WASHINGTON (RNS) — A recent Navy memo that would permit military chaplains to officiate at same-sex marriage ceremonies upon repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell policy is creating tension amid an already fractious debate. “It is absolutely deplorable,” said…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Supporters marked the 60th annual National Day of Prayer on May 5, just weeks after a federal appeals court dismissed a suit that challenged the law creating the day as unconstitutional. Focus on the Family founder James…

CANTERBURY, ENGLAND (RNS/ENInews) — In a challenge to conventional wisdom that church attendance is plummeting across Britain and Western Europe, the Church of England says attendance at its 43 cathedrals grew 7 percent last year. A report by the Rev.…

JERUSALEM (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to tackle the question of whether American passports issued to children born in Jerusalem should include the word “Israel.” Until now, passports issued in this disputed city have designated the children’s…

By James Heine Acting as the Board of Assignments, the LCMS Council of Presidents (COP) April 30 assigned first calls to 149 candidates certified for ministry by Concordia Seminary St. Louis; Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne; Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary,…

Chaplain (Col.) Rev. Gregory K. Williamson, a native of Walters, Minn., who is now serving in Seoul, South Korea, has accepted a call to serve a three-year term as the Synod’s chief mission officer (CMO).  Williamson plans to begin serving…

Dr. Jane L. Fryar will lead intensive workshops in writing May 16-20 at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis., and May 23-27 at Concordia University Nebraska, Seward, Neb.  Fryar is a writer, editor, speaker and consultant. Sponsored by the Women’s Leadership…

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Peace Officer Ministries Inc. (POM) are offering a workshop May 23-27 on “Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy — Theology and Practice.” The five-day workshop, which will be held on the seminary campus, is designed to offer…

Rev. John Barton “Bart” Day will join the Synod staff July 1 as executive director of the church body’s new Life Together department that will include national mission functions of the ministries based at the Synod’s International Center in St.…

Dr. Paul Maier of Kalamazoo, Mich., has given his last lecture as professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, where he has taught for 50 years. Maier, the Synod’s third vice-president, addressed classes for the last time April…

By Kim Plummer Krull Nearly a week after historic storms ripped through the South, Eleanor Allen looks at the rubble where she once lived and wonders aloud how she can put her life back together, asking “where to start?” The…

The LCMS has issued a statement saying it “welcomes the United States Supreme Court’s [March 28] decision to hear an important case concerning the First Amendment rights of its member congregations.” The case, Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v.…

The LCMS has redesigned its website at www.lcms.org to make it easier for visitors to find the information they’re seeking. “There was a definite need to rethink the way the website was organized and streamline its content,” explained Becky Cummings,…

Retired individuals or couples and others with a passion for Christian outreach to the unchurched and lapsed church members have until June 17 to request an application for training this year for “The 72–Partners on the Road.” That program of…

Note: Reporter cannot accept notices about items offered for sale or that people wish to purchase.  Items described as “Wanted” or “Available” are sought or may be obtained for shipping costs only. Wanted Used communion ware sets with trays and individual…

The following institutions of the Concordia University System are seeking candidates for positions: Concordia University, Irvine, Calif., seeks to fill positions in psychology and health professions. Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis., seeks to fill the following positions: physical therapy; special education;…