# Religion

Big Vatican Christmas Tree to Be Recycled Into Toys for Needy

The largest Christmas tree ever to be placed in St Peter's Square in Rome was lit on Saturday and Vatican officials said all the wood from the 120-year-old tree will be recycled to make toys for needy children and garden furniture such as benches for schools. The decision to recycle the wood from the tree was the Vatican's latest effort to go green.

# Religion

Clerics Join Tutu in Fasting for 'Suffering People of Zimbabwe'

Two clerics have joined Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu, the former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, fasting in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, who face a collapsing economy and political order amid reports of a possible military coup.

# Religion

Theologians Converge on Brazil to Envision a Sustainable World

Theologians from around the world are converging on Belém, near the mouth of the Amazon River in northeast Brazil, to develop a theology for the "sustainability of life on Earth". The meeting of the World Forum on Theology and Liberation January 21-25 comes in advance of the World Social Forum, a global gathering addressing exploitative globalization.

# Religion

Muslim Helps Jews Attacked on New York Subway

"A Muslim man jumped to the aid of three Jewish subway riders after they were attacked by a group of young people who objected to one of the Jews saying 'Happy Hanukkah'".

# Religion

Comfort Food Delivered for Families Dealing with Birth or Death

Thanks to Quail Lakes Baptist Church in Stockton, CA, and a host of 60 meal delivery volunteers, the load is lightened for families who would otherwise need to prepare meals at critical times, like after a newborn joined the family or before funerals.

# Religion

Muslims Encouraging Christmas Celebrations in UK Schools

"Muslim leaders join the U.K. Commission for Equality and Human Rights in urging Britons to enjoy Christmas, and not worry about offending non-Christians. The urging comes amid reports of schools cancelling nativity plays in order not to offend Muslims and students of other religions."

# Religion

Evolution Celebration Among Clergy Says Dichotomy Between Faith and Science is False

A growing number of churches view Charles Darwin's 200th birthday this week and the 150th anniversary of his seminal work The Origin of Species as something to celebrate. More than 900 congregations in the U.S. and elsewhere are signed up for Evolution Weekend 2009, held on this day as an annual event.

# Religion

Bishops Urge Cutting Back on Carbon for Lent

Bishops in London and Liverpool are championing a new kind of 40-day fast calling on Britons to cut back on carbon, rather than chocolate or alcohol, for the Christian period of Lent this year.