Churches

The ancient stones of Canterbury Cathedral have witnessed the coronations of kings, the murder of an archbishop and the concussion of Nazi bombs. Now, they are silent observers to the remaking of the centuries-old Anglican Communion.

Navy Capt. George W. Linzey, a second-generation evangelical Protestant chaplain, says his father told him long before his career began what he should expect. "George, there are three chaplain corps: Catholic, high-church Protestant and the rest of us--the low-church Protestants," said the elder Linzey, describing an informal caste system. "That is the pecking order."

The plaudits and pitfalls of the Adventists' relief work come into sharp focus in the hungry faces of the young and old in this strife-torn Caribbean nation, the Western Hemisphere's poorest. One morning a group of elderly peasants--some blind, others crippled, all hungry--walked miles from their mud shacks for the promise of food at Kathy Land's mission. A one-time hairdresser from Indiana, Land is not an Adventist but she relies on the church's relief arm to provide U.S.

As a means of educating children on the importance of supporting charities, Shepherd of the Hills Church at Porter Ranch is holding a donation drive as part of its annual Vacation Bible School program this week. Through today, about 1,000 children in kindergarten through the eighth grade are expected to raise $10,000 through the donation of portions of their allowances.

How about The Southern Baptist Convention amended its statement on "Baptist Faith and Message" last week, to declare, among other things, that wives must "submit graciously" to the leadership of their husbands. Here are the views of some religious denominations on marriage, divorce and the role of husbands and wives. Southern Baptist Convention: Marriage: The uniting of one man and one woman in a covenant commitment for a lifetime.

The church is silent when the Rev. Brian Sims takes the pulpit for his Sunday sermon. He pauses to make sure all eyes are on him, then raises his hands and begins preaching. Not a word passes his lips. "We're all different," Sims relates in American Sign Language, "but it doesn't matter as long as we open our hearts." Two deaf women lead the first hymn, which is played on tape for the handful of visitors who can hear. Sims, who also can hear, bangs a bass drum to mark the beat for the others.

Newspaper editor Tom Tracy was looking at the biggest story of his young career. The top newsmaker he covers made a shocking public confession, resigned and abruptly left town, leaving Tracy and his colleagues to tell the tale to astonished readers. But a problem: The newsmaker was none other than his own boss, the publisher. And the boss is a very public figure--J.

Calvary Community Church received final city approval to proceed with its plans to create a new facility at a former manufacturing site. At a meeting Wednesday night, the City Council approved a permit authorizing changes and additions to the former Eaton Corp. site and allowing a variance to construct the church's Celebration Center much higher than normally allowed in the area.

Rancho Palos Verdes' landmark Wayfarer's Chapel has received approval from the City Council to rebuild a visitors center that was lost in a landslide nearly 20 years ago. Chapel officials plan to build a 2,000-square-foot center on more stable land on the church grounds to accommodate the thousands who come to see the world-renuwned glass church. The one-story building will include a multipurpose room and a library.

Saying he was moved by the Easter season, a 34-year-old man told Los Angeles police this week that he has committed 50 to 100 church burglaries over several years, authorities said. After hearing his confession and connecting him to five burglaries in North Hollywood, detectives on Tuesday arrested Henry Nolkemper, said Det. Joe Suarez of the Los Angeles Police Department's North Hollywood Division.