Most Wednesdays, Chris Hilliard finalized plans for evening Bible study at the church he’s pastored in North Carolina for nearly a decade, but on the Wednesday of Feb. 12, he instead “tried to O.D. on medication,” he told Baptist Press. “I say tried,” he emphasized. “I didn’t take a lethal dose because God intervened.” “No one, and I mean no one, saw this coming,” Hilliard said of his experience. (Chandler, Baptist Press)
Read MoreThe proposal is set out in the annual report of the Assembly Trustees, which warns that the Church is “at a tipping point in terms of its financial viability”. In December, the Church had 245,000 members, representing a 5.5-per-cent fall on 2023, and a decline of 35 per cent over the decade. The operating budget deficit stands at £5.9 million, while the free reserves available to cover the Church’s day-to-day charitable activities totalled £51.2 million at December — about five months of operating costs. (Davies, Church Times)
Read MoreThe first known use of the word "pride" dates back before the 12th century. In its early uses, pride referred to an "inordinate self-esteem" and "an unreasonable conceit of superiority," according to Merriam-Webster. Throughout history, the word "pride" has taken on an array of meanings — ranging from a human emotion to a religious vice to a group of lions that live together. But a little over 55 years ago, the word took on a new meaning. (Kim, NPR)
Read MoreIn a decision published Thursday, Judge Frank Geraci of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York sided with photographer Emilee Carpenter in her years-long battle. She seeks to ensure she won't have to take actions that violate her deeply held religious beliefs as a condition of conducting business in New York. "From start to finish, Plaintiff provides a customized, tailored photography service that is guided by her own artistic and moral judgment," he wrote. (Foley, The Christian Post)
Read MoreUkrainian air force officials said Tuesday that the previous night Russia had deployed some 60 drones across multiple regions, injuring 10 people, with Kyiv air defenses saying they intercepted 43 of them. In the central Ukrainian town of Dnipropetrovsk, the local governor, according to Al-Jazeera, said residential properties and an agricultural site had been damaged by Russian strikes, while in Kherson a 59-year-old man and six municipal workers were wounded. (Allen, Crux)
Read MoreThe Justice Department on Wednesday said it is investigating whether a near-decade-old law in California violates federal laws against sex discrimination by allowing transgender student-athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. In a news release, the department said it had launched an inquiry into whether a 2013 state law, A.B. 1266, conflicts with Title IX, the landmark civil rights law prohibiting sex discrimination in education programs that receive government funding. (Migdon, The Hill)
Read More