Christie Storm
Stories by Christie
Caring for your NEIGHBOR
posted: 06/15/2013 4:31 a.m. Discuss
A team from the Dwelling Place church in Fayetteville will be in Moore, Okla., today, as they have been each week since an EF5 tornado decimated the town.
Southern Baptists hit by drop in membership
posted: 06/08/2013 4:50 a.m. Comments 39
LifeWay Christian Resources issued a sobering report Wednesday on the Southern Baptist Convention, days before members of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination gather for their annual meeting in Houston next week.
Sisters in grief
posted: 05/25/2013 4:28 a.m. Discuss
The joy of the Easter season was shattered for the nuns of St. Scholastica Monastery as three of their fellow sisters died during a three-day period early last month.
150 years of ministry
posted: 05/18/2013 4:53 a.m. Discuss
Seventh-day Adventists will commemorate the church’s 150th anniversary today, not with a festive party, but with prayer and reflection. After all, it’s a bittersweet occasion, not necessarily a time for celebration.
Author: Dining brings sacred to the table
posted: 05/11/2013 4:38 a.m. Discuss
For author Shauna Niequist, the sacred isn’t confined to church. It can be found everywhere, including at the dinner table.
Universal path
posted: 05/04/2013 4:17 a.m. Discuss
Churches in Arkansas are participating in World Labyrinth Day today and inviting the public to learn about the spiritual practice.
Spirited revival
posted: 04/27/2013 4:19 a.m. Discuss
In many ways the story of First Christian Church in Little Rock mirrors that of mainline Protestant churches across the country.
Author Evans to speak in Fort Smith
posted: 04/20/2013 4:18 a.m. Comment 1
Growing up in an evangelical church, Rachel Held Evans heard much about living up to the standards of “biblical womanhood.” The teachings often led to discussions about a woman’s appropriate role in life.
Author pushes working for common good
posted: 04/13/2013 4:33 a.m. Discuss
During the height of last year’s election battle, longtime social activist Jim Wallis walked away from the political maelstrom and went on sabbatical.
Back from the AFTERLIFE?
posted: 04/06/2013 4:23 a.m. Discuss
It seems readers can’t get enough when it comes to tales of near-death experiences. Books on the topic have topped best-seller lists, with pastors, everyday people, children and even a neurosurgeon claiming to have glimpsed the afterlife.
Sun to rise on Easter service’s 25th year
posted: 03/30/2013 4:12 a.m. Discuss
In years past, worshippers gathering for the Easter sunrise service at Riverfront Park have bundled up in frigid, sometimes rainy, conditions. Organizers of this year’s Community Easter Sunrise Service are praying for a bright, clear dawn for the 25th annual gathering.
A tale of two Easters
posted: 03/23/2013 3:51 a.m. Discuss
As Christians around the world anticipate the arrival of Easter a week from Sunday, Orthodox Christians have just begun the Lenten season. Their celebration of Easter will take place five weeks later — on May 5.
LR church has affinity for St. Patrick
posted: 03/16/2013 4:18 a.m. Discuss
St. Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with shamrocks and green beer for many, but the day has a spiritual significance at St. Edward Catholic Church in Little Rock.
Pick as pontiff source of cheer for Arkansans
posted: 03/14/2013 3:44 a.m. Discuss
Arkansas Catholics celebrated Wednesday afternoon over the naming of the first Latin American pope.
Holy ground
posted: 03/09/2013 4:34 a.m. Discuss
Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Gyuto Tantric Monastery in India will participate in a groundbreaking ceremony today at the Land of Infinite Bliss Retreat Center in Madison County.
Ferncliff given $1.65 million in grants
posted: 03/09/2013 4:31 a.m. Discuss
Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center has been awarded two challenge grants totaling $1.65 million to help finance improvements.
Leader to speak on justice
posted: 03/09/2013 4:28 a.m. Discuss
A South African anti-apartheid leader will speak on “radical reconciliation” today and Sunday at New Millennium Church in Little Rock.
