ceremony news stories on Newser

Weird 11/11/11 Ritual Forces Pyramids' Closure

Matt Cantor — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:56:04 CST

Egyptian officials have decided to close the pyramids today following complaints over a planned 11/11/11 ceremony that was to happen there. Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities had apparently planned to allow Polish numerologists to gather onsite and battle the “cosmic forces” set to destroy the world next year, but the...

Guru at Sweat Lodge That Killed 2: 'I'm Being Tested'

Rob Quinn — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:05:13 CDT

The self-help guru who ran a spiritual retreat where two people died during a sweat lodge ceremony last week says he is "being tested" by the tragedy. James Arthur Ray told a seminar audience that he is "frustrated and confused" and has hired his own investigators to find out what...

2 Dead After Arizona Sweat Lodge Ceremony

Rob Quinn — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:05:40 CDT

Two people died and 19 others were taken to hospital after a "sweat lodge" ceremony at a new-age Arizona retreat last night. Some 68 people were packed into a tarpaulin-covered dome for the 2-hour ceremony, which involved pouring water over hot rocks to produce steam in an effort to free...

Sharpton Tweets During Jackson Burial

Nick McMaster — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:39:45 CDT

The burial of Michael Jackson was a somber, private moment—and Rev. Al Sharpton made sure all 10,286 of his Twitter follows knew it, E! Online reports. During the ceremony, Sharpton chatted with MJ's friends and tweeted: "We are all discussing his battles. This is a real moment for...

Wash. Mayor Under Fire for 'Glenn Beck Day'

Nick McMaster — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:23:43 CDT

The mayor of Mount Vernon, Wash., has taken a stand on the controversy over Glenn Beck calling President Obama a “racist.” He plans to give the Fox News lightning rod a key to the city and proclaim Sept. 26 “Glenn Beck Day,” the Seattle Times reports. Mayor Bud Norris says...

Goody Christened in 'Final Goodbye'

Matt Cantor — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:21:11 CST

Terminally ill British reality star Jade Goody was christened today along with her sons in a ceremony at a London hospital chapel, the BBC reports. The “very pale and fragile” Goody had a “smile and a kiss for everyone” at the “very short and emotional service,” her publicist said. Attendees...

Party's About to Start for Obamas' Social Secretary

Victoria Floethe — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:18:46 CST

As White House social secretary, Desirée Rogers will not only organize all social events and ceremonies, she'll help people imagine what Barack Obama’s presidency represents. Catching up with the “the most eligible woman in Washington" for Vogue , William Norwich finds the former Chicago businesswoman and Obama family friend deserving of...

Bush and Condi Find Something to Celebrate

Jason Farago — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:33:48 CST

India and Pakistan are at loggerheads, Afghanistan is a narco-state, and the Middle East is almost unspeakably troubled—so how did George W. Bush's diplomatic team see off their president? With yesterday's "Ceremony to Commemorate Foreign Policy Achievements," a State Department lovefest complete with billowing flags and commemorative plaques. As...

Obama Will Take Oath on Lincoln Bible

Matt Cantor — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:15:00 CST

On January 20, Barack Obama will place his hand on the same Bible Abraham Lincoln used during his 1861 swearing-in, Politico reports. Obama will be the first president to use the tome since Lincoln. Though it’s not constitutionally required, “Presidents have traditionally used Bibles for the ceremony, choosing a volume...