Walking Home
Columnist Sarah Blackwell discusses how can we better discern when to open our mouths or when to keep them shut — particularly on social media. This means exploring the question: when is saying nothing the path to winning?
They Refused the Vaccine But Still Want Our Empathy. Can We Deny Them?
Those who took the pandemic seriously, and made life-altering decisions all along to protect others, are being asked to dig deeper into the well of compassion to ladle out another cup or two of sympathy. But for many that well is dry.
Guilty Even When Proven Innocent
In this issue of A Public Witness, we take a closer look at the injustices of Lamar Johnson’s case and what is needed to secure his freedom. We also introduce you to Johnson through an exclusive interview with this brother in Christ as he speaks from
How to Help Afghans Arriving in the U.S. After Fleeing the Taliban
As the U.S. continues its evacuations of American citizens and Afghans who have worked for the U.S. over the past 20 years, faith-based refugee resettlement organizations are leading efforts to help Afghans settle into the country.
Episcopal Diocese of Maine Mandates Vaccine for Clergy
The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandated Monday that all clergy and staff in the diocese be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September. It is one of the first COVID-19 vaccine mandates for clergy in the United States.
Rep. Cleaver: Getting Vaccinated is “Act of Love” & Miracle from God
Calling the COVID-19 vaccines a “great miracle that God blessed us with,” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) urged clergy to encourage vaccination. Cleaver spoke to Word&Way for the Dangerous Dogma podcast as the delta variant sparked a rise in cases in Missouri and across the country
Nadia Bolz-Weber Installed as ELCA’s First Pastor of Public Witness
The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber was installed this weekend as the first pastor of public witness for the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. Bolz-Weber, who has often attracted controversy, is perhaps best known for her New York Times bestselling books.
Historic American Church Set to Integrate its Slavery Ties
The great contradiction of Boston’s Old North Church is that a site pivotal to the freedom of the nation is the same place where slave owners and traders once worshiped.
SBU Picks New President with History at Controversy-Plagued Institutions
On Friday, Southwest Baptist University announced its new president to lead the school after its previous president resigned amid an ongoing nearly three-year conflict over power and theology. Rick Melson, vice president for advancement at Cedarville University in Ohio, will become SBU’s 26th president.
Back-to-School Time Influences Congregations’ Decisions on Masking & Meeting
The return to in-person school in many communities across the country means many houses of worship are grappling with whether children — especially those under 12 who do not have access to a COVID-19 vaccine — should be exposed to adults, vaccinated and unvaccinated.