Roundup: Drinking and Christians, El Paso prayer vigil, sisters’ memory, global reunion and more

Our end-of-the-week review of important and/or simply interesting headlines from the world of religion. Got a tip for this column? Email Editor-in-Chief Bobby Ross Jr. at [email protected]

From the editor

I don’t drink.

I grew up in a household where my parents didn’t drink.

Increasingly, though, I encounter fellow Christians who do drink alcohol — stressing that they do so in moderation and arguing that the Bible teaches against drunkenness (such as Galatians 5:21), not drinking per se.

“Americans who attend religious services weekly are less likely than others to drink alcohol, reflecting the centuries-old connection in American history between religion and the perceived immorality of drinking,” Frank Newport, a Gallup social scientist, noted in a column earlier this month.

I’d be interested in hearing from Christian Chronicle readers on this topic. Please email me at [email protected]. Be sure to include your home congregation, city and state (or country) in case I decide to quote you in a future story.

From our pages

• 22 white balloons, ‘Amazing Grace’ and a little hope: After the El Paso massacre, one Mexican-American grandmother turned to God for answers and comfort. I interviewed Monica Moreno, a member of the Montwood Church of Christ in that Texas border city.

• Churches honor memory of sisters killed in wreck: “I have truly been blessed that God let me have them for these last 18 years,” says Christy Payne, mother of Ella and Aranza Payne, who died. Younger sister Sarah, who was injured, is improving. Erik Tryggestad reports the latest.

• Third Culture Kids find a sense of ‘home’ at annual Global Reunion: Missionary and military families who have lived overseas came together to learn cross-cultural transition skills, as Chellie Ison reports.

Recommended links

• California’s new law says police can use lethal force only when ‘necessary’: NPR spoke with California assembly member Shirley Weber, author of a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that updates standards for police use of deadly force. Read a 2017 Chronicle interview with Weber on how she “wants Christians pursuing elected office to stand for their beliefs from day one.”

• York College graduates 12 from Nebraska Correctional for Women: “Ladies, I’m proud of you! This is a monumental day!” said Scott Frakes, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. The story was reported by the York News-Times. Read a Chronicle feature on the program from earlier this year.

• Amber Guyger appears in court ahead of September murder trial for killing Botham Jean: The Dallas Morning News covered the hearing. If you missed it, read my Chronicle interview with Jean’s parents.

More religion news

• ‘VeggieTales’ is coming back: Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber discussed the latest in interviews with Religion News Service, as I noted in a post at GetReligion.org.

• Josh Hamilton returns to Texas Rangers for induction into team’s Hall of Fame, and faith is key: A decade ago, “The Unbelievable Josh Hamilton” was one of the biggest stars in baseball — with one of the most amazing, complex stories. The real-life tale of Hamilton was full of major-league demons linked to his battle with drug and alcohol addiction.

Finally, I keep learning new things about my wife of 29 years

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