Same sex ruling tops RNA’s Top 10 list

From Georgia- (came in at #23)


The legalization of same sex marriage topped the Religion Newswriters Association’s annual list of Top 10 Religion Stories of the Year.

Pope Francis was named Religion Newsmaker of the Year for the third year in a row. The Syrian immigrant crisis, the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and fatal shootings at a South Carolina church also made the list of Top 10 stories.

The pope earned the Religion Newsmaker of the Year honor this time by enthralling masses and infuriating others with his appeals to the poor and marginalized, his denunciations of greed and environmental destruction and his charismatic presence while visiting the United States, Africa and Latin America.

More here-

http://times-herald.com/news/2016/01/same-sex-ruling-tops-rnas-top-10-list

Fire Severely Damages Historic Church In West Orange, NJ

From Newark- with video-

A large fire severely damaged a historic church in West Orange, New Jersey.

The blaze broke out around 5 a.m. Friday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Main Street. Video from the scene showed massive flames piercing through the windows and the roof of the church.

“First arriving company encountered heavy smoke and a large body of fire on the second floor,” said West Orange Deputy Fire Chief Albert Souza.

The church has been there for more than 150 years, CBS2’s Christine Sloan reported.

“It’s horrible,” said resident Jim Rose. “This was a church that’s been here as long as I have been here.”

More here-

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/01/01/west-orange-church-fire/

Hospitality is Archbishop's New Year theme

From The Church Times-

THE “most formidable weapons against hatred and extremism” are hospitality and love, the Archbishop of Canterbury said in his New Year message.

The Archbishop said that he had been inspired by “extraordinary people” at Marsh Academy, a school in his diocese, including a 14-year-old boy who had fled his home in North Africa after soldiers stormed his school and attempted to abduct him. The boy was rescued by a teacher but fled in fear of a repeat attack. He was one of many children making “desperate journeys” alone to save their lives, Archbishop Welby said. “The hospitality of people here brings love, hope and joy. If we imitate them society becomes a far better place.”

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/1-january/news/uk/hospitality-is-archbishops-new-year-theme

Grace Episcopal Church to host forum on race relations

From Western NC-

Grace Episcopal Church will host a forum on race relations on Jan. 22 and 23 called, “Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice.”

The forum will be live-streamed from Trinity Wall Street Episcopal Church in New York City to dozens of locations across 34 states and several provinces in Canada. It will feature twelve keynote speakers with backgrounds in academia, theology, media, grassroots activism and more. All have had a particular focus on race during their careers, according to a press release from Trinity Wall Street.
The press release said that forum topics will provide “life-giving conversations on the racial issues of our time, including structural racism, mass incarceration, and policy change, (for those) interested in a practical, theological perspective on racial equality.”

More here-

http://www.morganton.com/community/grace-episcopal-church-to-host-forum-on-race-relations/article_03a07b44-b096-11e5-8a62-b7bb84e37488.html

Justin Welby to call on public to show refugees generosity and love

From The Guardian-

The archbishop of Canterbury is to call on the public to show generosity and love to refugees as a way of countering hatred and extremism in the world.

In his new year message to be broadcast by the BBC on Friday, Justin Welby will draw attention to Britain’s “long-established tradition of warmth and hospitality”.

British people, he will say, have always welcomed strangers, the poor and the weak: “In today’s world hospitality and love are our most formidable weapons against hatred and extremism.”

The mounting refugee crisis has preoccupied the Church of England and other faith communities throughout 2015. The leaders of the main religions in the UK have called on the government to increase the number of refugees fleeing conflict and persecution that the UK accepts.
More here-

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/01/archbishop-of-canterbury-justin-welby-refugees-generosity-love

Authorities to partiers: Resolve to behave well

From Kansas-

In McPherson, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church will continue its tradition of offering free “tipsy taxi” rides to New Year’s Eve celebrants in McPherson.

“It’s a lot of fun. We get a lot of, of course, interesting people in interesting conditions,” St. Anne’s Father Laird MacGregor said.

Volunteers drive, and there are always two volunteers in a “tipsy taxi.” The rides usually end around 1:30 or 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day, MacGregor said.

“I’m probably going to be driving or riding,” said MacGregor, who will be part of a taxi crew tonight.

More here-

http://www.hutchnews.com/news/local_state_news/authorities-to-partiers-resolve-to-behave-well/article_3452142e-6e34-5355-8c8f-700fa6e2a505.html

Former church treasurer mulling plea offer

From Albany-

HUDSON FALLS - The former church treasurer who was arrested in August and charged with stealing nearly $11,000 from Zion Episcopal Church, is discussing a plea deal in the case.


