This Lent, US Lutherans are learning a new Palestinian practice: Sumud
United States RNS Lent is a time of reflection for many Christians, and each year a host of devotionals are published to bring insight and inspiration to the 40 days of contemplation leading to Easter. For the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a liberal denomination of close to three million members, the Lenten offerings this […]
Essay: Trump isn’t defending religious communities – he’s waging war on them
Rev PAUL BRANDEIS RAUSHENBUSH, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance in the US, says the Trump administration is already the most harmful to religious freedom in modern American history…
US faith leaders express dismay amid report Trump will allow immigration raids at churches
United States RNS US faith leaders are reacting with concern to a report that President-elect Donald Trump plans to rescind a long-standing policy that discourages immigration officials from conducting raids at churches, schools and hospitals. According to a report from NBC News on Wednesday, the incoming Trump administration plans to do away with a policy […]
Faith and politics: Lutherans in Walz’s Minnesota put potlucks before politics during divisive election season
As the US election draws nearer, GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO, of Associated Press, visits some congregations in the US state of Minnesota…
More than 200 Christian leaders sign letter calling for ceasefire in Gaza
Washington DC, US RNS More than 200 Christian leaders from an array of traditions have signed a letter calling for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of hostages taken by Hamas, as well as a list of other measures aimed at providing relief in Gaza. “We speak out as Christian leaders […]
Protecting children: Background checks are essential for kids’ ministry. No-one knows how many churches do them.
Many denominations have passed new policies and procedures to make their churches safer for kids – few check to see if churches follow them. BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, reports…
Changing landscape: As churches shrink and pastors retire, creative workarounds are redefining ministry
As older clergy get set to retire in the US, there are few younger seminarians to replace them – and few churches that can afford to pay them. ELIZABETH E EVANS reports for Religion News Service…
Lutheran, Presbyterian schools moving to Chicago campus of Catholic Theological Union
Chicago, US RNS The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and McCormick Theological Seminary are moving into available space on the campus of Catholic Theological Union, creating a theological megacampus on the South Side of Chicago. The Lutheran School of Theology, a seminary belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, signed a lease on […]
US Lutherans launch initiative joining Indigenous-led Truth and Healing Movement
RNS The head of the country’s largest Lutheran denomination announced on Wednesday the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is launching its own Truth and Healing Movement to help its three million members better understand the “colonising impacts” the church has had on Indigenous people, both past and present. “We must be in better, right, and healthy relationships […]
In the US, transgender pastor claims bias, sues Lutheran denomination
United States AP Rev Megan Rohrer, who was elected as the first openly transgender bishop of one of the largest Christian denominations in the country in May, 2021, has filed a lawsuit alleging that he was forced out from his post after enduring several months of discrimination and harassment. The denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, […]