GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) The murder of 35-year-old Mashonda Griffin in her home last year was a blow to her fellow church members -- especially when they learned one of the people charged in her death was a former parishioner whom Griffin had helped in the past.
Griffin's death -- an apparent botched robbery that landed the two suspects in prison with life terms -- filled her pastor with anguish.
"It pretty much was the biggest thing I faced as a pastor," the Rev. James Stokes said of the woman, who had been a member of Stokes'…

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Gay marriage seems to be all over the news, especially here in WDC, where a bill to legalize gay marriage seems all but inevitable (vote is set for Dec. 1). WaPo profiles Bishops Harry Jackson, a black megachurch pastor who is intent on stopping gay marriage in the District, even though he actually lives in Maryland. And while we're on the gay topic, Catholic bishops were told yesterday that there is no reliable link between gay priests and pedophilia.

Speaking of Washington, WaPo is also reporting that…

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RNS BIBLE BEE c—(RNS3-NOV9) National Bible Bee contestant Jessica Hofmeister of Warsaw, Ill., hesitates in reciting long passages from the Bible at the National Bible Bee competition on Friday (Nov. 6), held at the JW Marriott hotel in Washington. For use with RNS-BIBLE-BEE, transmitted Nov. 9, 2009. Religion News Service photo by Nick Kirkpatrick. See related story See more Religion News photos

 
Orthodox priest who worked with Muslims gunned down
 
UAE to allow female muftis
 
New archbishop meets with disaffected Catholics
 
Conservatives vow resistance on abortion, gay marriage
 
Christian colleges get into the swing
 
Anglican leader, in Rome, optimistic on ecumenical strains
 
Paper denies editor’s complaint about attending Unification wedding
 
Hand-written Bible up for sale on eBay
 
Lutheran dissidents say new church body in the works
 
As Haggard returns, questions linger
 
Does sexual frustration fuel Islamic violence?
 
In Mo. schools, ancient calendar at center of debate
 
COMMENTARY: Hitler’s dead. Let’s keep it that way.
 
Americans take dim view of funding Muslim charities
 
Atheist group crowns winner of blasphemy contest
 
N.J. student sues over abortion protest
 
Gay groups praise report on gay priests and sexual abuse
 
Tumultuous times fuel end-times preparations
 
10 minutes with … Shepard Fairey
 
COMMENTARY: The upside-down economics of health care reform
 
British judge rules in favor of spiritualist officer
 
Report: 14.6 million American households at risk of `food insecurity’
 
Intel denies reports about closing Jerusalem facility
 
At 100, pastor slows down but keeps on preaching
 
COMMENTARY: Like it never happened
 
Will flu epidemic slow the Hajj?
 
Catholic bishops claim moral authority amidst widespread `confusion’
 
Russians warn of damaged church ties over woman’s election
 
Newcomers top annual list of influential Jews
 
Alamo sentenced to 175 years in prison
 
Catholic bishops mull ways to fight abortion, gay marriage
 
Ministry helps wounded pastors stay in the pulpit
 
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HOLIDAY ADVISORY
Editors: Religion News Service will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving. Regular service will resume on Monday, Dec. 30.

Christian colleges get into the swing
(RNS) Swing dancing is the hottest thing on Christian college campuses these days, even at schools that have long looked down, or even banned, "social dancing." Angela Abbamonte explores why young evangelicals are turning to 80-year-old music, and what makes them want to swing in a 750-word story that will include photos.

Islam’s warrior prophet shrouded by myth, devotion
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (RNS) Whether you see him as a "demon-possessed pedophile," as one Baptist preacher put it, or as "a mercy for all creation," as described in the Quran, Islam's Prophet Muhammad remains one of the most polarizing figures in human history. Kevin Eckstrom talks to Omid Safi of the University of North Carolina about his new biography of Muhammad. 850 words. With photos.

10 minutes with Leigh Anne Tuohy
LOS ANGELES (RNS) Lilly Fowler talks with Leigh Anne Tuohy, the Texas Christian woman whose adoption of a homeless black teenager is the real-life story behind Sandra Bullock's new film, "The Blind Side." About 750 words. With photo.

Think you don’t know Yiddish? Oy vey!
(RNS) Joanna Corman looks at a new survey about the use and popularity of Yiddish words and phrases in common American conversations, and finds that the dying language holds surprising affection among people who don't often realize just how widespread it is. About 700 words.