By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS families in Ann Arbor are among those dealing with damages after three reported tornadoes ripped through southeastern Michigan on March 15, destroying at least 100 homes, according to news accounts. Two members of St. Paul…
Weedon accepts call to LCMS Worship, IC chaplaincy post
The Rev. William C. Weedon of Worden, Ill., has accepted the call to serve as the Synod’s director of Worship and International Center (IC) chaplain. He will join the staff at the IC May 1. His installation is planned for…
Needed: Volunteers, support to bring hope to Minot
By Kim Plummer Krull Strong backs and arms plus volunteers with carpentry and electrical skills are much needed to help put the “hope” in Hope Village, the volunteer center that opens April 1 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot, N.D.,…
Northern Illinois District re-elects Gilbert
Delegates to the LCMS Northern Illinois District convention, meeting March 9-10 at Concordia University Chicago, in River Forest, Ill., re-elected by acclamation the Rev. Dan P. Gilbert of Addison, Ill., as district president. Gilbert, 60, was re-elected to his third…
'Be Well Rewards' program extends into 2012
By Elizabeth M. Truong Concordia Plan Services (CPS) — the Synod’s benefits provider — announced in January that the Concordia Health Plan (CHP) “Be Well Rewards” program has been extended through the end of 2012. Some 28,500 CHP members are eligible…
Barnabas conference focuses on caring for nation’s military
By Linda C. Hoops Georgia Fisher becomes emotional when talking about her 24-year-old grandson, Michael, who is a Marine sergeant serving in Afghanistan since November. “He’s already lost one close buddy,” said Fisher, a member of Grace Lutheran Church in…
After months of wrangling, occupiers evicted from St. Paul's Cathedral
LONDON (RNS) — Police on Feb. 28 evicted scores of demonstrators from a makeshift tent city they had erected outside historic St. Paul’s Cathedral more than four months ago as part of a global protest against capitalism. After brief skirmishes in…
Breakaway Anglicans ordered to return property by April 30
(RNS) — A Virginia judge has ordered seven congregations that broke from the Episcopal Church to return all property to the local diocese — from valuable land to sacred chalices — by April 30. The Diocese of Virginia had wanted the…
Israeli postmen refuse to deliver Hebrew-language Bibles
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Israeli postal workers outside Tel Aviv are refusing to deliver thousands of copies of the New Testament and other Hebrew-language Christian materials. Israel media reported March 6 that dozens of religious and secular Jewish mail deliverers jointly informed…
'The Donald' trumps Bible on financial advice
WASHINGTON (RNS) — When it comes to financial advice in these tough economic times, more Americans today would rather take advice from business mogul Donald Trump than from the Bible. According to a survey conducted in February by two biblically oriented…
One year after Japan disaster, Lutheran partners still address needs, fears
By Kim Plummer Krull As Japan braces for the one-year anniversary of a disaster that delivered a deadly, triple blow, LCMS ministry leaders are preparing to return to the country to work with partners on ongoing efforts that often prompt an…
Districts work together to train leaders, plant churches on Mexico border
By Roland Lovstad Like starting a mission in a foreign country, Gospel mission on the U.S.-Mexico border is a process of planning and coordination, especially when three LCMS districts are doing the work. Since beginning about 10 years ago, Frontera (Spanish…
After losing school job, gay teacher loses church job
FLORISSANT, Mo. (RNS) — A Catholic school music teacher who was fired after church officials learned that he planned to marry his male partner has been fired from his other job as a music director at a suburban Catholic church. Al…
Cash-strapped Italy looks to tax church-owned properties
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pinched by the global recession and tough-love budget demands of the European Union, the Italian government is looking for extra revenue, and has its eyes set on commercial properties owned by the Roman Catholic Church. On Feb.…
Free webcast targets school marketing 'do's and don'ts'
Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) will host a free “Best Practices School-Marketing Lab” webcast March 13 that Lutheran school principals and marketing, communications and admission staff might find helpful. During the 45-minute program, three Lutheran school principals “will each share an…
Refugee defies deportation, seeks sanctuary at church
HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. (RNS) — Saul Timisela was ordered to report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Newark early March 1 morning to be deported. Instead, the Indonesian Christian took sanctuary at the Reformed Church of Highland Park, where…
