Summary
Religion News Service – As Russian threat escalates, prominent US faith leaders hold vigil for peace in Ukraine – More than a dozen faith leaders offered prayers for a peaceful resolution during an online vigil Wednesday.
Mountain Express – Female diversity thrives at Asheville pulpits – The Rev. Milly Morrow, rector of Asheville’s Grace Episcopal Church, believes dismantling gender bias is part of her work as a Christian minister.
The Union – A part of our history: African Methodist Episcopal Church site commemorated – An important piece of Grass Valley’s early African American heritage was commemorated Friday morning, in front of a trio of residences
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As Russian threat escalates, prominent US faith leaders hold vigil for peace in Ukraine
Religion News Service
The vigil came not long after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the independence of two Ukrainian regions bordering Russia and delivered a speech arguing Ukraine is part of Russia’s “own history, culture and spiritual space.” Russian troops have been massing around Ukraine.
Female diversity thrives at Asheville pulpits
Mountain Express – Ashville, NC
“Our Father, who art in heaven,” goes the start of one of Christianity’s most popular prayers. “On earth as it is in heaven,” goes another line — and just as believers often envision a male figure at the head of the celestial hierarchy, so do they usually see a man in charge of their faith community. According to the most recent National Congregations Study, released last year by Duke University researchers, only 14% of all American congregations were led by women as of 2019.
A part of our history: African Methodist Episcopal Church site commemorated
The Union – Grass Valley, NV
An important piece of Grass Valley’s early African American heritage was commemorated Friday morning, in front of a trio of residences that was the location of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and school at 317, 319, and 323 S. Church St.
The church was built there in 1854, and its choir was known for being exceptional with accomplished musicians.
The school, built in 1865, helped offer education to the children of African Americans, who were denied entry to white schools.
Both locations were important to the local African American community, which included Rev. Peter Green and former slave Isaac Sanks, who worked to abolish slavery, secure voting rights for African American men, and eliminate the ban on testimony of African Americans in court.
Hometown Heroes – Haiti school started by Lake Charles church
7PLC – Lake Charles, LA
It was 30 years ago Good Shepherd Episcopal began their “Tend My Lambs” Education Mission in Haiti. The need for a school in a small village was great, so the church helped fund five classrooms.
“You teach people how to think,” said Glenda Williams, church member. “That’s their only way out of poverty and they know that. You can’t tell somebody to pull yourself up by your bootstraps if they don’t have any boots – Martin Luther King.”
The school has become a stabilizing force for the village.
Drive-thru Empty Bowls event raises dollars to fight hunger
Palm Beach Daily News – Palm Beach, FL
Drivers — and some bicycle riders, pedestrians and folks pushing baby strollers — lined up for lunch at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the Sea on Friday to help reduce hunger in Palm Beach County.
Feminist Street Initiative Aims to Rename LA Roads to Honor Trailblazing Women
NBC Los Angeles
The Women’s March Foundation is campaigning to rename Los Angeles-area streets for Biddy Mason, one of the founders of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in LA, and Dolores Huerta, a co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association.