Archdiocese of Milwaukee announces Chapter 11 reorganization

In St. Francis, Wisconsin, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee became the second American archdiocese, and the eighth overall, to file for Chapter 11 reorganization on January 4. With more than 650,000 parishioners, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee follows the archdioceses of Portland, Oregon and Tucson, Arizona in size.

The Archdiocese of Portland was the first such organization to file for Chapter 11 in July, 2004. During the Portland experience of reorganization, which ended in April 2007, a federal judge authorized $75 million in settlements for clergy sexual abuse claims and a financial reorganization plan.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Methodism in Russia: 100 years of darkness and light

From early missionaries until today, the history of Methodism in Russia is a study in determination and faith. Methodists have faced the brutal Russian winter, as well as an oft repressive government in order to bring that denomination's testimony to the Russian faithful.

Daily, Methodists in Russia face a society that has been conditioned to ignore religious life, a government that is known for its red tape, and persecution by a state-sponsored church. Still, Russian Methodists persist in their witness of the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Archbishop of Canterbury celebrates 400th anniversary of the King James Bible

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams delivered his New Year message, and within it addressed the impact of the King James Bible. The King James version of the Bible is an English translation that began work in 1604 and began publication in 1611.

Consequently, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Archbishop Williams said that things move on but it is a good thing to have some "long-lasting furniture in our minds."

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Ehrich: One size doesn't fit all in church life

According to Tom Ehrich, of The Presbyterian Outlook, one challenge in nurturing a "multichannel church" is to ban "one-size-fits-all" thinking. This is especially true where it involves the diversity that is important in communications. Ehrich examines how people receive messages and adapt accordingly.

As a means of examining the ways people accept information, Ehrich discusses the ways people obtain their news: while some use newspapers and television, yet others use the Internet or radio. In addition, he notes that an ad in the New York Times might reach some of us but not others of us.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

United Church of Christ hails passage of the Local Community Radio Act

The U.S. Congress has approved legislation that allows community radio broadcasting on the Low Power FM broadcast spectrum, which is expected to be approved by President Obama. The Local Community Radio Act is generally considered as a means for local communities to use the public airwaves.

Consequently, the former United Church of Christ communications director and past executive of the UCC Office of Communications, Inc., the Rev. Robert Chase, has stated his approval for those who have fought to see this legislation come to fruition.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.