Thomas Thompson, 59, of Moreau, was arrested Aug. 7 after an investigation by Hudson Falls Police and State Police into the theft of at least $10,888 from the Main Street church’s accounts. That inquiry began after the IRS fined the church for not filing federal tax paperwork that Thompson was supposed to have filed, resulting in several thousand dollars in penalties, according to Hudson Falls Police.

Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan said his office has been discussing possible resolutions to the grand larceny case, with the amount of restitution that would be paid still at issue. A Washington County grand jury has not been asked to review the case yet, pending a possible plea agreement.


More here-


http://poststar.com/news/blotter/former-church-treasurer-mulling-plea-offer/article_3986f439-3d04-514d-b050-c74c96d3c062.html

Six controversies that rocked churches as men of the cloth got into trouble

From Standard Digital-

Another major episode was when Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Eliud Wabukala was taken to court by church members Joseph Chege, Elijah Waweru, Harrison Ndoro and Erastus Mwangi, over a succession row in the Mt Kenya region.

Wabukala was accused of failing to address protests by members over bullying during the selection of the region's bishop.

The four asked the court to block Wabukala from convening an electoral college to further probe three individuals selected for the regional seat, up until the case is heard and determined.

Cases of pastors involved in road fatalities also took centre stage in news covered.

This included Pastor James Ng'ang'a of Neno Evangelism Centre and Bishop Thomas Wahome Njuguna of Helicopter Ministries.

More here-

http://www.sde.co.ke/article/2000186573/six-controversies-that-rocked-churches-as-men-of-the-cloth-got-into-trouble/

J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, The Great War and This Present Darkness

From Christian Week-

In the wake of the Paris and Beirut attacks, it is easy to feel a darkness descending. What hope is there when people are willing to do such terrible and heinous things to others?

If there is any comfort in history, it is in knowing that we are not the first to feel this way, or go through this experience.

Two men who experienced the worst that humans can do to each other were J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings, and C.S. Lewis, who wrote the Chronicles of Narnia.

Both men were soldiers in the British army on the western front in World War One. Tolkien participated in two attacks, in July and October, 1916, including one where he was in combat for 50 straight hours.

On November 8 of that year, he was sent to hospital with trench fever. He never returned to the front—which probably saved his life.

More here-

http://www.christianweek.org/j-r-r-tolkien-c-s-lewis-great-war-present-darkness/

11 Arrested for Being Gay in Senegal—Is President Obama to Blame?

From The Daily Beast-

Reports from the West African nation of Senegal say that the government has arrested 11 people accused of homosexual acts. If convicted, those accused—who were rounded up at a “celebration of a gay marriage”—face up to five years in prison.

Incidents like this are rare, but not unprecedented, particularly in West Africa. Similar arrests have taken place in Nigeria, Gambia, and Cameroon. But it may be, in part, a backlash against American efforts.

In 2013, in what was seen across Africa as an overbearing attempt to influence policy, President Obama raised the issue of LGBT equality with Senegalese president Macky Sall. But President Sall doubled down, saying that Senegal would decide its own laws—and adding that it had banned the death penalty, thus putting it ahead of the United States on at least one human rights issue. In March, 2014, Senegal sentenced two men to six months each in prison, for the crime of homosexuality.

More here-

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/30/11-arrested-for-being-gay-in-senegal-is-president-obama-to-blame.html

Holyoke Episcopal parish initiates mission outreach to Latino worshipers

From Western Mass.-

The Right Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, will visit a diocesan parish here in the process of forming a new mission for Latino worshipers.

Misión de Gracia (Mission of Grace) at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 485 Appleton St., is a joint Episcopal-Lutheran congregation funded in part by a $30,000 grant from the United Thank Offering of The Episcopal Church.

Funding for Mission of Grace is also being provided by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Fisher will preach and preside at the 10 a.m. Sunday service. Fisher, who visits all of the 57 congregations in the diocese once every two years, will be greeted by the Rev. Barbara Thrall, rector of St. Paul's.

More here-

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/12/holyoke_episcopal_parish_initi.html

Uganda Pastor Killed Amid Ongoing Islamic Attacks

From Uganda-

Evangelical church members in eastern Uganda are mourning a pastor who was killed  amid ongoing Islamic attacks against Christian converts in the region.

Pastor Bongo Martin was hacked to death when he and other church members resisted an effort by Muslims to take over their land, local Christians said.

The Christians arrived when Muslims reportedly placed a boundary fence with poles and barbed wire around land of the Pentecostal Church Ministry congregation in Nansololo village near Mazuba, in Namudumba District.