Picture this
posted: 03/02/2013 4:28 a.m. Discuss
When he’s not preaching, the Rev. Rodney Steele more than likely can be found exploring the wilds of Arkansas through the viewfinder of a camera.
A house divided
posted: 02/16/2013 4:20 a.m. Discuss
The enactment of Act 67, which lifted the ban on concealed weapons in churches, has congregations around the state debating what to do. Some see the law as a way to protect their flocks, while others see no place for guns in a house of worship.
Arkansans understanding of Benedict XVI’s decision
posted: 02/12/2013 4:41 a.m. Discuss
The surprising resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was the talk of the day at Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers on Monday morning.
Oasis OF PEACE
posted: 02/09/2013 4:11 a.m. Discuss
The silence when entering the Arkansas House of Prayer on the grounds of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock is all encompassing. Only the muffled chirp of birds outside or an occasional plane soaring high overhead can be heard.
Dobson’s Fatherless a grim look ahead
posted: 02/09/2013 4:10 a.m. Discuss
In the dystopian world depicted in the new novel Fatherless, America is on the verge of demographic and moral collapse.
Just the right note
posted: 02/02/2013 4:37 a.m. Discuss
Despite the dominance in contemporary worship of praise bands with their electric and acoustic guitars and drums, the pipe organ endures.
New Year of the Trees
posted: 01/26/2013 4:18 a.m. Discuss
Members of Temple Shalom of Northwest Arkansas will celebrate Tu B’Shevat today with a fruit-filled seder. Less common than the Passover seder, this one has roots in the mystical traditions of Judaism.
Man on a mission
posted: 01/19/2013 2:26 a.m. Discuss
Doug Sarver’s Twitter handle is @missionman2818. It’s an apt description for a man who logged 123,000 air miles last year on mission journeys around the world.
Mom takes Day of Prayer to Washington
posted: 01/12/2013 2:44 a.m. Discuss
Fourteen years ago, Mom’s Day of Prayer was held at a single church in Fort Smith. A group of women gathered at East Side Baptist Church to pray for their children and the children in the community.
Bringing baptism home
posted: 01/05/2013 4:49 a.m. Discuss
January is a busy month for the Rev. Nicholas Verdaris. The priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock has a flock of more than 200 parishioners and many are expecting home visits during the Epiphany season.
Joel Osteen tour to visit NLR on March 15
posted: 12/22/2012 2:27 a.m. Discuss
Joel Osteen, the pastor of the nation’s largest church, will hold “A Night of Hope” at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock on March 15.
12 days of Christmas
posted: 12/22/2012 2:26 a.m. Discuss
After the gifts are opened on Tuesday and the day winds to a close, Christmas will be over for many. The tree will come down and the decorations will be put away as thoughts turn to the new year ahead.
Curtains, angels, ACTION
posted: 12/15/2012 2:41 a.m. Discuss
The curtain angels are back at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock. A fixture at the annual Christmas pageant for 54 years, the angels and the rest of the cast were missing last year, as was the pageant.
Author finds Christian themes in Hobbit
posted: 12/15/2012 2:36 a.m. Discuss
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world of The Hobbit there are no churches, no Bible, no God. On the surface, the mythical realm of Middle-Earth seems a land devoid of religion.
Baptists get new director
posted: 12/15/2012 2:23 a.m. Discuss
Longtime Arkansas pastor J.D. “Sonny” Tucker was elected executive director-treasurer of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention this month by the organization’s executive board.
Turning pages
posted: 12/08/2012 4:25 a.m. Discuss
In the past 40 years, hundreds of thousands of books have passed through the doors at Hillspeak.
Hanukkah mixes Jewish history, faith
posted: 12/08/2012 4:18 a.m. Discuss
The menorah is a well-known symbol of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, but the latke has also become a holiday staple. The fried potato pancakes are featured snacks during the eight-day celebration, which begins at sundown today.
