Religion Briefs
Red vestments herald Pentecost Sunday here
Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday, traditionally celebrated as the birthday of the Christian Church. It refers to a biblical passage in the Acts of the Apostles that describes the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire.Red vestments and hangings are used in churches.
Members of Church of the Crossroads have their own tradition of wearing red in celebration of the day. The 10:30 a.m. service will feature a choral presentation of "Come Thou, Holy Spirit" composed by Pavel Tchesnokov. Jeannie Thompson will be the preacher.
The congregation of St. John Lutheran Church in Kailua will hold a special brunch after the combined 9 a.m. worship service, which will include confirmation of teenage members.
Meditative voices unite for Oregon's peace month
EUGENE, Ore. >> A hundred voices, all chanting together, made the room hum with the language of meditation: "Om." Then chimes rang, ending the first "Great Om In" Sunday at the Lord Leebrick Theatre.Alan Stein, owner of the Star Gate bookstore, organized the event in honor of Gov. John Kitzhaber's proclamation of May as a month of peace. Kitzhaber made the declaration last year to commemorate the Dalai Lama's visit to Oregon.
Iowa U.S. judge bars choir's 'Lord's Prayer'
DES MOINES, Iowa >> A federal judge has ruled the Woodbine High School choir cannot sing "The Lord's Prayer" at graduation ceremonies because the tradition violates the separation of church and state."Our Constitution prohibits state-compelled religious conformance," U.S. District Judge Charles Wolle said in a written opinion last week.
The Iowa Civil Liberties Union sued the school district on behalf of sophomores who come from an atheist family.
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