NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) — For nearly a century, the stained-glass portrait of St. Patrick looked down on parishioners — as if from the heavens — from the massive nave of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. But the Irish saint, as well as…

By Kim Plummer Krull “People are anxious to help.” Although the Rev. Larry Courson, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor, Mich., was talking about response to the March 15 tornado that damaged more than 200 homes in the suburb of Dexter,…

The spring 2012 issue of Higher Things magazine is a first in two respects.  For the first time, its online version at http://higherthings.org is cost-free and its focus on apologetics marks the first completely topical edition of the quarterly magazine…

By Annalisa Musarra  WASHINGTON (RNS) — Even as membership remains relatively stable in U.S. churches, the effects of the recession have caused contributions to drop by $1.2 billion.   According to the 2012 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches, the almost $29…

By Paula Schlueter Ross Aaron Likens has come a long way since he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome some nine years ago, at age 20. Since then, he’s started a blog, written a book and become a spokesman for TouchPoint…

The modification of the LCMS cross logo from burgundy to blue is one of the most notable changes in the Synod’s refreshed branding that is being introduced in April, according to Vicki Biggs, director of Integrated Communications for the Synod. “Our…

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Following a yearlong investigation into decades of rampant abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, the Vatican on March 20 called for more rigorous screening of would-be priests and compulsory child-protection classes in seminaries. Pope Benedict…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Days after a lone gunman murdered a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse, France, a new study reports widespread anti-Semitism in France and across Europe. The survey, completed in January and released March 20…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Turkey stands as a new and controversial addition to an annual list of the worst offenders of religious freedom released March 20 by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Four of nine commissioners objected to adding…

(RNS) — Do not confuse the upcoming film “Blue Like Jazz” with Christian market movies like “Fireproof” or “Courageous.” “A Christian movie genre has formed. Our first goal with this movie is that we didn’t fit into this genre,” said director…

(RNS) — The owner of a business who claimed he would provide atheist rescuers for Christians’ pets left behind in the Rapture now says his service was an elaborate hoax and never had any clients. Bart Centre, who lives in New…

(RNS/ENInews) — Egyptian Christians are mourning the death of Pope Shenouda III, the longtime leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who died on March 17 at the age of 88. His funeral was March 21 at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo,…

(RNS) — Religious leaders from the NAACP met with evangelist Franklin Graham March 20, less than a month after they accused him of “bearing false witness” when he questioned President Obama’s Christian faith. “All parties were in agreement that it is…

Following is the first in a series of Reporter columns that will provide information about the next LCMS national convention. Convention Corner with Barbara A. Below As the 65th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod approaches, this Reporter column…

By Kim Plummer Krull An initial grant of $2,500 has been sent by the LCMS to the Lutheran Synod of Mexico to help Mexico City congregations respond to survivors’ most critical needs for food, water, medical care and shelter since a…

The 65th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod will be held July 20-25, 2013, at the America’s Center Convention Complex, St. Louis, Mo. Election of Voting Delegates Bylaws 3.1.2-3.1.2.2 [2010 Handbook, pp. 99-101] set forth the provisions governing official…