Christians to observe week of unity

Members of different Christian denominations in Hawaii will observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at a Wednesday evening service at St. Andrew's Cathedral.

Episcopal Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick will host the 7 p.m. Solemn Evensong.

The Rev. Charles Buck, Hawaii conference minister of the United Church of Christ, will speak.

The World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity promote observation of the week of Jan. 18-25 as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Events are held in several cities across the globe.

Trial to start in faith-healing death

OREGON CITY, Ore. » An Oregon City couple will soon go on trial for the death of their son, the latest Oregon criminal case over faith healing deaths.

Jeff and Marci Beagley have been charged with criminally negligent homicide for not providing medical treatment to their 16-year-old son, who died of an untreated urinary tract blockage. The family belongs to Followers of Christ Church, whose members shun medical care in favor of prayer. Their trial begins this month.

The Beagleys are grandparents of Ava Worthington, whose 2008 death sparked a high-profile case against her parents. Raylene Worthington, who is the Beagleys' daughter, was acquitted. Her husband was convicted of criminal mistreatment.

Church opts out over gay dispute

ROANOKE, Va. » Members of a Roanoke church have voted to leave the country's largest Lutheran denomination over its policy to allow gay clergy.

St. John Lutheran Pastor Mark Graham said church members voted 350-104 in favor of the split from the national Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Church rules required a two-thirds majority for reaffiliation.

At its annual convention in August, ELCA delegates voted to lift a ban that had prohibited gay and lesbian pastors who were not celibate from serving as clergy. The new policy, expected to take effect in April, will allow such individuals to lead ELCA churches as long as they can show that they are in committed, lifelong relationships.

The vote last Sunday affirmed a ballot held in September that called for St. John to join the smaller Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.