by Emily McFarlan Miller (RNS) When the United Church of Christ kicks off its General Synod on Sunday (July 11), the Rev. Traci Blackmon isn't worried about fractious votes, conservative insurgencies or to-do's over high-level resignations — or calls for the same. The UCC, in short, is no Southern Baptist Convention, which endured all of the above at its annual meeting last … [Read more...] about As United Church of Christ Takes on Race and LGBTQ Issues, Consensus Reigns
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‘Our Hearts Break’—TX Pastor Says 125 Campers Test Positive for COVID-19
(ChurchLeaders) More than 125 teens and adults who attended a late-June event in Galveston County put on by Clear Creek Community Church have tested positive for COVID-19. Health officials have confirmed that at least three cases involve the highly transmissible Delta variant. This is the second coronavirus outbreak tied to a church camp this summer. Last month, at least 85 … [Read more...] about ‘Our Hearts Break’—TX Pastor Says 125 Campers Test Positive for COVID-19
Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. and Wife Give God Glory for Bringing Newborn Daughter Home From NICU
Rich Wilkerson Jr. and his wife DawnCheré, the pastors of Vous Church in Miami, Florida, welcomed their third child to the world last week, daughter Waylon Wesley Wilkerson. Shortly after announcing they were on their way to the hospital, Wilkerson posted on Instagram asking for prayers for their first daughter and newest family … [Read more...] about Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. and Wife Give God Glory for Bringing Newborn Daughter Home From NICU
Pastor Tim Stephens Released From Prison as COVID-19 Restrictions are Rescinded
Canadian Pastor Tim Stephens was released from the Calgary Remand Centre on Thursday July 1, 2021, and reunited with his family after spending 17 nights in jail for holding worship services that disobeyed COVID-19 public health orders. Stephens was released on the day the government removed COVID-related restrictions throughout the area. “I’m thankful that the … [Read more...] about Pastor Tim Stephens Released From Prison as COVID-19 Restrictions are Rescinded
‘A Victory With Too Great a Cost’—ACNA Diocese Will Make Abuse Report Public
(ChurchLeaders) The Upper Midwest Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has agreed to publish the results of an investigation it commissioned to examine allegations that ACNA leaders protected a sexual predator. Joanna Laurel, a survivor who has accused former lay leader Mark Rivera of raping her and sexually assaulting others, says this victory is a small … [Read more...] about ‘A Victory With Too Great a Cost’—ACNA Diocese Will Make Abuse Report Public