(RNS) — On the morning after a dozen boys were rescued from a Thailand cave, hymn writer Carolyn Gillette contrasted the jubilation about their survival with the despair over children being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. As she’s done for two decades, the Presbyterian Church (USA) minister from Philadelphia started writing new stanzas to a familiar tune. This time, it was “When We Watch the Rescue” to the tune of “Away in a Manger.” “It’s wonderful that we will cherish one group of children — and we should — but we should cherish every child,” said Gillette of the meaning behind her new hymn. Her second verse reads: “When we watch as children who crossed to this land Are locked in detention as part of some plan May we be reminded that you love them, too; They’re made in your image; they’re precious to you.” The hymn, along with others by composers seeking reduction of fossil fuels or provision of clean water, is an example of the music of … [Read more...]

BIDI BIDI REFUGEE CAMP, Uganda (RNS) – Every morning when Achol Kuol wakes up, she borrows a Bible from her neighbor and reads a verse to comfort herself before she meets others in an open-air church rigged from timber. They sing, dance and speak in tongues during the service. Some who feel filled with the Holy Spirit scream and jump — not with joy, but remorse. Confessions flow as they recall the ones they killed in the civil war back home in South Sudan. They cry out, lamenting ordeals they endure at night. Others weep in prayer as they ask God for forgiveness. “I can’t sleep unless I keep on praying,” said Kuol, 38, a mother of five. “I always have nightmares. In my dreams I go back to my old village and I see how my friends were shot dead. They keep on calling me, ‘Achol! Achol! Achol!’ And I would wake up screaming.” For thousands of South Sudanese here in the world’s largest refugee camp, the search for healing from recent horrors involves a quest for God.  Saddled … [Read more...]

(RNS) — Church leaders do not need standing ovations. That was my first thought as I read in March about how congregants of Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago rose to their feet to cheer in support of then-Pastor Bill Hybels, who had just denied multiple allegations of sexual misconduct reported by the Chicago Tribune. “The accusations you hear in the Tribune are just flat-out lies,” Hybels reportedly said at the meeting. In April, Hybels fast-forwarded his retirement plans and abruptly resigned. At that meeting, which also ended with a standing ovation, Hybels admitted only to putting himself “in situations that would have been far wiser to avoid.” Willow Creek’s woes now continue, thanks to its larger-than-life founding pastor. New harassment allegations against Hybels surfaced in a New York Times report over the weekend. Co-pastor Steve Carter then resigned, and the congregation announced an independent investigation would look into Hybels’ alleged history … [Read more...]

LONDON (AP) — Thousands of Christian churches across the world are now using portable card readers or apps to take donations as people increasingly stop carrying cash on them. The Church of England says 16,000 religious sites now have access to portable card readers. In the U.S., hundreds of churches have installed kiosks where the faithful can swipe a card to donate. Others are popularizing smartphone apps where money can be sent over at any time. “How we pay for things is changing fast, especially for younger church-goers, who no longer carry cash, and we want all generations to be able to make the most of their place of worship,” said John Preston, the Church of England’s national stewardship officer. The technologies vary from donations via website to apps and physical screens set up at the church. The contactless card reader, which can be passed around the pews like the traditional offerings plate, is a newer evolution that the Church of England in particular has been … [Read more...]

CHICAGO (RNS) — Willow Creek Community Church announced it will commission an independent investigation of sexual harassment allegations against founding pastor Bill Hybels, a day after one of the two pastors who succeeded Hybels resigned over the church’s handling of the matter. Heather Larson, lead pastor at the influential evangelical Chicago-area megachurch, announced the investigation Monday (Aug. 6) in an email to church members. The inquiry will be led, Larson said, by an advisory council of Christian leaders from across the country and funded by an anonymous outside donor. Steve Carter, who was named lead teaching pastor alongside Larson in April, announced his resignation on his blog  Sunday (Aug. 5) over differences with how the church has handled the allegations against Hybels. Carter did not appear at Sunday services  at Willow Creek’s main campus in South Barrington, Ill. “At this point … I cannot, in good conscience, appear before you as your Lead Teaching Pastor … [Read more...]

OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) — On a recent weekend, Pamela Jennings brought her 7-year-old granddaughter, Amara, and 4-year-old grandson, Trend, to People’s Church, an evangelical congregation. But though Jennings is a Christian, the family didn’t come for worship. Instead, they were drawn by the church’s Day of Hope — an annual Saturday event where volunteers give away 3,200 backpacks filled with school supplies and offer free services such as medical exams and haircuts. “It’s just awesome because some people really can’t afford to get school supplies or get a haircut,” Jennings said. “This is a real blessing for a lot of people.” From the National Council of Jewish Women in Southfield, Mich., to the Islamic Center of Northridge, Calif., religious groups nationwide organize back-to-school events in the late summer and early fall to serve needy families. Christy Watson, communications director for the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, said she has noticed a definite uptick … [Read more...]