CANTERBURY, England (RNS) — The European Court of Human Rights on Jan. 15 ruled that equality laws trump personal religious beliefs, rejecting three of four appeals filed by British Christians who were fired or disciplined for expressing religious beliefs in…
Europeans launch campaign to declare life starts at conception
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Anti-abortion groups from 20 different countries have launched a petition to ask the European Parliament to recognize that life begins at conception. The “One of Us” initiative is the first of its kind in Europe and…
Norbert Mueller, former seminary president, dies
The Rev. Dr. Norbert H. Mueller Sr., who served 17 years at Concordia Theological Seminary, in Springfield, Ill., and in Fort Wayne, Ind., in various positions — including as interim president — died Jan. 10 in Dallas. He was 86.…
Virtual vices show shift in American morality
(RNS) — The seven deadly sins have new partners in crime. Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride still attract a lot of attention. But as the Internet and other media invade American life, our vices have also gone virtual,…
St. Louis sem to host 'Making Abortion Unthinkable'
Concordia Seminary in St. Louis will present a workshop titled “Making Abortion Unthinkable” on Saturday, Jan. 26. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; the program begins at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 2:30 p.m. The workshop — which will include video-based presentations…
Seminaries offer Lenten preaching workshops
The Synod’s two seminaries are offering Lenten preaching workshops in January. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will present a one-day pre-Lenten workshop for pastors on Friday, Jan. 18, called “Good and Perfect Gifts: A Lenten Sermon Series on Isaiah 56-66.” The…
Fort Wayne sem to present annual symposia
Concordia Theological Seminary will present its annual symposia on exegetical and confessional theology Jan. 22-25 on its campus in Fort Wayne, Ind., and in a live webcast. A Lenten preaching workshop, led by the Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki, will precede…
Christmas outreach to superstorm survivors continues into new year
By Kim Plummer Krull While Congress and insurance companies continued to crunch numbers concerning Superstorm Sandy financial assistance, congregations in the LCMS Atlantic and New Jersey Districts made Christmas a bit happier for families who lost their homes and for those…
CPH offers 2013 VBS program, 'Tell It on the Mountain'
In Concordia Publishing House’s 2013 vacation Bible school program, “Tell It on the Mountain — Where Jesus Christ is Lord,” children will gather their gear and set out on an expedition to learn about God. The new VBS program is…
'Virtual' public schools draw interest of religious families
(RNS) — Worried about exposure to foul language, immodest dress, peer pressure, and other inappropriate behavior, Susan Brown didn’t want her two daughters attending public schools — even though she’s a substitute teacher in a public school in Minnesota. Brown initially…
Africa rises, China falls on Christian persecution list
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The persecution of Christians “vastly rose” in 2012 as radical Islamists consolidated power in Africa, according to Open Doors, a Christian missionary organization that publishes an annual list of offending nations. Increasing threats to African Christians can be…
Church of England OKs (celibate) gay bishops
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) — The Church of England confirmed Jan. 4 that it has dropped its prohibition on gay clergy in civil partnerships becoming bishops — but only if they agree to remain celibate. Speaking on behalf of the Church’s House…
LCMS Illinois district presidents sign letter supporting traditional definition of marriage, religious freedom
ST. LOUIS—January 4, 2013—In advance of an anticipated vote in the Illinois Senate on a same-sex “marriage” law, the three Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Illinois district presidents joined Roman Catholic, Muslim and Mormon church leaders in signing an open letter to Illinois lawmakers in support of the traditional definition of marriage and religious freedom.
Comfort Dogs bring solace to Sandy Hook students
By Kim Plummer Krull Will Luther, Moses and Isaiah be at school, too? Callers didn’t necessarily ask about the K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs by their individual names, but that’s who they meant when they contacted Sandy Hook Elementary School as classes prepared…
St. Louis neighborhood to benefit from $50,000 grant
The historic College Hill neighborhood on St. Louis’ north side is getting a $50,000 boost through a 2012 Wells Fargo grant program designed to help stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods hard-hit by the economy. The money is being donated to LCMS National…
God 'works through dogs' to comfort returning Sandy Hook students
By Kim Plummer Krull Will Luther, Moses and Isaiah be at school, too? Callers didn’t necessarily ask about the K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs by their individual names, but that’s who they meant when they contacted Sandy Hook Elementary School as classes prepared…
