RNS National Correspondent Daniel Burke writes in Tuesday’s RNS report that the Senate is expected to vote on stem-cell research today: The Senate is expected to vote on three stem-cell related bills late Tuesday (July 18). Two of the bills are expected to be swiftly approved by the House of Representatives and President Bush. The third, however, which would expand federal funding for research using human embryonic stem cells, has been condemned by religious groups, including conservative evangelicals and the Roman Catholic Church. Although the House has already approved that legislation, President Bush has vowed to veto the bill.
In other news on Capitol Hill today, Peter Sachs reports that the House has rejected a gay marriage amendment: The House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage Tuesday (July 18), following hours of fiery debate. Although the amendment garnered 236 votes, it fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for passage. Had it passed, the amendment would have added a definition of marriage as between one man and one woman to the Constitution. Closely watched by religious conservatives, many political analysts considered the amendment vote a Republican strategy to galvanize voters ahead of the November elections.
Catherine O’Donnell looks at the Lilly Endowment’s “Transition-Into-Ministry Program,” which is helping the next generation of ministers: When Amanda Adams was growing up, she considered a number of professions: doctor, nurse, writer, teacher, psychologist and bareback rider. She eventually became a Presbyterian minister because it includes all the things she wants. Adams and two other young ministers arrived at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, Mich., last September, committed to two-year residencies. They’re part of the Transition-Into-Ministry Program funded by the Lilly Endowment. An Indianapolis nonprofit focusing on education, religion and community development, Lilly in 1999 began a number of pilot programs to help young ministers move from seminary to full-time pastorates. Transition-Into-Ministry has been part of Lilly’s larger effort to improve preparation of pastoral leaders. The foundation has invested $38 million in the program and made grants to 31 institutions.
