RNS Morning Report - For Israeli Jews, a potential ceasefire brings both hope and fear for the future

Top Stories For Israeli Jews, a potential ceasefire brings both hope and fear for the future JERUSALEM (RNS) — Israel’s government has yet to approve the ceasefire deal, which would include exchanging hostages from the Oct. 7 Hamas attack for Palestinian prisoners.   2 Israeli American hostages are expected to be among the first 33 released by Hamas (RNS) — Of the seven dual Israeli American citizens still held hostage, only three are believed to be alive.   King Day and Inauguration Day confluence sparks plans for rallies, prayer, hospitality (RNS) — ‘We’ll be taking attendance on who’s afraid — of dream busters or who stands with the dreamer — on Martin Luther King federal holiday,’ Sharpton said ahead of a planned rally.   The Vatican braces for a second Trump presidency VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Recent appointments show Pope Francis and Trump already setting a different tone for Vatican-U.S. relations.   Christian therapist Andrew Bauman quit sexist theology and says you can too (RNS) — In a Q&A about new book ‘Safe Church,’ Bauman talks Andrew Tate, male headship and whether church can ever really be safe.   RNS Opinion ‘Fix your hearts or die’: The unflinching moral compass of David Lynch (RNS) — With age, Lynch grew more confident that some of his questions had answers.   My Gen Z daughter and her Altadena and Pasadena classmates are showing us the way (RNS) — It should not be surprising that the children of this community would lead in taking care of their own across faiths, ethnicities and languages.   ICYMI Rutgers decides not to adopt caste policy, but both sides laud decision as a win (RNS) — ‘Rutgers, in their announcement, has outlined the most robust response to caste discrimination by any university in the United States,’ said Audrey Truschke, professor of South Asian history at New Jersey’s Rutgers University.   American Humanist Association sues West Virginia over $5 million grant to Catholic college (RNS) — The AHA, which has a chapter in West Virginia, says the grant violates the state constitution, which says the state cannot favor one religion over another. In Other News US declares genocide in Sudan as country undergoes ‘unimaginable’ suffering Nigeria tops report for number of Christians killed, kidnapped in 2024   Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. RNS is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend

