A conversation with Dick Blount

If you’ve been around Columbia for much time, it’s likely that you’ve heard about Dick Blount and his work at Missouri United Methodist Church and the larger faith community. Blount is a former Methodist minister who works to promote social justice and the idea of “open door” policy for churches. He’s been instrumental in the [...]

Read Full Post »

Unitarian minister retires from Columbia church

The Unitarian Universalist Church in Columbia will get a new interim minister after the retirement of its longtime pastor.

Read Full Post »

Time’s top 10 most controversial popes

Time published as article today on their Web site detailing the top 10 controversial popes in history. I found it to be a fascinating read full of interesting facts and plenty of scandal. If you have a minute I recommend taking a look.

Read Full Post »

Faith communities from around the world celebrate Evolution Weekend

The fifth annual Evolution Weekend begins today, Feb. 12, and continues until Sunday, Feb. 14. Faith communities from across the globe are gathering for sermons, discussions, lectures and classes recognizing that religion and science complement one another. The Evolution Weekend is sponsored by the Clergy Letter Project, which was founded by Michael Zimmerman in 2004. [...]

Read Full Post »

Bishops in Baltimore

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops held their fall general meeting in Baltimore this week. Among the hottest topics during the public portion, which adjourned yesterday: The pastoral letter (or religious white paper) Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan (opens as PDF). The newest U.S. English translation of the Roman Missal, or universal [...]

Read Full Post »

St. Louis to honor Joyce Meyer Ministries

On Sunday, Oct. 11, the City of St. Louis will present Joyce Meyer Ministries with a special resolution for outstanding humanitarian and community service. City alderman Antonio French will present the honor to Joyce Meyer during a 10 a.m. worship service at the St. Louis Dream Center. “Wanting nothing more than to be a blessing [...]

Read Full Post »

Women in religion, religious institutions

I’m working on a longer-form story about the evolution of MU scholars’ study of women in religion, with this semester’s “The Sacred Feminine, Prehistory to Postmodernity” exhibit and symposium at MU’s Museum of Art & Archaeology as a news hook and springboard. (Disclosure: I work as a graduate assistant for one of the exhibit’s sponsors, [...]

Read Full Post »

Calvary Episcopal’s first female rector to leave Columbia

When the Rev. Paula Robinson came to serve as senior rector at Calvary Episcopal Church in Columbia in March 2008, she was the first female rector at the church. Now, after making her mark in the church’s history books, she will be leaving the church for a new assignment. According to a news release, Robinson, [...]

Read Full Post »

When stigma rears its ugly face

Recently I wrote a short piece for the Columbia Missourian on Eric and Linda Petrie, two pastors at God’s Creation Worship Center, a church that has been in Columbia for seven months – and a mere two months in its present location on Garth and Business Loop. I visited the church 3x, two for reporting [...]

Read Full Post »

@ Sacred Heart…

August 9 12 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. La Gran Kermés at the Sacred Heart Activity Building — The parish event will feature Mexican cuisine, a raffle and games for the family. Donations will be accepted to promote the parish’s “Why Catholic?” sessions beginning in October. August 14 Retirement Celebration and roast for Sister Agnes Schlereth, [...]

Read Full Post »