Monthly Archives: April 2011

More county churches hope to leave ELCA

Posted on April 27, 2011 by melissa nann burke

At least two more York County churches are on their way to quitting the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. If members affirm the departures in coming months, they’ll be the fourth and fifth county congregations to leave the country’s largest … Continue reading →

Posted in Denominational doings, Mainline Protestants | Leave a comment

Bishop-elect Waltersheid to be ordained today

Posted on April 25, 2011 by melissa nann burke

A priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg will be ordained an auxiliary bishop for Pittsburgh by Bishop David A. Zubik at 2 p.m. today in Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland. Bishop-elect William J. Waltersheid, 54, has served in … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Catholicism | 1 Comment

Bill would repeal ban on teachers’ religious ‘garb’

Posted on April 24, 2011 by melissa nann burke

A bill in the state House would lift restrictions on Pennsylvania teachers who may not wear clothing, emblems or insignias indicating their religious affiliation in the classroom. Pennsylvania and Nebraska are the only two states with such laws left on … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Politics | 1 Comment

‘Radical forgiveness’ series on Ill. death penalty

Posted on April 24, 2011 by melissa nann burke

For Easter, I’d like to highlight a series called Radical Forgiveness by Manya Brachear about families of murder victims, who — inspired by their faith — fought capital punishment in Illinois (and, this spring, won). Here’s Manya’s introduction: Their loved … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere, Politics | Leave a comment

Chris Hedges to speak at Gettysburg seminary

Posted on April 14, 2011 by melissa nann burke

Chris Hedges, a journalist and former war correspondent for the New York Times, will speak at 2 p.m. May 4 during the spring convocation at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. The convocation focuses this year on storytelling and narratives … Continue reading →

Posted in Local events, Mainline Protestants | Leave a comment

County council of churches looks to future

Posted on April 12, 2011 by melissa nann burke

The York County Council of Churches board will not disband the organization but move to hire a new executive director to tackle a renewed mission, according to a letter sent to member congregations and others last week. Earlier this year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonprofits | Leave a comment

The week in Pa. religion news: April 10, 2011

Posted on April 10, 2011 by melissa nann burke

A Lutheran church near Harrisburg vowed to rebuild after arson damaged the sanctuary, and a church in Seven Valleys lost its roof in Monday’s storms. Christian street preacher Michael Marcavage has no right to sue police who, citing safety concerns, … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Catholicism, Clergy scandals, Denominational doings | Leave a comment

Lifetree Cafe offers conversations on life, faith

Posted on April 5, 2011 by melissa nann burke

A new coffeehouse-type program offers weekly conversation about on topics relating to “life and faith.” The Lifetree Cafe is a free, hour-long event with refreshments and informal discussions with others, all hosted by Zion United Methodist Church in West Manchester … Continue reading →

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Sightings: Fasting for the Poor

Posted on April 4, 2011 by melissa nann burke

Religion scholar Martin Marty’s latest Sightings column asks why the faithful should care about government cutbacks. Read his essay at the jump.

Posted in Academia, Ecomony, Politics | Leave a comment

The week in Pa. religion news: April 3, 2011

Posted on April 3, 2011 by melissa nann burke

The number of Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia suspended for alleged aberrant behavior involving children grew to 29, as officials placed two more clerics on administrative leave. The Philly case has the U.S. bishops defending the credibility of … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Catholicism, Judaism | Leave a comment