New Mr. President: on the inauguration of Barak Obama January 20, 2009
Hey You –
Close to real skin color David —
What slingshot will you use to fight our ailments?
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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New reporter for Presbyterian News Service
Bethany R. Furkin, a recent honors graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, has been named a reporter for the Presbyterian News Service. She begins work Feb. 2.
Brazilian church founders dismayed at death of nine in roof collapse
(ENI-ALC)--The founders of the Reborn in Christ Church (Renascer) have said they were dismayed and saddened by the deaths of nine people in one of the denomination's churches after a roof collapsed in Brazil’s largest city.
Gaza “full of blood and grief,” says church hospital head
(ENI)--On the third day of an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, Palestinians were only beginning to realize the scope of their losses from a three-week Israeli onslaught, said the director of the Anglican Al Ahli Arab Hospital.
Was it a Miracle?
The media have been full of stories and commentaries on the water landing of a US Airways passenger jet that resulted in no fatalities, and few serious injuries. Often, almost too often, the outcome of this potential mass tragedy has been proclaimed to be a miracle. One commentator said that the happy ending was the result of a series of small miracles.
Bosnian monks make a comeback with gourmet cheese
(ENI) -- Roman Catholic monks in Bosnia-Herzegovina have resumed production of a world-famous cheese after they were forced to stop by the Balkans war in the mid-1990s.
"Our numbers fell and we were forced to cut back — and in 1996, we stopped making it completely when the last brother who knew the recipe died," explained Zvonko Topic, one of two surviving Trappist monks at the Marija Zvijezda, or Mary Star, monastery near Banja Luka. "But we've now decided to bring it back to consumers here, and we'll be opening a small shop soon for tourists and visitors."
In prayer call, African churches reiterate “Mugabe’s illegitimacy”
(ENI)--The All Africa Conference of Churches is calling for global prayers for Zimbabwe on January 25, while reiterating the crisis in the southern African country stems from dishonest leadership.
Heavy fire destroys historic church in Louisville
LOUISVILLE — An early morning fire in sub-zero weather destroyed historic Portland Avenue Church in western Louisville today (Jan. 16).
Authors of new Social Creed press social justice agenda with Obama
Two primary authors of “A Social Creed for the 21st Century” have sent an open letter to President-elect Obama advocating the social policies outlined in the creed.
Presbyterians walk for justice on Martin Luther King’s birthday
LOUISVILLE — A hardy band of about 75 Presbyterian Center employees and others from around town braved near-zero temperatures today (Jan. 15) for a “Justice Walk” to commemorate the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Christians rally for end to Gaza violence, join Muslims on aid
(ENI) — Churches and associated groups around the globe have mobilized to send aid and assistance to those affected by Israeli attacks on Gaza and to lobby their governments for a cease-fire in the tiny territory where 1.5 million Palestinians live.
South African church synod at odds over adding hymns to psalms1
(ENI)--The synod of a South African church that has breached membership lines once demarcated by color under apartheid, has been unable to endorse the singing of hymns during church services. It has postponed a decision until 2012 — almost 10 years after debate started on the matter.
Faith leaders call on Obama to put action on poverty onto priorities’ wish list
(ENI)--US religious leaders have converged on Washington, D.C., calling on the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama to tackle a host of issues, including the need to overcome poverty in the United States.
Diverse religious expression, views to permeate Obama inauguration
(ENI) — President-elect Barack Obama has chosen to include Jewish and Islamic clergy as well as Christians of various stripes in his inauguration ceremonies.
Sudan church leaders both fear and back Bashir indictment
(ENI)--Some Sudanese church leaders are warning of serious consequences if the International Criminal Court issues a war crime indictment against President Omar al-Bashir, while others are quietly backing his prosecution.
PC(USA) encourages participation in National Day of Service
(PNS) To commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others, in 1994 Congress transformed the Martin Luther King Jr., holiday into a national day of community service. Presbyterians across the nation are encouraged to join in this day of service as individuals or in groups.
Polygamists say Canada’s religious liberty permits several spouses
(ENI) — Charges of polygamy against two men in Canada who have several wives are expected to result in a challenge to the country's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees religious liberty.
Berlin library launches appeal to save Bonhoeffer’s papers
(ENI) — The Berlin State Library has launched an appeal for funds to save and digitalize thousands of letters and manuscripts that belonged to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an anti-Nazi Protestant theologian who was executed shortly before the end of the Second World War.
Religious coalition wants Obama to change military policies in Asia
(ENI) — A Tokyo-based multi-faith and interdenominational coalition has sent U.S. President-elect Barack Obama a list of proposed changes to military policies and arrangements in the Asia-Pacific region, where tens of thousands of Americans are stationed.
Jeffrey Lawrence named publisher of Presbyterians Today
LOUISVILLE — Jeffrey Lawrence, a New Yorker whose working life has taken him from law to real estate to advertising to parish ministry, has been named publisher of Presbyterians Today magazine. He began his new work on Jan. 5.
“I think I bring a unique perspective to the magazine as a seasoned businessman and Christian minister,” Lawrence told Presbyterian News Service in an interview. “Presbyterians Today is a critical mission of Christ’s church and I knew as soon as I applied that this was the right fit for me.”
PC(USA) clergywoman embraces contemplative life as a Benedictine
LOUISVILLE — When Lynne Smith was a girl growing up in El Paso, Texas, she said she wanted to be a nun.
And so Smith followed the more conventional path … to ordained Presbyterian ministry and a first pastorate in Dodge City, Kan. But the yearning for a more contemplative spiritual life was never far from her mind.
PDA launches humanitarian aid appeal for Middle East
LOUISVILLE — With Israeli and Hamas forces plunging deeper into violent conflict and the death toll in Gaza steadily mounting, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has launched an appeal to help provide humanitarian relief supplies to the stricken area.
Clerics join Tutu in fasting for ‘suffering people of Zimbabwe’
(ENI)--Two clerics have joined Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu, the former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, fasting in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, which faces a collapsing economic and political order and reports of a military alert amid fears of a coup.
Church-backed hospital hit by “Israeli missile” in Gaza
(ENI)--ACT International, a global humanitarian alliance of churches and agencies, says a hospital it supports in the densely-populated Shijaiya part of Gaza was reduced to rubble when the building was hit by an Israeli missile.
Commentary: Neuhaus’ influence felt far and wide
Richard John Neuhaus (1936-2009) was a Canadian become American, a Lutheran pastor become Catholic priest, a political liberal become conservative, and an all-around intellectual. His life journey made for an interesting mix of convictions and perspectives that, frankly, speak the language of so many post-moderns being dubbed the “O-generation” (hint: “O” for Obama).