150 years of ministry
Seventh-day Adventist Church observes anniversary
Seventh-day Adventists will commemorate the church’s 150th anniversary today, not with a festive party, but with prayer and reflection. After all, it’s a bittersweet occasion, not necessarily a time for celebration. Continue reading...
Historic Jerusalem tattoo parlor serves pilgrims
Orthodox Christians visiting the Holy Land often return home with more than just spiritual memories. Many drop by a centuries-old tattoo parlor in Jerusalem’s Old City, inking themselves with a permanent reminder not only of their pilgrimage but also of devotion to their faith. Continue reading...
Priest tally mirrors Catholic population
The number of Catholic priests in Africa and Asia has shot up over the past decade while decreasing in Europe, mirroring trends in the numbers of Catholic faithful that helped lead to the election of Pope Francis as the first non-European pope in over a millennium. Continue reading...
Pope is proving he’s an in-the-trenches preacher
There is nothing unusual about a Catholic leader urging priests to draw closer to their flocks, to focus on day-to-day issues that bridge the gap between pulpit and pew. Continue reading...
NEWS BRIEFS
Cardinal to atone for improper acts VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has ordered a Scottish cardinal to leave Scotland for several months to pray and atone for sexual misconduct, issuing a rare public sanction against a “prince of the church” and the first such punishment meted out by Pope Francis. Continue reading...
Police investigating UA student deaths
Police in Missouri and Oklahoma are still investigating two separate accidents that took the lives of three University of Arkansas students earlier this week. Continue reading...
Communities of Faith
Adler to teach on Jewish thought — Jacob Adler will teach a Modern Jewish Thought course during Summer Session 1 at the University of Arkansas. Continue reading...
Mom Dreads Rivalry Between Daughter, New Sibling
Dear Abby: I am the mother of a 5-year-old daughter I’ll call Mandy. Her father and I separated when she was 16 months old and now we are divorced. I am newly engaged to a wonderful man and very happy. I have just learned that my ex is having a baby boy with a woman he has stated he does not love and isn’t even in a committed relationship with. I would like to protect Mandy from any pain this might cause her because she is a Daddy’s girl. Continue reading...
RELIGION NOTES
The University of Arkansas offers a Jewish studies class during the summer session. Jacob Adler, rabbi of Temple Shalom in Fayetteville and assistant professor of philosophy, teaches. Continue reading...
Minister Finds Rewards In Loving Thy Neighbor
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT BUILT NEED FOR JUSTICE
A native Arkansan from Little Rock and a lifelong Episcopalian, the Rev. Ken Parks has spent most of his career in the ministry helping others. Continue reading...
Happy Birthday
CHRISTIANS, JEWS CELEBRATE PENTECOST WITH SPECIAL SERVICES
Many refer to the Pentecost as “the birthday of the church” — and this applies to both Christians and Jews. And churches around the world will celebrate with special services. Continue reading...
Omer Period Marks Freedom
HOLIDAYS REPRESNT PHYSICAL, SPRITUAL VERSION OF LIBERTY
“… and you shall count for yourselves, from after the day of rest, when you brought the Omer (sheaves), seven full weeks, until the next day, and there will be a new offering.” — Leviticus 23:15-16 We are in the Omer period, where we mark 50 days from our spring festival of emancipation — Passover — to the early summer celebration of receiving the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai — Shavuot. You can imagine how much commentary our sages dedicated to understanding this directive. Continue reading...
Storied WALLS
Orthodox iconographer paints lives of Christ, saints
The religious scenes playing out on the interior walls of St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church could have been painted centuries ago: saints with gilded halos, winged angels hugging curved arches, calligraphic lettering helping to tell ancient stories. Continue reading...
Author: Dining brings sacred to the table
For author Shauna Niequist, the sacred isn’t confined to church. It can be found everywhere, including at the dinner table. Continue reading...
‘Ministry’ definition:Would Jesus make the cut?
When describing how his disciples should serve the needy, Jesus told a parable about a Good Samaritan who rescued a traveler who had been robbed and left for dead. Continue reading...
