State of the Bible: Left unread during the coronavirus pandemic
by: Emily McFarlan Miller July 22, 2020 (RNS) — People may be reading the news and “doomscrolling” through social media during the coronavirus pandemic. But what they don’t appear to be reading is the Bible. That’s according to the 10th annual State of the Bible survey released Wednesday (July 22) by the American Bible Society. The number of American adults the American Bible Society considers “Scripture engaged” based on how frequently they read Scripture and its impact on their relationships and choices dropped significantly from 28% to 22.7% between January and June, according to additional data collected by the organizationRead More
Trump’s latest political ploy is demanding the opening of all schools in the fall...
Opinion: Reopening schools for all the wrong reasons
by: Kathryn Post (Jim Wallis) August 3, 2020 (RNS) — I am not the first one to say this, and it is less prophetic than just observably true: Donald TrumpRead More
Sr. Ryan said, “Our plan is to start classes on Sept. 10..."
Aurora Dominican Literacy Center to resume English tutoring, citizenship classes in September
AURORA, Ill., July 30, 2020–After a hiatus since March due to the pandemic, Aurora’s nonprofit Dominican Literacy Center will resume English tutoring and citizenship classes in September. Sister Kathleen Ryan,Read More
Rev. Matt Mull, Advent senior pastor, said “We are excited to host Redeemer Community Church starting this week..."
Aurora church answers prayers of Oswego congregation
AURORA, Ill., July 31, 2020 — An Oswego congregation has found a temporary worship site at an Aurora church. Aurora Advent Christian Church, 905 N. Edgelawn Drive, will loan itsRead More
Open Doors USA ranks China 23 on the 2020 World Watch List...
Report: In China ‘there is no longer a safe place to be a Christian’
by Diana Chandler SILVER SPRING, Md. , July 23, 2020 (BP) — China persecutes Christians to gain leverage in future diplomatic relations with the U.S., a Christian seeking U.S. asylumRead More
More than 40 members, including Pastor Darryl Ross, contracted the virus after the church's annual revival during the week of July 19.
COVID outbreak of more than 40 cases tied to revival at rural Alabama church
by Grace Thornton STRAWBERRY, Ala., July 28, 2020 (BP) — James Carson has watched the church he loves go through a lot in the past two years. When its buildingRead More
Powell's 1972 Chevrolet C-10 won Best of Show-Truck honors.
Retired Aurora police chief takes trophy at Habitat show
AURORA, Ill., July 25, 2020 — Bill Powell, retired Aurora police chief, was among best-of-show trophy winners at Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity’s first car show Saturday, July 25, atRead More
That’s because the court found that any religious school teacher who performs a religious function is beyond the reach of civil rights protections accorded to other workers.
Teachers at religious schools fear Supreme Court took away their civil rights
by: Yonat Shimron July 22, 2020 (RNS) — As a religious studies teacher at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, a Catholic High School in San Francisco, Ish Ruiz knows he’s probablyRead More
In the archdioceses of Chicago and New Orleans, top leaders are encouraging their schools to place a new emphasis on teaching about racial justice, as well as the history of Black Catholics.
Black Catholics’ history: Will US Catholic schools teach it?
by: Kathryn Post July 27, 2020 (AP) — The history of Black Catholics in the U.S. is a dramatic mix of struggles and breakthroughs, but it has been largely ignoredRead More
The key to success, I believe, is to accept that this transformation will be permanent and make the most of it.
Opinion: Let’s stop pretending that virtual worship isn’t here to stay
by: Paul O’Donnell (Joseph W. Walker III) July 24, 2020 (RNS) — It’s time to think big about the future of worship before the future passes us by. As thisRead More
Evangelical, Midwestern, Southern churches most likely to be meeting in person again
by: Emily McFarlan Miller July 24, 2020 (RNS) — Which churches have resumed gathering in person amid the coronavirus pandemic? Mostly evangelical Protestant churches rather than mainline Protestant and, moreRead More
Yoho's resignation comes days after he made headlines for reportedly using a sexist slur after confronting New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez...
Rep. Ted Yoho resigns from Bread for the World board after verbally attacking Ocasio-Cortez
by: Alejandra Molina July 25, 2020 (RNS) — Bread for the World released a statement Saturday (July 25) saying it sought Yoho’s resignation “as an action that reaffirms our commitment toRead More
He claims the investigation that followed was “egregiously unfair” and called the college’s statements full of “factual errors.”
