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Friday, August 23, 2024

Saturday Lagniappe: 'WCC Calls Faith Communities to Work to Overcome Mpox' And More


WCC Calls Faith Communities to Work to Overcome Mpox
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling on faith communities to work alongside governments and wider civil society to overcome the Mpox outbreak. The World Health Organization declared Mpox as an international public health emergency on August 14. The current strain is transmitted through routine physical contact, even without intimate contact.
Related Article: African churches, church health organizations on alert as mpox spreads
Central Pennsylvania congregation sells church but remains active by renting back its sanctuary 
Costly maintenance and repairs, aging congregations, decreased giving, and declining attendance are not problems confined to churches in the Episcopal Church. They affect churches in a number of denominations.

Diocese of Georgia to sell diocesan offices, move into building of shuttered church
The Diocese of Georgia plans to move from its current diocesan offices into another Savannah building vacated last year when one of the diocese’s churches closed, a shift that Bishop Frank Logue said brings numerous financial and ministry benefits.

Christians and Muslims overrepresented in world’s migrants
Christians make up close to half the world’s 280 million migrants, followed by significant numbers of Muslims, agnostics and atheists, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center. Released in August, “The Religious Composition of the World’s Migrants” report presents an analysis of 270 censuses and United Nations data collected through 2020, the most recent year global data are available. The study delves into changes in global migration, migration by region and how Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and the religiously unaffiliated are represented in migration numbers.

Prolific Church of England hymnist Timothy Dudley-Smith dies at 97
Timothy Dudley-Smith, a former bishop in the Church of England and the prolific hymn writer behind such songs as "Lord, Through the Years" and "Tell all, my Soul," has died at age 97. Dudley-Smith, credited with having written the lyrics for approximately 400 hymns, died in the early hours of Aug. 12, according to the Diocese of Norwich. He is survived by three children and four grandchildren.

Herbert O’Driscoll remembered as beloved writer, preacher and educator
Author, hymnist, liturgist and former dean of Vancouver’s Christ Church Cathedral Canon Herbert O’Driscoll died at home in Victoria, B.C. on July 25 after a four-year struggle with melanoma. He was 96. Friends and colleagues remembered O’Driscoll for his prolific writing, vibrant preaching style and work in theological education. He wrote more than 50 books, lyrics to dozens of hymns, and led many spiritual retreats and pilgrimages.
This article and the preceding two articles are more detailed than the earlier articles concerning the religious affiliation of migrants and the deaths of Timothy-Dudley Smith and Herbert O'Driscoll.
Six Words of Advice for Young Seminarians
For many pastors, time spent in formal seminary training is one of the most joyful seasons of life. Most seminary students are in their twenties or early thirties, learning God’s Word and how to walk by faith in all spheres of life. Toward that end I offer here six steps for maximizing the seminary experience.

7 Unseen Traits of Great Leaders
There are unseen traits of great leaders which are often unknown until tested. These unseen traits often help determine the success of a leader. I have often referred to this as the “backside of leadership”.
Related Article: 10 Things Every Leader Should Gift Their Team
8 Exciting Back-to-School Bible Activities
8 fun back to school Bible activities to help kids break the ice, build cooperation, sprout friendships, learn compassion, and reach for God!

10 Fantastic Fall Kickoff Ideas for Children’s Ministry
Here are 10 classic fall children’s ministry kickoff ideas to help you start a winning season.

4 Fall Festival Games for Your Children’s Ministry
These “everyone-wins” games and activities are perfect for a church fall festival.

Does God Have a Plan for My Life?
There have been many times I’ve wondered where this thing is headed—live seems off the rails and I wonder who is in control. Does God have a plan for me? Are all of these things really working together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28-29)?

Share Jesus with Your Friends
The miracle story in Mark 2 is a powerful one. Jesus confounds his critics and confirms his divinity when he tells a paralyzed man to take his mat and walk home. Each time I read this story, I am struck by the humor—Jesus is teaching and all of a sudden, the roof opens up. The crowd that made it impossible for the men to get to Jesus apparently had no problem stepping aside to let him walk out. However, the most stunning element is the activity of the friends who carried the man to Jesus. I think there are three evangelism principles we can learn from these brave, unnamed individuals.

Dining with “Sinners”
Like Jesus, we should build relationships with the lost—but without condoning their sin.

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