Dr. Willy Gaspar, a 45-year-old dentist, was ordained and installed as the first pastor of the emerging Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission March 13 at Amigos de Christo Church in Las Americas, near the capital city of Santo Domingo. Gaspar, who…
Harrison encourages ‘Litany’ prayers this Lent
As Lent begins, LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison invites the church to join him in praying “The Litany,” profound words long prayed by Christians in times of need. “Lent is a time for serious repentance, a time to get…
LCMS pastor comforts witnesses after shooting in Germany
By Paula Schlueter Ross It wasn’t an easy assignment, but Rev. Robert Flohrs says he’s grateful for the opportunity he had to minister to U.S. servicemembers within hours of the March 2 shooting at Frankfurt Airport. “I felt very honored…
Court rules for Jewish man in Shavuot dispute
(RNS) — An Orthodox Jew has won a new trial after Maryland’s highest court ruled that a lower court erred when it denied his requests to suspend a trial so he could observe a religious holiday. Alexander Neustadter had argued…
Islam dominated religion coverage in 2010
(RNS) — Islam was the most frequent topic of religion news coverage in 2010, as the media doubled the amount of time and space devoted to religion compared to 2009. An analysis by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public…
Board OKs Thrivent allocations, hears of budget challenges
ST. LOUIS — The Synod’s Board of Directors took several positive actions at its Feb. 17-18 meeting here — including endorsement of allocating to 28 projects of Synod units a total of $1,150,000 in funds anticipated from Thrivent Financial for…
Kieschnick begins work at Concordia Texas
LCMS President Emeritus Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick began serving March 1 as presidential ambassador for mission advancement at Concordia University Texas, Austin. In the newly created position, Kieschnick will “nurture and expand” existing relationships with congregations, organizations, foundations and individuals…
South Dakota congregation receives award
By James Heine St. John’s Lutheran Church, Yankton, S.D., was honored recently by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for its support of Guard or Reserve employees called to active duty. The congregation received the DOD’s Pro Patria Award at…
Registration opens for LFL conference
Under the theme “Adopted in Christ,” Lutherans For Life (LFL) will hold its 2011 national conference Aug. 5-6 at the Sheraton Grand DFW Hotel in Dallas. Registration opens March 3 online at the LFL website, www.lutheransforlife.org, where other details about…
Sem offers free 'In the Word Bible Studies'
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering a new Bible study series that’s specifically designed to help pastors with limited time and budgets. All components of the In the Word Bible Studies — four video presentations, leaders guides and student study…
Christian movie draws a (political) crowd
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,…
Judge rejects Christians' health care suit
(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…
Displaced New Zealand churches mourn their dead
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…
Obama drops defense of anti-gay-marriage law
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…
If Obama won't fight gay marriage, conservatives will
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…
Free school branding webinar March 1
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…
