News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Acts of Faith: 2003

January 3, 2003 Ethan Hyman [/assets/story/image_buynow.comp]
Sam Herbert, 5, and his mother, Trish McGuire, pause by the consecration stone of the new nave at Chapel Hill's Church of the Holy Family's during the Dedication and Consecration on December 30, 2002. Ground was broken for the new church, an extension to their old church, in May of 2000. Father Timothy Kimbrough said of the evening, "All through the night I thought, "What a blessed community! And what a priviledge it is to serve God with people like these who are passionate for the Gospel, passionate for the justice of God, and passionate for the simple love of Jesus. These buildings, while wonderful, will simply be tools, I pray, for the catholic, evangelical, healing, and radical work of the gospel in and among the people of Chapel Hill and its surrounding neighborhoods."
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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