Faith and Values

15,000 hear Dalai Lama speak in Louisville

Cheryl Truman and Lexington Herald Leader — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:46:53 +0000

Exiled Tibetan leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner the Dalai Lama came to Louisville on Sunday for the first time since 1994, bringing his distinctive message of compassion not just for all humans but for other species. He blessed a Buddhist community center and then spoke to about 15,000 people at the Yum Center. The Dalai Lama was introduced by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, who praised his moral clarity and trademark raucous laugh, which were in evidence often during the speech and question-and-answer session that followed. Read more...

Family Foundation challenges instant racing in state Supreme Court

Janet Patton and Lexington Herald Leader — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:59:49 +0000

The Family Foundation has filed response briefs with the Kentucky Supreme Court laying out its argument for allowing discovery in the instant racing case. In January, the high court agreed to review a ruling by the state Court of Appeals that would send the instant racing lawsuit back to Franklin Circuit Court. The Franklin court ruled in 2011 that historical wagering, a form of electronic gambling on anonymous old horse races, is legal and pari-mutuel even though it resembles a slot machine. Slots are not legal in Kentucky. But the conservative Family Foundation, which challenged the legality, appealed and argued it was not allowed to pursue questions about how the games actually work. Read more...

Public Events Anticipate Dalai Lama's Kentucky Visit

Louisville Public Media — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:35:53 +0000

In anticipation for the Dalai Lama's visit next week, Louisville is offering several events centered around compassion. Below are several events open to the public (some include tickets) throughout the next week. Read more...

Prayers Offered in Downtown Lexington

Stu Johnson — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:17:21 +0000

The 62^nd National Day of Prayer was celebrated in communities all across Kentucky today. A small crowd gathered in Lexington’s Phoenix Park during the noon hour. A variety of public prayers were offered for first responders, educators, reporters, government officials and families. Organizer David Fultz of the Church of the Savior says the event focuses on more than an hour in a downtown park.

Reunited Members of a Congolese Family

Stu Johnson — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:45:33 +0000

After 15 years of uncertainty, two Congolese sisters who live in central Kentucky have rediscovered their father. The Bluegrass Red Cross Chapter played a role in reuniting the African family. In 1998, a military conflict in Congo resulted in a family tragedy for Sifa and Marie Ndusha. Masked Militia members invaded their home and killed their mother as the sisters and their siblings watched.

Clinton After Segregation: A Small Southern Town’s Struggle With The Past

Christine Jessel and WUOT News — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:35:40 +0000

In 1957, Bobby Cain was the first black graduate of a court-ordered desegregated public school in the South. “When people start talking about things that have happened in civil rights, they talk about Little Rock and other areas and for some unknown reason they have not spoken about Clinton,” he says. There were 700 white students registered at Clinton High School when Cain started his then-senior year. Cain was one of twelve black students. “We were greeted with a throng of people there saying certain things; things we probably didn’t wish to hear,” he remembers.

Report Says Early Vaccines Not a Risk for Autism

Stu Johnson — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:06:20 +0000

Kentucky’s state epidemiologist hopes a just released report on vaccinations and autism eases many parents concerns. The study included in the latest Journal of Pediatrics shows no connection between vaccines early in a child’s life and the development of autism. Dr. Craig Humbaugh says there are certain risks to putting off recommended childhood vaccinations.

Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper' Comes Alive

Stu Johnson, WEKU and Stu Johnson, WEKU — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:50:51 +0000

One of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings comes to life the next couple of days in a Versailles church. It’s a play called ‘The Living Lord’s Supper.’ Director Linda Roscoe says actors depicting Jesus and his disciples take a turn in front of the table. “They drop pose and they step out of the painting. So, many of them get up from the table, come around to the front of the table and then they tell how they came to know Christ and their relationship with him and some of the other disciples sitting at the table,” said Roscoe.

Religious Freedom Bill Emerges

Philip Bailey, Kentucky Public Radio — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:58:03 +0000

In a sweeping bipartisan vote, both chambers of the General Assembly overturned Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear’s veto of the controversial religious freedom bill. Earlier this week, the House Democratic caucus met behind closed doors to hold a secret ballot, which ultimately favored bringing the measure back to the House floor. After a half hour of debate, the House rejected the gubernatorial veto by an overwhelming 79-15 margin. Supporters of the legislation affirmed it does not undermine anyone’s civil rights protections, and only safeguards First Amendment rights.

