Clergy

These are difficult times for military families. When a loved one is deployed, some family members attend church or synagogue. They pray for strength. They seek counsel. Public opinion has shifted since 9/11. We are in an election year. So it is no surprise that many people, including some in the clergy, feel “called” to speak out. There is a long tradition of activist clergy. From Martin Luther to Martin Luther King; from Moshe Rabbeinu to Abraham Joshua Heschel; priests, rabbis and ministers have a history of speaking out, of speaking truth to power.

Pope Benedict XVI is under increasing pressure to directly address the sex scandals rocking the Catholic Church worldwide. Questions have been raised about the actions of Benedict while he was archbishop of Munich. The latest reports from Europe are from Italy, where three men say they were abused as boys at a Catholic school for the deaf. “To the Point,” a news program on 89.9 KCRW, posed these questions: Is this a smear campaign, as the Vatican claims, or is it time for the pope to explain his actions, in the interests of restoring his dwindling credibility?

A recent op-ed piece published in the New York Times states that American clergy are burning out as they try to meet their congregations' demands for more lighthearted messages. Is it possible for the clergy to tailor their sermons to congregations hungry for a comforting, entertaining message, or is there no room to do so without sacrificing the tenets of their faith? Do you find such challenges as you preach to your flock every Sunday?   So far, combining the serious religious stuff with the humorous has not been a problem for me. However, I must admit that when I decided to go into the ministry at age 60, a college friend had a hard time believing I was sincere!

Kiwanis invites clergy to meeting The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada hosted local 10 local clergypeople for its Clergy Recognition Day on Sept. 5, at a luncheon meeting at Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens. Dr. Charles Broberg introduced the clergy with each giving a brief description of their church, their activities and interests. Clergy attending the meeting were: the Rev. Kevin Kester, St. Bede the Venerable Church; Dr. Chuck Osburn, the Rev. Jim Milley and the Rev. Kristen Leucht, La Cañada Presbyterian Church; Father Hovsep Hagopian and Vahan Alladadi, Parish Council Chairmen, Armenian Apostolic Church; the Rev. Skip Lindeman, Church of the Lighted Window; the Rev. Bruce Johnson, Lutheran Church of the Foothills; Bishop David Garrett, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, La Canada I Ward; and Burnett Facer, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, La Canada II Ward.

Q. Stress among clergy is a little-noticed but growing problem in the U.S. According to reports, priests and pastors suffer from rates of obesity, diabetes, depression and hypertension at greater levels than the average American, as well as higher usage of antidepressants. Part of the blame for this is being put on the pressure to be successful, such as increasing congregation size, dealing with, and increasing, church finances, and general administration. Studies have also found that clergy don't — or feel they can't — take vacations because of the pressures and duties that come with their role.

Steve Blackwelder of Dana Point finds it interesting that, in the same issue of the Valley Sun, a story about flyers being distributed alerting residents to a sex offender living in the area is placed adjacent to an article about theologians and students cheering the newly elected pope. He suggests that because the Catholic Church has its share of molesters and pedophiles it might be a good idea, out of fairness to the 1989 sex offender living in our midst, to make sure the flyers are distributed around the Catholic Church as well as the neighborhood.

Citywide food, supply drive La Cañada Elementary Junior Girl Scout Troop 8901 coordinated a citywide food and supply drive to support the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House. There were so many donations the Ronald McDonald food storage facility was packed The girls would like to send out a huge ?thank you? to the residents of La Cañada for all their generous support. ? 10 Commandments Hike is Jan. 31 The ?10 Commandments Hike? from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 31 is a symbolic event to help enrich Scouts in understanding the importance of reverence, honor to God and respect for the belief of others.

A recent op-ed piece published in the New York Times states that American clergy are burning out as they try to meet their congregations' demands for more lighthearted messages. Is it possible for the clergy to tailor their sermons to congregations hungry for a comforting, entertaining message, or is there no room to do so without sacrificing the tenets of their faith? Do you find such challenges as you preach to your flock every Sunday?   So far, combining the serious religious stuff with the humorous has not been a problem for me. However, I must admit that when I decided to go into the ministry at age 60, a college friend had a hard time believing I was sincere!

Pope Benedict XVI is under increasing pressure to directly address the sex scandals rocking the Catholic Church worldwide. Questions have been raised about the actions of Benedict while he was archbishop of Munich. The latest reports from Europe are from Italy, where three men say they were abused as boys at a Catholic school for the deaf. “To the Point,” a news program on 89.9 KCRW, posed these questions: Is this a smear campaign, as the Vatican claims, or is it time for the pope to explain his actions, in the interests of restoring his dwindling credibility?

These are difficult times for military families. When a loved one is deployed, some family members attend church or synagogue. They pray for strength. They seek counsel. Public opinion has shifted since 9/11. We are in an election year. So it is no surprise that many people, including some in the clergy, feel “called” to speak out. There is a long tradition of activist clergy. From Martin Luther to Martin Luther King; from Moshe Rabbeinu to Abraham Joshua Heschel; priests, rabbis and ministers have a history of speaking out, of speaking truth to power.