News Of The Day – August 5th
Hundreds Arrested At Faith Driven Rally
Several Episcopal clergy and lay leaders were among more than 200 demonstrators who were arrested and detained in Washington, D.C., while rallying with the Poor People’s Campaign in favor of legislation that would benefit disenfranchised voters and low-income Americans. The event was organized by Rev William Barber II and Rev Liz Theoharis. It featured speakers like Rev Jesse Jackson and Luci Baines Johnson, former president Lyndon B. Johnson’s daughter. Read more about the rally here.
Pastor Donates Kidney To Church Member
When Jack Coultas, pastor of Park Grove Christian Church in Deepwater, found out that church member Jeremy Whitman, 36, was in desperate need of a new kidney due to diabetes, he was hoping to become a donor. Wanting to live out 1 John 3:16-17, Coultas said, “I just felt like the responsible thing to do as a Christian was to see if I could be a candidate. I could not think of any reason not to.” When the pastor came back as a match, he immediately donated his kidney adding, everyone should love like Jesus. Read more about this generous gift here.
Leader Of Burned Church Offers Forgiveness To Arsonist
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in the Canadian city of Surrey, British Columbia, was destroyed in a recent arson attack. The church is another casualty in a string of arson attacks on Canadian churches in recent months. The attacks follow the discovery of unmarked graves of nearly 1,000 indigenous children on the lands of church and state-run residential schools. Yet despite seeing his church go up in flames, Steven Faltas, a board member, shared that he forgives whoever is behind the arson attack. Read more about the arson here.
84 Year Old England Farmer Becomes YouTube Star
An 84-year-old former farmer has become a YouTube hit with his soothing words and gentle wisdom helping people cope with anxiety during the pandemic. John Butler, who in the 1970s was one of the first organic farmers, has practiced meditation throughout his life. Aged 79, he began to post YouTube videos sharing his own philosophical take on life. Mr. Butler, who is from Bakewell in Derbyshire can often be seen, usually alone, cycling his three-wheeler bike. His fans from around the world have posted such comments as: “I want this guy to read me bedtime stories.” and, “His voice sounds like a warm glass of milk”. Read more about this unusual star here.
