GENEVA The World Council of Churches will help deliver Christmas messages and prayers of peace to the biblical birthplace of Jesus.

BEIRUT, Lebanon One of Lebanon's sole remaining synagogues was set to get a restoration that has the rare blessing of all the factions in this divided country - even that of the anti-Israeli Hezbollah. But the global financial crisis has scuttled the effort for now, leaving the Magen Abraham chained, padlocked, badly damaged and rife with weeds.

Voices of faith: What aspect of your faith do you find most difficult to explain?

NEW YORK The theologically conservative Diocese of Fort Worth voted Saturday to split from the liberal-leaning Episcopal Church, the fourth traditional diocese to do so in a long-running debate over the Bible, gay relationships and other issues.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Ted Haggard may have revealed during recent sermons at an Illinois church that he was sexually abused as a child, but he's not revealing whether his appearance hints at a desire to return to the pulpit permanently.

UNITED NATIONS President George W. Bush said Thursday that faith changed his life long ago and has sustained him through the challenges of his presidency.

Supporters of gay marriage, frustrated over a ballot-box defeat in California, have channeled much of their anger toward the towering white spires of Mormon temples.

WASHINGTON A series of violent attacks on Christians in India calls for a "strong and urgent American response," a broad group of U.S. Christian leaders urged President Bush in a letter.

WASHINGTON It's no surprise to Steve Lowe that being an atheist is considered taboo.

GRAPEVINE, Texas Marriage is the only right place for sex, says Ed Young, senior pastor of the Grapevine, Texas-based Fellowship Church.

Voices of faith: Many religions claim to be the one true religion. Is there one true religion?

MINNEAPOLIS Ian is a Christian who says he is highly spiritual but not at all religious.

WASHINGTON It's no surprise to Steve Lowe that being an atheist is considered taboo.

BALTIMORE U.S. Roman Catholic bishops, meeting a week after the election, are re-examining how they explain church teaching after President-elect Obama, who supports abortion rights, won a majority of Catholic votes.

WASHINGTON A monumental controversy may force Supreme Court conservatives to choose between veterans and public piety.

NEW YORK A third theologically conservative diocese has broken away from the liberal Episcopal Church in a long-running dispute over the Bible, gay relationships and other issues.

The series of weekend conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses being held at Toyota Center in Kennewick this summer continues today and Sunday. The convention is in Spanish.

Lutheran Church of the Master in Pasco is planning a night of ice cream and fellowship Thursday at the park near Maya Angelou Elementary School at 6001 Road 84.

Several events are planned at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kennewick through Thursday as part of Parish Mission Week.

HERMISTON -- The Christian women's club Time Out will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Pheasant Cafe banquet room in Hermiston.

A garage sale and bake sale to raise money for mission work in Haiti is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 15-16 at 6514 W. Ninth Place, Kennewick.

Riverview United Methodist Church in Pasco will hold beach parties from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 17.

Cathedral of Joy in Richland is holding the 2008 "No Hungry Child" Golf Tournament on Aug. 17 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course.