Dedication of a synagogue within the confines of a Baptist church in the Republic of Georgia exemplifies the peacemaking potential of interfaith dialogue and relationships, said Paul Hayes, a retired Baptist pastor and former Alliance of Baptists board member. Hayes…
Things Christians need to know, for our own sake, about Yom Kippur, Judaism’s Day of Atonement
Invocation “Forgive the entire congregation / of the children of Yisrael / and the stranger amongst them / for the entire people sin unintentionally / Please pardon the sins of this nation / in accordance with the greatness / of…
5 ministers reflect on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington
The 1963 March on Washington should be memorialized because it continues to inspire the struggle for democracy, justice and racial equality, said Elijah Zehyoue, co-director of the Alliance of Baptists. “The march represents a moment when people came together across…
This church’s ministry is on the move
A North Carolina church has tapped into a mission field it hopes other congregations might emulate by helping people on the move. A pastor and volunteers at Circle of Mercy in Asheville say the church’s moving ministry combines muscle power,…
The birth of Aya: Harbinger of Lent’s staggering promise
Invocation. “When in the dark orchard at night / The God Creator kneeled and prayed / Life was praying with the One / Who gave life hope and prayer.” —English translation of lyrics from “Wa Habibi,” a Christian hymn of…
The Advent witness of Rosa Parks, Ita Ford, Alfred Delp and Antonio de Montesinos
Invocation — The Whole World Is Waiting, Kate Hurley The whole world is waiting, The whole world cries. The whole world is waiting For our hope to shine. For you sweet Jesus Will make all things right. The whole world…
On the origins of Veterans Day
Veterans Day doesn’t lend itself to commercial attention like its twin, Memorial Day, probably because it’s squeezed between two other cash-registering holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving, and it does not coincide with a car-cultural observance like the Indy 500 auto race….
Reversal of fortunes: Bake sales to support our troops
One recent slow morning in August, the grocery store circulars in the newspaper caught my attention. And I began to wonder how things might be different if certain fortunes were reversed. Instead of “back-to-school” it’s “back-to-basic-training” discount offers. Imagine the…
Eastertide: The outing of the church
We have entered Eastertide, the liturgical season beginning with Easter and ending 50 days later on Pentecost (also known as Whitsunday). The formulation of this season parallels the period in Judaism between the first day of Pesach (Passover, marking their…