Religious leaders weigh in on same-sex couples as parents

From the La Cañada Valley Sun CNN recently aired a documentary titled "Gary and Tony Have a Baby," where CNN's Soledad O'Brien followed a same-sex couple in "their struggle against the legal and personal obstacles to become parents" and their quest to achieve a life as mainstream as possible. How do you feel about gay couples having a family? Should they be allowed to adopt and be foster parents? What if you had a gay member of your family and they decided to have a baby through adoption, surrogacy or sperm donor? How would you react to it? ... Continue reading: Same-sex couples as parents

New archbishop for Los Angeles announced

[caption id="attachment_14673" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Archbishop Jose H. Gomez"][/caption] Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of San Antonio as coadjutor archbishop of Los Angeles. The appointment was announced Tuesday in Washington, D.C. As coadjutor, Archbishop Gomez, 58, will become head of the three-county Archdiocese of Los Angeles upon Cardinal Roger Mahony's retirement at age 75 on Feb. 27, 2011. A Mass of reception for Archbishop Gomez is scheduled for May 26. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest in the nation, serving some 5 million Catholics. Glendale is home to three Catholic parishes; La Crescenta, Montrose and La Cañada each have one parish.

Interim role turns permanent

From the La Cañada Valley Sun: The Rev. Clifford L. “Skip” Lindeman was formally installed as pastor and teacher of La Cañada Congregational Church during a special service Sunday afternoon, marking the end of Lindeman’s seven-year tenure as the church’s interim pastor. Moments before services were scheduled to begin, Lindeman was found in the church’s Fireside Room, talking with colleagues. Asked what going through his mind seconds before entering the sanctuary, Lindeman said: “I am relieved and very grateful. I am grateful for the love of the people of this church.” La Cañada Congregational Church Moderator Priscilla Garcia began the service with a statement that seemed to echo what was on everyone’s minds: “Thank you for joining us on this very special day, one that we have been waiting for, for seven-and-a-half-years,” she said, as the congregation laughed. ...Continue Reading: Interim role turns permanent

Glendale Chamber to honor Quintero, Lindsay

  Dawn Lindsay, interim superintendent/president of Glendale Community College, and Mayor Frank Quintero were chosen as man and woman of the year by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. They are scheduled to be honored at a luncheon on March 25. Lindsay came to Glendale Community College in 2007, serving as vice president of instructional services. She has served as interim president/superintendent since taking over for Audrey Levy in July 2009. Quintero became mayor after winning re-election on the City Council last year.

GCC Debate Team takes awards

The Glendale Community College Debate Team competed at Concordia University in Irvine this past weekend. Among the winners: Bronze (third place) medal winners:  Ashley Givens, David Szabo, Ristin Drewy and Gevorg Goulian; gold (first place) medal winners: Tara Keshishian and Jennifer Propper Individual speaker awards: Fifth place: Jung Min "James" Park; fourth place: Jennifer Propper; third place: Tara Keshishian; second place: Gevorg Goulian.

VCA Animal Hospitals offers free boarding

VCA Animal Hospital facilities located near the northeastern Los Angeles areas of La Crescenta, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge and Altadena are offering free boarding for animals whose families are being evacuated or displaced from their homes as a result of the current rainstorms. “For the more than 1,200 residents facing mandatory evacuations or potential loss of their homes, VCA is committed to help by providing free boarding for their pets so they can focus their efforts on managing personal and family issues,” said Art Antin, chief operating officer of VCA Animal Hospitals. “VCA wants everyone affected to know that during this difficult time, they have this free boarding option to keep their pets safe.” Boarding assistance for pets is based on space availability at participating hospitals. Owners can call their local VCA in advance to ensure that the facility has space.

Religious leaders look back at the last decade

As the first decade of the 21st century comes to a close, we ask our In Theory writers this week: For you, what has been the most memorable experience of these first 10 years of the 2000s? What advice can you share with our readers to make this new year and decade a prosperous one? Here is a sample of what they had to say. Catch their complete responses in this week’s editions of the La Canada Valley Sun, Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader. Rev. Kimberlie Zakarian: “I cannot believe the first decade of the 21st century is coming to a close. My belief is to live our lives, not perfectly, but to contemplate what we can do to be history makers. What legacy can we leave behind?” Rev. Amy Pringle: “Remember the old ‘Star Trek’ series, and how it always seemed to end with some cheesy Capt. Kirk speech about how the human spirit can’t be defeated, no matter how overwhelming the odds? I thought it was as silly as the idea that you could flip open a little box and talk to someone through it. This decade has proven me wrong, on both points.” Rev. Skip Lindeman: “For me, the most significant thing that happened was the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. We are still feeling the effects of that attack, whether we’re flying on an airplane or staying at home.” Rev. Jon Barta: “My most memorable experience in terms of “shock value” was the terror attack of Sept. 11, 2001. But there are many more quiet, personal experiences that affected my life in a more dramatic way.” Graham Bothwell: “We should not underestimate the role of prayerful spiritual thinking in ensuring a progressive and balanced future for humanity, where social, political, economic, and environmental conditions are peaceful, satisfying, and sound.” Rabbi Simcha Backman: “Once the final decade of the 20th century had come to a close, we had seen many extraordinary events that provided cause for great optimism … I hate to sound negative, but now that we have lived through this first decade of the 21st century, I must admit the sad truth that I was wrong.” Rev. Bryan Griem: “… Where darkness lurks and evil plots, flowers continue to bloom and love still makes its sporadic appearance.”

