News
Ashes in the square Members of Gustavus Adolphus
Lutheran Church, New York City, joined the growing Ash Wednesday trend of offering ashes and prayer to commuters and others on the go. Chris Mietlowski, pastor (center), said it was the first time the church had done this and didn’t know what to expect. Paul Miller (second from left) wrote about the experience: “By the end of this long, exhausting, yet exhilarating day, a little church in New York City had anointed and prayed for more than 350 people. In the church and at the town square. On the street. Even in a local pub. Seven of us (only one ordained) offering the light and love of Christ to all.”
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sidered an election. Plenty of foreign bookmakers, however, capitalized on what they said could be the biggest moneymaker ever outside of sporting events.
Bible beats zombies Genesis and Exodus, the first install- ment of a History Channel miniseries on the Bible, drew more than 13.1 million viewers, a greater number than AMC’s The Walking Dead (11.3 million), reported Nielsen. Produc- ers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett have said they see the series as a way to encourage people to read Scrip- ture. “God beats zombies! Guess it pays to be eternal vs. immortal!” Burnett later commented on Twitter.
OK to limited contraception Roman Catholic bishops clarified Feb. 21 that Germany’s church-run hospitals can prescribe the morning- after pill to rape victims. The state- ment came after two Roman Catholic hospitals in Cologne turned away a rape victim because of concerns about the pill. The woman eventually received treatment from a Protestant church-run hospital. The bishops said
12 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
rape victims can “receive human, medical, psychological and pastoral help in Catholic hospitals” that “can include prescription of the ‘morning- after pill,’ insofar as it has a preven- tive and not an abortive effect.” The morning-after pill prevents ovulation or fertilization, but it has no effect on an existing pregnancy.
ELCA interreligious relations We want to hear your stories of engaging with people of other reli- gions through an ELCA ministry. What was most challenging? What was most fulfilling? What were the most pressing theological questions and practical concerns? Submit your stories (1,000 words or less) for pos- sible inclusion in a collection of case studies of interreligious life in the ELCA. Photos, videos or illustra- tions are also welcome. Email them to
erinfo@elca.org or mail them to Kathryn Lohre, ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.
Vote on name change
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is asking its members to vote through
April 30 on a change to its articles of incorporation that would switch “Lutherans” to “Christians,” thus opening the fraternal benefit society to a larger constituency. Thrivent has been considering the extension for more than a year. “Extending our common bond would allow us to help more Christians be wise with money and live generously,” said Brad Hewitt, Thrivent president and CEO. Members may vote via paper ballot, online or telephone. To learn more, contact a local Thrivent finan- cial representative or go to www.
thrivent.com/vote.
Quote
Though I am now retiring to a life of prayer, I will always be close to all of you and I am sure all of you will be close to me, even though I remain hidden to the world.
Pope Benedict XVI, speaking to Roman Catholic priests after announcing his retirement.
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