Chechnya, the Russian republic believed to be connected to the two Boston Marathon bombing suspects, has been the scene of terrorism and related violence since the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union.

Although the event bringing them together this weekend is unique, Ida Rosario and the Rev. Glorya Johnson’s paths have crossed several times before.

Theologians from the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) met April 7-13 here on the campus of the University of Notre Dame for the third session in the fourth phase of the international Catholic-Reformed dialogue. The event was hosted by the University of Notre Dame and its president John Jenkins, C.S.C.

Nearly a year after the Vatican announced a makeover of the largest umbrella group for American nuns, Pope Francis has directed that the overhaul of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) continue.

The Board of Pensions (BOP) welcomed approximately 245 mid-council representatives here April 17 for the 2013 Eastern Regional Benefits Consultation (RBC), where presenters and participants exchanged ideas and concerns about the challenges facing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its Medical Plan.

Church World Service yesterday (April 17) expressed hope that the bipartisan immigration reform bill introduced by eight senators will provide much needed reform to the country’s immigration system.

George Beverly Shea, whose signature baritone voice was a standard feature of Billy Graham crusades for more than half a century, died April 16 at age 104.

Rachel Yates, a Presbyterian ruling elder from Aurora, Colorado, recently accepted a position as a church support fund-raising associate with the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

While the press conference for the release of the Gang of 8—a bipartisan group of eight Senators who were appointed to craft a proposal for comprehensive immigration reform—to officially introduce their proposed legislation* to the American public has been postponed due to the tragedy in Boston on Monday, an outline of the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013” has been released.

The Gang of 8 has negotiated and compromised to come to agreement on this proposed legislation.  Their cooperation and hard work to fix our broken immigration system is commendable. We applaud their efforts and join them in the call that this is the time for reform. This is the year for justice and a commonsense immigration plan.

As churches and other groups offer moral, spiritual, material and prayer support to the people of Boston, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Church of the Covenant ― a union congregation with the United Church of Christ ― near the site of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy is especially active this week.