RNS Weekly Digest: Evangelical groups hold vigil against Trump and Musk's foreign aid cuts

Evangelical groups hold vigil against Trump and Musk's foreign aid cuts Evangelical Christian groups are calling on Congress to reinstate foreign aid programs shuttered by President Donald Trump’s administration, arguing the government’s actions will hurt millions of people around the world. Addressing a crowd of around three dozen largely evangelical Christians assembled at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church on Tuesday morning (March 11) for a “Prayer Vigil for Foreign Aid,” the Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of the group Bread for the World, denounced the “broad, un-targeted cuts” recently implemented at the U.S. Agency for International Development as an assault on vulnerable populations all over the globe. “These indiscriminate cuts are not just a policy failure,” said Cho, standing in a sanctuary dotted with candles. “For us, especially, as followers of Christ, as uncomfortable as it may be, we must clearly … but prophetically, say: it is also a moral failure.”  Religion & Politics Turned down by state, Oklahoma schools chief is out to raise funds for Trump-endorsed Bibles At Washington installation, Cardinal McElroy calls for hope, mercy and human dignity Arrest of Palestinian Columbia activists divides American Jews Photos of the Week: Bloody Sunday anniversary; Ash Wednesday U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, from left, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and NAACP President Derrick Johnson march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the 60th anniversary of the march to ensure that African Americans could exercise their constitutional right to vote, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Selma, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) In Opinion Is taking Ozempic during Ramadan cheating? No, Elon, we should not go to Mars The real Gen Z religion story is about women And finally, Scripture doesn't make rules for pastors' wives. Beth Allison Barr explains why it matters. Imagine a job interview where, to get the gig, your spouse must answer intrusive questions about their fertility, personal religious beliefs and their own career trajectory. Such interrogations are common for many pastors’ wives across white evangelicalism, according to medieval historian Beth Allison Barr — herself a pastor’s wife and the James Vardaman Endowed Chair of History at Baylor University. In her new book, "Becoming the Pastor's Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman's Path to Ministry," that’s only the start of the often-unspoken expectations awaiting many women who pair up with pastors. Their appearance, homemaking and parenting are often under scrutiny, and their unpaid labor is considered a given. Barr isn’t arguing for an end to the role itself, but she wants everyone to know that the job’s expectations are based in culture more than Scripture. Though the only avenue in some denominations for women to pursue a calling to ministry, “pastor’s wife” is not the result of a biblical mandate, Barr argues, but of history. Support our responsible reporting on religion Forward this newsletter to a friend Make a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit newsroom here Or mail us a check: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205 Email membership@religionnews.com with a news tip or a comment Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

RNS Morning Report - Arrest of Palestinian Columbia activist divides American Jews

Top Stories Arrest of Palestinian Columbia activist divides American Jews (RNS) — Growing divisions split the American Jewish community between those defending Israel and concerned with Jewish safety, and those speaking out against Israel and in support of free speech.   At Washington installation, Cardinal McElroy calls for hope, mercy and human dignity WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'Mercy and compassion must be our first impulse when confronted with sin and human failure,' said the cardinal, who will fill the seat vacated by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who retired at the beginning of this year.   Evangelical groups hold vigil against Trump and Musk’s foreign aid cuts WASHINGTON (RNS) — The hope, said one faith leader, was to dispute the idea that Christians, 'including those that come from more conservative or evangelical leanings,' support cuts to USAID.   After another temple vandalization, the BAPS Hindu community prays for peace (RNS) — The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Los Angeles was found defaced with anti-Indian graffiti on Saturday (March 8), marking the 10th incident targeting an American Hindu temple since 2022.   RNS Opinion Is taking Ozempic during Ramadan cheating? (RNS) — Not if taken for the right reasons, say Islamic scholars and doctors.   Why ‘Jesus is a Palestinian’ sounds like Christian solidarity but is disastrous theology (RNS) — The attempt to project contemporary politics or our own aspirations onto such a sacred figure is always problematic.   ICYMI Ramadan behind bars should be a holy time, Muslim advocates say, not a fight for religious rights (RNS) — From being forced to break fast outside of the permitted hours to not being able to congregate for Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of the fast, Ramadan is often a period when inmates have to engage in tedious legal battles to ensure their religious rights are respected.   A Salvation Army volunteer was killed when a young dad ran a stop sign. His family responded with mercy. (RNS) — What happens when a mistake has fatal consequences? Is mercy possible? In Other News Indian state could introduce the death penalty for religious conversions Dalai Lama says his successor will be born outside China   Depend on our reporting? Help us out! As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. You can support this work! 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

