News & Ideas

Thursday's News & Ideas - 1/13/2022

  • Christian landlords?
  • Muslim group uncovers moles
  • Pope buys music
  • Nazi flag at church funeral
  • Seattle’s interfaith sanctuary
  • The class divide in wine

Are landlords ‘bad Christians’ when they raise rent?
Deseret News: Dave Ramsey stepped into a moral morass when he said rent should reflect the market, not tenants’ ability to pay.

A cryptic email, then a confession: How a Muslim group uncovered moles*
The Washington Post: For many U.S. Muslims, the new scandal has been a reminder of the post-9/11 microscope under which they live.

Pope slips out of Vatican to visit record shop, gets CD
Associated Press: Pope Francis grew up listening to the opera on the radio, is a fan of Argentine tango and thinks Mozart “lifts you to God.”

Italian Catholic, Jewish leaders condemn Nazi flag placed on coffin at church funeral
Reuters: Rome’s archdiocese said priests at the funeral weren't aware the flag would be present at the service for a former member of the right-wing extremist group Forza Nuova.

Seattle’s Interfaith Community Sanctuary includes Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus*
Christian Century: “People from every religious tradition want to be of service to God’s creation in a genuine way.”

The Spark

Who can afford to make and drink wine?
If someone paid half a million for a single bottle of wine, how much did the grape harvesters earn making it? Catapult asks.

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Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants

The Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship is designed to foster, strengthen and sustain well-grounded worship in congregations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Two streams of grants are offered: to teacher-scholars and to worshiping communities.

Grant proposal due date options include October 15, 2023, or February 15 or June 15, 2024.

Learn More