news-record.com

Statement of Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, president of The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod:

“In response to actions taken at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Churchwide Assembly last August, a conservative faction of that church body opted on Wednesday, Nov. 18, to form a new Lutheran denomination. At this summer’s assembly, ELCA delegates voted to open the ministry of their church body to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in ‘committed relationships.’

“A group of ELCA members and leaders named Lutheran CORE had said in September it would spend a year deciding whether to form a new church body. However, its leaders said Wednesday that the large number of requests from disenfranchised congregations and church members seeking quicker action caused them to step up the pace."

My grandfather and uncle, career commercial fishermen, were lost at sea 20 miles off the coast of Cape May, New Jersey on November 11. When the search was called off and they were presumed dead my family was of course devastated -- and I found myself in a unique position, religiously.

I, an atheist, had to write a eulogy for both of these men, one a born-again Christian, to be delivered in the Pentecostal church with which he was heavily involved, before a crowd strongly dominated by evangelical Christians.

My uncle was a man who had many problems in his life - drink, drugs, divorce, violence. Though I wasn't on the same page with him religiously, I know that his faith saved - and changed - his life. I know that it brought him closer to the rest of my family. I didn't feel that I could ignore that in my eulogy just because I wasn't on the same cosmological page.

Here is what I came up with, which is not perfect but gave a number of people some comfort and was well received at the memorial.

I think it's possible for believers and non-believers to love and respect one another, to give credit where credit is due and to see death (and even life) their way, without insisting that it's the only respectable view.

"The Feast of Caring started the day with some very good news!" shares Mike Aiken, executive director at the Greensboro Urban Ministry." The Bank of America Foundation just awarded Urban Ministry $12,500 for the WE shelters.

In addition, a $1,000 check was received in the mail from an individual who scratched through the "$100,000 needed" headline in the newspaper and wrote in $99,000.

Greensboro Urban Ministry’s 18th Annual Feast of Caring will be held tonight from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1000 West Friendly Avenue.

This event launches Urban Ministry’s annual fundraising campaign to raise its $3.3 million budget. This year, Urban Ministry has a special challenge to raise an additional $100,000 for its WE (Winter Emergency) Shelters to be located at First Baptist Church and six other churches.
 

College students who major in the social sciences and humanities are likely to become less religious, while those majoring in education are likely to become more religious, according to a

University of Michigan study.

Massachusetts man says he was fired for telling co-worker that her gay marriage was wrong. He said she mentioned it four times before he gave an opinion.

Viewers can

during worship to accept Christ as their savior.

The Church of Scientology told to remain "on the correct side of the law."

Someone's going to walk away with a new Toyota Camry (or the option of  $18,000 in cash) at Temple Emanuel's Community Jewish Festival this weekend. Of course, raffle tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100.

Otherwise, just enjoy the day of food, real-life biblical characters and more - including a kiddie section. Admission is $1 and kids five and younger get in free.

Congratulations:

A message on their blog suggests that preachers Christina Glenn of Greensboro and Thomas Weeks of Duluth are now man and wife. The link for a 'special video message' is inoperable but try again later.

Unhappy with the Anglican church? The pope makes it easier for you to switch to Catholicism. These priests can even marry.