Bishop Says Don't Expect Doctrinal Changes

Stu Johnson, WEKU and Stu Johnson, WEKU — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:37:25 +0000

The naming of a new Pope this week brings with it questions about how he will lead the Catholic Church. Bishop Ronald Gainer, head of the Diocese of Lexington, doesn’t look for any change in doctrinal teachings. He says issues like the ordination of women, allowing priests to marry, or contraception are not up for debate.

Congelese Community Keeps Growing

Stu Johnson — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:38:26 +0000

As refugees flee the civil war in Syria, few will probably settle in the Commonwealth. Barbara Kleine with Kentucky Refugee Ministries says many displaced Syrians still remain within that nation’s borders. “There are just multiple layers of security checks before people are admitted to the U.S. and that can takes months up to years really. So right now, there is no process in place that is processing Syrian refugees who are outside the country,” said Kleine.

Pope Benedict XVI's Resignation Surprises Kentuckians

Joseph Lord and Kentucky Public Radio — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:00:37 +0000

The bells toll. The noon mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville happens every Monday, and the stream of people walking into the doors showed no signs that something significant had happened within the Roman Catholic Church just hours before. Pope Benedict XVI had announced that he was retiring on Feb. 28, citing his health and age. He's the first to resign in more than 600 years; the first to willfully do it since the 1200s.

Tickets to Hear Dalai Lama on Sale Wednesday

Joseph Lord and Kentucky Public Radio — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:02:10 +0000

Tickets to hear the Dalai Lama speak in May in Louisville go on sale Wednesday morning. The Buddhist leader and Nobel laureate will speak on May 19-20 at the KFC Yum Center in an event called Engaging Compassion, focusing on "how an individual can engage with compassion from within his or her own religious tradition in order to build world peace from the local level to the world community," according to a news release from the KFC Yum Center. The Monday talk will be a two-part public Buddhist teaching called "Attisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment."

Family Cemetery Locations

Stu Johnson — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:43:06 +0000

A major is effort underway to map small cemeteries in Fayette County. So far, researchers with the Lexington Public Library have mapped just half an estimated 200 graveyards. Head Librarian Virginia McClure says rural cemeteries, some with 15 to 20 headstones, are often found in walled-off areas of the county.

Bells Toll in Downtown Lexington

Stu Johnson — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:42:41 +0000

At 9:30 this morning, people across the country paused for a moment to reflect on last Friday’s massacre at a Connecticut school. In downtown Lexington, WEKU’S Stu Johnson listened while a church bell tolled. Just prior to 9:30, Lauren Maat walked along Short Street. She says the murders of 26 people in a Newtown elementary school have been a topic of conversation for her and her friends. “Yes, a lot of my friends have talked about it. Unfortunately, it has been more about the political side of things, gun control, and that sort of thing, but definitely talking about it, yes,” said Maat.

The Ichthus Run Comes to an End

Stu Johnson — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:16:24 +0000

The wording at the top of the web page simply reads ‘Ichthus Ministries closes its doors after 42 years.’ The message popped up on the internet Saturday. It means that apparently the long running Christian Music Festival has run its course. Since 2006 the organization based in Wilmore has faced significant financial challenges. Those included declining attendance, mounting debt, market changes, and adverse weather conditions.

First Female Bishop from Kentucky

Stu Johnson, WEKU and Stu Johnson, WEKU — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:42:01 +0000

A Kentucky woman is making history in her new position as a church leader in Alabama. The Reverend Debbie Wallace Padgett is making her mark on history in a couple ways. This fall the Eastern Kentucky native became the first female Methodist Bishop in Alabama. Padgett is also the first woman from Kentucky elected to such a position. She believes ministerial opportunities for women are growing all the time.

A Glimpse of 'Living on the Margins'

Stu Johnson — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 01:49:01 +0000

Lexington’s Nathaniel United Methodist Mission is inviting citizens to take a ‘journey’ through downtown Saturday morning. The event is designed to give participants a feel for those living ‘on the margins.’ It’s called ‘The Journey’ and it begins with an early breakfast at the De Roode Street Mission. From there, people will be invited to travel the route of many area homeless.

Linking Spirituality with Mental Health

Stu Johnson, WEKU — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:00:01 +0000

At some point in their lives, the World Health Organization says more than a third of people report some kind of mental disorder. The care and treatment of a mental illness includes the use of ever improving medications and intense counseling. Some counselors believe ‘spirituality’ can impact mental health.