WCC news: Webinar “The Bishop of Rome and Christian Unity” will kick off series exploring Christian unity

The first of a series of webinars on Christian unity, “The Bishop of Rome and Christian Unity,” will be offered on 18 March 2025  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 11 March 2025 Hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU), this webinar is part of a series occurring in the lead-up to the WCC Faith and Order World Conference under the theme "Where Now for Visible Unity?”  The webinar will feature a presentation of the study document The Bishop of Rome. Primacy and Synodality in the Ecumenical Dialogues and in the Responses to the Encyclical Ut Unum Sint, and the process behind it, along with a series of responses, and then questions from the audience.  One of the longstanding issues dividing churches is the role of the Bishop of Rome in service to Christian unity. In 1995, Pope John Paul II addressed this question in his encyclical Ut Unum Sint, calling on church leaders and theologians to discern together how the ministry of the Bishop of Rome could be exercised as a “service of love recognized by all concerned.” In 2020, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity marked the 25th anniversary of Ut Unum Sint as an opportunity to resume and deepen this discussion considering responses to the Encyclical and theological dialogue documents. This process culminated in the publication of the study document being introduced in the webinar.  It is hoped that the webinar will promote the reception of the document in the churches and stimulate further theological dialogue on the ministry of the Bishop of Rome in service of Christian unity. About the series The WCC Commission on Faith and Order, in collaboration with Christian World Communions, is organizing the series to explore key theological, ecclesiological, and missional questions relevant to contemporary Christian unity. The webinars will serve as platforms for dialogue, reflection, and preparation for the discussions at the world conference. The webinars will address themes that align with the overarching pillars of the conference—faith, mission, and unity—while also engaging with the legacy and theological significance of the Ecumenical Council at Nicaea 1,700 years ago.  Beyond fostering dialogue, these webinars will aim to generate theological and ecumenical resources for the world conference. The insights, presentations, and discussions from these events will help shape conference materials, inform panel discussions, and contribute to a broader understanding of the issues facing the global church today. Click here to register for the first webinar See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

