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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).

Neuhaus, Lutheran-turned-Catholic priest, remembered for U.S. role; funeral mass scheduled January 13

(ENI) — Richard John Neuhaus, an activist U.S. Lutheran minister who became a prominent Roman Catholic priest is being remembered for his influential role in the rise of U.S. religious conservatism.

Church leaders buoyed by secular parties’ win in Bangladesh vote

(ENI)--Church leaders in Muslim-majority Bangladesh have hailed the landslide victory of secular parties in national elections two years after a state of emergency was declared due to political violence.

"We are really exited about this result. It is a New Year gift to the nation," Elgin Saha, outgoing president of the National Christian Council of Bangladesh told Ecumenical News International on January 9 from Dhaka.

Zimbabwe crisis is a “slow genocide,” says South African bishop

(ENI)--A South African bishop who came to prominence fighting apartheid has called Zimbabwe's crisis a slow genocide. He was speaking during the launch by a civil society grouping of a campaign to highlight the "immoral" role played by South African government in supporting Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

Bishop Paul Verryn, of the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, which is housing hundreds of Zimbabwean refugees, said on January 8, "We are witnessing a slow genocide in Zimbabwe."

Verryn spoke at a media briefing on an undercover mission in December to Zimbabwe by members of “Civicus,” an international alliance of non-governmental organizations. It announced it would send a DVD "video letter" entitled "Time2Act" to leaders of Zimbabwe's neighboring countries.

Church groups warn about ‘collapse’ of Sudan peace pact

(ENI)--Church agencies and analysts have warned that an agreement signed four years ago to put an end to a two-decade long civil war in Sudan is threatened with breakdown, thereby endangering the already fragile Horn of Africa region.

The pact, called the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed on January9, 2005, ended a 22-year civil war between Sudan's central government and the southern-based Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army.

Controversial comments about Gaza call papal Holy Land visit into question

ENI)--Pope Benedict XVI has called for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, warning of "damage and suffering for the civilian population," while controversy has broken out over a Vatican cardinal's remarks comparing Gaza to a concentration camp.

"Military options are no solution and violence, wherever it comes from and whatever form it takes, must be firmly condemned," Pope Benedict said on January 8 at the Vatican as he engaged in his yearly address to diplomats accredited to the Holy See.