For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 Overcoming Self-defeat Why do some of us give up on our dreams, while others simply see defeat as an opportunity for growth? We throw in the towel, assuming the […]

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and other proponents of school voucher programs are praising a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said a Lutheran church was wrongly denied a state grant for its preschool playground. But opponents say the ruling is far from an endorsement of the use of public money for religious schools. The court, by […]

WISCASSET St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St., Wiscasset, will be holding a series of 3 suppers, the proceeds of which will be applied to the Steeple Fund matching grant. The first supper, spaghetti, will take place July 17. It will be followed by a bean and casserole supper on July 31 and the final supper […]

BRUNSWICK A “Gala Bike Roundup” will be held on July 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at two Brunswick churches — Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 336 Maine St. and St. Charles Borromeo Church at 132 McKeen St. This event, suggested by Catholic Charities, the primary provider for resettlement services to refugees in Maine, will […]

Faith Notes Guest column I’ve never fired a gun or drawn a sword but I assure you, I mother like a warrior. Our eldest son got married at the tender age of 20. The wedding itself was a glorious celebration of God’s faithfulness and provision. My son’s bride is every bit his match. She is […]

On behalf of the Diocese of Portland, I wish to offer our support to the Islamic Society of Portland, Imam El Harith Mohamed, and all those affected by the recent threat of violence against this religious community. A threat against one faith is a threat against all who value religious freedom, enshrined in the First […]

ORR’S ISLAND — On Sunday, June 25, Rev. Katharine Babson will preside over the service Sunday at All Saint’s Chapel, located at 9 Cooper Lane, off Harpswell Islands Road/Route 24 on Orr’s Island. Services take place at the church at 9 a.m. Sundays, through Sept. 24. For more information about the church and its services, […]

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis is offering 460,000 euros (more than $500,000) in aid for South Sudan to help finance two hospitals, a school and farm equipment. Francis had hoped to visit South Sudan in October to draw attention to the plight of its people faced with starvation and civil war, but called off the trip […]

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19:14 Children’s Day When I was growing up in the Baptist church, one Sunday in June was always celebrated as Children’s Day, a day when the […]

Islamic leaders are questioning Virginia detectives’ insistence that the beating death of a teenage Muslim girl appears to have been a case of road rage, saying the attack looks all too much like a hate crime. Nabra Hassanen, 17, was bludgeoned with a baseball bat early Sunday by a motorist who drove up to about […]