NCC Newsletter

NCC Newsletter March 7, 2025       Click Here for Information on Activities In Selma GOARCH Commemorates Selma to Montgomery March, 1965 H.E. Archbishop Elpidophoros recently released a video message commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama voting rights march, during which Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. collaborated with Archbishop Iakovos. Watch the video below and visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website for more information and resources.   View the Entire Statement Online   NCC Supports Ash Wednesday: Call to Action for a Compassionate Budget Bishop McKenzie, NCC president and general secretary, addressed the Ash Wednesday: Call to Action for a Compassionate Budget press Conference. The event included faith leaders from NCC’s 37 member denominations and congressional leaders who support a compassionate budget for all of God’s people. The group gathered the morning of March 5 at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Washington D.C. and walked to the Supreme Court for a press conference to release an open letter and report that addresses the dangers of the administration’s policy and budget proposals. Following the press conference, participants walked to the U.S. Capitol Building to deliver moral demands to U.S. House and Senate leadership. NCC joins Repairers of the Breach in calling on Congress to stand for the vulnerable in society who may be left out of the upcoming budget agreement. Social welfare programs such as Medicaid and SNAP benefits have the potential to be severely impacted by the upcoming budget.    Other speakers included Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC, 6th District), Bishop Julius Trimble, General Board of Church and Society, Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH, 11th District), Rev. Terri Hord Owens, general minister and president of Disciples of Christ, Rep. Jesús Garcia (D-IL, 4th District), Bridget Moix, general secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO 5th District), Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, and others!   Lenten Journal Available from Friendship Press Order Your Lenten Journal Here   Join Faithful Witness Each Wednesday in March   Dr Terri Hord Owens speaks out at Sojourners inaugural Witness Wednesdays (March 5) on the US Capitol grounds on Ash Wednesday with Executive Director, Adam Taylor giving the rally cry to Congress: "What time is it? It's time for courage!"  Sojourners and partners from the Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC) are organizing a series of faithful witness events at the Capitol every Wednesday in March. These multi-faith vigils will call on Congress to exercise greater moral courage in upholding its Article 1 powers and preventing executive overreach. Our nation faces an escalating threat of a constitutional crisis fueled by the Trump administration’s overreach and unconstitutional actions. A lack of leadership in Congress has allowed this crisis to grow, as it cedes its role as a coequal branch of government. The faith community will be raising a prophetic and pastoral call to Congressional leaders to serve as a check and balance to advance the common good. These nonpartisan vigils will speak truth to power, highlighting what’s at stake and the communities already harmed. They will feature faith leaders from diverse traditions offering inspirational prayers and calls for faithful action. The confirmed speaker lineup for the March 12 vigil includes: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, President, Sojourners Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President/General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA Khader El-Yateem, Executive Director of Evangelical Lutheran Church in American Service and Justice Rev. Eugene Cho, President/CEO, Bread for the World  Register at SOJO.NET/WITNESS to join us either in-person or virtually. Together we can provide a Faithful Witness by speaking truth to power about this mounting crisis and about communities who are already being harmed! Location Upper Senate Park Area 2 Bounded by Constitution Ave NW/NE; Delaware Ave NE; C St NE/NW; New Jersey Ave NW) Washington, DC 20001 United States Livestreaming link Link to event page on Sojo website Registration page link Flyer link Faithful Witness Wednesday Registration   Faith in Action Supporting Vulnerable and Immigrant Families   Faith in Action, in partnership with New Jersey Faith in Action, Faith in New York, and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of the Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, convened faith leaders recently at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill for a Day of Prayer & Action in Support of Immigrant Families to support impacted immigrant families facing deportation. Bishop Vashti McKenzie was among the faith leaders invited to address the gathering. The goal was to lift immigrant families with prayer and public support as they continue to face the separation of their families and neighbors. It included a prayer service, a call to action, and a visit to congressional representatives.   New Disabled South Fighting for Protections for Disabled Americans Right now, a fight is underway for the lives and futures of the disabled community. Politicians are attempting to strip away the legal protections that disabled Americans have under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. New Disabled South is fighting back at both the state and federal levels by mobilizing disabled individuals and building collective power within our community. But this fight cannot be won alone. Faith leaders like you hold immense trust and influence within your congregations and community, and your voice can help unite people around these critical issues. Texas v. Becerra is a significant court case involving a coalition of 17 states challenging the federal government's interpretation and enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by entities receiving federal funding. New Disabled South does not support this case and is asking for your help in spreading the word to your congregants and community. Consider joining us for their next Faith Coalition Call scheduled for March 13, at 7:00 pm, EST. New Disabled South Website On Home One Future and Blessed Tomorrow Sponsor 2025 National Faith + Climate Forum March 27 Join One Home One Future and Blessed Tomorrow at the 2025 National Faith + Climate Forum on Thursday, March 27! Deepen your faith, engage in creation care, & connect with other faith leaders for a day of interactive sessions and inspiring keynotes accessible through a live-streamed online broadcast, or in person at host locations across the U.S.!   Register today for FREE at nationalfaithandclimateforum.org   • • • • • • • One Home One Future is offering a FREE Earth Day Tabling Kit for all One Home One Future members to support your Earth Day events and activities. Each kit will include signage, printed handouts, and talking points.    Reserve your Earth Day Tabling Kit today, and check out free resources to help you and your congregation prepare for Earth Day. Reserve Your Earth Day Kit

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