Zookeepers try to repopulate Israel with biblical animals

JERUSALEM (RNS) — Like a scene out of a Hollywood action thriller, Shmulile Yedveb jumped out of the truck, package in hand, and ran into the building, the dirty door slamming shut behind him. In loud, rapid-fire Hebrew, he shouted…

Workplace religious freedom bill finds revived interest

By Lauren E. Bohn WASHINGTON (RNS) — More than a decade after it was first introduced, an on-again off-again bill to protect employees’ religious expression in the workplace is attracting renewed attention that could lead to action on Capitol Hill…

Miss America 2009 to speak at LWML convention, share story in 'Quarterly'

Katie Stam, “Miss America 2009,” is scheduled to be the Friday evening inspirational speaker at the next national convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, June 23-26, 2011, in Peoria, Ill. Stam also will be profiled in the Fall 2010…

CPH releases 'Journey into Prayer'

Whether you are a new Christian or a seasoned “prayer warrior,” Journey into Prayer is designed to help you focus on your prayer life and find new ways to communicate with God. The new book from Concordia Publishing House provides:…

Dr. Quentin Wesselschmidt, sem prof, dies

Dr. Quentin F. Wesselschmidt, former professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and chairman of the editorial committee for Concordia Journal for 25 years, died May 12 “peacefully in his sleep,” according to his family. A memorial service for Dr. Wesselschmidt,…

LCMS families among victims of Tennessee floods

By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS members hit hard by flooding in the Nashville, Tenn., area were “surprised but grateful” when LCMS World Relief and Human Care’s Rev. Carlos Hernandez and local pastors visited their damaged homes to offer words of…

Ethiopian church head meets with LCMS leaders

A partnership agreement between their two churches was among items discussed when the president of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) met with Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick and other LCMS leaders in St. Louis May 11-12. Dr. Wakseyoum…

Wheat Ridge invites grant proposals, offers 'health study'

Wheat Ridge Ministries is inviting congregations to submit proposals to its Congregation Health Ministry (CHM) grant program (formerly Congregation Health and Hope Grants). The purpose of the program is to promote an awareness of “whole person health and wellness” within…

Most Americans say moral values in decline

(RNS) — Three-quarters of Americans say the country’s moral values are worsening, blaming a decline in ethical standards, poor parenting, and dishonesty by government and business leaders, Gallup reports. The number of Americans who say the nation’s moral values are…

Survey: Faith communities, moms shape giving choices

WASHINGTON (RNS) — If your mom says “you shouldn’t have” when you give her flowers on Mother’s Day, a new poll suggests you should thank her for teaching lessons on giving. Nearly one in five Americans (17 percent) surveyed said…

Rev. Harold Brockhoff, former Oklahoma DP, dies

Rev. Harold E. Brockhoff, who served as president of the Synod’s Oklahoma District from 1970 to 1978, died Feb. 2 in Bixby, Okla.  He was 83. A memorial service was held Feb. 6 in Tulsa. Rev. Brockhoff received his M.Div.…

Registration opens for LFL conference

Under the theme “Bringing Good News to Life,” Lutherans For Life (LFL) will hold its 2010 national conference July 23-24 at the Tundra Lodge Resort in Green Bay, Wis. Registration is open now, by mail or online at its Web…

Seminaries invite high school students to visit

Both of the Missouri Synod’s seminaries will hold visitation events for high school students this summer. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will host its 12th annual Vocatio June 19-24 on the seminary campus. The event is designed to identify, inform, and…

Malaysians establish Lutheran pregnancy resource center

By Sarah Schafer LCMS Life Ministries, a ministry of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC), is partnering with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM), to offer care and counseling to women who believe abortion or “baby dumping” are…

'Reporter,' 'Lutheran Witness' win ACP, EPA awards

The Synod’s official periodicals, Reporter and The Lutheran Witness, were honored in May by both the Associated Church Press (ACP) and the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) — winning a combined total of 15 awards for work published in 2009. Founded in 1916,…

Advisory concerns wireless microphones

By Todd A. Boettcher Is your church legal? Your first reaction to that question is likely to be, “Of course we are!”  And for virtually all facets of your church’s ministry, organization, and operation, you’d be correct. However, there is…