Churches of Christ helping in flood-stricken Appalachia
Ministries organize disaster relief as Kentucky’s death toll rises to 26. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle A tractor-trailer rig full of groceries and emergency supplies was more than the 40-member Lothair Church of Christ in Hazard, Ky., could fit in its building. So church members — eager to help struggling neighbors in flood-stricken Appalachia — unloaded the truck Saturday morning at nearby East Perry Elementary School. By midafternoon, … Continue reading Churches of Christ helping in flood-stricken Appalachia
The most compelling headlines from Pope Francis’ ‘penitential pilgrimage’ to Canada
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Pope Francis made a “penitential pilgrimage” to Canada this week to apologize to Indigenous peoples for abuses at church-run residential schools. Rome-based journalists traveling with Francis … Continue reading The most compelling headlines from Pope Francis’ ‘penitential pilgrimage’ to Canada
5 key facts as Pope Francis travels to Canada to apologize to Indigenous peoples
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Pope Francis is traveling to Canada this weekend. The purpose of the Catholic leader’s seven-day trip: to apologize to Indigenous peoples for abuses at church-run residential … Continue reading 5 key facts as Pope Francis travels to Canada to apologize to Indigenous peoples
When the editor gets COVID-19
Colleagues at The Christian Chronicle step up in time of need. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ELGIN, Ill. — COVID-19 stinks. That’s not exactly breaking news, right? For 2½ years, I somehow avoided the coronavirus. But during a recent reporting trip to Chicago, I tested positive for the first time. So instead of doing the work I love, I isolated myself in my hotel room. Apparently, … Continue reading When the editor gets COVID-19
Christians reflect on Fourth of July parade shooting that claimed seven lives
‘It’s just a somber place to be right now,’ one church member says of Chicago’s North Shore, where the attack occurred. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — On a lazy Fourth of July morning, Nicole Estes and her husband, Steve, decided to make a quick trip to Home Depot. Before they could pull out of their subdivision on Chicago’s North … Continue reading Christians reflect on Fourth of July parade shooting that claimed seven lives
Time to share a little good news
At a time of distressing headlines, enjoy these positive stories. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “We sure could use a little good news today,” Anne Murray sang in a No. 1 country hit in 1983. Nearly four decades later, negative headlines abound: Mass shootings. The war in Ukraine. Church closings. Even when the news is bad, The Christian Chronicle strives to highlight Christians living out their faith in inspiring ways, as you’ll notice … Continue reading Time to share a little good news
5 key takeaways: Sex abuse reforms top Southern Baptists’ actions at annual meeting
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. 1979 was a highly consequential year for the direction of the Southern Baptist Convention. So was 1985. And 2021, come to think of it. No doubt … Continue reading 5 key takeaways: Sex abuse reforms top Southern Baptists’ actions at annual meeting
I hated how I left a newspaper job in 1993. Three decades later, I got to write a better ending.
By Bobby Ross Jr. EDMOND, Okla. — I interned at the Edmond Evening Sun my senior year at Oklahoma Christian University. That was way back in the Stone Age, circa 1989-1990. The Sun — launched a century earlier in Oklahoma Territory — published Tuesday through Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings. It had a daily circulation of roughly 10,000 (I don’t recall the exact figure). I made … Continue reading I hated how I left a newspaper job in 1993. Three decades later, I got to write a better ending.
God and guns
People of faith debate solutions to America’s string of mass shootings. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. TULSA, Okla. — God and guns. After a string of mass shootings nationwide, conversations with people of faith … Continue reading God and guns
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 