Latest news with #WinnieVarghese
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal budget bill threatens ‘The Stitch' plan to reconnect downtown Atlanta
A plan to 'Stitch' together downtown could see delays if the federal government passes the budget as it is currently written. 'The Stitch' plan project, first proposed in 2019, is intended to reconnect communities in downtown Atlanta that were separated by the creation of the Downtown Connector. As proposed, the project would build an urban park above the connector as a physical cap. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Rep. Williams announces more federal funding to connect Atlanta downtown neighborhoods The final plan would create approximately 17 acres of new space for developments and greenspace atop a new, 3⁄4-mile platform spanning the Downtown Connector between Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue. Last year, the project announced it received a $157 million federal grant to help the project. However, the federal funding needed for the project is now in jeopardy. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2's Michael Doudna talked to Rev. Winnie Varghese, with St Luke's Episcopal Church, about the project. 'So the Stitch project is so poetic, a real sense of the vision of what it means to bring back a certain kind of life to downtown,' Rev. Winnie Varghese, with St Luke's Episcopal Church, said. The Stitch would reconnect two halves of the city that were divided when the interstates were built. The end goal would be to create real estate and green space that could create a new vibrant neighborhood for the city. 'That's unfortunate that, you know, a signed grant agreement from your federal government doesn't mean as much as it used to,' Central Atlanta Progress AJ Robinson said. See, as Congress looks to pass a new budget bill, dubbed the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' by President Donald Trump, it includes cutting the $157 million promised to help the development. 'But now our construction dollars are in peril, and so we're working very hard to try to turn that situation around,' Robinson said. Robinson said without the federal dollars, construction would likely be delayed at least a year, but the plans would not be stopped. He says they would look for funding elsewhere. 'We've been working on this for maybe 20 years. Hopefully, it doesn't take another 20 years, but I think the project speaks for itself,' Robinson said. And during a political climate where almost every issue is divided by red and blue, many supporters say this infrastructure project is an investment that will pay dividends. 'The Stitch is a once-in-a-generational project. It's a big piece of infrastructure,' Robinson said. 'I hope the money comes through in the way that it was promised and committed. I would hope for that,' Varghese said. The budget bill now sits before the Senate for approval. Channel 2 Action News asked both senators their thoughts on the potential cut to the project. In a statement, Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock said: 'I'm proud to have secured federal funding for the Stitch and it's a shame Washington Republicans want to divert money away from this transformative economic development project to pay for a tax cut for billionaires. ... I will do everything in my power to protect this funding so Georgians can continue to reap the benefits of their tax dollars.' Sen. Jon Ossoff is on paternity leave. TRENDING STORIES: 9-year-old girl nearly loses hand to Florida shark attack Former 'RHOA' star Kim Zolciak, ex-Atlanta Falcon Kroy Biermann removed from mansion, court docs say Rick Ross Car Show causes traffic troubles at another event miles away [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
‘Revolutionary' Kerala-born priest is first woman dean of New York church
KOCHI: In a trailblazing development, Rev Winnie Varghese, a Kerale-born priest, has been appointed the 12th dean of the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City, United States, making her the first woman to hold the position at the historic Gothic church. Hailing from Kaviyoor, in Pathanamthitta, Winnie's parents migrated to the US while she was a child. Before her new appointment, she served as rector of St Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Her appointment was announced by Rev Matthew F Heyd, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and chairman of the cathedral's board of trustees. Winnie will assume office on July 1. Although her religious roots are in the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, her parents are now members of the Church of South India (CSI) in Houston, Texas. Though Winnie left the country decades ago, she has contacts in India and often visits Kerala, said Rev Y T Vinayaraj, director of the Bengaluru-based Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS). 'We had earlier worked together for the church in the US. I met her when I was in Chicago for my studies. Winnie has been an active member of the church and has contributed to its growth. She also visits India to attend events and meetings,' he said, adding that CISRS has published several books authored by her. One of her books, 'A Journey of Faith: Church and Homosexuality' (2014), explores the stance of Indian churches on homosexuality and narrates her personal faith journey as a lesbian Christian and ordained minister. Vinayraj, who is also a friend of Winnie, said that she is a revolutionary who has initiated discussions on biblical and theological readings of gender and homosexuality. 'She is brave and affirmed her identity as a homosexual, educating everyone about homosexuality, homophobia and gender identity. It was accepted by progressive Christian denominations,' he emphasised. 'I believe the most important thing we do in the church is share the good news of Jesus, who connects heaven to earth and reinscribes the sacredness of all life by his life. As his church, it is our work to bear witness to the 'god with us' in our time. The church can be an imagination-shaping force, which is critical work today,' Winnie said in a video posted on the YouTube channel of the Episcopal Diocese of New York after the announcement of her appointment. Winnie is also a blogger and podcaster. Upon her appointment, the church said that her leadership will continue to serve the diverse people of the diocese, city, nation, and world.
