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 holy family played a prominent role. And there was always an appearance from Santa Claus.
“If we never mention Santa Claus, then you create a parallel universe,” said McCausland, who retired in June. “What I try to do in this story is to tie the two together, but not make Santa Claus primary.”
An independent tribunal investigating anti-Christian violence in India’s eastern Orissa state in 2008 has indicted the state government for failure to protect Christians and has made several recommendations.
Less than a decade old, Church of All Nations, a church plant out of the Korean immigrant context, has not only taken root but is already bearing fruit.
Not only has it helped to launch three worshiping communities, but the multi-ethnic church that is living into its name to be of “all nations” is also in conversation with two struggling local congregations regarding the potential of a partnership “relaunch.”
The Twin Cities area of Minnesota — home to Church of All Nations — is also home to many new immigrant groups.
Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding—a series of biblically based mini-courses published by Congregational Ministries Publishing — has released new titles available to order for congregational use, including studies adapted for Korean and Spanish speakers.
Among the new releases are Enough: God’s Blessings in Abundance, written by Laura Mendenhall, and Faith, Hope, Love, and Witness: The PC(USA) Form of Government, written by Paul K. Hooker. Enough leads readers to look at what is most important in life — God’s blessings, which are in abundance, for us. Faith, Hope, Love, and Witness: The PC(USA) Form of Government serves as a brilliant introduction to the new form of church government, explaining core affirmations and foundations of Presbyterian polity.
The Rev. John Boone Trotti, who served as librarian at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Va., from 1968-2002, has been named recipient of the 2012 Award for Excellence in Theological Education. He will be formally honored at the 220th General Assembly (2012) in Pittsburgh.
The results of the National Survey on Discrimination (ENADIS) in Mexico, made public this week, has revealed that 15 percent of the population specifically expressed that Protestants should be relocated in special areas that are distant from essentially Catholic communities, in order to protect their rights.
Most Americans believers do not see preventing climate change or the spread of nuclear weapons as “spiritual obligations,” although they see both as important goals, according to a new poll.
An organization called Medan Plus, founded by an independent pastor, the Rev. Eban Totonta Kaban, has worked to decrease the stigma that still accompanies a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in Indonesia.
If you have the opportunity to work alongside or talk with Haitians, one thing becomes immediately clear: they are not looking for a handout. They are willing to work hard but simply need supplies and funds to begin or finish rebuilding their homes, businesses and lives.
The Presbyterian Haiti Response Team (see box) is working to equip Haitians so they can rebuild. Léogâne is a small town that was at the epicenter of the 2010 earthquake. It’s just 20 miles west of Port-au-Prince, and nearly every home and business in the town was destroyed or damaged.
The HRT has approved $600,000 for building hundreds of homes in the area through our partner in Haiti, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. CRWRC provides not only homes for Haitians but also a livelihood through work-for-cash programs.
As a Reformed and connectional church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has much to offer college students, agreed the denomination’s Collegiate Ministries task force at its Nov. 16-18 meeting here.