UM News Weekly Digest

UM News Digest - Jan. 17, 2025 Church suit against SMU reaches high court Remembering King’s message  Top stories from the week “A healthy body houses a healthy soul.” — Dr. John Chingonzo, United Methodist health board member, on the church’s health outreach in Zimbabwe. A woman exits an ambulance after receiving testing during The United Methodist Church’s free health expo in Harare, Zimbabwe, as other patients wait to be seen. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News. Patients line up for free church health clinic HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — United Methodists in Zimbabwe are nourishing bodies and souls through free health screenings offered to church members and the community. The health expo was organized by United Methodist Sunningdale Circuit in partnership with the government and a local medical center. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. Read story High court hears case over church control of SMU AUSTIN, Texas (UM News) — The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments in the South Central Jurisdictional Conference’s nearly six-year legal battle to retain some governance of Southern Methodist University. At issue is whether Southern Methodist University could change its articles of incorporation without the jurisdictional conference’s approval. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Watch oral arguments California-Pacific Conference Conference offers updates on fire response PASADENA, Calif. — As firefighters struggle to contain two major wildfires, the California-Pacific Conference is posting frequent updates on the conference’s response and ways United Methodists can help. The conference also has put together a video showing how United Methodists are responding to the disaster. The death toll has risen to at least 27 people at time of publication.  Read Jan. 15 update Watch video Baltimore-Washington Conference Bishop offers prayer for inauguration weekend BALTIMORE — As a diverse group of people arrives in Washington for President-elect Trump’s inauguration, the People’ March and MLK Day events, Baltimore-Washington Conference Bishop LaTrelle Easterling prays for all coming. She also plans to join ecumenical leaders Jan. 21 in a service at the National Cathedral to pray for the U.S. “Let us be reminded that true strength lies not in coercion or force, but in the power of love, understanding, and respectful engagement,” she writes. Read statement World Council of Churches Ecumenical group welcomes ceasefire agreement GENEVA — The Rev. Jerry Pillay, the top executive of the World Council of Churches, welcomed the news of a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas. “We take joy in the relief that it brings to the families of those who will soon be released, and the hope that it rekindles an end to the catastrophic war in Gaza,” Pillay said. The United Methodist Church is a founding member of the ecumenical group. Read statement Global Ministries Helene recovery continues ATLANTA — Three hard-hit United Methodist conferences are working with the United Methodist Committee on Relief to assess recovery needs and set up long-term disaster management programs as rebuilding after Hurricane Helene continues. The Western North Carolina, South Carolina and Holston conferences are each receiving grants averaging $100,000-$200,000 to begin assessments, which include fact and resource gathering to discover where needs are already being met by government and nonprofit agencies and which communities have not received the help they need. Christie R. House reports. Read story UM News: Church plays key role in Helene recovery Conway First United Methodist Church Church’s food pantry makes big impact CONWAY, Ark. — Conway First United Methodist Church serves a critical need for food-insecure families in Central Arkansas through its weekly food pantry. The church also provides sack lunches for kids during the summer. “Saving $2.50, that’s money toward my utilities or my daughter’s school supplies,” says a pantry participant. The church has a video on this ministry. Watch video No UM News Digest Jan. 20 In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States, there will be no UM News Digest on Monday, Jan. 20. The Digest will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Feel free to download and share the above UM News graphic on social media. Download graphic ADVERTISEMENT UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. Baltimore-Washington Conference What might be MLK’s message to the U.S. today? BALTIMORE — This year marks the 96th anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., one of America’s greatest advocates for peace with justice. Today, nearly 57 years after King’s death, the U.S. remains divided along many lines — racially, economically and politically. The Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, senior pastor of Epworth Chapel United Methodist Church, shares what he imagines King’s message would be to the U.S. church today. Read commentary Michigan Conference King’s dream feels heavy SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — This year’s celebration of the birthday of civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “feels heavy,” writes the Rev. B. Kevin Smalls, pastor of Hope United Methodist Church. “The country is more polarized than ever; diversity, equity and inclusion programs seem to be on the chopping block, and racial tensions have found sophisticated ways to exist,” Smalls writes. To help, he prescribes reading King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” writing a letter or poem about King or watching a film connected to justice. Read commentary Garrett Seminary Grant will fund Hispanic efforts EVANSTON. Ill. — Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will use a $6.79 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to strengthen Hispanic pastoral leaders and congregations. Garrett, one of 13 seminaries in the U.S. affiliated with The United Methodist Church, will work with the Association for Hispanic Theological Education to empower, accompany and equip organizations serving the Hispanic-Latiné church, its pastoral leaders and communities.  Read press release ADVERTISEMENT Religion and Race, Church and Society Agencies plan prayer vigil for MLK Day WASHINGTON — As United Methodists honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., three denomination-wide ministries plan to hold an online prayer vigil to stand together in faith, justice and hope. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, Board of Church and Society and El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry are organizing the vigil, with the theme “From Fear to Belonging,” set for 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Jan. 20.  Learn more Register Saturday, Jan. 18 - Saturday, Jan. 25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Sunday, Jan. 19 Human Relations Day More United Methodist events Photo courtesy of the Rev. John Shaver, California-Pacific Conference Wildfires claim life of United Methodist   LOS ANGELES (UM News) — Annette Rossilli, cherished member of Community United Methodist Church in Pacific Palisades, is among the people killed in the wildfires still raging in the Los Angeles area. Even as they mourn great loss, United Methodists are starting to plan next steps. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Photo by Joey Butler, UM News Clinic helps immigrants navigate asylum process   LEXINGTON, Ky. (UM News) — Neighbors Immigration Clinic is one of few legal resources for Kentucky’s growing immigrant community. The clinic — part of the United Methodist Immigrant Law & Justice Network — has begun offering workshops on topics like asylum to engage community partners. Joey Butler and Gustavo Vasquez report. Read story Canva image created by Jan Snyder Commentary: What does hate feel like?   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In the second in a three-part series on hate, the Rev. Neelley Hicks says it is critical for Christians to understand the spiritual, emotional and physical warning signs of hate. “When hate sneaks into our hearts through media or relationships that affirm our worst instincts, we can lose both self-control and awareness of who we’ve become,” she writes. Read commentary Image courtesy of the Rev. Christopher P. Momany Commentary: Resistance is not enough   DOWAGIAC, Michigan (UM News) — The year 2025 has dawned as an ominous moment for human rights, writes the Rev. Christopher P. Momany. He says United Methodists’ baptismal call to resist injustice demands attention: “What does God call us to be for, that at the same time might require our resistance to systems and structures?” He emphasizes the intrinsic worth of people as a guide in the days ahead. Read commentary