Religion

Defiant church faces order to halt services A Jonesboro congregation that continued to meet, despite a global pandemic, will be ordered to suspend large group gatherings, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Friday e... by Frank E. Lockwood - April 4, 2020

Efforts afoot to continue Jerusalem Holy Fire rite Israel is working with foreign governments and Orthodox Christian leaders in the Holy Land to make sure that one of their most ancient and mysterious rituals --... by JOSEF FEDERMAN The Associated Press - April 4, 2020

Jesus, take the wheel Father Alejandro Puello steps out a side door of the small church and slips a purple stole over his head, colorful and sharp against a simple white vestment. He... by STORY AND PHOTOS DWAIN HEBDA SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE - April 4, 2020

Leaders get creative with religious meals Over the next several weeks, Americans will conduct virtual Seders, cook Easter brunch for just one or two and break their Ramadan fasts while isolating at home... by PRIYA KRISHNA THE NEW YORK TIMES - April 4, 2020

Latter-day Saints rush to bring missionaries home to U.S. When Britain Bashore landed back in Utah last week after nearly two years volunteering as a missionary in the Philippines, the 19-year-old was greeted with litt... by SIOBHÁN O'GRADY THE WASHINGTON POST - April 4, 2020

Pandemic a legal quandary about Lent, confession Every now and then, while a priest is traveling or out running errands, a stranger will approach and ask: "Father, will you hear my confession?" by Terry Mattingly - April 4, 2020

Calendar Community Easter Sunrise Service, set for April 12 at First Security Amphitheater, 400 President Clinton Ave., has been canceled. April 4, 2020

Church notes: Eureka Springs Methodists reach out First United Methodist Church in Eureka Springs, 195 Huntsville Road, has organized a group calling itself "Answering The Call" to help those who are 65 or olde... April 4, 2020

Mystery of the Bible: Historians hope to return it to rightful owner There's a bit of detective in every historian. The volunteer staff at the Bella Vista History Museum is no different. Recently, the staff has been working on th... by Lynn Atkins - April 4, 2020

Faith Matters: Maybe Easter will mean resurrection Do I need to describe how odd it is to preach in an empty sanctuary? Or do a Bible study in front of a laptop? Or livestream myself on Facebook? by STEVE SHEELY Faith Matters - April 4, 2020

Saudis advise pilgrims to hold off on hajj plans in pandemic A senior Saudi official urged more than 1 million Muslims intending to perform the hajj to delay making plans this year -- comments suggesting the pilgrimage co... by AYA BATRAWY and JON GAMBRELL The Associated Press - April 2, 2020

Easter deadline called unlikely; it’s more a hope than reality, state’s D.C. lawmakers say Despite President Donald Trump's desire to reopen the country by Easter, most Arkansas congregations aren't decorating eggs or ordering truckloads of lilies. by Frank E. Lockwood - March 29, 2020

Stay close, God It was the fourth Sunday of Lent, and at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville the Rev. Jason Tyler was calling on the nearly 1,100 members and visitors he... by Francisca Jones - March 28, 2020

States differ on exempting worship As multiple governors issue orders to curb large gatherings and implore residents to stay home in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, at least a half-d... by ELANA SCHOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - March 28, 2020

Democrats need to ask more religion questions After Democrats voted in the Alabama primary in early March, researchers for CNN and other newsrooms asked them several questions. by Terry Mattingly - March 28, 2020