Monthly Archives: May 2011

Daughter of Lutheran bishop ordained a rabbi

Posted on May 31, 2011 by melissa nann burke

A local “pastor’s kid” was recently ordained at a Bronx rabbinical school. She now leads a 100-family congregation at a synagogue in Brooklyn. A NYT profile Monday guesses Heidi Hoover is a first — a Jewish convert, now rabbi, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Judaism, Mainline Protestants | 5 Comments

York’s historic Trinity UMC is for sale

Posted on May 27, 2011 by melissa nann burke

UPDATE: Read about new developments in this story. Preservationists believe it’s a good sign that a historic York church headed for demolition is now for sale. The asking price for Trinity United Methodist’s building on East King Street is $225,000. … Continue reading →

Posted in Denominational doings | 1 Comment

Rethinking prayer at public school graduations

Posted on May 27, 2011 by melissa nann burke

In the waning days of spring, we expect grilled foods, outdoor concerts and … fights over prayer at public-school graduations. Over at Religion Dispatches, Duquesne University law professor Bruce Ledewitz says it’s time to reconsider the implications of the ban … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture wars, Politics | 1 Comment

Priest marks 75th year since ordination

Posted on May 26, 2011 by melissa nann burke

At 98, Hanover native Monsignor Vincent Topper is the the oldest and longest-serving Catholic priest in the 15-county Diocese of Harrisburg. Topper will celebrate the 75th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood with a Mass and testimonial dinner at … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Local events | Leave a comment

Encouraging confession among young Catholics

Posted on May 23, 2011 by melissa nann burke

A New Freedom priest urges pastors and Catholic educators to do more to encourage confession among young people, in this month’s issue of US Catholic magazine. For years, the Rev. Robert Nugent — a Salvatorian priest and adjunct clergy at … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism | 2 Comments

Carry on, carry on: A look at ‘rapture’ coverage

Posted on May 22, 2011 by melissa nann burke

I thought the rapture story would never end. Now that May 21 is well behind us, here’s early criticism of how the media covered the non-event: – The schadenfreude “turned sinister,” wrote Tiffany Stanley of the New Republic. Some coverage … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals | Leave a comment

Sightings: Thoroughly Mainstream Mormons

Posted on May 12, 2011 by melissa nann burke

The runaway success of the obscenity-laced musical “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway is a sign Mormonism has become “solidly mainstream,” religion scholar Brian Britt argues in a recent Sightings column. Read on at the jump. Andrew Rannells, center, performs … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Pop Culture | Leave a comment

Local observations of National Day of Prayer

Posted on May 4, 2011 by melissa nann burke

Christians have planned several observances of the 60th annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday. You can read President Obama’s proclamation about the event here. – Noon at Sovereign Bank Stadium, 5 Brooks Robinson Way, York: Highlights include a welcome … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Local events | Leave a comment

Sightings: American Christians and Capitalism

Posted on May 3, 2011 by melissa nann burke

Is the free market at odds with Christian values? Read the latest Sightings column from religion scholar Martin Marty.

Posted in Academia, Ecomony | 1 Comment

Bishop Nathan Baxter on death of bin Laden

Posted on May 2, 2011 by melissa nann burke

Bishop Nathan D. Baxter of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania issued a statement today on the death of Osama bin Laden. While dean of the Washington National Cathedral, Baxter prepared and led two memorial services in the aftermath of … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglicanism, Around Pennsylvania | 1 Comment