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Some African bishops at a Vatican meeting said they view President Obama’s election as a divine act, differing from some of their U.S. brethren, The Associated Press reports. Archbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra, Ghana, said he believes God directed Obama’s election victory. "We believe God has his own plans. God directs history," he said Wednesday of the election. "We pray that it (Obama’s presidency) brings blessings for Africa and the whole world."
(RNS) The scraggly guy stood at Ed Dobson’s door, asking for money. He said he was a Vietnam vet and needed bus fare for a medical appointment in Lansing, Mich. Problem: It was the same story the same guy told three months earlier, when Dobson gave him $15. Dobson figured he probably blew that on booze and would do so again. Problem No. 2: Jesus said, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” This time, Dobson gave him $20.
Chippewa Falls — Jason Zunker left two letters to be opened in case he died. After the Chippewa County sheriff’s deputy was killed while directing traffic last year, his family and close friends read his words."I don’t feel I have gone too soon," Zunker wrote. "I feel lucky every day God keeps me here. When I die, I know where I’m going. Don’t be sad because the Bible says it’s greater than anyone can even imagine when it’s your time to see it."
WASHINGTON (RNS) The White House and federal health officials have released guidelines recommending that worshippers take precautions against spreading germs to reduce the risk of contracting swine flu.
If you are looking for a high-value, hands-on volunteer opportunity, consider helping people in need feed their families through the new St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, the busiest pantry in Dane County. Hundreds of volunteers provide more than 1,700 hours of assistance each month at this client-choice facility, serving clients from across the county. New volunteers are always needed to meet growing need.
October has been designated Clergy Appreciation Month to remind us to say “thank you” in words and actions to our ministers and their families. Ministers wear many hats, serving not only as preachers and teachers, but also as family counselors, business administrators, and sometimes even janitors. Typically, the smaller the church the more hats they wear.God calls them to an overwhelming responsibility – the spiritual well-being of His flock. That’s why a minister is sometimes referred to as the “shepherd” of a congregation.
"In God We Trust" is back in business at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. When it opened in December of 2008, those words were not engraved anywhere. The Congressional Prayer Caucus was able to pass legislation to make sure those words were added
NEW YORK — Organized religion was already in trouble in the U.S. before the fall of 2008. Denominations were stagnating or shrinking, and congregations across faith groups were fretting about their finances.The Great Recession made things worse.
After years of international negotiations, the Milwaukee Public Museum has announced that its exhibit of the legendary Dead Sea Scrolls will open on Jan. 22."Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures" is the largest temporary exhibit ever produced by the museum, with more than 200 artifacts.
VATICAN CITY — Every week, Pope Benedict XVI addresses pilgrims at St. Peter’s Square. The Rev. Cesare Atuire’s job is to make sure there are lots of listeners.Father Atuire, a Ghana-born priest who runs the Holy See’s in-house travel agency, pitches full-service, Vatican-style vacations. Mr. Atuire’s Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, or ORP, charters planes, trains, buses and ships to carry packs of tourists to Rome. To crack the U.S. market, Father Atuire recently sent an ORP "missionary" to promote its packages at churches in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Florida.