(RNS) — African-American clergy are joining forces with civil-rights groups to push for increased voter registration ahead of the November election, spurred on by new voter laws they say restrict opportunities for minorities to enter the voting booth. “We must…
Synod leaders spotlight goals to strengthen Hispanic ministry
By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS leaders from Hispanic ministries and the president’s office took a step toward their mutual goal of strengthening ministry to and with Latinos in the United States when they began work on a mission statement and…
Amish bishop describes beard-cutting attack
CLEVELAND (RNS) — Law officers testified Sept. 5 about the chaotic and bizarre scene they discovered the night of Oct. 4, 2011, when they arrived at the Holmes County, Ohio, home of Raymond Hershberger, a 79-year-old Amish bishop. The officers…
LCMS awards $15,000 for Gulf Coast 'Isaac' relief
By Sarah Schafer For five days after Hurricane Isaac, the Rev. Jerome Terry and his wife, Nora, were stuck inside their LaPlace, La., home without power or running water, and with three inches of floodwater soaking into the carpet and…
'Luther Rose' approved for national-cemetery markers
Thanks to the initiative of Deborah Henry from Imperial, Mo., the “Luther Rose” (also known as “Martin Luther’s seal”) is now approved for inscription on headstones of veterans’ grave markers in U.S. national cemeteries. Henry is a member of Hope Lutheran…
LCMS continues Isaac aid, reaches out to Philippine partners
By Sarah Schafer Even as the remnant of Hurricane Isaac brought heavy rainfall and strong wind to the East Coast late Tuesday, Sept. 4, the LCMS continued to take stock of its damages and reach out with mercy to those affected. At…
Free webinars provide support for rural pastors
By Adriane Dorr “The fields are ripe for the harvest,” says the Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan, director of LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission, who believes that the LCMS is uniquely poised to reach out to Christians and non-Christians alike in…
Concordia, Selma, campus floods; some 70 students evacuated
Tuesday, Sept. 4, update: Concordia College Alabama in Selma, Ala., evacuated some 70 students to a local hotel Tuesday, Sept. 4, because of flash flooding caused by heavy rains. Concordia President Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo said the college is doing everything…
Synod welcomes three new Youth staff members
Three new staff members “with skills and abilities that will help us address new challenges and opportunities” are being welcomed to the LCMS Office of National Mission’s Youth Ministry unit. The Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer, director of LCMS Youth Ministry, made…
Cardinal Timothy Dolan asks candidates to sign civility pledge
NEW YORK (RNS) — Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who sparked controversy by agreeing to deliver the closing blessing at the Republican convention in Tampa this week, drew further attention to his political role by asking both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama…
National Cathedral gets boost for repair effort
WASHINGTON (RNS) — One year after an earthquake caused extensive damage to the Washington National Cathedral, church officials received a large gift to help restore the structure. The $5 million grant comes from the Lilly Endowment Inc., a philanthropic organization. The announcement…
Catholic Church in Scotland campaigns to stop gay marriage
(RNS) — The Roman Catholic Church has sent a letter to its parishes across Scotland protesting a political race to legalize same-sex marriage. The letter was read Aug. 26 by priests in 500 Catholic parishes urging Scotland’s political leaders to “sustain…
Amish beard-cutting trial attracts international attention
CLEVELAND (RNS) — The law of God will collide with the law of man this week in a crowded federal courtroom in Cleveland, where 16 Amish defendants — 10 men with full beards, six women in white bonnets — will…
Bible game show aims for religious audience
(RNS) — The world’s best-selling book has made it to the small screen in what is thought to be the first religiously themed game show on a secular network. “The American Bible Challenge” tests teams’ knowledge of the Old and New…
Filmmaker Spike Lee focuses on faith in 'Red Hook Summer'
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Spike Lee is not about to give up filmmaking but — at least for a moment or two — he sounded a bit like an expert on the challenges facing the church as he promoted his new…
Homeless find support on Facebook, Twitter
(RNS) — Here’s something everyone can “like”: Social media fosters community, even for those who don’t have a home. A new study finds social media like Twitter and Facebook tear down economic and geographic barriers to help homeless people connect to…
