News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Acts of Faith: 2002

June 21, 2002 Sher Stoneman [/assets/story/image_buynow.comp]
Mormon missionaries Ariane Tronsen, 22, center, and Melissa Fukumitsu, 21, pedal away after visiting Louise Mason, also a Mormon, in Chapel Hill. The two young women, both serving 18 months as missionaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are among 70 such missionaries currently in the Triangle. They spend about 60 hours a week proselytizing door to door and offer acts of kindness as often as possible. While on their missions, they do not date, watch TV, use the Internet or wear slacks or shorts. Mormon missionaries can write to their families, but they speak to them only twice a year, on Christmas and Mother's Day.
About This Project


Ethan Hyman
"Acts of Faith" explores the different belief systems that co-exist in the Triangle area. Ten years of heavy migration has brought many new faiths to the region, turning the Bible Belt home of Billy Graham into a spiritual coat of many colors. Mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples, Sikh Gurudwaras, synagogues and scores of Christian churches have become spiritual and social centers for a radically changing population. The demographic shift has pushed congregations to find innovative ways to keep their members while attracting new arrivals. "Acts of Faith" was born as a way to show this new religious diversity and analyze the role spirituality plays in people's daily lives.


Pailin Wedel
When covering an event for Acts of Faith, we look for situations that evoke strong emotion and try to bring readers into the moment. Though holidays and major celebrations are important, we also look for unexpected expressions of faith and quieter moments of solitary exploration. We hope to give readers insight into the breadth and depth of faith by showing how people incorporate it into their everyday lives.


Ted Richardson
For two years, Sher Stoneman and Susana Vera produced this column. In 2004, they handed it over to Ethan Hyman, Scott Lewis and Lisa Lauck. In 2005, Ted Richardson replaced Scott Lewis on this project. In 2006, Pailin Wedel replaced Lisa Lauck.

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