Saturday Laniappe: 'Winter solstice is having a moment — in churches, too' Ad More

Winter solstice is having a moment — in churches, too
In mainline Christian circles, winter solstice celebrations and longest night services are growing in popularity.

What is Christingle?
Every year, thousands of children across the UK attend a Christingle service at a local church. This is the story....

The Christingle Service is a seasonal celebration that I would like to see introduced in Episcopal and other Anglican churches in the United States, and in United Methodist and other Methodist churches too. It offers an annual special event to which the public can be invited, establishing another point of contact between a church and its community.

Churches offer ‘Blue Christmas’ for those grieving, suffering loss
Many churches across the United States are offering a special worship service known as “Blue Christmas” to minister to those dealing with personal loss during the holiday season.

See also: Religious traditions can help with holiday blues, mental health experts say

Pastoral Letter Addressing Plight of Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees
The Council of Bishops of th United Methodist Church has released a pastoral letter addressinng this critical topic.

Churches consider what sanctuary might look like in Trump's second term
The news that Trump may rescind a policy discouraging immigration officials from arresting people at churches is making some church leaders reconsider sanctuary.

Diocese of Easton Considers ‘Creative Options’
The Diocese of Easton’s Standing Committee has called for a “period of discernment” after Bishop Santosh Marray announced his intention to resign from leading the rural diocese on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the fall of 2026. The Standing Committee seeks clergy and lay volunteers to serve on a discernment committee that will recommend steps for the diocese’s future.

Presiding bishop election, Title IV cases and ‘clergy shortage’ among top ENS stories of 2024
The three stories that interested me the most was the acceleration of the trend toward diocesan merger, the response of dioceses and congregations to the perceived "clergy shortage," and the progress in the ecumenical dialogue with United Methodist Church (UMC). In the UMC the two annual conferences and the missionary district that have jurisdiction in Kentucky are now served by one bishop, perhaps a portent of things to come in the Episcopal Church in Kentucky. Only one Episcopal church in my region of Kentucky has a full-time priest of its own. The other churches must either share a part-time priest or employ the services of a supply priest. The UMC has a significantly different view of the bishops, ordained ministry, and lay presidency from the Episcopal Church. Accommodating the Episcopal Church's view has a strong likelihood of proving harmful to the UMC.

Wait, We’re to Blame?
The greatest mistake of the past generations of Christians in this country was trying to Christianize the culture without evangelizing the people.

Christmas Worship Can Win the Battle – for Our Hearts
Christmas worship is a means put in our hands for the gradual conquering of our own hearts – and the hearts of others – by the God of Christmas.

‘A mega-mechanism for bonding’: why singing together does us good
Carols and choirs are enjoying a boom in popularity, and science is showing how they improve lives.

A reminder of the benefits of singing for congregations for churches that have devalued the importance of congregational singing in the life, ministry, and worship of the local church.

Online Content and Streaming Tips for Families at Christmas
Online content and streaming now dominate children’s free time. And Christmas vacation brings even more down time—and screen time—for kids. This holiday season, and all year long, partner with parents to help families stream good news of great joy into their homes.