VATICAN CITY (RNS) — When John Lennon wrote his hit song “Imagine,” eliminating religions and the divisions they entail was in his view a necessary condition for “living life in peace.” A meeting of religious representatives in Rome this week made the case for shifting that paradigm. The Abrahamic Faiths Initiative group united 25 religious leaders representing millions of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faithful to discuss practical ways of promoting peace and fraternity at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome Jan. 14-16. Attendees included Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, president of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies; Riccardo di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome; and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and all Palestine. Many peacemaking efforts have failed because they didn’t consider the religious implications of their initiatives, … [Read more...]
Faith in Action gears up for 2020 election season, with a focus on local offices
(RNS) — For the Rev. Alvin Herring, executive director of the congregation-based organizing network Faith in Action, wearing a clerical collar is about more than appearances. It prepares him for the task of making social change. “I consider this my uniform,” Herring said, gesturing toward his white collar as he addressed the crowd at the Vote Common Good summit in Des Moines, Iowa, earlier this month. “When I’m ready to go to work, or go to war, I put this on.” Specifically, Herring, a pastor from California, says he and his organization are gearing up for work and war — metaphorically speaking — ahead of the 2020 election. Through partnerships with groups such as VCG and a series of organizing initiatives, Herring and Faith in Action — one of the largest faith-based liberal-leaning groups in the country — are hoping to prove that people of faith can make an impact come Election Day. Or, as Herring later told Religion News Service: “The progressive community has to get it straight: … [Read more...]
Trump pledges to prevent ‘unacceptable’ repression of school prayer
WASHINGTON (RNS) — President Donald Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren of a variety of faiths, has announced what he called “historic steps to protect the First Amendment right to pray in the public schools.” Within hours of senators being sworn in for Trump’s pending impeachment trial, the president and nine federal agencies on Thursday (Jan. 16) made moves they said would support the rights of religious people, including students who report their freedom to pray has been violated. “In public schools around the country, authorities are stopping students and teachers from praying, sharing their faith or following their religious beliefs,” said Trump, sitting behind the Resolute Desk of the Oval Office in an event carried online via C-SPAN. “It is totally unacceptable. You see it on the football field. You see it so many times where they’re stopped from praying, and we are doing something to stop that.” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, standing near Trump, said her … [Read more...]
General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations holds winter meeting
LOUISVILLE (PNS) There is no reason why churches can’t grow in the 21st century. That was one of the messages to the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations (GACEIR) from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The GACEIR has been meeting this week at the PC(USA) offices in Louisville. The agenda has been full for the three-day gathering, as special subcommittees have taken up several topics from scholarships to ecumenical dialogue and interfaith relations. In his address to the committee, the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, said the only way for Christian Protestant denominations to move forward is to work together. “We are moving toward ecumenism in significant ways. Somehow, we will have to figure our way as both learners, supporters, and assistants,” he said. “When we talk about this table, we need to think about what it means to bring denominations and faith communities together, and this has to … [Read more...]
Jane Kurtz named winner of top Presbyterian Writers Guild award
LOUISVILLE (PNS) — Jane Kurtz, prolific author, artist, literacy advocate and a child of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission workers, has been named the recipient of the 2020 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award by the Presbyterian Writers Guild. Kurtz, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruling elder, has published over 35 children’s books, from picture books and easy-readers to middle grade novels. Her most recent picture book won the 2019 Oregon Spirit Book Award for non-fiction from the Oregon Council of Teachers of English. “What Do They Do with All That Poo?” is full of fun and serious facts about what zoos do with the poo generated every day by their animal residents. “Jane has modeled a life dedicated to sharing her passion for creativity, writing and teaching,” wrote Caroline Kurtz, founder and executive director of the Maji Development Coalition, in nominating her sister for the honor. “Jane and I are daughters of Presbyterian missionaries in Ethiopia for 23 years, … [Read more...]
Regarding Ruling Elders: Congregational ministry assessment
(OGA) While many churches begin their program year in September and the liturgical calendar begins with Advent, most congregations follow the calendar year for the installations and ordinations that mark a time of reconfigured boards and committees. For some, this includes leadership retreats at which time goals, objectives, vision, and priorities are set for the coming year. It is hoped that these visioning exercises influence final adoption of budgets and precede the setting of the calendar for special ministry events and celebrations. It is good to take stock of the congregation in the present moment; what gifts, passions, and skills they bring as assets for ministry. It is wise to consider emerging needs and opportunities for service beyond the church walls as well as within the congregation. Consider current neighborhood and community needs and congregational statistics within the context of multiyear trends. This kind of annual taking stock contributes to congregational vitality … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 643
- Next Page »
Tweet With Us
Be A Facebook Fan
Our World in Photos
Pin With Us