From children’s art to evangelical misgivings on presidential elections
Children’s Day of Art
Episcopal Cafe – Partly inn response to the trend to cut arts from the schools, and to offer the talents of the church locally, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, NJ offers A Day of Art. On May 12, up to 90 youngsters ages 6 to 13 will rotate through workshops led by regional artists in cartooning, drama, poetry, pottery, eco-sculpture and music during a Children’s Day of Art in Morristown, New Jersey. They’ll have a chance to dabble in some edible art with Chef Melody of The Main Event during lunch, and the day will end with a reception for the young artists, their parents and the instructors.
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/arts/childrens_day_of_art.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+episcopalcafe+%28Episcopal+Cafe%29
Southern Baptist Convention Debates Name Change
NPR Topics: Religion -The largest protestant denomination in the US — the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) — has been talking for years about a name change. The word “Southern” has its roots in a church split over the issue of slavery that took place before the Civil War, nearly 170 years ago. These days, some church members feel the denomination’s regional-sounding name is a hindrance to its mission nationwide. A task force for the SBC has now formally explored the question of dropping the word “Southern.” Host Audie Cornish talks with the SBC’s President, Reverend Bryant Wright, about what the task force is recommending.
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/23/147301485/southern-baptist-convention-debates-name-change?ft=1&f=1016
The Dialogue Around Gay Marriage In Black Churches
NPR – A bill that could legalize same-sex marriage has cleared the Maryland House and is expected to pass in the Senate. A majority of black clergy in the state argue that same-sex marriage conflicts with the teachings of the Bible, but some pastors have spoken out in support of the bill.
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/23/147295677/the-dialogue-around-gay-marriage-in-black-churches?ft=1&f=1016
Privileged background gave woman power to change the system
Episcopal News Service – During Black History Month, ENS is publishing interviews with Episcopalians involved in the civil rights movement and the church’s work of reconciliation. “I like making trouble,” says Happy Jones, who recounts her past with passion and laughter. “It’s just fun.” Now almost 75, Jones — whose given name is Dorothy — caused her share of “trouble” during the civil rights movement in Memphis, Tennessee, and she’s not done yet.
http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/02/20/privileged-background-gave-woman-power-to-change-the-system/
Leaps of Faith
New York Times – article by Molly Worthen who teaches religious history at the University of Toronto – For the past three and a half years, Republicans have struggled to explain a great conundrum. If they are the party of authentic America with a mystical connection to the will of the people, then how, exactly, did Barack Obama get elected president? Some Republicans have come up with an answer that allows them to avoid facing the unpleasant reality of their own party’s failures: Obama must be a great deceiver. He won the White House by subterfuge.
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/leaps-of-faith/
Evangelicals Still Cool On Romney, Exit Poll Analysis Shows
NPR – Evangelical voters remain divided on their support of GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, Rick Santorum receives strong support in some states from evangelicals, while losing a large number of nonevangelical voters.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/02/29/147661445/evangelicals-still-cool-on-romney-exit-poll-analysis-shows?ft=1&f=1016
Christian Author Says U.S. Not a Christian Nation
Christian Newswire – As the 2012 presidential campaign heats up, so does the discourse on the role of religion in politics and government. This will be the topic of community forums from coast to coast next week.
Former Senator Rick Santorum said recently that John F. Kennedy’s 1960 speech on the separation of church and state made him want to “throw up.” Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith continues to be a factor according to exit polls in primary voting. And President Obama’s positions on access to contraceptives in health plans have caused a flurry of comments from those inside and outside religious communities.
Religion’s role in the public square will be the topic of discussion at Lifetree Café locations around the country next week (week of March 4). The events will provide a public forum to discuss whether America is a Christian nation, and if religion really matters in the governance of the country.
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/9376319077.html
Obama Gets Heat For Quran-Burning Apology
NPR – Obama administration officials sent apologies after fatal riots broke out in Afghanistan, following the burning of Qurans. But was saying sorry necessary? Host Michel Martin talks with two Muslim Americans with differing views: Arsalan Iftikhar, author of Islamic Pacifism, and Asra Nomani, who trains the U.S. military on cultural sensitivity.
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/28/147573943/obama-gets-heat-for-koran-burning-apology?ft=1&f=1016
Maryland bishops respond to marriage-equality bill
ENS – Two of Maryland’s three Episcopal bishops said on Thursday that they will allow diocesan clergy to solemnize same-gender marriages now that marriage equality has been signed into law. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed the Civil Marriage Protection Act that he brought to the state legislature last year. The law will almost certainly be challenged by opponents before it goes into effect Jan. 1, 2013. Bishop Eugene Sutton of Maryland and Washington Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde said they will give permission to their clergy to preside at such marriages while Easton Bishop James “Bud” Shand said he would await a pending decision by the church’s General Convention to authorize trial use of a rite to bless same-gender unions.
http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/03/01/maryland-bishops-respond-to-signing-of-marriage-equality-bill/