RNS Morning Report - Rabbi-pastor partnership in Minneapolis; Ramadan's crescent moon; Mahashivratri

Top Stories Amid ICE raids, Minneapolis rabbi and pastor show solidarity in action (RNS) — The partnership includes joint worship — and a $1 million fundraising drive for Minneapolis families affected by the siege. ‘We’re praying with our feet’: a year of pro-democracy prayer vigils in New York NEW YORK (RNS) — As New York braces for a large-scale deployment of ICE agents, the vigils imposed themselves as a hub for the city’s religious left and became an incubator for other mobilizations. ‘The divine will come’: On Lord Shiva’s night, Hindus channel deity’s energy at the heart of creation (RNS) — Mahashivratri, which means “the Great Night of Shiva” in Sanskrit, takes place as Lord Shiva's cosmic energies are said to be at their highest. Judge bars most ICE raids at a group of churches that sued the Trump administration (RNS) — The impact of the new ruling may be larger than a similar court decision last year, as the plaintiffs appear to represent a much higher number of churches. UK’s royal astronomers join hunt for Ramadan’s crescent moon LONDON (RNS) — The New Crescent Society, which is organizing the Greenwich event with the Royal Observatory, is hoping moon sighting will become fully established in Britain and be used by mosques. Opinion Can Zionism be rebranded? (RNS) — We cannot simply cede its meaning to the haters.  This Ramadan, I’m choosing emptiness over exhaustion (RNS) — Wasn’t this month meant to serve as a divine mercy for us all — a momentary breather, not an added burden? ICYMI New GOP caucus signals resurgence of anti-Shariah movement (RNS) — In the Obama era, anti-Islam conservatives sought to block mosques and claimed Islamic law was about to take over America. Now, members of Congress and legislators in Texas and Oklahoma are trying to bring the anti-Islam movement back. Catholic congressional Dems rebuke Mike Johnson’s biblical defense of ICE WASHINGTON (RNS) — Their Friday (Feb. 13) statement, led by Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, outlines a series of Catholic social teaching principles that the lawmakers say they consider when approaching immigration issues. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of February 9 - 13

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation Board names Ian Hall as A Corp president Hall has served as interim president and in two other roles for the past 13 months

Philadelphia congregation leads weekly vigil for immigrants The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia members take part in their first act of public witness

Unification Commission takes a big stride toward this summer’s General Assembly Ten days before its 120-day deadline, the UC approves 10 recommendations for consideration during GA227

1001 apprenticeship opens doors for new worshiping community leaders Part-time program pairs emerging church planters with coaches, cohorts and community

PC(USA) leaders engage congregations to re-engage Hispanic, Latino and Brazilian ministry Six regional encounters across the US, including Puerto Rico, mark the first phase of a denomination-wide re-imagining process

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

RNS Morning Report - An anti-Islam resurgence

Top Stories New GOP caucus signals resurgence of anti-Shariah movement (RNS) — In the Obama era, anti-Islam conservatives sought to block mosques and claimed Islamic law was about to take over America. Now, members of Congress and legislators in Texas and Oklahoma are trying to bring the anti-Islam movement back. Judge orders ICE to allow Catholics access to Chicago-area detention center (RNS) — The plaintiff group — the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership — has announced that Cardinal Blase Cupich will be joining them for Ash Wednesday Mass. Catholic congressional Dems rebuke Mike Johnson’s biblical defense of ICE WASHINGTON (RNS) — Their Friday (Feb. 13) statement, led by Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, outlines a series of Catholic social teaching principles that the lawmakers say they consider when approaching immigration issues. Why fewer Latin Americans claim religion — but still pray and believe (RNS) — ‘The idea that you are only one religion is very North Atlantic,’ said religion sociologist Gustavo Morello. Opinion A cruel war is disempowering our empowering communities (RNS) — Their impact on the faith life of their cities is just one way immigrants have empowered their localities. Black history is America’s history (RNS) — We still see efforts to roll back civil and human rights for Black people in America. ICYMI Vatican warns SSPX bishop ordinations without papal approval would cause schism VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said he proposed a path for dialogue and full communion to the leader of SSPX at a meeting on Thursday. Yahrzeit glasses, a kitchen mystery and a recipe for generations (RNS and NPR) — Using candles to mark the yahrzeit, the anniversary of a death, is mentioned in Jewish tradition as far back as the Middle Ages. But the mass-produced glass holders came later. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

Copyright © 2026 RNS, All rights reserved.