As part of a worldwide candlelight vigil tonight honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., Riverside Church in Morningside Heights is hosting performances by Patti Smith, Steve Earle, Stephan Said, Kozza Olantunji Babumba, and will include "inspirational words" from Yoko Ono, Russell Simmons, and Norman Siegel. The event, as envisioned by Stephan Said, begins at 7:00 p.m. as the protesters amass outside the church. The performances begin at 8:00 p.m. in the nave. more ›

Kanye West performed at an intimate memorial service for pioneer musician Gil Scott-Heron at Riverside Church earlier today. "Gia Scott-Heron and family, Kanye West and GSH's band offered wonderful words and music in tribute today at Riverside Church. A blessing," tweeted Malaika Adero. more ›

Mary Travers, of folk singing group Peter, Paul & Mary fame, died at the age of 72 back in mid-September. The NY Times now reports that a memorial celebration of her life and music will be held at 7 p.m. this coming Monday at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights. "The service will be open to the public. Tickets will be available on the day of the event on a first-come-first-served basis. Half the seats will be reserved for invited guests," and everyone from Pete Seeger to Whoopi Goldberg is expected to show. more ›

After fending off a legal battle from dissenting congregants who sought to block his installation, Riverside Church pastor Dr. Brad Braxton has decided to step down after all. His critics had objected to what they perceived as an extravagant $600,000 compensation package and worried that Braxton was moving the church away from its traditionally progressive agenda to a more conservative religious attitude. Braxton, a Baptist minister and former Rhodes scholar, had sought to style himself as "progressive evangelical," but in the end seemed unable to unite the congregation. In his resignation letter, obtained by the Times, he wrote that "the congregation has struggled publicly for decades about the kind of church that it should be and the kind of pastor who should be its voice. In recent months, these struggles have created a level of antagonism within the congregation that undermines the community’s efforts to embody harmony in the name of Jesus Christ. The consistent discord has made it virtually impossible to establish a fruitful covenant between the congregation and me." more ›

After a Manhattan Supreme Court judge refused to block the installation of Riverside Church's new pastor, the Reverend Brad Braxton ascended to the pulpit Saturday to defend his $600,000 compensation package. In a sermon entitled "Fear Not," Braxton told the congregation that his critics were "mistaking molehills for mountains," and that his priority would be "the sacred business of moving mountains." Also, according to Braxton, the Almighty approves: "God told me all week, 'I got you.'" (Paid?) Earlier this month, dissident parishioners at the historically liberal church took the unusual step of suing to block his appointment after learning of his pay package, which they say wasn't fully disclosed before they voted him in. But 63-year-old Naomi Griffin, a 25-year member of the church, told the Daily News on Sunday that "these dissidents don't seem to want to do things right." Also in attendance was Governor Paterson, who was married at Riverside 17 years ago; he voiced his support for Braxton, noting his "rare combination of skills." more ›

In the wake of yesterday's news about dissident Riverside Church congregants seeking a court order to stop the installation of a new highly-paid pastor, some church leaders are out defending the $600,000 compensation package. Dr. Billy Jones, chairman of the church board, tells the Daily News that the new pastor, Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton (pictured), deserves to be well-compensated because of his huge responsibilities, which include "overseeing a staff of 150 people... overseeing a full-time day school of 128 students and running 80 church and community programs." And who knows what else! more ›

Maybe it was the umpteenth “F Bush” tag that seen in the subway station. Or maybe it was President Bush’s interview on Sixty Minutes last night. But recent news about the war, troop deployments and civil rights has infused us with feeling like we're in the 21st Century version of the Wonder Years. This is not the Sixties, but it seems like today’s commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. has gotten some of us in that Sixties kind of mood. more ›

In the wake of President Bush's Wednesday night address to the country, when he announced that he will send thousands of more soldiers to Iraq, hundreds of people protested the plan. They convened at the tiny island in the middle of Times Square in front of the U.S. Armed Forces recruiting station, with signs like "Stop the funding, stop the war" and "When government lies, Democracy dies" with drivers passing by honking their horns. Some protesters were dressed as Guantanamo prisoners. Of course, there were counter-protesters; one sign said, "Warning: Leftist protesters trying to demoralize our troops." No arrests were reported. more ›

Merry Gridlock to All, via our friends at No Land Grab. more ›

This reminds me of the time I got trapped on the roof of Riverside Church in Morningside Heights with nothing but a pack of twizzlers. It was brutal. CNN.com - Man saved by condiments - Dec. 10, 2002 more ›