Is selling grades teaching kids the wrong things?

A teacher in North Carolina was recently fired for introducing a fundraising program at school that involved selling grades to students for $10 each. For $10, one extra grade would be added to a test. If you gave $20, you would get two extra points on two tests throughout the year. This allowed students to go from a C to a B, or a B to an A. However, the state's Department of Public Instruction disagrees, saying that “exchanging grades for money teaches students the wrong lessons.” We asked our writers what they think about this. Is selling grades a bona fide way of raising funds for a school, or are we teaching kids that money can buy you anything in life — even grades? Here is a sample of what they had to say: Rev. Richard Albarano: "Money and earning money is a most important part of living life in our age. It is not a bad thing; it is a good thing. However, it is earned always through hard work, whether intellectual or servile. It is a means to an end: a reasonably comfortable life." Bishop Fred L. Carpenter: "Schools should teach children correct principals. Selling grades does not do this, even if the fundraising is for a good cause. In fact, if the principal’s rationale for approving the program is correct, then the children were being motivated by a false premise — that the donations would have a positive effect on their final grades." Rev. Jeri Linn: "A good grade needs to be earned by study, doing well on the tests, good attendance and participation in class. Perhaps, other fund raising projects, other than selling candy, can be done by the school to raise funds." Rabbi Simcha Backman: "Offering points for money — even if its disguised as a 'fundraiser' — sends a poor message to students and will only serve to further exacerbate the sad state of our educational system." Rev. Bryan Griem: "This is much ado about nothing, and I do not see it as a moral/spiritual issue. In fact, if my kid told me he could up his grade by participating in such a school fundraiser, I’d say, 'Great. Wash the car, mow the lawn and clean the garage, and the $20 will be on the table at breakfast.'" Pastor Jon Barta: "Schools exist to educate children, not to get money. Students attend to get an education, not to get grades. Yes, schools need money to stay open that they might educate children. But awarding grades for donated money creates a never-ending cycle of futility. 'Give us money to get a grade' means that the school hasn’t educated and the students haven’t learned." Pastor Paige Eaves: "Though the cash-for-grades scheme was terrible, Principal Shepherd’s motives were good. So let’s step back from her blunder and look at the bigger picture. Sharing is not just kindergarten good manners, it’s good public policy, and it’s what God has asked us to do." Rev. Kimberlie Zakarian: "Instant gratification and taking matters into our own hands are not teaching the moral standards we need to learn — whether we are Christian or not. A middle school in North Carolina failing to make their quota in chocolate sales, and then deciding to add 10 points to the student’s grades if they donate $20, does not teach a work ethic, is unfair to the students who do study hard, and is unethical — period." Rev. Skip Lindeman: "A middle school in North Carolina is not a Las Vegas show; you can’t pay your way to the front of the class. I can’t believe what a no-brainer this is." Rev. Beverly Craig: "Providing students with an escape route for what must be earned is unethical and a travesty.  Principal Shepherd obviously didn’t think through the future ramifications of her decision. This is definitely not a bona fide method of fund raising. Bringing students’ grades into the arena of fund raising is like mixing oil with water."

St. Finbar Catholic Church to purchase property at 2600 W. Olive Ave. in Burbank

St. Finbar Catholic Church in Burbank this weekend announced its plans to buy office property at 2600 W. Olive Ave. in Burbank. The announcement was made by the Rev. Albert Bahhuth, pastor of St. Finbar's Church, in a letter to parishioners on the church website. The purchase is part of the parish's development plan called "Building on the Keystone," the largest construction project at the church since 1950 when the original church was built. According to the church's website, "This plan is designed to provide the resource space and facilities needed to meet our mission and accommodate our community's continuing growth" "I’ve had numerous prayerful and practical consultations with our Pastoral, Finance and Ministry Leaders Councils, in order to explore the concept of purchasing this property," said Bahhuth. "I believe this decision has resulted in a very smart financial move for our long-term facility operation and parish plan." Read the Rev. Albert Bahhuth's letter to parishioners >>>

Does worshiping online offer true spiritual fulfillment?

A recent CNN.com article reported that a growing number of Christians worldwide are migrating from worshiping in the chapel to worshiping on the computer. But can worshiping via a computer offer true spiritual fulfillment? Here is a sample of what our In Theory writers had to say: Pastor Skip Lindeman: While “convenience” is a good reason to worship via computer, and while helping the infirm to connect with their church and church family is a good reason to worship via computer, I believe the community has to come together literally to be the church. Rabbi Simcha Backman: The Internet gives us an exciting tool for positive advancement in ways never before possible. But despite its great value, this technology cannot take the place of human interaction, and therefore should only serve as a bridge on the road to traditional religious practice. Pastor Jon Barta: Online technology can enhance, but never replace, the in-person, physical nature of gathering together with other believers to worship the Lord. It’s better than nothing, but never as good as the real thing. Compare belonging to a church with marriage: Would online contact be enough? Probably not. Being in someone’s physical presence is better than just being with them in spirit. Rev. Bryan Griem: It’s wonderful that the immobile can avail themselves of sermons and psalms even when they can’t actually attend services, but how sad to imagine them living devoid of human contact, having only an isolated life of the mind, coldly viewing digital media rather than warmly participating. Bishop Fred L. Carpenter: To me, the Internet does not replace churches or congregations. Rather, it assists churches and congregations in reaching out to individuals and touching their lives. Congregations provide religious experiences that may be difficult to duplicate on an individual basis. The task of each congregation is to be truly Christian, both in name in action.