c. 2007 Religion News Service
Gay UCC Church Hopes to Raise $3.7 Million in One Day
(RNS) A predominantly gay United Church of Christ congregation in Dallas is hoping to win big this July _ but its members aren’t playing the lottery.
The Cathedral of Hope, the nation’s largest gay and lesbian church, plans to raise $3.7 million on July 29 for their 37th Anniversary Miracle Project _ the construction of the Interfaith Peace Chapel designed by the late architect Philip Johnson.
The chapel “will be a visible symbol of our inclusiveness, commitment to peace, commitment to justice and our commitment to interfaith dialogue,” said the Rev. Jo Hudson, the church’s senior pastor.
But rather than asking for donations throughout the year, the church is focusing its hopes on the July 29 collection.
Church leaders originally planned to start a traditional collection drive for the chapel in 2005. But after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, they decided to focus their attention on helping its victims.
So Hudson brought the anniversary fundraising challenge before her 3,500-member congregation on July 29, 2006, the church’s 36th anniversary.
She said church leaders hoped the fundraising day goal would generate excitement among congregation members, and provide them with a year to raise their own money.
Additionally, by collecting all of the funds on one day, the church may be able to pay cash for the new chapel rather than taking out a loan. Hudson said every dollar donated will save the church $2.50 in interest.
It’s not unusual for churches to designate a special day to raise funds for a project, said the Rev. Dan Hotchkiss, a consultant at the Alban Institute, an interfaith organization. But he said Hudson’s plan to solely rely upon funds raised that day is somewhat less common.
“Typically, a `miracle Sunday’ campaign would take place to raise a little extra (money) after doing a capital drive,” Hotchkiss said.
Hudson remains confident that her congregation can meet its goal.
“We think on July 29 we’ll have a phenomenal offering,” she said.
_ Katherine Boyle
Christian Movie `Facing the Giants’ a Big Hit on Video
(RNS) In its first two weeks on the market, the Christian film “Facing the Giants” was among the 20 best-selling videos, according to the trade publication Video Business.
The movie ranked No. 14 among top DVD sellers two weeks ago. “Cinderella III: A Twist in Time,” took first place. “Facing the Giants” was No. 6 on the list during its first week of sales, the publication reported.
The movie, created by Baptist pastors in Georgia for $100,000, is about a high school football team and coach who overcome numerous challenges _ their giants _ with divine assistance. It was released in theaters Sept. 29.
“A small film has become a big story,” said Kris Fuhr, vice president of marketing for Provident Films, in a news release distributed by Christian Newswire. Provident distributed the title for Sony Pictures.
“Just like `Giants’ ‘ story line, a team with heart took the ball and ran it all the way,” Fuhr said.
“Facing the Giants” is reportedly among the top 10 all-time highest-grossing Evangelical movies, earning $10 million at the box office.
Its success “clearly indicates that there is a vital and robust market for faith-based films,” Fritz Friedman, of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, told Christian Newswire.
_ Renee K. Gadoua
Louisiana Priest, at 43, Becomes Nation’s Youngest Bishop
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) A Baton Rouge, La., priest became the youngest Catholic bishop in the country on Wednesday (Feb. 28) in a two-hour ordination ceremony in which the Rev. Shelton Fabre was given a share of the leadership of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Fabre, carrying a crozier, or shepherd’s staff, walked around the packed interior of St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter absorbing applause from family, scores of priests and about two dozen visiting bishops.
Among them was a cousin, Bishop John Ricard of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, who helped New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes and Baton Rouge Bishop Robert Muench ordain Fabre.
Fabre said that he, Hughes and Bishop Roger Morin have not yet decided how to divide the administrative duties of the archdiocese, which spans seven civil parishes surrounding New Orleans.
At 43, Fabre is the youngest Catholic bishop in the country and one of 10 active African-American bishops. There are a total of 275 bishops nationwide. The son of a French-speaking bricklayer and a teacher, Fabre grew up in a country parish in New Roads, La. He spent all of his 18-year career as a parish priest in and around Baton Rouge.
Although Fabre ran the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s Office of Black Catholics, he says he is at his best doing individual pastoral work, especially dealing with individuals in crisis in small settings.
“I’m basically shy,” he said in an interview. “I don’t like crowds. But I do like people. I find it’s easy to become close to people, particularly when they’re filled with joy _ like at a wedding _ or in times of trouble.”
_ Bruce Nolan
Quote of the Day: Rabbi Samuel of Bedford, N.Y.
(RNS) “We won’t go close to that place until they move out. No, no, no _ heaven forbid.”
_ Rabbi Samuel of Khal Adas Kashau yeshiva in Bedford, N.Y., reacting to prostitution charges filed against a dominatrix who was leasing an estate owned by the yeshiva. Samuel did not give his last name in his remarks to the Associated Press.
KRE/CM END RNS