News & Ideas

Tuesday's News & Ideas - 9/3/2024

  • Pope in Asia
  • Spirituality and community
  • Christians and labor movement
  • Fraternities who defended flag
  • Formation for the Toolbelt Generation
  • Women making wild-life films

Pope opens Asia odyssey in Indonesia to rally Catholics, hail religious tolerance
NPR: Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday at the start of the longest trip of his pontificate.

As millions leave organized religion, spiritual and secular communities offer refuge
USA Today: Despite Americans’ ongoing abandonment of traditional organized religion, many longing to maintain some sense of spirituality and community in their lives are finding it in places both religious and nonreligious.

The friendship between Christians and the labor movement shows signs of life
Religion News Service: Worker-preachers are back on the move and not just on Labor Sunday.

Fraternity brothers balk at a $515,000 party for defending the flag*
The New York Times: After students at the University of North Carolina shielded a U.S. flag from protesters, admirers raised money to throw a “rager” in their honor. Some didn’t want it.

Christian formation for the ‘Toolbelt Generation’*
Christianity Today: My sons want Christian discipleship that acknowledges the importance of their vocational path—and I believe churches need to meet the unique spiritual needs of this growing population in their congregations.

The Spark

‘Always outsiders, always men, always white’: how women are changing the narrative of wildlife film-making
Three female film-makers talk with The Guardian about their pioneering work documenting nature in Africa, the Amazon and India, and paving the way for future generations to build a career in film.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers



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Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship are designed for worshiping communities. These grants allow a wide range of Christian worshiping communities to focus on projects that connect public worship with Christian discipleship and faith formation. Funding awards range from $8,000 to $25,000. 

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