Kicking off last week the first in what will be a series of discussions on the future of American democracy, the Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes, the president of Princeton Theological Seminary and professor of pastoral ministry, said surveys show half of young Americans believe democracy is in trouble or has already failed. One-third feel there could be another civil war in their lifetime. Among seminary students, there’s plenty of diversity of thought, Barnes said.
LOUISVILLE — “Why?”
The favorite and persistent question of children everywhere may exasperate parents, grandparents and caregivers, but it’s an important question, the Rev. Samuel Son told the 450 participants during worship Tuesday at the Synod of Lakes and Prairies’ Synod School.
Having felt called to ministry as a youngster, retired Rear Admiral the Rev. Dr. Margaret Grun Kibben, ordained into ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), served her country as a Navy chaplain before being elected Jan. 3 as the 61st Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Millions of Americans were surprised and shocked when insurrectionists stormed the United States Capitol on Jan. 6 attempting to stop the certification of the November presidential election.
In the midst of the deadly attack on the United States Capitol Jan. 6, people saw images such as a cross, flags including one that read “Jesus is my savior, Trump is my President,” signs such as “Hold the line patriots God wins,” and religious messages scrawled on a gallows erected at the Capitol.
Sandwiched between the violence of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and fortress-ensuring preparations ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration Wednesday, a Monday webinar sought to offer practical, nonviolent ways to counter extremism and threats to churches. Nearly 60 people participated.
As people began to see all of the Christian imagery present during the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, they began to ask questions similar to the ones asked after 9/11.
“Who are these people?”
“Why do they want to destroy our country?”
In the wake of last week’s riot at the U.S. Capitol and the second impeachment of Donald Trump, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins and the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, sat down together for a powerful online chat Thursday about the fractured state of the country.
The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett sees parallels between last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the guidance the prophet Jeremiah gave to the exiles in Babylon, found in Jeremiah 29.