More here-

http://www.bosnewslife.com/36084-uganda-pastor-killed-amid-ongoing-islamic-attacks

I’m an evangelical preacher. You can’t be pro-life and pro-gun.

From The Washington Post-

In the United States, evangelicals are among the biggest supporters of gun rights. They are the major religious group least likely to support stricter laws. Evangelical Larry Pratt, who directs Gun Owners of America, even argues that all Christians should be armed.

For most of my adult life, I agreed. I believed that we had a God-given right to defend ourselves. I also believed that the Second Amendment guarantees a right to bear arms, and that anyone should be able to obtain a gun.

Then, I saw the after-effects of gun violence firsthand. In Pennsylvania, I visited the families of five murdered Amish schoolgirls, as well as the family of the shooter. And I watched as a mass shooting unfolded at the Washington Navy Yard, across from where I lived at the time. These experiences, followed by careful theological and moral reflection, left me convinced that my family of faith is wrong on guns.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/12/28/im-evangelical-you-cant-be-pro-life-and-pro-gun/

Welby: “Christians face Middle East elimination”

From Evangelical Focus-

Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury Cathedral in Kent compared the Daesh to the Biblical King Herod who ordered the massacre of the innocents in an attempt to kill the Christ child, during his Christmas sermon. 

"Today, across the Middle East, close to the area in which the angels announced God's apocalypse, Isis and others claim that this is the time of an apocalypse, an unveiling created of their own terrible ideas, one which is igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression", he said. 

Welby affirmed that because Islamic terrorists are "Confident that these are the last days, using force and indescribable cruelty, they seem to welcome all opposition, certain that the warfare unleashed confirm that these are indeed the end times."


More here-

http://evangelicalfocus.com/lifetech/1244/Welby_Christians_face_Middle_East_elimination

Spong applauds removal of Confederate flags from St. Paul's on 60th anniversary of ministry

From Richmond-

That the leadership of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church elected recently to remove Confederate images from its walls delights John Shelby Spong, who oversaw the church during a watershed moment in state and local history.

The move took courage, his daughter said Sunday, as did Spong’s decision in the 1970s to support a federal judge’s decision to order and then expand a school busing program aimed at eliminating racial disparities in education.

“Courage is the hallmark of St. Paul’s and of those like my father who have led and lead this remarkable church,“ Ellen Spong said at a service marking the 60th anniversary of her father’s ordination.

More here-

http://www.richmond.com/news/local/city-of-richmond/article_8ffbb046-081d-51e8-b7b1-187e42d81246.html

Anglican Priest Smears the Virgin Mary

From Patheos-

Just when you thought the Anglicans couldn’t stoop much lower, in a disgusting article published, predictably, on Christmas Eve, Anglican priest-journalist Giles Fraser not only publicly denies the Virgin Birth, but he ridicules the idea, proposes that the Blessed Virgin Mary was just another teen fornicator and that it’s probably a good thing that Jesus was a bastard conceived when Mary had a romp with a Roman soldier.

I’m surprised that he didn’t title his article, “That’s Why Our Lady is a Tramp”

The crass arrogance of Fraser’s article in London’s  The Guardian is only superseded by its ignorance. Fraser writes,

More here- 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2015/12/anglican-priest-smears-the-virgin-mary.html

Mansion built for Jesus’ return is on the market for $10M

From The New York Post-

Even Jesus has been priced out of Manhattan.

In Riverdale, The Bronx, on the second highest peak in all five boroughs, sits a mansion fit for a king — and we don’t mean LeBron James.

The house, variously known as Chapel Farm, Fair Hill or Chapel Hill, was built in the 1920s for one special resident to live in: Jesus Christ.

The idea was, when Jesus returned to earth (via the 1 train, presumably), he would decamp to The Bronx and rule from this opulent, 17-room dwelling. It’s a promising sign for those living in the northernmost borough, which will apparently survive the wars, famine, disease, earthquakes and anarchy the Bible predicts to signal the end of days.

And soon, all this could be yours. It’s set to hit the market in February for $10 million.

More here-

http://nypost.com/2015/12/27/mansion-built-for-jesus-is-on-the-market-for-10m/

Sorry Giles, the virgin birth is central to Christmas

From Premier Christianity-

After Giles Fraser questioned the virgin birth on his Guardian blog, Ian Paul responds on why we abandon this central Christian truth at our peril.

I really don’t know what goes through the mind of people who argue that they know much better than the gospel writers what Christianity is all about. Do they think the evangelists were stupid, ignorant, or just a little bit slow on the uptake? And how did Christian tradition make such egregious errors until this enlightened modern mind came along to set us all straight?

