Jimmy Carter Still Has Impact on Church

 As the United States mourns former President Jimmy Carter, who died last month at the age of 100, church leaders are  being challenged about the ministry they provide to seniors in their congregation and beyond, the Christian Today website reports  today (Jan. 12, 2025). 

Carter, who died in December, was still teaching Sunday School at his church in Plains, Georgia, into his nineties. He was a high--profile example of how older Christians can live fulfilled lives, serving God and helping others find faith. 

Carter's ministry and mission stand in contrast to many churches where their outreach and activities are focused on younger people and families. 

Now, Christian charity "Faith in Later Life" has produced a challenging 10--point qiestiommaire for church  leaders asking "Is your church faith in later life friendly?" It is designed for use by church committees, diaconates, and other leadershp groups across denominations. Although produced in the UK, it is relevant for churches across the world. 

Key questions include: How often does your church offer activities,  programs, or services specifically aimed at older people? Does your church proactively provide love and pastoral care tailored to the unique needs of older people in your community?  Does your church actively help older people in your community find and explore faith through evangelism?

Alexandra Drew, chief executive officer of Faith in Later Life, describes herself as "passionate and experienced in inspiring and equipping people for opportunities and challenges of later life, and in helping them know Jesus more deeply or for the first time." 

More than 9,000 Structures Destroyed or Damaged in Calif. Fires; at Least 10 People Killed

 Officials said today (Jan. 10, 2025) that more than 9,000 homes, businesses, and other buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the Palisides and Eaton fires , the Los Angeles Times website reports. 

Around 5,300 of these structures were destroyed in the Palisades fire, while another 4,000 to 5,000 structures were estimated to be damaged or destroyed in the Eaton fire burning in the Altadena area. 

If accurate, the estimate would place the firestorm among the worst in Los Angeles history in terms of property damage. 

At least 10 people have died in the fires, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner . At least four deaths have been connected to the Eaton fire, and one death to the Palisades fire, in Malibu.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he had approved of some 8,000 troops of the Calif. National Guard to assist with traffic control, infrastructure protection, and looting deterrence for both the Eaton and Palisades fires. 

Massive Earthquake Hits Sacred Buddhist City in Tibet

 The earthquake occurred in Dingri County , Shigatse City, in China's Tibet region on Jan. 7 around 9:05 a.m., Beijing Time, the Christian Post website reports today (Jan. 8, 2025). 

Shigatse is regarded as the seat of the Panchen Lama, a spiritual leader and the second--highest authority in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. 

In a statement, the Dalai Lama, who lives in self--imposed exile in India, said he was "saddened" to learn about the earthquake and expressed compassion to people impacted by the tragedy. 

"It has caused the tragic loss of many lives, numerous injuries, and extensive destruction to homes and property," he said.  "I offer my prayers for those who lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured."

The earthquake is believed to have killed at least 126 people and injured 188 others.  

Higher Social Security Payments Coming for Millions of People

President Joe Biden on Jan. 5, 2025 signed into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former employees , affecting nearly 3 million people who receive pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public service jobs, the AP website reports today (Jan. 6, 2025). 

Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades--old disparity, though it will also put a strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis. 

The bill rescinds two provisions -- the Windfall Elimination Provision and t he Government Pension Offset -- that limit Social Security benefits for recipients if they get rertirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programs from a state or local government. 

"The bill I'm signing today is about a simple proposition : Americans who have worked hard all their life to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity -- that's the entire purpose of t he Social Security system," Biden said during a signing ceremony in the White House East Room.  

Biden was joined by labor leaders, retirement advocates, and Democratic and Republican lawmakers. 

Pope Francis Offers Condolences to Victims of New Orleans Massacre

 Pope Francis has sent a telegram offering his condolences over the deaths of at least 15 people who were killed during a terrorist attack in New Orleans, the Catholic Herald website reports today (Jan. 4, 2025).

The  January 2 telegram states that the pope is " deeply saddened to learn of t he loss of life and injury caused by  the attack that took place ln New Orleans."

The pope also gave his blessing to all those imputed by the attack, offering "a pledge of peace and strength in the Lord." 

On January 1, in the early hours of New Year's Day, a suspect identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pick--up truck around barriers and into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year before jumping out of his vehicle and opening fire on bystanders, killing at least 15 and injuring dozens of others

Jabbar, who had recently declared loyalty to ISIS, was killed in a police shootout that followed the attack. Two police officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire with Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran. 

The FBI declared the incident to be an act of terrorism --  police found an ISIS flag in the attacker's vehicle -- and said Jabbar was likely not "solely responsible" for the attack.

Pope Starts New Year with Call for Peace and Justice

 In his message for World Day of Peace on January 1, the pope lamented the "devastation" seen in much of the earth and "the conflicts that presently plague our human family," the Christian Today website reports today (Jan. 3, 2025). 

Pope Francis said that certain challenges were causing "havoc" in the world , including "the inhuman treatment meted out to migrants, environmental decay, the confusion willfully created by disinformation, the refusal to engage in any form of dialogue, and the immense resources spent on the industry of war." 

"All these, taken together, represent a threat to the existence of humanity as a whole," he said. 

"At the beginning of this year, then, we desire to heed the plea of suffering humankind in order to feel called, together and as individuals, to break the bonds of injustice to proclaim God's justice. 

Terrorist Truck Driver Kills 15, Wounds Dozens, Slamming into New Orleans New Year's Eve Crowd

A U.S.Army veteran driving a pickup truck that bore the flag of the Islamic State group wrought carnage on New Orleans' raucous New Year's celebration, killing 15 people as he steered around a police blockade and slammed into revelers before being shot dead by police, the AP website reports today (Jan. 1, 2025). 

The FBI said it is investigating the attack as a terrorist act and does not believe the driver acted alone. Investigators found guns and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device in the vehicle along with other devices elsewhere in the city's famed French Quarter.

President Joe Biden said this evening that the FBI found videos that the driver had posted to social media hours before the attack in which he said  he was inspired by the Islamic State group and expressed a desire to kill. 

The rampage turned festive Bourbon Srtreet into a macabre mayhem of maimed victims, bloodied bodies, and pedestrians fleeing for safety inside nightclubs and restaurants. In addition to the dead, dozens of people were wounded. 

Zion Parsons, 18, of Gulfport, Mississippi, said he saw the truck "barreling through, throwing people like in a movie scene, throwing people into the air." 

"Bodies, bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming  and hollering," said Parsons, whose friend Nikyra Dedeaux was among the people killed. 

"This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil," New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. 

The FBI identified the driver as Shamsud--Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas, and said it is working to determine his potential associations with terrorist organizations. 

"We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible," FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan said at a news conference.