G. Jeffrey MacDonald
G. Jeffrey MacDonald is an award-winning reporter and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.
All Stories by G. Jeffrey MacDonald
Surveys show sharp differences between Jews in US and Israel
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — June 14, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — While most Israeli Jews recognize the Jewishness of their American counterparts, the majority do not share the Americans' dreams to make Israel a more religiously pluralistic country.
Cardinal to African faith leaders: Negotiate peace with terrorists
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — June 8, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — As violence-torn Africa grows weary of solutions that haven’t worked, Nigerian Cardinal John Onaiyekan is proposing a controversial alternative.
White House iftar dinner marks opportunity for Muslims
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — June 6, 2018
(RNS) — Muslim Americans should rise above bitterness against Trump and exercise this opportunity to communicate clearly what our vision is for a better America and a better world. That is what Ramadan is all about.
Church in Congo suspends sacraments as Ebola spreads
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — June 5, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Catholics will not be baptized, confirmed, ordained or anointed until further notice in the country’s northwestern regions hardest hit by the outbreak.
United Methodist annual conferences meet with denomination’s future in flux
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — June 4, 2018
(RNS) As the United Methodist Church's season of annual conference meetings approaches, a moment of reckoning looms with the denomination’s long-debated conflict over homosexuality – whether to ordain gay clergy, whether clergy can marry same-sex partners, and related issues.
Appreciation: Philip Roth belongs in canon of greatest American authors
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — May 23, 2018
(RNS) — Roth was a literary archaeologist who dug deep into his imagination and memory to re-create the American Jewish milieu of his youth.
Murderer makes repentance in new role as prison imam
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — May 18, 2018
AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. (RNS) — Now 11 years into his imprisonment, Naveed Haq is the new imam for the Airway Heights Correctional Main Facility in Airway Heights, Wash. In his new role, he's trying to lead by example in conveying remorse to those he hurt.
The Slingshot: Royal wedding; solar-powered congregations; Pope Francis on the big screen
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — May 18, 2018
Episcopalians scramble to make the most of a royal moment. Congregations get creative in financing solar panel projects. New documentary on Pope Francis opens to positive reviews.
To keep churches safe, government gets involved
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — January 29, 2018
(RNS) — 'My job as the shepherd of the church is to protect the flock. And I will do so with whatever means I need,' said Richard Reid, pastor of North Baptist Church in Brockton, Mass.
From Word to image: Christian colleges expand visual art programs
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — May 17, 2017
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (RNS) With new investments, Christian schools aim to equip graduates for an image-saturated world in which jobs, ministries and social networking require visual literacy and competence.
Wonderfully made: How churches are seizing on gallery spaces for art
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — March 27, 2017
(RNS) Churches now see an opportunity to leverage their spaces and use art to stimulate dialogue with groups they wouldn’t otherwise reach.
Bruce Herman’s unconventional path to success as a Christian artist
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — November 21, 2016
GLOUCESTER, Mass. (RNS) He bucks the stereotype of the introverted creator who makes art and then leaves it for others to sell and interpret.
Gender bias may be part of Episcopal Church firings, ex-staffer says
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — April 14, 2016
(RNS) Respecting female colleagues as equals wasn’t the norm, said a church staffer who served at the national church headquarters from 2008 to 2012.
Experts push Episcopal Church to explain firings
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — April 13, 2016
(RNS) By saying nothing about what types of violations occurred, the church heightens the risk that wrongful behavior will be repeated elsewhere.
Two Lutheran seminaries to close and reopen as new school
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — January 15, 2016
(RNS) The new plan comes as mainline Protestant seminaries take steps to weather financial storms caused by an average drop in enrollments of nearly 24 percent since 2005.
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