Such were my thoughts when reading Giles Fraser’s latest piece, pointing out how the virgin birth doesn’t really fit with Christian belief:

The idea that Jesus was born of “pure virgin” could well have been a reaction to insults [that Jesus was illegitimate]. That Mary’s womb was “spotless” was perhaps a cover story designed by Jesus’s supporters to explain a more God-like nature for his arrival.

More here-

http://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Sorry-Giles-the-virgin-birth-is-central-to-Christmas

Pushed out of church, parishioners mark Christmas Eve under the stars

From Los Angeles-

After days of wet weather leading up to Christmas Eve, parishioners of St. James the Great Episcopal Church were relieved with a forecast of drier conditions Thursday.

For the first time, the congregation celebrated Christmas Eve under the night sky at Lido Park, across from the closed church building in Newport Beach.

"At first, we were so sad that we would not be able to worship in our church, but then we looked at what we will have, an opportunity to demonstrate how much we love being in our Lido community on this very special night," said the Rev. Canon Cindy Evans Voorhees, pastor of St. James the Great.

The celebration marked the end of a challenging year for St. James.

More here-

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-pushed-out-of-church-parishioners-mark-christmas-eve-under-the-stars-20151225-story.html

Episcopal priest from Bethlehem accused of filming woman in dressing room

From Albany-

An Episcopal priest from Bethlehem was arrested and jailed without bail for allegedly videotaping a woman who was getting dressed in the Salvation Army on Troy-Schenectady Road, according to police.

Adam Egan, 35, was charged with unlawful surveillance and tampering with evidence, both felonies, following the incident at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to Colonie Detective Sgt. Michael Franze.

More here-

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Bethlehem-priest-accused-of-filming-woman-in-6719383.php#photo-9159067

Christ Church Cathedral: why all the fuss?

From New Zealand-

A major announcement was made in Christchurch today about the future of the Christ Church Cathedral.  What is all the fuss about?

Why is this cathedral significant?

The Anglican Christ Church Cathedral is a category 1 heritage building in the centre of Christchurch's Cathedral Square. The city is named after it, its image has been widely used to promote the city to tourists, and ratepayers have for many years contributed towards its upkeep. The cathedral was regularly used for community events including Christmas carols, a floral festival and annual pet ceremonies.

More here-

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/75412698/Christ-Church-Cathedral-why-all-the-fuss

One key word missing in Detroit News sermon on behalf of gay Catholic couple

From Get Religion-

You pretty much know, when you read a headline that says "How a married gay Catholic couple lives their faith," that the story under that statement is going to be a sermon on behalf of progressive Catholics who want to modernize the teachings of their ancient church.

So the contents of this Detroit Free Press story didn't surprise me, especially since the Religion News Service picked it up, as well. So bah, humbug, to all of you pro-Catechism Catholics out there.

More here-

http://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2015/12/21/one-key-word-missing-in-detroit-news-sermon-on-behalf-of-gay-catholic-couple

As Muslim women, we actually ask you not to wear the hijab in the name of solidarity

From Newsday-

Last week, three female religious leaders — a Jewish rabbi, an Episcopal vicar and a Unitarian reverend — and a male imam, or Muslim prayer leader, walked into the sacred space in front of the ornately-tiled minbar, or pulpit, at the Khadeeja Islamic Center in West Valley City, Utah. The women were smiling widely, their hair covered with swaths of bright scarves, to support “Wear a Hijab” day.

The Salt Lake Tribune published a photo of fresh-faced teenage girls, who were not Muslim, in the audience at the mosque, their hair covered with long scarves. KSL TV later reported: “The hijab — or headscarf — is a symbol of modesty and dignity. When Muslim women wear headscarves, they are readily identified as followers of Islam.”

More here-

http://www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/as-muslim-women-we-actually-ask-you-not-to-wear-the-hijab-in-the-name-of-solidarity-1.11255798

Image of a cross found in pine tree trunk at Modesto church

From California-

A drought-stricken pine tree has left this world but continues to give a spiritual lift through a message at its literal core.

A gracefully flowing cross shows plainly on the trunk of a tree cut down beside St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Modesto. The cross-section discovered two weeks ago was shellacked and stationed temporarily in the church foyer last week.

“It's beautiful. We put it on display because it was just so cool!” said Allison Cox, church office manager.

The tree, which a ring count puts at 39 years old, soared beside the church on Oakdale Road until branches endangered the flat roof of the structure and it was determined several trees by the church were dying.

