dismantled and the entire senior GAMC staff saw their positions eliminated.
Council recommends GA denounce Caterpillar
LOUISVILLE — The General Assembly Mission Council voted 24-9 on Feb. 26 to approve a recommendation that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denounce Caterpillar Inc. for continuing to profit from “non-peaceful” use of its bulldozers and other equipment in Israel.
Missions Council OKs papers on Christians and Jews, and Christian-Muslim relations
LOUISVILLE — The General Assembly Mission Council has approved two theological papers for consideration by the General Assembly — one called “Christians and Jews: People of God,” and a second with the title “Toward an Understanding of Christian-Muslim Relations”
Film in review: “Cop Out”
Bruce Willis is back. The fact that he plays a cop certainly is no surprise.
GAMC poised to vote Friday morning to “denounce” Caterpillar
Update: The General Assembly Mission Council voted 24-9 on Feb. 26 to approve the recommendation from the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Commitee that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denounce Caterpillar, Inc., for continuing to profit from “non-peaceful” use of its bulldozers and other equipment in Israel-Palestine.
COGA recommends Portland as site for 2016 GA
LOUISVILLE — The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) is recommending that the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) be held in Portland, Ore.
Australian Anglican group “first” to sign up to Pope’s call
MELBOURNE (ENI) — A group of "traditional Anglicans" in Australia has voted to accept the recent invitation of Pope Benedict XIV to convert to full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, whilst retaining their membership of the Anglican Church.
Mission council faces new “guiding principles,” search for identity
LOUISVILLE – There’s been a lot of talk about a changing world and changing realities at this meeting of the General Assembly Mission Council.
GAMC preparing 2011-12 budget with mixed financial picture
LOUISVILLE – The exact state of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) budget troubles won’t be known for a few months — the General Assembly Mission Council is expected to approve the budget for 2011 and 2012 in May.