Latkes from scratch are Hanukkah staple
posted: 12/08/2012 4:15 a.m. Discuss
Latke recipes vary and each family has its own tradition, but for Cindy Flynn, made-from-scratch potato pancakes are the best.
Advent season anticipates birth, return
posted: 12/01/2012 2:35 a.m. Discuss
For Christians who follow the liturgical seasons of the church, Advent marks the beginning of a new year. It’s a season of music and ritual suffused with a building sense of anticipation as Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s birth near.
Methodists work to wipe out malaria
posted: 11/24/2012 3:22 a.m. Discuss
Arkansas United Methodists are investing in the fight against malaria in a big way — with a $1 million fundraising goal.
Pastor writes of faith ‘fundamorphosis’
posted: 11/17/2012 3:22 a.m. Discuss
Like a caterpillar gradually changing into a butterfly, Robb Ryerse also underwent a transformation, shedding his fundamentalist background for a new way of being Christian.
We gather together
posted: 11/17/2012 3:21 a.m. Discuss
Before friends and family celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday with turkey and possibly football, some Arkansas worshippers will be attending special ecumenical and interfaith gatherings to celebrate the holiday.
State tourism basks in museum’s glow
posted: 11/11/2012 4:14 a.m. Discuss
Since opening last year, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville has put Arkansas on the map in a big way.
Day is done
posted: 11/10/2012 4:07 a.m. Discuss
In the low light of the nave, the night service of compline at Little Rock’s Christ Episcopal Church begins with the chanting of prayers and Psalms. Soon, the voices of the choir rise in song, filling the darkened space with music.
Neighbor alters law on pistols
posted: 11/01/2012 5:34 a.m. Comment 1
Starting today, people with concealed-handgun permits in Oklahoma will be able to carry their firearms in the open in most public places.
Arkansas heritage agency buys Devil’s Eyebrow acres
posted: 10/31/2012 4:39 a.m. Discuss
The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission on Tuesday approved the purchase of 1,375 acres in Benton County known as the Devil’s Eyebrow.
UA fair offers glimpse at services for disabled
posted: 10/26/2012 5:14 a.m. Discuss
Students at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and community members learned about resources for the disable, as well as volunteer opportunities during a Disability Resource Fair on Thursday.
Priest goes the distance to help students
posted: 10/20/2012 3:24 a.m. Discuss
Father John Antony didn’t set out to be a marathon runner. The 43-year-old Catholic priest always enjoyed running as a student but never took it seriously. That changed three years ago when he began running as a way to raise money to help students in need.
Cannon’s boom fills air as 1862 battle replays
posted: 10/14/2012 3:50 a.m. Discuss
Eight-year-old Keeli Brown joined a small crowd, some with fingers in their ears, at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park to watch history in action Saturday morning.
‘Unaffiliated’ ranks hit 20% in survey
posted: 10/13/2012 2:57 a.m. Discuss
The percentage of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has risen to just under 20 percent, according to a report released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life.
Two churches roll out for bikers
posted: 09/27/2012 4:38 a.m. Discuss
Located on the corner of Dickson Street and College Avenue, First Baptist Church of Fayetteville is in the middle of the action during Bikes, Blues and BBQ, the annual motorcycle festival that started Wednesday.
Eureka’s ‘Passion Play’ on verge of closing
posted: 09/26/2012 2:07 a.m. Comments 11
The Great Passion Play, the long-running outdoor drama in Eureka Springs, will close after its season ends in late October unless the nonprofit receives financial help, its executive director said Tuesday.
Nature Conservancy buys Beaver Lake acres
posted: 09/21/2012 4:46 a.m. Discuss
The Nature Conservancy of Arkansas has purchased almost 2,000 acres of woodland on the north side of Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas, including 3 miles of undeveloped shoreline along the lake, for $3.9 million.
