BATON ROUGE (RNS) — A law that would have allowed concealed weapons in houses of worship died in the Louisiana State Senate on June 8. A Senate judiciary committee killed the bill sponsored by Rep. Henry Burns, a Republican. The…

NAIROBI (RNS/ENInews) — African Christian and Muslim leaders are warning of increased vulnerability to HIV infections during the soccer World Cup in South Africa, which begins on June 11. The world soccer extravaganza is coming to Africa for the first…

AMESBURY, Mass. (RNS) — When the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) launched last year, founders were clear on what they didn’t want to be: the Episcopal Church. But as the ACNA marks its first anniversary with a meeting here…

By Roland Lovstad “Confessional Lutheran Identity in the Light of Changing Christian Demographics” was the theme as 65 seminary professors and representatives from 24 countries met June 3-6 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, for the fourth World Seminaries Conference…

By Kim Plummer Krull When the warning siren started blaring, Janet Kresl barely had time to dive behind her couch before a tornado tore the roof off her home in Dwight, Ill. “You go to her house now, look up,…

By Sarah Schafer “Everywhere we go we see evidence of the rain and volcanic ash that together became heavy mud and weighed down and sank roofs,” wrote Rev. Carlos Hernandez, director of Districts and Congregations, who with Dr. Albert B.…

Author, historian and speaker Dr. Paul Maier will be the main presenter at “LutherHostel 2010,” Oct. 2-5 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. LutherHostel — for adults age 55 and older — is designed to increase biblical knowledge and understanding and…

A new Bible study resource is designed to help congregations explore their stewardship practices during their annual financial stewardship programs. “Journey of Discovery,” based on a travel theme, was produced through a partnership of the LCMS District and Congregational Services…

(RNS) — When seventh-grader Raymond Hosier was suspended for wearing rosary beads to school late in May 2010, civil rights groups rushed to his defense. “Without question, the continuing action taken by the school district in punishing Raymond for wearing a…

(RNS) — The Episcopal Church has been removed from Anglican committees that engage in dialogue with other Christians and consider doctrinal issues, the latest fallout from the church’s consecration of a lesbian bishop in May 2010. The Rev. Kenneth Kearon,…

GENEVA (RNS/ENInews) — Afghan officials have ordered two international church-backed humanitarian groups to suspend operations while they investigate allegations of illegal proselytizing, which the groups strongly deny. Afghanistan has suspended the activities of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and the U.S.-based…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — A federal judge ruled May 31 that a Connecticut school board’s decision to hold graduation ceremonies inside a megachurch was unconstitutional. Commencements for two schools in Enfield, Conn. — Enfield High School and Enrico Enfermi High School,…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The House on May 27 rejected a proposed amendment that would have allowed military chaplains to close public events with faith-specific prayers. The amendment, offered by Tea Party favorite Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., to the Military Construction…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Facing a reduced budget and a third round of layoffs, officials at Washington National Cathedral are considering disposing of priceless treasures — including a trove of rare books — that are no longer considered part of its…

Dr. Oswald A. Waech, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod’s first evangelism secretary (from 1954 to 1962), died June 1 at a Chino, Calif., hospital. Dr. Waech, who was 98, had been in declining health for a number of years.  He and his…

  Related Story: Advisory concerns wireless microphones  WASHINGTON (RNS) — American churches have a little more than a week left before they have to change their wireless microphone equipment or face more than $100,000 in fines. In January, the Federal…