(RNS) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) will pay a $5,000 fine for not reporting non-monetary contributions in support of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California. The California Fair Political Practices Commission concluded the…

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (RNS) — A federal judge on June 9 approved a lawyers’ agreement allowing a Schenectady, N.Y., student to continue wearing a rosary outside his clothing pending a court hearing in September. Syracuse lawyer Raymond Dague said the new…

(RNS) — Virginia’s Supreme Court sided with the Episcopal Church on June 10 in its dispute with breakaway conservatives over historic and valuable parish property, a partial but important victory for the embattled denomination. The ruling overturned a lower court’s…

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) — 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…

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…