GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) — Mixing science and religion seems a good recipe for on-screen fireworks. Add politics and things will erupt off the screen, too. “The Genesis Code,” a film about college students trying to reconcile creationism and evolution,…

(RNS) — A federal judge on Feb. 22 dismissed a lawsuit filed by Christians who argue that President Obama’s health care overhaul violates their religious freedom. The Christians said they believe that God will heal them from disease and that…

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (RNS/ENInews) — Worshippers gathered outdoors on Feb. 27 after an earthquake ravaged New Zealand’s second-largest city, meeting in unfamiliar churches and next to damaged buildings to reflect, pray, mourn and give thanks. The death toll from the…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Obama administration announced on Feb. 23 it will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act, a nearly 15-year-old law that defines marriage as heterosexual unions. In a letter to Congress, Attorney General Eric Holder said…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — If President Obama and the U.S. Department of Justice no longer want to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) from challenges by gay rights activists, who will? Leading conservative law firms say they’re eager to defend…

Lutheran school administrators and educators are invited to participate in a free live-stream webinar on Lutheran school branding and marketing March 1 at 4:30 p.m. Central time. Sponsored by Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), the webinar will be at LCEF’s…

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The number of Catholics in the world edged up 1 percent in 2009, the Vatican said, bringing to 1.18 billion the number of adherents of the world’s largest church. The statistics appear in the latest edition…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Catholic bishops and Christian medical groups are “disappointed” that the Obama administration has rescinded Bush-era conscience clauses for health care workers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Feb. 18 issued its new guidelines,…

(RNS) — For the third time in three years President Obama’s proposed budget will attempt to reduce tax deductions for high-end charitable donors, and for the third time nonprofits and religious organizations are pushing back. Many religious nonprofits, which supplement…

(RNS) — Get ready for more undernourished infants, dangerously cold homes and disease-stricken communities in developing countries if proposed federal budget cuts become law. That’s the message coming from left-leaning religious advocacy groups, who’ve been rallying supporters and blanketing Capitol…

By Kim Plummer Krull In case of turbulence during a flight, passengers who are caregivers are told to put on their oxygen masks first so they can assist others. Similar advice comes from Grace Place Lutheran Wellness Ministries Executive Director…

ROBERT E. BOEHNE, Surprise, Ariz., and JEFFREY M. DIRE, Woodridge, Ill., have applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.  REBECCA LIVO-BUESANZ, Sterling, Colo., has applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Commissioned roster…

The following institutions of the Concordia University System are seeking candidates for positions: Concordia College–New York, Bronxville, N.Y., seeks to fill the following positions: dean for Special Education; Early Childhood Education; assistant director of Student Life; head athletic trainer. Concordia…

Note: Reporter cannot accept notices about items offered for sale or that people wish to purchase.  Items described as “Wanted” or “Available” are sought or may be obtained for shipping costs only. Available Silver plate communion trays (two) in good…

Higher Things — an LCMS Recognized Service Organization — is holding three retreats in March, including its first-ever in Canada. Starting with their titles and in chronological order, the retreats are: “Invocation: A Higher Things Day Retreat,” March 5 at Living Word…