By Paula Schlueter Ross Arson hasn’t been ruled as the cause of an Aug. 5 fire at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon, Wash. — but it hasn’t been ruled out either, according to the Rev. Kevin Schubkegel, the church’s…

  Tuesday, Sept. 4, update: Concordia College Alabama in Selma, Ala., evacuated some 70 students to a local hotel Tuesday, Sept. 4, because of flash flooding caused by heavy rains.  Concordia President Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo said the college is doing everything…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Spike Lee is not about to give up filmmaking but — at least for a moment or two — he sounded a bit like an expert on the challenges facing the church as he promoted his new…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — One year after an earthquake caused extensive damage to the Washington National Cathedral, church officials received a large gift to help restore the structure. The $5 million grant comes from the Lilly Endowment Inc., a philanthropic organization. The announcement…

NEW YORK (RNS) — Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who sparked controversy by agreeing to deliver the closing blessing at the Republican convention in Tampa this week, drew further attention to his political role by asking both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama…

CLEVELAND (RNS) — The law of God will collide with the law of man this week in a crowded federal courtroom in Cleveland, where 16 Amish defendants — 10 men with full beards, six women in white bonnets — will…

(RNS) — The Roman Catholic Church has sent a letter to its parishes across Scotland protesting a political race to legalize same-sex marriage. The letter was read Aug. 26 by priests in 500 Catholic parishes urging Scotland’s political leaders to “sustain…

(RNS) — Here’s something everyone can “like”: Social media fosters community, even for those who don’t have a home. A new study finds social media like Twitter and Facebook tear down economic and geographic barriers to help homeless people connect to…

(RNS) — The world’s best-selling book has made it to the small screen in what is thought to be the first religiously themed game show on a secular network. “The American Bible Challenge” tests teams’ knowledge of the Old and New…

Three new staff members “with skills and abilities that will help us address new challenges and opportunities” are being welcomed to the LCMS Office of National Mission’s Youth Ministry unit. The Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer, director of LCMS Youth Ministry, made…

By Adriane Dorr Fraternal discussions between representatives of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod continued with a second meeting July 19-20 at the NALC headquarters in Hilliard, Ohio. The NALC is, according to its website,…

By Pamela J. Nielsen Nearly eight years after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami claimed some 283,000 lives and countless livelihoods, LCMS Disaster Response continues to help those still affected by its deadly waves. The Synod disaster arm’s help keeps coming in…

By Sarah Schafer LCMS Disaster Response is urging volunteers to allow emergency responders time to do their jobs before traveling to the Gulf Coast to help with relief efforts.  “It is vital to allow emergency responders such as medics, firemen and…

By Adriane Dorr  More than 120 Lutheran leaders from around the world will gather in Atlanta, Ga., this fall to discuss the Reformation and its significance in the 21st century. Hosted by the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)…

By Sarah Schafer The LCMS Southern District is calling on support from LCMS districts and congregations as it prepares for Hurricane Isaac — expected to strike the Gulf Coast the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 28. The hurricane could drop 15 to 20…