Spotlight’s Off, But Reading’s Challenges Remain

A 1947 topographic map of the Reading, Pennsylvania area. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The journey to tell a television Christmas story in poverty-stricken Reading began two summers ago in holiday-decorated Hope Lutheran Church on North Front Street.

A national TV audience, estimated at more than 1.4 million homes, observed the 2012 Christmas Eve broadcast of “One Christmas Story: People Rich in Spirit,” a production of Odyssey Networks, a New York-based multifaith media coalition.

It was a story designed to depict Reading’s hope and faith amid economic challenges. At the time, it sparked energy and excitement.

But, one year later, at Christmas 2013, many of the city’s social challenges remain unchanged.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article/20131222/NEWS/312229955/1052#.UrbPPPRDsxI

Lutherans Elect Presiding Bishop In Pittsburgh Vote

Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of Cleveland has been elected presiding bishop of the 4 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

On the fifth ballot she defeated 12-year incumbent Bishop Mark Hanson 600-287.

Both are considered centrists in a denomination that lost 500,000 members after a 2009 decision to permit partnered gay clergy.

She is the first female presiding bishop in the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/lutherans-still-searching-for-a-presiding-bishop-699257/#ixzz2c002xG00

Lutherans Fail To Re-Elect Presiding Bishop On First Ballot

20px Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bishop Mark Hanson 20px Biskup Luterańskiego Kościoła Ewangelickiego w Ameryce, Marek Hanson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson fell short of the required votes to be re-elected on the first ballot as head of the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination.

Bishop Hanson garnered 440 of the 877 valid ballots cast during a meeting in Pittsburgh today of the 4-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Although it was nearly 400 more votes than the runner-up, it fell short of the 75 percent needed to elect on the first ballot.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/lutherans-fail-to-re-elect-presiding-bishop-on-first-ballot-699156/#ixzz2bs4tWndv