StrangeSights: From dog with longest ears to world’s tallest teenager – latest Guinness World Records; Boston’s “Skinny House” sells; and, knitting at the European Parliament…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Historic American church set to integrate its slavery ties
AP The great contradiction of Boston’s Old North Church is that a site pivotal to the freedom of the nation is the same place where slave owners and traders once worshipped. Now, with a $US75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities announced Tuesday, the foundation responsible for the preservation of the church campus […]
Old church records shed new light on US smallpox outbreaks in 1700s
Boston, USAP A highly contagious disease originating far from America’s shores triggers deadly outbreaks that spread rapidly, infecting the masses. Shots are available, but a divided public agonises over getting jabbed. Sound familiar? In this image provided by the American Ancestors & New England Historic Genealogical Society, a digitized copy of a page from a […]
At nationwide rallies in the US, Christians stand up for Asian Americans
Chicago, US RNS At events in 14 cities across the US, an estimated 5,000 people demonstrated in support of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on Sunday after attacks on people of Asian descent in the Atlanta area this month. The National Rally for AAPI Lives and Dignity, organised by the Asian American Christian Collaborative, brought hundreds […]
StrangeSights: Wearing someone else’s face; a bottler of a mystery; and, the world’s “ugliest” orchid…
DAVID ADAMS writes about the odder side of life…
Bishop Barbara Harris, first woman bishop of Anglican Communion, dies at 89
RNS Retired Bishop Barbara Harris, the first woman to be ordained and consecrated as a bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion, died on Friday. She was 89. Harris died at a hospice house after a recent hospitalisation. “Our hearts are truly heavy at the loss of one who has been a faithful and altogether irrepressible […]
US-based Christian Book Distributors drops CBD initials to avoid cannabis confusion
RNS A popular US Christian bookseller is changing its name after a deluge of requests for cannabis-related products. For years, Peabody, Massachusetts-based Christian Book Distributors has been known by the initials CBD. The logo for newly rebranded Christianbook company. PICTURE: Courtesy of Christianbook The bookseller announced last month it will now go by “Christianbook” to avoid confusion with […]
Andrew Jackson staying on the $US20 bill? Not at this Boston church
Boston, USRNS Three years ago, the Treasury Department announced that it would put Harriet Tubman’s face on the front of the $US20 bill by 2020. A portrait of the abolitionist, championed by activists, would replace that of President Andrew Jackson, who would be moved to the back of the bill. Then, two weeks ago, the […]
ESSAY: ABOLISHING THE PRIESTHOOD WILL NOT SAVE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE, in an article first published by Religion News Service, responds to calls for the abolition of the Catholic priesthood…
ESSAY: FROM PARIS TO BOSTON, THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF FIRE CHAPLAINS
In an article first published on The Conversation, WENDY CADGE and MICHAEL SKAGGS, both of Brandeis University, look at the work of fire chaplains…