Religion briefs 2/8/03

Jackson church begins rehearsals for pageant

First Baptist Church in Jackson has begun its rehearsals for its upcoming Easter pageant.

The production "Freedom" will be presented April 9 to 13 at the church.

Ticket information and performance times will be announced later.

Guest speaker at New McKendree Methodist

Jeanie Leeper, director of Matthew 25 Ministries of Morgan County, Mo., will be the guest speaker during worship service this weekend at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson. Services are at 5 p.m. today and at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Matthew 25 Ministries works with people in the county to provide transportation, medical care and nursing visits. It is supported by the denomination's board of global ministries.

Jackson church plans to be host for parish mission

Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson will hold a parish mission service Sunday through Wednesday. There are both morning and evening sessions. Morning sessions are at 9 a.m. and evening sessions begin at 7 p.m.

The theme is "Dare to live the gospel," and will be presented by Peggy and Brian Casey of Good News Ministries in Seattle.

Natural family planning class planned at church

The Couple to Couple League of Southeast Missouri will begin a series of four, two-hour training session on natural family planning. The courses begin at 4 p.m. Sunday and will be held in the conference room at Immaculate Conception Church. For information, phone Ted or Angie Grieshop at 243-9109.

Disaster relief training to be offered in Cape

Disaster relief training through the Cape Baptist Association is being offered from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 28 in Cape Girardeau; March 7 in Caruthersville; March 21 in Poplar Bluff and April 4 in Farmington.

The classes will cover an introduction to disaster relief in the Southern Baptist Convention and a Red Cross introduction to disaster relief.

There will be specific training dates March 22 in Poplar Bluff and May 3 in Benton.

Women's conference comes to Bible chapel

Cape Bible Chapel is inviting Christian author Nancy Guthrie for a seminar Feb. 15 at the church.

Guthrie will teach lessons from the book of Job during the all-day seminar. Sessions are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is $15 and includes a box lunch if payment is made by Monday. For information, call the church office at 334-5948 or mail your ticket request to Cape Bible Chapel; 2911 Kage Road; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

Women's retreat planned for March

The women at Hanover Lutheran Church will have a one-day retreat from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 1 at Drury Lodge.

The theme is "I'm Held by Your Love" and will include keynote speaker Dr. Myrna L. Etheridge of Sikeston and music by Robyn Hosp and Straight Street.

Etheridge holds degrees in biology and divinity and has written books about living free from genetic diseases. She lost both her sons to cystic fibrosis.

Cost for the retreat is $16.50 per person and includes a luncheon. Registration deadline is Monday. Contact Pat Renner at 3124 Laurel Lane in Cape Girardeau or phone 334-1673 for more information.

New Beginning gospel quartet to perform

New Beginning Southern Gospel quartet will be in concert at 4p.m. Feb. 16 at Sedgewickville Baptist Church.

Lesbian Methodist clergy avoids trial

SEATTLE -- A ruling by an appeals committee within the United Methodist Church will allow a lesbian pastor to avoid a church trial and pave the way for her return to ministry.

The Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals upheld a decision by a regional board to dismiss a complaint against the Rev. Karen Dammann. She was accused of violating church law that bars gays who are sexually active from being ordained.

The ruling came in a 4-3 vote Jan. 30.

The Rev. Jeff Procter-Murphy of Phoenix, a member of the appeals committee, said church law on gays encouraged duplicity and was "morally and theologically untenable."

He said that Dammann was open with her superiors about her relationship and shouldn't be punished for that.

-- From staff, wire reports