Film producer talks about his ‘Breakthrough’ and more
Christian movie producer DeVon Franklin is preparing for his third film to hit theaters just before Easter weekend. (The film opens in Richmond area movie theaters Wednesday, April 17.)
Investigators probing cause of fires at 3 black churches in La.
About 100 investigators are working to find out who is behind a series of church fires that have struck rural areas of Louisiana in recent weeks. The fires, which have prompted calls for prayer by the state’s governor, destroyed three …
New D.C. archbishop poised to become first African-American cardinal
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta has been tapped to head the influential Archdiocese of Washington, filling a slot left vacant in October after its previous archbishop, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, was accused of mishandling cases of sexual abuse by priests during …
Richmond barber helping rebuild lives, homes in Haiti
Kenneth Barney makes his living cutting hair. But in his spare time, the longtime Richmond barber is on a mission to build solid, safe houses in a community in Haiti where thousands make their homes in tiny ramshackle spaces.
McReynolds wins eight trophies at Stellar Gospel Music Awards
Jonathan McReynolds was the top winner at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, taking home eight trophies during a ceremony March 29 in Las Vegas that included a posthumous tribute to the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin.
African-American millennials more likely to skip church than white counterparts
African-American young adults are more likely than their Caucasian counterparts to drop out of Protestant churches during their early adult years, new research shows. But equal percentages of black and white young adults say they currently attend services regularly.
New Zealand shooting hits home for American Muslims
For Muslims, Fridays are special. Mosques come to life with the mandatory Jummah prayer services, where imams deliver sermons and lead rows of worshippers in congregational prayer. Muslims dress in their Friday best and greet one another with “Jummah Mubarak” …
Rev. Janie M. Walker retiring as co-pastoral director of Richmond Hill
After a 15-year relationship with Richmond Hill, the Rev. Janie M. Walker, co-pastoral director of the religious community on Church Hill, is retiring. Rev. Walker, whose last day is May 15, has led the residential ecumenical Christian community since 2014.
Kazoos, chants drown out church’s message of hate
Anti-gay demonstrators from the controversial Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas were met by Randy Blythe of Richmond’s heavy metal band Lamb of God at the Virginia State Capitol on Monday with an unlikely weapon — kazoos.
Rep. Omar, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia
A Muslim civil rights organization has called on Fox News to fire host Jeanine Pirro for questioning Rep. Ilhan Omar’s loyalty to the United States in a monologue on her weekend show “Justice with Judge Jeanine” and suggesting the Minnesota …
Devotional guide marks 400 years since the arrival of Africans in Virginia
A Christian anti-hunger group has released a devotional guide to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in Jamestown.
United Methodist Church keeps ban on gay clergy, same-sex marriage
“We’re in this to the end,” sang LGBTQ United Methodists and their allies.
NFL team owner, human trafficking and faith-based communities
The news that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with soliciting sex and prostitution in a spa as part of a monthslong investigation into a massive human trafficking ring is dominating headlines for its shocking revelation about …
$6.3M raised for synagogue massacre families, survivors
A fund established in the wake of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre has raised $6.3 million that will be split primarily among the families of the dead and survivors of the worst attack on Jews in U.S. history.
Local chef-caterer turns empty church kitchen into a busy business
On weekdays, the kitchen at Faith Community Baptist Church in Richmond’s East End is a beehive of activity six hours a day.
