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A tree called Jonathan Rapture A new apple tree graces the grounds of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Arvada, Colo. It comes in response to those who claimed the world would end May 21. The congregation acted on the words of theologian Barbara Rossing who, at the Rocky Mountain Synod assembly in May, renounced the claims and quoted Martin Luther, who said that if the world were com- ing to an end tomorrow, he would plant a tree today. It’s known as the Jonathan Rapture tree: Jonathan for the brand of apples they eventually hope to have, and Rapture for the “event” that prompted its planting.


Americans judge bin Laden Osama bin Laden’s soul is in hell, according to 65 percent of Ameri- cans surveyed by the Public Religion Research Institute in partnership with Religion News Service. Leading the way with this view were evangeli- cal Christians, with 80 percent stat- ing that bin Laden was in hell, while about 65 percent of Roman Catholics and other Protestants held the same view.


Worship canceled


Would-be worshipers arriving at Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, Colo., on May 22 were met with this sign: “Worship is can- celed. Join the service.” Instead, about 700 members joined in service to the community at more than 50 partner sites. “Be the Blessing!” day was the idea of Jessica Harris Daum, pastoral intern, who wanted to help the con- gregation grow in its ability to reach out. Church leaders believe the effort was the largest of its kind undertaken by a Denver church. “We will impact the lives of thousands of people in need,” said Ron Glusenkamp, pastor.


Lutheran youth learn together More than 100 Lutheran youth groups


began using the Internet in May to help each other care for God’s cre- ation on different continents. Through “LWF (Lutheran World Federation) together—the earth needs you,” more than 900 people aged 15 to 30 are reading the Bible, exchanging ideas and organizing environmental jus- tice activities together until Oct. 31. Churches with the most participa- tion are the ELCA with 14 groups and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea with 12.


Cathedral attendance up Challenging conventional wisdom that church attendance is plummeting across Britain and Western Europe, the Church of England says atten-


dance at its 43 cathedrals grew 7 per- cent last year. Following the April 29 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at London’s Westminster Abbey (not considered a cathedral), an archdeacon told ENInews: “I think we’re going to have to wait a year or so to see just how the wedding impacted people.”


Land mine cleanup Despite daily news of the longstand- ing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one sign of progress is the removal of land mines near the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. The Israeli government spent $2.9 million on the site, located in a closed 10 


Grace across time zones Grace Lutheran Church, Mountain Home, Idaho, used technology to its advan-


tage in May when Jaspreet Hieb confirmed her faith during the 10 a.m. wor- ship (Mountain time) while her dad, Tim Spicher, who was transferred to Italy a month earlier from the local Air Force base, participated via Skype during his supper hour. But there was more. “On my left was another [laptop], con- necting us with the Beaumont family in Japan (it was 1 a.m.),” said Tom Chris- tensen, interim pastor. “ Their former pastor (Stephan Becker) in Ohio did confirmation instruction with their son, Brandon, via Skype, so we included him in the confirmation service as well. Brandon’s grandparents, Dave and Jan Newman, are pillars at Grace, and their faces lit up the whole place.”


July 2011 9


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