Historic Church Preserves Stop on Underground Railroad

Riley Guttman, WEKU News — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 10:00:00 +0000

At the Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lexington, Reverend Troy Thomas uses history as an inspirational guide for his congregation. Before the Civil War, the church was a stop on the Underground Railroad, and helped many slaves travel the last leg of their journey to freedom.

Shelter Claims Religious Rights Violated

Stu Johnson, WEKU — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:48:18 +0000

Hoping to keep it operating, officials with a homeless shelter in Lexington have filed a suit in circuit court. The city’s Board of Adjustment last month revoked a permit to operate the Community Inn on Winchester road facility. It ruled the shelter is not operating under the conditions imposed when it opened more than a year ago. Ginny Ramsey, who founded the Community Inn, rejects the argument.

Bill's Eye: Cousin Julian

Bill Goodman, Kentucky Educational Television — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 10:37:34 +0000

One of the best pieces of career and life advice I ever received came from my cousin Julian Goodman, a journalist and former president of NBC, who died July 2 at his home in Florida. He told me to go home.

Financial Update at Ichthus

Stu Johnson, WEKU — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:38:37 +0000

Financial challenges for the country’s longest running Christian music festival haven’t slowed preparation for the summertime event. The 43^rd Ichthus festival will be bustling outside Wilmore this time next week. But, there were concerns soon after last year’s festival that debt problems could silence the music. Ichthus C-E-O Mark Vermillion says a ‘quick fix’ is not expected. “We really believe it’s gonna be a couple of year process to get out of some of the debt..that we’ve had over the past couple of years…and we really don’t know fully how ticket sales are gonna line up,” said Vermillion.

Ichthus Plans for Now and Later

Stu Johnson, WEKU — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:22:45 +0000

Despite some initial doubt, organizers of the nation’s oldest contemporary Christian music festival are preparing for another show this summer. Work continues on plans for this summer and for the future. Officials have looked into selling the 111 acre farm property, but it hasn't panned out. Finances still have Ichthus officials worried,so they're giving thought to the construction of additional facilities. Then, C-E-O Mark Vermillion says they could open up the property so other events could be staged there.

Oneida Institute's Diverse Student Body

Stu Johnson, WEKU — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:00:01 +0000

Increasing diversity has helped improve the education at a southeast Kentucky boarding school. In 1900, Oneida Baptist Institute opened its doors in Clay County. Today, Institute President Bud Underwood says about a quarter of their student population comes from countries outside the United States. Underwood says those international students motivate American-born students to work harder.

Ark Property in Place

Stu Johnson, WEKU — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:24:49 +0000

The ‘Ark Encounter’ project in northern Kentucky ebbs and flows with the economy. Plans call for the construction near Williamsburg, Kentucky of a theme park based on the bible story of Noah’s Ark. Ark Encounter Senior Vice President Mike Zovath says the company closed this week on the last piece of land needed for the 800 acre park.

Author Eric Metaxas on Dietrich Bonhoeffer

John Hingsbergen — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

The author of an acclaimed biography of German theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke during the Chatauqua lecture series at Eastern Kentucky University Thursday January 19th.

Church-College Discussion in Georgetown

Dan Adkins, Georgetown News-Graphic — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:26:32 +0000

A conference will attract 60 to 70 Christian college professors, pastors and students to Georgetown College next week to discuss tensions between churches and Christian institutions of higher education, organizer Roger Ward said. “Christian Life and Witness: From the Academy to the Church” will feature Oxford University professor Paul Fiddes and Yale University professor Nicholas Wolterstorff in the two-day event, which starts Monday, Jan. 23, and continues through Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Lexington's Martin Luther King Junior Observance

Stu Johnson, WEKU — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:43:50 +0000

Recognition of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Junior often brings with it reflection of the past and optimism for the future. Both were experienced in downtown Lexington Monday. Gwendalin Cowan was one of the estimated 14 hundred participants at the annual Unity Breakfast. She says paying homage to Reverend King each year is important, but his message calls for a day to day commitment.

Martin Luther King Junior Observance

Stu Johnson, WEKU — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:26:17 +0000

A number of events are scheduled in communities all across Kentucky in recognition of the Martin Luther King Junior holiday. In Lexington this morning, the annual unity breakfast will be followed by the march through downtown and a formal program at Heritage Hall. This afternoon, the Lyric’s ‘Little Dress for Lexington’ community service project will take place the Lyric Theater. The aim is to inspire and bring hope to underprivileged young ladies in the community.