Topic: United Methodist Church

Can you invest in Middle East peace?

There are ways to invest in the economies of Israel and the Palestinian territories, separately – and women's progress in the Middle East, indirectly. But investing in the Middle East is not for the faint of heart.

Colorado shooting: Columbine survivors reach out to help Aurora survivors

Colorado shooting: Columbine students who survived what in 1999 attack are reaching out, on Facebook and by phone, to those families of victims and survivors of the Aurora theater shooting.

Colorado shooting suspect: What are the charges against James Holmes?

Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes will make his first court appearance Monday. New evidence: Holmes received 50 packages in the four months prior to the shooting at a Colorado movie theater.

Episcopal approval of same-sex blessings: Will it hurt church's global ties?

The Episcopal Church this week authorized blessings for same-sex couples – a move at odds with the Anglican Communion, which the church belongs to, and some other Protestant denominations.

Presbyterians reject call to divest over Israel's West Bank occupation

By a two-vote margin, the Presbyterian Chuch (U.S.A.) declined Thursday to divest funds from three firms whose products help Israel enforce occupation of the Palestinian West Bank. Pro-Israel Jewish groups had warned against such a step.

Giving to religious institutions drops for second year in a row. Why?

Giving to religious groups has slipped by a cumulative 3.7 percent since 2010. Still, religion remains America’s favorite charitable cause, with $95.88 billion in donations.

Lugar loss will mean new approach for Indiana in Congress

In addition to Lugar's Tea Party-backed opponent Richard Mourdock, three other Indiana races will see new faces.

Lugar primary loss a Tea Party victory

Six-term Senator Richard Lugar lost in Indiana's Republican primary to Richard Mourdock, a challenger backed by the tea party movement.

Geek wisdom goes mainstream

Hard-core nerds impart teachings of 'Star Wars' and Tolkien.

Westboro picketers outnumbered at Elizabeth Edwards funeral

Members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church picketed the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards Saturday. But they were vastly outnumbered by a “human buffer” singing Christmas carols.

Why is the Westboro Baptist Church picketing Elizabeth Edwards' funeral?

More known for picketing funerals of US soldiers who have died in the Middle East, Westboro Baptist Church has vowed to picket the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards Saturday in Raleigh, N.C.

US pledges $4 billion to a fund that fights AIDS, other global ills

The $4 billion US pledge is almost one-third of total world donations to the Global Fund, which has helped reduce mortality rates associated with AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. More needed, organizers say.

Dove World church plan for Koran burning triggers counterprotests

The pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., is no stranger to controversy. Interfaith groups and others are mobilizing to protest his planned Koran burning on Sept. 11.

Terrorism & Security
Uganda bombing: Al Shabab suicide bombers attack during World Cup final

Three suspected Al Shabab suicide bombers killed more than 60 people, including one American, in successive bombings at places in the capital of Uganda, Kampala, where fans were watching the World Cup on TV.

Small Illinois town willing to be next Guantanamo

President Obama wants to ship Guantanamo Bay detainees to a rural Illinois state prison. Why are locals welcoming the detainees?

Senate OK's David Hamilton to be US appeals court judge

Judge David Hamilton is elevated to the US appeals court, after GOP effort to stall a vote failed. Republican resistance signals more political fights are likely over Obama's nominees to the federal bench.

Lutherans will allow gay clergy in same-sex relationships

It's a controversial move that's divided members of the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States.

How pastors are soothing congregants in recessionary times

They search for the right words to express from the pulpit – a balance between compassion and urging worshipers to find deeper meanings.

The new voter: From an early age, a GOP activist is born

Tanya Renicker of Ohio University bucks the ‘youth vote’ trend to back McCain-Palin, even going door to door on the ticket’s behalf.

Beyond Episcopal theological split, a property fight

The Episcopal Church is battling breakaway parishes over who owns the local assets.

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