Camels Used in Payback Prank at Alabama Church
In Huntsville, a prankster preacher facing years of disguise and voice gags at Whitesburg Baptist Church finds his comeuppance when a one humped Arabian camel named Joe joins a Sunday episode. Rev Dick Thomassian, associate pastor for missions, has long teased church members with jokes and hidden surprises.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Huntsville
Ala
Whitesburg Baptist Church
Dick Thomassian
Joe
Thomassian
Missions
Church Plans Live Camel Gift For Pastors Anniversary
Rev. Jimmy Jackson and conspirators plot a live camel surprise for Thomassian on his 30th anniversary of service at Whitesburg chapel. A 6 foot tall rental camel arrives as 1,500 spectators look on while two youth interns and a cam el handler escort a mock Arab procession and a shaggy year-old camel follows.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jimmy Jackson
Thomassian
Cullman
Whitesburg Chapel
Joe
Jackson
Reflections on a life of care and devotion
A heartfelt tribute to a mother and wife, Charlotte, detailing her love for family and community. The piece recalls her flowers, crafts, home, and church involvement, her nurturing presence, and the deep loss felt by her children and husband Eugene. It closes with a reflection on faith and mourning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mother Charlotte
Eugene
New Castle
Weingartner’s
Ralph’s
Medical Center
St. Mary’s
God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit
Inclusive language in hymnals sparks church debate
Chicago reports on the United Church of Christ and other denominations revising hymnals for gender and disability respect. Changes include calling God by inclusive terms, removing military language, and translating classic hymns into multilingual versions, with mixed reactions from clergy and congregants.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Americas
America
United Church of Christ
Charles Ford
UCC
First Congregational
Boylston
Mass
Jeffrey Radford
Trinity United Church of Christ
Clyde
Jesus
Christian Church
Disciples of Christ
Hymn Revisions Cut Gendered Language in Hymnals
The United Church of Christ revises classic hymns to reflect inclusive language. Editors note changes to patriots, oceans, and God’s pronouns while preserving poetry, with scholars weighing impact on tradition and accessibility.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United Church of Christ
America
David Polk
Chalice
God
Mission Possible in China to Help Homeless Children
Jeff and Carol Book recount the 1990 moment that inspired their mission to aid Chinese orphans. They adopted and fostered children in Chengdu and Kunming, faced harsh conditions and tragedies, and built a care network for vulnerable kids amid widespread poverty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jeff
Carol Book
Amy
Guangzhou
China
Carol
America
Kunming
Yunnan
Centennial Celebration at Mahoning Presbyterian Church
The Mahoning Presbyterian Church in Mahoning Township marks 100 years in the same building with an 11 am Sunday service on Struthers New Castle Road. The history traces origins to 1798 with ties to Psalmody and Associate Presbyterians, led by Rev. James Duncan, and notes growth to 138 members by 1896 with a $600 pastor salary and a 43 member Young People Society.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mahoning Presbyterian Church
Mahoning Township
Struthers-New Castle Road
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Youngstown
New Castle
Bible Psalmody Presbyterian Church
Associate Presbyterian
Associate Reformed Presbyterian
James Duncan
Mahoning
Little Beaver
Bethel
Brushy Run
Darlington
America
Associate Church
Duncan
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ann Sha
Los Los
Bs Baptist
Martin Cozza
Lutheran Church In America
Moravian Church In
Polk
Martin Marty
University of Chicago
Children of
Jeff Book
Nanjing University
Hong Kong
Carol Parenti
Valley Forge Christian Academy
States
Chengdu
Sichuan
Pu Shumei
Shu
Carol, Amy and
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!