As worshippers entered the dim sanctuary, they could tell that this wasn’t the usual Wednesday night prayer meeting in the First Baptist Church of Gretna, Va. First, there was quiet music, candlelight and a meditative atmosphere. After awhile, worship leaders began reading verses from the Psalms, such as: “Have mercy upon me, O God. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.” Then everyone... Read more

No gathering of Catholic social activists would be complete without rows of cars outside with bumper stickers containing the famous words of Pope Paul VI: “If you want peace, work for justice.” To which Pope John Paul II would add a hearty “Amen.” But that’s just once thread in a larger garment. During this recent American tour, the pope again stressed that it’s impossible to talk about peace, justice and freedom without raising other issues that make many people, including... Read more

Whenever Pope John Paul II travels, the events that receive the most attention are his spectacular public Masses and encounters with heads of state and other dignitaries. But these tours also include quieter rites and meetings with priests, nuns and lay people. The pope leads prayers, delivers words of advice or encouragement, offers his blessing and shares a few moments of fellowship. In other words, these events are rarely “newsworthy.” This depends, however, on one’s point of view. Sister Winifred... Read more

As she pulled into traffic, Elaine Benes turned on her boyfriend’s car radio and began bouncing along to the music. Then the lyrics sank in: “Jesus is one, Jesus is all. Jesus pick me up when I fall.” In horror, she punched another button, then another. “Jesus,” she muttered, discovering they all were set to Christian stations. Then the scene jumped to typical “Seinfeld” restaurant chat. “I like Christian rock,” said the ultra-cynical George Costanza. “It’s very positive. It’s not... Read more

It’s an archetypal image in Nashville mythology – a young singer pulling into town with a one-way bus ticket, a guitar, a pack of songs and big dreams. The ones Charlie Peacock meets also carry worn-out Bibles and are convinced God wants them to use their music to save souls. “I’ve come into contact with my share of aspiring Christian recording artists,” said the veteran of two decades of secular and sacred work as a songwriter, performer, producer and record-... Read more

STAFFORD, Texas — Father Tony Tripi’s new church is called Tri-City Fellowship, a businesslike name that fits in among the signs for oil-tech firms, furniture warehouses, computer pros and everybody else that’s floating in the sea of office complexes that encircles Houston. “We’re a fellowship and we serve Stafford, Sugar Land and Missouri City,” said the Brooklyn-born priest, who in October led 300 of his parishioners out of the Episcopal Church of the Advent. “Some people were surprised that there... Read more

After the altar call urging sinners to come find salvation, the Rev. Rex Horne read an urgent appeal from a long-time member of Little Rock’s Immanuel Baptist Church. In his handwritten letter, Bill Clinton “expressed repentance for his actions, sadness for the consequence of his sin on his family, friends and church family and asked forgiveness,” said a two-sentence press release issued after that Oct. 18 service. Worshippers later declined to say if he named specific sins and the pastor... Read more

There were only two people in the office, so historians may never know the truth about some of the most important meetings in William Jefferson Clinton’s life. No, this isn’t about the Oval Office. These pivotal talks would have taken place in the Rev. W.O. Vaught’s office at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, or at the Arkansas governor’s mansion. The young Clinton claimed the feisty Southern Baptist as his spiritual father and constantly sought his wisdom about complex moral... Read more

Undertakers bury people, tax collectors collect taxes and Mannheim Steamroller makes Christmas albums that bore into shoppers’ psyches like the whine of a dentist’s drill. This year’s offering from synthesizer-superstar Chip Davis and company, “The Christmas Angel: A Family Story,” uses “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and other classics to accompany a new fable. Here’s the plot: Darth Vader plays the Grinch who stole Christmas, who is touched by an angel in a near-death light show in a Norse... Read more

It happens about the time shopping malls hire their Santas, schools schedule “Winter Concerts” and televisions start radiating even more images of children clutching trendy gadgets. That’s when Jewish groups hold “December Dilemma” forums to help parents survive “the holidays.” In isolated segments of society, the season continues to be called Christmas. Rabbi Hillel Goldberg thinks this is all really strange. “I always feel like an outsider, but not because it’s Christmas,” said the veteran editor of the Intermountain Jewish... Read more