Distractions abound. They are thrust upon us, and we cannot help but submit to their allure. We are bombarded by advertisements and information, marketing and media. We can go nowhere, do nothing, without being sold some thing or idea we are told is of utmost importance to our happiness and well-being. Every company seeks to […]
Religion and Values
Posted inReligion and Values
Dutch Christian party ordered to accept women in leadership
AMSTERDAM — A fundamentalist Christian political party led entirely by men was told by the Netherlands’ Supreme Court on Friday that it must accept women in leadership roles. The Political Reformed Party, known by its Dutch acronym SGP, has consistently held two or three seats in the country’s 150-member national parliament since the 1920s but […]
advertisement
Posted inReligion and Values
Worship Spotlight
ADDRESS: 76 Noyes St. DENOMINATION/AFFILIATION: Orthodox Jewish HISTORY: At the end of the 19th century, the Jewish community of Portland began discussions about forming one monumental synagogue that would serve as a center of Jewish life in Portland for future generations. In 1900, a group from two separate Portland synagogues established a society to build […]
Posted inReligion and Values
Worship Spotlight
ADDRESS: 3 Gray Road DENOMINATION/AFFILIATION: United Church of Christ HISTORY: At the time the church was organized in 1806, it was part of a parish that was supported by taxes levied on the townspeople. This practice ended when Maine became a state in 1820. The parish was dissolved in 1945, and the properties were given […]
Posted inReligion and Values
Bishops urge worshippers to scrutinize candidates
LONDON — Senior Catholic bishops are urging British worshippers to carefully consider candidates’ policies toward marriage and abortion when they vote in the looming national election – a move likely to benefit the opposition Conservatives. In a guide to the election Wednesday, Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols urged voters to back lawmakers who “support marriage […]
Posted inReligion and Values
Religion Calendar
Today Joyful Easter Celebration, 9 to 11 a.m., pancake breakfast and performance of original Easter skits created by the tweens and teens group of Joyful Harvest. Held at Second Congregational Church, 19 Crescent St., Biddeford. Free and open to all. For details, call Joyful Harvest at 286-9105. Sunday Easter sunrise services Biddeford Pool – […]
Posted inReligion and Values
Religion Dispatches
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Presbyterian Church trying to trim headquarters staff The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), struggling financially, is offering severance packages to about 30 employees at the denomination’s Louisville headquarters. The Courier-Journal reported that the denomination has been dealing with losses in members and churches over the last decade and now has sustained investment return losses. Church […]
Posted inReligion and Values
Reflections: Glimpses of the glories in this life
SOMETIMES, I THINK, we are so familiar with our Christian writings that they cease to get our attention. Do we truly grasp the reason for the celebrative sounds of Easter? That God raised Jesus from the dead – is that in fact a source of comfort and possibly a basis for laughter for us who […]
Posted inReligion and Values
Pope’s preacher: Abuse furor equivalent to anti-Semitism
Jewish and victims’ groups express dismay, and the Vatican distances itself from the remarks.
Posted inReligion and Values
Religion Calendar
Today “The Women at the Foot of the Cross,” 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., free seminar for women with Allison VanderLinden, an ordained Presbyterian minister. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Route 196, Lisbon. Lenten Vigil for Disarmament, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., weekly through Lent. Bath Iron Works administration building, Washington Street, Bath. Musical Afternoon, 2 p.m., […]