How Remembering the Dead Has Evolved From Graveside Eulogy to Farewell Address
(RNS) — Cyrus M. Copeland, who has recently completed his third book of the art of the eulogy, observes, , “A great eulogy cannot beat back Death, but it can give new meaning to life and this moment.”
Mister Rogers’ Jewish Neighborhood
(RNS) — In 1978, photographer Jim Judkis got a big break, photographing Fred Rogers, the beloved host of "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood." His photos are now out of storage and on display at the Pittsburgh Jewish Community Center.
New Maverick Still Follows King
Justin Jackson has learned that God has a sense of humor as well as a sense of direction.
Is Religious Kitsch Offensive? The Answer Is in the Eye of the Beholder
(RNS) — While many people create religiously offensive works just to offend, the line between well-intentioned kitsch and bad taste can still be blurry.
Moody Bible Institute to Stop Publishing Student Paper
CHICAGO (RNS) — The administration of Moody Bible Institute informed staff of The Moody Standard that, after 84 years, it it will close the newspaper, pointing to changing budget priorities.
The Man Who Painted Jesus
(The Conversation) — April 30 was the 127th birthday of an artist whose name you probably don’t know, but his work may be the most widely distributed of the 20th century.
In African Refugee Camps, App Replaces Bibles Left Behind
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) — Recently, dozens of South Sudanese refugees gathered inside a tent at Imvepi Refugee Camp to thank God for enabling them to found a new church — one made partly possible by a new app that links preachers to Bible translations and theological resources.
Rachel Held Evans, Christian Writer of Honesty and Humor, Dies at Age 37
(RNS) — Rachel Held Evans, a popular progressive Christian writer and speaker, died Saturday morning (May 4) at age 37 after a brief illness.
‘Harry Potter and the Sacred Text’ Creates Spiritual Experience for Fans of Secular Series
“Harry Potter and the Sacred Text” is a popular podcast that uses the seven-book series by author J.K. Rowling as the basis for discussions of virtues and for spiritual practices. The chance to discuss the series from a spiritual standpoint brought 300 fans to a live show last week in a sold-out auditorium at the Indianapolis Public Library’s Central Library.
Bookmobile, Groceries and Relationships Help Niche Bookstore Stay Afloat
“Church can no longer simply be an experience to be passively consumed; rather, we are called into the participatory life of a community," wrote C. Christopher Smith in “Reading for the Common Good.” "Reading is a vital practice for helping our churches navigate this shift.”