RALEIGH, N.C.—While spiritual unity among Christians is important, discovering tangible ways to express that unity is essential, say two theologians long involved in Baptist dialogues with other faith traditions. Spiritual unity is “a place to begin,” said Steve Harmon, adjunct professor…
Class influences views on poverty, say organizers
RALEIGH, N.C.—Attitudes toward poverty are strongly influenced by class distinctions and experience, and frequently lead to misrepresentations of the poor, say two couples who operate a Christian community building organization in a low-income neighborhood of Charlotte, N.C. “There is a…
CBF of North Carolina focuses on reconciliation
RALEIGH, N.C.—Reconciliation topped the agenda of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina’s annual general assembly March 23-24, as worship services and workshops explored the organization’s role in enhancing Christian unity. “The division of the church is out of step…
Churches cross racial barriers to empower Haitians
RICHMOND, Va.—When Laura Ritter, a member of Chamberlayne Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., arrived in Grand Goave, Haiti. for the first time in January 2011, she was struck by the extreme disparity. “You bring more in your suitcase for the…
Virginian finds life altered by debilitating disease
MECHANICSVILLE, Va.—Doug Hart is a 29-year-old member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., a husband, a father of three children and an industrial plumber. During the past several months his life has been turned upside down with the…
Film traces real-life story of abortion survivor
NEW YORK (RNS)—A new movie confronts a controversial topic by highlighting two words that don’t typically go together: “abortion” and “survivor.” “We didn’t know there was such a thing,” said Jon Erwin, who wrote and co-directed October Baby with his…
NC BRIEFLY
Wake Medical Center names VP for faith and health. Gary R. Gunderson will become vice president of faith and health ministries at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., effective July 1. Currently Gunderson, a graduate of Wake Forest…
VA BRIEFLY
Book sale raises funds for ESL. Lakewood Manor in Richmond, Va., one of the Virginia Baptist Homes’ four retirement centers, raised $1,650 during its fifth annual book sale March 9-10. Proceeds from the sale of more than 3,000 books, DVDs…
VA offers to help rural clergy minister to vets
HAMPTON, Va. (ABP)—The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is offering free, one-day workshops—including one in Virginia—for clergy in rural areas on how to minister to needs of veterans in their communities. Six training events are scheduled between April 10 and…
Seminarian expelled after arrest on sex charge
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (ABP)—A Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary student arrested March 17 and charged with sexual assault has been expelled and removed from student housing, officials of the school in Wake Forest, N.C., said March 21. A special chapel service…
‘Blue Like Jazz’ film aims to be Christian, not ‘cheesy’
NEW YORK (RNS)—Do not confuse the upcoming film Blue Like Jazz with Christian market movies like Fireproof or Courageous. “A Christian movie genre has formed. Our first goal with this movie is that we didn’t fit into this genre,” said…
After 17 years, Sheffield’s ‘dry bones’ live again
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Twenty years ago, Jo Saxton surveyed the city of Sheffield, England, and realized she faced a formidable task. The college pastor of St. Thomas’ Church, an Anglican congregation, Saxton was ministering in a city studded with large churches and…