Yes, I really am four, soon to be five, installments behind on the news headlines coverage. So here goes one and we will see if we can get caught up.
The Presbyterian-related news for early September was dominated by the Scottish Independence Referendum and the place of the Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland in that debate. I mention this only as reminder since I dealt with that in its own piece at the time. But stay tuned because the IndyRef decision was not for the status quo but for restructuring the relationships within the United Kingdom, a task that is only beginning.
In other news…
In a tragic accident in Chicago
Chicago woman killed by gargoyle falling from landmark Second Presbyterian Church – from The Washington Post
Second Presbyterian Church Being Check Out; Family Files Wrongful Death Suit – from Sloopin Blog
The network of Arizona sanctuary churches expands to Tempe
Churches Offer Sanctuary to Immigrants in Danger of Deportation – from The Wall Street Journal
In the Church of Scotland the departure of pastors and parts of congregations continue:
Tarbert group of 94 quits the Church of Scotland – from BBC News
Statement on congregation departure in Tarbert – from Church of Scotland
Gay Inclusiveness Costs Church of Scotland Clergy – from EDGE Media
Church of Scotland [presbytery] moderator intervenes over gay minister row – STV
In Malawi, the Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP comes out against the political proposal for an independent North Malawi/Nyika Republic as being politically motivated and having left the people out of the process.
LIVINGSTONIA SYNOD BLAST THE CALL FOR THE FORMATION OF NYIKA REPUBLIC – from Face of Malawi
Livingstonia Synod clarify stand on North Malawi independence – from Nyasa Times
The death of Northern Ireland political and religious leader Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley:
Ian Paisley, the Dr No of Ulster politics, dies aged 88 – from The Guardian
Ian Paisley – obituary from The Economist
In the mould of an Old Testament prophet, Paisley founded his own church – from The Irish Times
And a milestone anniversary for a church in Dover, Delaware, that was planted by America’s original presbytery
Dover’s Presbyterian Church celebrates 300 years of service – from Dover Post
Now, on to the second half of the month.