Faith

 The church hires its first full-time education director to focus on working with youth.

Rabbi Yossi Feintuch said he believes that science is "Judaism's ally" and can be used to help interpret the Torah. Pastor John Baker said he believes the Bible should be seen as a book of books, where each one is different and has a different function.

More than 100 people gathered Sunday at Congregation Beth Shalom to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

About 100 people celebrated the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish eight-day festival of lights, during a gathering at Congregation Beth Shalom on Sunday.

The telling of the story is called a cardboard testimony. Members of churches leave their pews and step up in front of the congregation long enough to show fellow churchgoers part of their lives. On the first side, written out big and bold for all to see, is a struggle, trial or sin that person has battled with. Flip it over, and the sign shows where the person is today. And the person giving the testimony credits his or her new life to changes brought by a relationship with Christ.

The party will collect toys, books and games for charity. A $6 chartiable donation will be accepted at the door for entrance into the party. Children under the age of 5 can enter for free.

At Fairview United Methodist Church's "Little Bethlehem," visitors can talk to the gatekeeper and the innkeeper before arriving at a stable, where they meet Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

A number of churches in Columbia, including those in the Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian traditions, celebrate Advent with special services, prayers, hymns, decorations and other activities during the four weeks leading up to Christmas.

After a year and a half in the U.S., a missionary and his wife return to his native country of Brazil.

At one Missouri church, the pastors enjoy taking text-message questions from the congregation during sermons and weaving the answers into the message as they talk.

Religious tattoo sites pepper the Internet, and Christian tattoo shops are opening across the country.

Four Columbia women opened a store downtown to offer alternative retail shopping, but a trip to Uganda changed the way they saw their position.

While the Bible has been recreated and repackaged innumerable times, publishers of the newest editions are using some distinctly unique formats to capture the attention of readers.

Kristine Key, who said she is a devout Seventh-day Adventist who is active in her church, received an invitation to teach at the Islamic School and couldn't say no. She teaches kindergarten homeroom, fifth-grade science and communication arts at the school.

As the jazzy notes of "When the Saints Go Marching In" played, youngsters dressed as saints came down the aisles, as the celebration of a special day got under way.

For some young Christian voters, the best option for the presidential election may be to write in their own candidate.  At the very least, they’re thinking outside the box — the one the label “evangelical” has put them in.

While houses of worship don't endorse political candidates in election cycles, they often publish guides for congregants to use before heading to the voting booth.

On Saturday, First Baptist Church is celebrating its 185th anniversary with a day of service and dedication of the Annie Fisher Food Pantry in the area of Blind Boone Community Center.

In the midst of controversy and contempt, the people of Columbia became proactive in their search for commonality, understanding, and conversation that would build the bridge between divergent views of religion and politics.