By BloggerPearce Fujiura This week many Buddhists are celebrating the Mahayana New Year. However, because it’s from a different cultural tradition than my own, it’s not an event that I celebrate. I am a Japanese Buddhist, specifically Nichiren. My family and I celebrate Shogatsu, which is celebrated at the same …

Today we will examine the Christian church's compassionate and informed role as we “Welcome the Stranger” to our land.   How is the issue of immigration affecting the church? Demographers tell us thatimmigrant churches are the fastest growing segment of evangelical churches in the U.S.In fact, some researchers predict the …

Many residents may think West Central Neighborhood is disadvantaged. A 46-year-old man was shot to death there a month ago. Neighborhood Scout labeled it as low-income, and there are 19 registered sex offenders living within a 5-block radius of Salem Lutheran Church. Rev. Liv Larson Andrews, however, doesn't see it …

It's been a long and difficult conversation. For two decades the Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ tabled the gay issue. Should homosexuals be welcomed into the church? Should they be allowed to marry? Participate? Be ordained? Until last year no one could agree. Rev. Linda Crowe, of Veradale …

Today is Epiphany, but what is it? It seems the only thing left of Epiphany is the 12 days of Christmas song. It is the last day of Christmas, which few of us even know. The day was meant to commemorate when the three wise men encountered the baby Jesus …

Hi Karin, Is it logical to believe in miracles or extraordinary stories in the Bible? For instance, when I say I believe in miracles, it is because it would appear that whatever just happened can’t be explained by man. But then sometimes I wonder if it hasn’t been explained because …