JERUSALEM (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to tackle the question of whether American passports issued to children born in Jerusalem should include the word “Israel.” Until now, passports issued in this disputed city have designated the children’s…
Church of England says attendance is growing at cathedrals
CANTERBURY, ENGLAND (RNS/ENInews) — In a challenge to conventional wisdom that church attendance is plummeting across Britain and Western Europe, the Church of England says attendance at its 43 cathedrals grew 7 percent last year. A report by the Rev.…
Christians mark National Day of Prayer
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Supporters marked the 60th annual National Day of Prayer on May 5, just weeks after a federal appeals court dismissed a suit that challenged the law creating the day as unconstitutional. Focus on the Family founder James…
Chaplains say Navy wedding policy confuses debate
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A recent Navy memo that would permit military chaplains to officiate at same-sex marriage ceremonies upon repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell policy is creating tension amid an already fractious debate. “It is absolutely deplorable,” said…
Navy suspends policy to allow gay weddings
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Navy reversed course May 10 on plans to allow chaplains to officiate at same-sex marriage ceremonies once the military’s ban on openly gay members is repealed. Rear Adm. Mark Tidd, the Navy chief of chaplains,…
Seven LCMS schools gain 'exemplary' status
Seven LCMS schools were selected in March to receive the National Lutheran School Accreditation’s (NLSA) “exemplary status” recognition out of the 90 schools that it accredited or re-accredited in 2010. The schools are: Concordia University Early Childhood Education Center, River…
Thrivent commits funds for tornado response
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is committing up to $275,000 for tornado disaster response for those affected by the epic tornado outbreak that ripped through four southern states April 27. The Thrivent commitment includes funds that will be sent to LCMS…
Internet catching up with print as news source for pastors
By Roland Lovstad While print editions of Reporter and The Lutheran Witness continue to be their main sources, a recent survey of active LCMS pastors indicates nearly as many prefer using Internet connections for gathering news and information about the…
Pioneer Hispanic leader Rev. Leopoldo Vigil dies
Rev. Leopoldo Vigil, an early leader in Hispanic ministry for the LCMS Texas District, died April 3 from complications of coronary disease at his home in Harlingen, Texas. He was 78. He graduated from the Hispanic Institute in Mexico City…
Youth groups to consider June 'Servant Saturdays'
Synod congregations’ youth groups are being invited to plan a “Servant Saturday” in June to mark “Youth Ministry Month” in the LCMS. A news release from LCMS Youth Ministry notes that it joins Lutheran Youth Fellowship in recognizing “that young…
COP assigns first calls to ministry candidates
By James Heine Acting as the Board of Assignments, the LCMS Council of Presidents (COP) April 30 assigned first calls to 149 candidates certified for ministry by Concordia Seminary St. Louis; Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne; Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary,…
Williamson to fill new chief mission officer post
Chaplain (Col.) Rev. Gregory K. Williamson, a native of Walters, Minn., who is now serving in Seoul, South Korea, has accepted a call to serve a three-year term as the Synod’s chief mission officer (CMO). Williamson plans to begin serving…
Synod redesigns website
The LCMS has redesigned its website at www.lcms.org to make it easier for visitors to find the information they’re seeking. “There was a definite need to rethink the way the website was organized and streamline its content,” explained Becky Cummings,…
LCMS 'welcomes' Supreme Court decision on school case
The LCMS has issued a statement saying it “welcomes the United States Supreme Court’s [March 28] decision to hear an important case concerning the First Amendment rights of its member congregations.” The case, Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v.…
Day to lead LCMS Life Together staff
Rev. John Barton “Bart” Day will join the Synod staff July 1 as executive director of the church body’s new Life Together department that will include national mission functions of the ministries based at the Synod’s International Center in St.…
Workshop to focus on law enforcement chaplaincy
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Peace Officer Ministries Inc. (POM) are offering a workshop May 23-27 on “Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy — Theology and Practice.” The five-day workshop, which will be held on the seminary campus, is designed to offer…