Read more here:

http://www.modbee.com/news/article50995045.html#storylink=cpy

Zero news coverage? Episcopal Church's new leader cleans house (including a possible spy)

From Get Religion-

Let's play a journalism game for a minute, one that we have played before here at GetReligion (for an example, click here). We call it the mirror-image game.

Let's assume, for a second, that the Southern Baptist Convention elected a new president. Then, shortly thereafter, three of the convention's top leaders were purged – perhaps the phrase would be "placed on administrative leave" – because of accusations of misconduct while on the job.

Oh, and there were some really strange and shady things in the recent past, like reports of top Southern Baptist leaders spying on each other – literally.

More here-

http://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2015/12/14/zero-news-coverage-episcopal-churchs-new-leader-cleans-house-including-possible-spy

Episcopal Church Launches Investigation Amid Suspension of 3 Officials

From Christian Today-

The Episcopal Church has announced that there will be an independent investigation conducted of the denomination following the suspension of three senior management officials.

Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry released a statement Friday noting that a firm was selected to conduct the investigation.

"I have today engaged a law firm to conduct an independent investigation of the concerns that led me to place three members of senior management on administrative leave last week," Curry said.


Read more at

http://www.christianpost.com/news/episcopal-church-bishop-curry-launch-investigation-suspend-three-officials-153078/#iuKggrlYqCMCuff2.99

Beer & Hymns? Really? Really.

From South Carolina-

When guitarist Tom Hanlon, of the Paul Grimshaw Band (shameless plug) first told me that his pastor, Jason Lee of the St. Phillip Lutheran Church, was organizing Beer & Hymns, a sing-a-long of hymns and carols, accompanied by beer, to be held at Liberty Brewery & Grill, I was intrigued. Though unable to personally attend the inaugural Beer & Hymns event, reports were that the occasion was an unmitigated success – some 80 in attendance. Beer & Hymns? Really? Really.

“For generations the church has been saying, ‘Here we are, come to us,’” said Pastor Lee, 34. “Now we’re going out into the public every few weeks and inviting everybody, all ages and creeds to join us for beer & hymns. No agenda, no preaching, we take up an offering to tip the musicians, but there’s no bait & switch, the only agenda is beer and hymns.” Lee is a native South Carolinian, and has been pastoring St. Phillip in Myrtle Beach for about two years.

Read more here:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/entertainment/weekly-surge/article50672500.html#storylink=cpy

Urban parishes in Diocese of Pittsburgh struggle to make ends meet

From The Greensburg Tribune-

Almost half of 200 parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh are losing money, even as some churches in suburban and gentrified urban areas grow so rapidly that they struggle to accommodate members amid a shortage of priests.

Old ethnic churches and cash-strapped parishes in economically depressed areas such as the Monongahela Valley's once-thriving mill towns are in the most dire financial straits.

“We've got to take a look at, realistically, what has to happen in those areas,” Bishop David Zubik told the Tribune-Review. “There's a lot of studying to be done.”

Read more:

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/9642805-74/diocese-parishes-church#axzz3ut3A8WLV

U.S. Support of Gay Rights in Africa May Have Done More Harm Than Good

From The New York Times-

Suspicious neighbors and landlords pry into their private lives. Blackmailers hunt for victims on the social media sites they use to meet other men. Police officers routinely stop them to search for incriminating images and chats on their cellphones.

After an anti-gay law went into effect last year, many gay Nigerians say they have been subjected to new levels of harassment, even violence.

They blame the law, the authorities and broad social intolerance for their troubles. But they also blame an unwavering supporter whose commitment to their cause has been unquestioned and overt across Africa: the United States government.

“The U.S. support is making matters worse,” said Mike, 24, a university student studying biology in Minna, a town in central Nigeria who asked that his full name not be used for safety reasons. “There’s more resistance now. It’s triggered people’s defense mechanism.”

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/21/world/africa/us-support-of-gay-rights-in-africa-may-have-done-more-harm-than-good.html?_r=0

Lifelong journey leads woman of privilege back to Memphis, priesthood and the poor

From Memphis-

The South American nation of Uruguay ordained its first female priest last month.

Christmas morning, she will preach at Calvary Episcopal Church here in her hometown.

"It's a long story," said Rev. Audrey Taylor Gonzalez, 76.

I'll shorten it for you.

Audrey Taylor grew up in the cotton-insulated, culturally isolated world of Old Memphis.

More here-

http://www.commercialappeal.com/columnists/david-waters/david-waters-lifelong-journey-leads-woman-of-privilege-back-to-memphis-priesthood-and-the-poor-26960-362974081.html