Grand Rapids
As Christian Reformed synod opens, one church awaits its fate
By Yonat Shimron — June 9, 2023
(RNS) — Last year, the synod voted to declare sexually active gays and lesbians 'unchaste.' This year it will revisit the issue and may take action against a church that ordained a gay deacon.
Calvin University inaugurates new president amid growing LGBTQ tensions
By Yonat Shimron — October 26, 2022
(RNS) — Wiebe Boer, the university’s 12th president, is the son of Christian Reformed Church missionaries and spent 30 years living in Nigeria.
Grand Rapids church won’t remove gay deacon, votes to appeal denomination’s order
By Yonat Shimron — June 29, 2022
(RNS) — Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church was ordered by the denomination to reverse its decision to ordain a deacon in a same-sex marriage. It has refused.
Rev. Al Sharpton delivers eulogy after police killing of Patrick Lyoya
By Kathryn Post — April 22, 2022
(RNS) — 'We were created in the image of God,' Sharpton said. 'And what God put together, you don’t have the right to violate.'
Grand Rapids pastors mobilize in wake of fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya
By Kathryn Post — April 15, 2022
(RNS) — 'We think that our faith perspective is critical in this hour,' said Pastor Jathan K. Austin.
Calvin University to add school of health with $15 million gift
By Yonat Shimron — October 18, 2021
(RNS) — The 145-year-old school already offers a nursing degree and several health-related majors. It will expand on those and offer three new health-related master's degrees by 2022.
A refugee agency rebuilds its pipeline after Trump: ‘We’re starting from scratch’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 7, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (RNS) — Hollowed out by four years of drastic cuts to the number of refugees allowed into the country, the faith-based agencies that resettle families in the U.S. are gearing back up.
Welcome to Sodom, USA
By Jeffrey Salkin — November 4, 2020
(RNS) — Cry the beloved country. No matter who wins.
A cemetery is desecrated, shaking Michigan’s Jewish community on Election Day
By Yonat Shimron — November 3, 2020
(RNS) — Gayle Kirshenbaum planned to spend Election Day calling potential voters and urging them to vote. Instead she woke up to the news that the cemetery where her grandparents are buried was desecrated.
Nuns & Nones helps millennials find surprise soulmates in Catholic sisters
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 11, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) — Nuns & Nones is a growing alliance connecting Catholic women religious, most of whom are over 60, with 20- and 30-something millennials, many of whom identify as religious 'nones.'
A preacher plumbs the art of the sermon by yielding the pulpit to passers-by
By Kayleigh Fongers — October 4, 2018
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) — A Michigan pastor has created 'The Preachers,' a performance art piece in which passers-by are encouraged to step up to a makeshift pulpit and preach for up to five minutes.
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