17,000-plus women gather for Cincinnati conference
CINCINNATI (AP) -- More than 17,000 women gathered this week at a sold-out Women of Faith conference, listening to Christian motivational speakers and re-examining their lives."I think as women, we wear many hats, juggle many priorities and play superwoman. We take so little time for ourselves," said Kathy Lamb, who organized a group from her church to attend.
Although the conference is reminiscent of mass faith gatherings like Promise Keepers and the Million Man March, Women of Faith focuses less on making new commitments to families and communities and more on reminding women of God's love and grace, said Christie Barnes, executive director.
The conference has grown in popularity since its inception in 1996, when 30,000 women attended conferences throughout the country. Organizers expect to attract 400,000 this year at 25 conferences.
The speakers, all women, offer testimonies touching on such issues as parenting, divorce, childbirth and loss.
Promise Keepers closes all 8 of its regional offices
DENVER (AP) -- Promise Keepers, the Evangelical group that stages mass revival meetings for men, has closed all eight of its U.S. regional offices and consolidated field work at headquarters.
Ed Barron, vice president for U.S. Ministries, said the new structure would "greatly enhance our communication and use of resources." Previously, the organization has had financial problems and staff cutbacks.
Promise Keepers has not set dates for its 2000 conference schedule but it plans first-time visits to Albuquerque, N.M.; Baton Rouge, La.; Louisville, Ky.; Lynchburg, Va.; Oklahoma City; Orlando, Fla.; and Worcester, Mass. Return visits are set for Atlanta; Denver; Los Angeles; Milwaukee; Minneapolis; Pittsburgh; Portland, Ore.; and Sacramento, Calif.
Episcopal bishop suggests that parish depart over rift
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) -- A long-standing rift over biblical interpretation has prompted the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia to suggest his third-largest parish consider leaving the denomination.
Church of the Holy Spirit, with more than 600 worshippers, has a history of disagreements with policies and actions of the diocese and its bishops. The rifts have centered on biblical interpretation, specifically on the larger Episcopal church's support of abortion rights and failure to condemn homosexual relationships.
Most Episcopal churches encourage a wide variety of biblical interpretations, while Church of the Holy Spirit believes Scriptures are infallible.
Although the church has not decided whether it will leave, it has refused to pledge any money to the diocese this year.
Presbyterian Church says it lost $1.7 million on rally
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) says it lost $1.7 million on a youth rally in Indianapolis that ended New Year's Day. The denomination hoped 30,000 teens and young adults would attend "The Dawn . . . an Epiphany," but only 2,000 turned up.
Presbyterian official John Detterick said due to the debt the denomination should reduce its planned gift of $400,000 to help the National Council of Churches meet a 1999 operating deficit of $3.2 million.
"We mismanaged this event," Detterick told Presbyterian News Service. He called the youth rally a spiritual success for those who attended but a financial disaster for the denomination.
Professor group's report could bring college censure
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- An American Association of University Professors report could bring formal censure of Albertus Magnus College, a small Catholic institution, over dismissal of a gay dean.
The AAUP report stated there was no academic basis for removing Michael Hartwig as associate dean in 1997 and that the college violated his due process rights and academic freedom. It said the college was upset that Hartwig planned writings criticizing sexual abstinence as harmful, contradicting church teaching.
A college spokesman declined to comment. Hartwig has filed a federal lawsuit against Albertus Magnus, charging he was discriminated against because of his homosexuality and religious beliefs.