Film in review: “Anonymous”
What if William Shakespeare’s plays were not really written by the sometime actor? What if, instead, they were penned by Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford? And if so, why the subterfuge?
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Film in review: “Texas Killing Fields”
Why do a CSI movie when there’s so much of that already on television? Well, maybe because you have a more complex story that takes longer to develop, and maybe because you can sustain a gritty mood with more subtle artistry.
Faithmatters: Was the Reformation worth it?
Each year about this time — which is to say Reformation Sunday — I spend time wondering whether the Reformation really was worth it.
Some new-old spin on biblical law
The term “theonomy” (divine law as the basis for civil law) is an intriguing concept. While theo-cracy (which is not the same..
The earth is the Lord’s: Israel-Palestine experts say land issue is one of stewardship, not ownership
Louisville, Ky. (Presbyterian News Service) All land is a gift from God, not a possession, and with that gift comes the responsibility to be good stewards, three Middle East experts told an Oct. 13 symposium sponsored by the Israel-Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Colombian bishops support anti-discrimination law
Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia (ENInews) Lutheran bishop Eduardo Martinez and Episcopal Anglican bishop Francisco Duque have applauded a law against sexual discrimination set to be signed by Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, according to a news release from the Latin America and Caribbean Communication Agency.
Tutu sends letter of support
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Presbyterian News Service) Anglican Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu has forcefully expressed support for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s decision to allow the ordination of people living in same-gender sexual relationships.
‘A wave of the spirit’. Fresh expressions of church taking root in the UK
LONDON (Special to Presbyterian News Service) The Church of England might not be best known for its entrepreneurialism, but that hasn’t stopped a fresh wind of the spirit from blowing through its ranks.
About people
When the Outlook’s full-time associate editor Martha Skelton retired last January, we hired Mike Jennings to a half-time position, tasking him to take over most, but not all, of her duties.
Ex-chaplain pushes for uniform religious badges
WASHINGTON (RNS)
With a cross on his lapel, it’s easy to spot a military chaplain in uniform.
Fourth candidate joins candidate field for moderator
Another candidate – the fourth announced so far – has been endorsed to stand for moderator of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). All four candidates are teaching elders.
ARMSS: Good as gold
In the 25th chapter of Matthew, we hear of the master who left his holdings to three servants in varying numbers of talents, an ancient denomination of money. One received five talents, one received two and one got a single talent.
Multichannel Church: An off-site focus
Adding an off-site focus to an established congregation takes some fresh thinking.
For Church Leaders: An unsolicited endorsement: a way to strengthen faith
During most of my pastoral ministry — since 1973, in fact — I have consistently used one outstanding resource to prepare worship bulletins, calls to worship and prayers and liturgies to be used for weekly services, funerals, weddings. It has also been of great help in my own spiritual growth.
Book review: Cutting for Stone
by Abraham Verghese
Alfred A. Knopf. 560 pages.
There are many good books. The number of great books is drastically fewer, but when a reader finds one, we sense within a chapter or two that the book we hold in our hands is something special.
Book review: A Place Where Everybody Matters: Life and Ministry in a Small Church
by Jean F. Risley
WIPF and Stock Publishers. 141 pages.
The last several years have seen a bevy of books extolling the virtues and enumerating the challenges of small-church ministry, such as Jason Byassee’s “The Gifts of the Small Church” and Brandon O’Brien’s “Strategically Small Church: Intimate, Nimble, Authentic, and Effective.”
Congregation rallies after vandals attack
MADISON, S.D. (Special to PNS) At 6:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, Charlie Richardson, building and grounds supervisor of First Presbyterian Church in Madison, S.D., was awakened by a phone call from local police. The church had been broken into overnight. The vandals stole nothing, but left a swath of destruction.
Human rights group sees growing religious repression
Geneva (ENI) Intolerance and violent repression of religious and ethnic minorities, often the most vulnerable groups in many societies, is on the increase, said a prominent human rights advocacy group.
UN condemns Coptic killings in Egypt
Geneva (ENI) U.N. officials condemned the sectarian violence in Cairo on Oct. 9 that left at least two dozen dead and hundreds injured.
Prosecutor agrees to drop charges against prayer vigil leaders
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (PNS) A city court in Washington has agreed to dismiss charges against 11 religious leaders, including three Presbyterians, who took part in a prayer vigil in the U.S. Capitol July 28, provided they stay out of the Capitol for six months and meet a few other conditions.
Entry of two new candidates brings total to three in contest for General Assembly moderator
Two additional candidates have emerged to stand for moderator of the 2012 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Egypt still rocked by sectarian violence in post-Mubarak regime
Jerusalem, 10 October (ENInews)--As Egypt approaches the anniversary of the
protest movement that overthrew former president Hosni Mubarak, the country
still finds itself torn by sectarian violence.
Three tapped for Presbyterian Welcome awards
NEW YORK – Presbyterian Welcome, a Manhattan-based ministry that works to promote tolerance, will present its 2011 Faithful Servant Awards to three people who have worked to dismantle barriers based on sexual identity within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Israeli Jewish coalition visits site of burned mosque
Jerusalem (ENI) Jews visited a burned mosque the Bedouin village of Tuba-Zangaria in northern Israel on 6 October, with one person declaring that an attack blamed on Jewish extremists represents "a disaster for Israel" and does not reflect Jewish values.
Churches pledge support for migrant Caribbean workers
Geneva (ENI) Two church groups with membership in North America and the Caribbean have pledged to work to improve the lives of migrant Caribbean workers, according to officials.
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