Monthly Archives: February 2010

Neighbors convene for worship in snowstorm

Posted on February 25, 2010 by melissa nann burke

The latest snowstorm reminded me of a story I heard after the twin blizzards earlier this month. When it became clear that members of Agape Fellowship could not meet at their usual place of worship Feb. 7 due to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Local events, Worship | 1 Comment

Sightings: Public Roles, Private Persons

Posted on February 23, 2010 by melissa nann burke

In a recent Sightings column, Debra Erickson highlights a conference this week at the University of Chicago Divinity School that will look at themes on public vs. private roles. A focus is on women in the clergy and how they … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Politics | Leave a comment

How churches can help returning vets

Posted on February 23, 2010 by melissa nann burke

Lancaster Theological Seminary will host two workshops March 9 about how to welcome veterans home. The Rev. Peter E. Bauer, Aristides Fokas and Bill Worley will focus on ministry to the military from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the seminary’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Local events, Mainline Protestants | Leave a comment

Clergy observe Evolution Sunday

Posted on February 15, 2010 by melissa nann burke

Friday was the birthday of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin, and a few area pastors celebrated Darwin’s theories with their Sunday sermons this past weekend, according to a list compiled by The Clergy Letter Project. The letter — signed by more … Continue reading →

Posted in Local events, Science | 2 Comments

Word of the day: Snowpocalypse

Posted on February 11, 2010 by melissa nann burke

The power went out at the newspaper yesterday morning while we were covering the latest blitzkrieg of a blizzard (2010: Snow Odyssey). It momentarily felt like the end of the world. But the staff rallied. We set up a makeshift … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Word of the day | 1 Comment

Bishop Baxter consents to election of gay bishop

Posted on February 11, 2010 by melissa nann burke

Bishop Nathan D. Baxter of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania has endorsed the election of a lesbian bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Read his letter explaining his consent. Glasspool is the first openly gay priest to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglicanism, Denominational doings | Leave a comment

Sightings: The Pandora’s Box of James Cameron

Posted on February 9, 2010 by melissa nann burke

The latest Sightings column, looks at how the movie “Avatar” has left some viewers with an existential problem: The sincere desire (and inability) to move there. Read more at the jump.

Posted in Academia, Film | 5 Comments

The Olympics’ religious origins

Posted on February 9, 2010 by melissa nann burke

The original Games were held far from Vancouver near the temple of Zeus in Olympia southwest of Athens. The games began as part of a religious festival with the physical contests scheduled among processions, sacrifices and altar rituals. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Leave a comment

Snow keeps congregants at home

Posted on February 6, 2010 by melissa nann burke

With knee-high levels of snow around, some local houses of worship have already canceled services and other activities this evening and Sunday. Others are urging congregants to check their Web sites for updates later. The Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg lifted … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Local events | Leave a comment

Pastor on ELCA roster despite charges

Posted on February 2, 2010 by melissa nann burke

A pastor from Hummelstown remains on the roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America a year after he was charged with soliciting sex for money, reports the Web site Pretty Good Lutherans. Police charged the Rev. Alan Curtis Wenrich … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Denominational doings, Mainline Protestants | Leave a comment