(RNS) — American Episcopalians upset with their denomination’s acceptance of gay and female clergy can now convert to the Roman Catholic Church while keeping many cherished traditions in a special new U.S. diocese that was established Jan. 1 by Pope…
Murdered park ranger is daughter of LCMS pastor
By Paula Schlueter Ross A Jan. 10 memorial service for Margaret Anderson, who was killed while on duty Jan. 1 by a gunman in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park, drew thousands of mourners, according to news reports. Speaking at the service, Anderson’s…
New video shows disaster work in Philippines
A new video from the LCMS Office of International Mission (to watch, click here) shows how a $25,000 emergency grant from LCMS World Relief and Human Care is being used to help survivors of severe flooding on the Philippine island…
'The 72' evangelism-training ministry expands to 17 districts
By Paula Schlueter Ross The United States is the third-largest “mission field” in the world, right behind China and India, as far as countries with the largest percentages of “unchurched” populations, says the Rev. Al Tormoehlen, director of “The 72 —…
Jan. 2 Rose Parade features Lutheran Hour float
The Rev. Greg Seltz, speaker of “The Lutheran Hour,” joined members of several LCMS congregations in southern California aboard the Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) float in the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, in Pasadena, Calif. The…
Lutherans in Sudan adopt name change, elect bishop
Lutherans in Sudan, East Africa, voted to change the name of their church body — from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan/South Sudan (ELCS/SS) — and elected a new leader: the Rev. Wilson…
Historical Institute gives awards for 2010
Concordia Historical Institute (CHI) presented “Awards of Commendation” to 16 historians Dec. 1 for exemplary accomplishment in the field of American Lutheran history during 2010. The awards were in the categories of “Journal Articles,” “Major Publications,” “Organizational Histories,” “Congregational Histories”…
Planners unveil Youth Gathering logo, call for volunteers
Planners for the 12th triennial National LCMS Youth Gathering in 2013 have unveiled the Gathering logo (which they also refer to as an “identity mark”) and announced that online application is open for key Gathering volunteer positions. The Gathering logo…
Concordia Plan Services receives awards
For the third consecutive year, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) publications have been honored by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (MarCom). The MarCom Awards is an international competition that recognizes outstanding achievements by marketing and communications professionals. This year there…
Parents, pastors wrestle with place of Santa
(RNS) — When the Rev. John McCausland crafted his Christmas Eve sermon at his Episcopal church in Weare, N.H., he always followed a basic formula. There had to be a brother and a sister in the story. Jesus and the…
Companies pull ads from Muslim TV show
(RNS) — Lowe’s, the national hardware chain, has pulled commercials from future episodes of “All-American Muslim,” a TLC reality-TV show, after protests by Christian groups. The Florida Family Association (FFA), a Tampa Bay group, has led a campaign urging companies to…
How much 'Tebowing' is too much?
(RNS) — Along with politics, it is one of two things we don’t talk about at parties: sports and religion. Football has always been a religion to some. But now, thanks to Denver quarterback Tim Tebow, sports and religion have become…
LCEF conference targets 'making a REAL difference'
By Joe Isenhower Jr. RALEIGH, N.C. — “It’s about keeping it real.” That statement often heard in these uncertain times could sum up — in a positive sense — what the 2011 Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) Fall Leadership Conference here Nov.…
Joint BOD, COP session addresses four topics
RALEIGH, N.C. — On Nov. 17, the LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) and Council of Presidents (COP) met together for two hours, apart from their separate meetings here. Synod leaders focused on four topics in that session — Concordia University, Ann…
Board encourages Ann Arbor, Mequon, merger discussions
By Joe Isenhower Jr. RALEIGH, N.C. — The Synod’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution at its Nov. 17-18 meeting here stating that it “intends to encourage, support and facilitate continued discussions between” Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Concordia University…
LCMS offers support, prayers for flood victims in Philippines
By Elizabeth M. TruongThe official death toll has climbed to 1,000 people and many are still missing after Tropical Storm Washi struck the Philippine island of Mindanao in the early morning of Dec. 17. Some 40,000 people have been evacuated…
