Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A pastor described by the Christian Reformed Church as its first U.S. woman to be ordained as a minister has been named chaplain of Calvin College.

The Grand Rapids-based church says 39-year-old Mary Hulst will begin her duties in June. She replaces Dale Cooper, who retired in 2007 after 30 years as chaplain of the private, CRC-affiliated college.

"I love college students. I love Calvin College. And I love Jesus," Hulst said. "For me, chaplain seems like the perfect mix." more >>

With the help of local celebrities, a Detroit radio station held the country’s largest single-day radiothon last week and raised more than $2.2 million for The Salvation Army.

For 16 hours, Detroit’s legendary radio host Dick Purtan joined with celebrity guest callers including comedian/actor Tim Allen, actor/musician Jeff Daniels, comedian Kathleen Madigan, NBC weatherman Al Roker and others to raise funds through Detroit’s WOMC-FM (Oldies 104.3).

“This radiothon is one of the most successful fundraisers The Salvation Army runs anywhere in the country,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. “The success of this event is a sign of hope that Americans will always respond to help each other in the face of adversity, as is the case during this recent economic downturn which has hit Michigan particularly hard.” more >>

Two TV stations have pulled from their lineup a television special on the "homosexual agenda" that they deemed too "controversial."

WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Mich., and WSYX-TV in Columbus, Ohio, both canceled the paid television program "Speechless...Silencing the Christians," produced by the American Family Association, after gay rights activists "bombarded" the stations with protesting calls and e-mails.

AFA founder and chairman Donald E. Wildmon has accused the stations of bowing down to the demands of a handful of homosexual activists. more >>

A denominational leader said pastors, teachers and liturgists need to address the issue of suffering in the world and among those sitting in the pews as they plan worship services.

Christians need to be aware of suffering in the world and seek justice for those who are hurting, said the Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), at the Calvin Symposium on Worship in Grand Rapids, Mich. earlier this month.

Suffering and finding solutions to it should be a central part of prayers, sermons and songs that occur in churches every week, he contended. more >>

Faith leaders in Greater Detroit launched a national lobbying campaign this week to urge members of Congress to back loans for the city’s Big Three auto manufacturers.

Reaching out to their denominations’ members, the dozen interfaith leaders hope that their nationwide network will add strength to their call for Congress to pass the auto bailout bill that is expected to be between $15 billion to $25 billion.

“Some of us have larger, national denominations and we can contact those members of Congress who are straddling the fence,” said Bishop Charles Ellis of Greater Grace Temple in Detroit to The Detroit News. more >>

Americans throughout the nation will celebrate Veterans Day today in honor of members of the U.S. armed forces who sacrificed their lives to defend their country.

In Jefferson City, Mo., St. Peters Catholic Church will hold an early morning Veterans Day Service, with mass offered for those men and women who died in service to the United States of America.

In Uniontown, Pa., Liberty Baptist Church will plant an American flag for every member of the armed forces who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. more >>