Fired from Wheaton, former chaplain Tim Blackmon speaks out on allegations, what’s next
by: Emily McFarlan Miller CHICAGO, July 23, 2020(RNS) — The Rev. Tim Blackmon denies the allegations of misconduct that led to his firing from Wheaton College late last month, sayingRead More
During his studies at American Baptist Theological Seminary, now American Baptist College (ABC), he learned the principles of nonviolent protest...
John Lewis remembered as humble leader who loved friends and enemies
by Diana Chandler NASHVILLE, July 20, 2020 (BP) — The late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, an ordained preacher who studied theology at a college co-founded by the Southern Baptist Convention,Read More
The installation and materials donations--materials worth $6,346 and labor worth $4,727--are part of a national partnership between GAF and Habitat for Humanity International...
Aurora Habitat for Humanity gets donated roofing, installation worth $11,000
MONTGOMERY, Ill., July 20, 2020 — Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity launched a partnership Monday (July 20) with Lake Forest-based Custom Installations, Inc., and GAF to receive free roofing materialsRead More
The Rangels replace Capts. Rich and Linnea Forney who have been assigned as officers at the Salvation Army Elgin Corps.
Aurora Salvation Army Corps names new leaders
AURORA, Ill., July 20, 2020 — Joaquin and Gabriela Rangel have been named captains for the Salvation Army Aurora Corps. The Rangels replace Capts. Rich and Linnea Forney who haveRead More
A nation that still honors Confederate signs in public places signals its belief that Black people are less important than white people...
Opinion: Rejecting symbols of hate is more than symbolic
by: Kathryn Post (Jim Wallis) July 20, 2020 (RNS) — What’s been the message of Confederate monuments and flags? It depends on who you are. If you’re a Black teenagerRead More
News of Powell’s death was shared on social media by Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
Texas church planter John Powell killed in accident
by: Bob Smietana July 19, 2020 (RNS) — John Powell, a church planter and pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in New Caney, Texas, was killed in a highway accident SaturdayRead More
The stylists and the patrons all wore masks when they interacted with each other, and that apparently made a world of difference...
Opinion… Anti-maskers: You are the reason we can’t have nice things
by: Jana Riess July 16, 2020 (RNS) — Back in late May, the media was up in arms about two Missouri hairdressers who continued cutting hair even as they beganRead More
The installation and materials donations are part of a national partnership between GAF and Habitat for Humanity International...
Donated roofing to begin on Aurora Habitat for Humanity homes Monday
MONTGOMERY, IL, July 19, 2020 — At 9:30 a.m. Monday, July 20, Lake Forest-based Custom Installations, Inc., and GAF will partner with Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity to roof aRead More
The winning ticket for the Camaro will be drawn at 11 a.m. Sept. 25, during a grand opening for the ReStore.
Montgomery Habitat for Humanity to raffle 1967 Camaro
MONTGOMERY, Ill., July 17, 2020—Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity will raffle a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro in a benefit for the housing ministry. Barbara Zegiel, Habitat funds coordinator, said theRead More
“The Rev. C.T. Vivian was a stalwart activist on the march toward racial equality,’’ says the White House citation read before President Barack Obama bestowed the medal on Vivian.
Rev. C.T. Vivian, longtime civil rights activist, dies at 95
by: Adelle M. Banks July 17, 2020 (RNS) — The Rev. C.T. Vivian, a minister and advocate for civil rights who worked with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., diedRead More
That announcement prompted tweeted prayers from luminaries ranging from the Revs. Al Sharpton and William Barber II to Fox Business News anchor Lou Dobbs to former President Barack Obama.
John Lewis, preaching politician and civil rights activist, dies at 80
by: Adelle M. Banks July 18, 2020 (RNS) — John Lewis, the longtime civil rights activist, congressman and ordained Baptist minister who preached about getting in “good trouble,” died FridayRead More
Editor's Links of Interest
State sues Yorkville school and others over their plans not to require masks – The Beacon-News
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration is suing a Yorkville school and two others over their plans not to follow state precautions regarding COVID-19 and the schools’ intentions not to requireRead More
