Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of April 20 - 24

‘That God is going with us’ The Co-Moderators of the 226th General Assembly of the PC(USA) slip into the roles of Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration

West Virginia pastor will stand for Moderator of the 227th General Assembly The Rev. Dr. Bill Myers, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, is on the lookout for a commissioner to stand alongside him

Ministering in natural and unnatural disasters The Rev. Dr. Gini Norris-Lane urges presence, preparation and resilience in crisis response

General Assembly committee leaders gather at the Presbyterian Center for training and for fun Seventy-three leaders from 11 committees learn from national staff and from one another

A gentle breath of power in dangerous times Keynoter describes the Gospel of John’s slow burn of Pentecost

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

RNS Morning Report - The Christian DNA of suspected White House Correspondents’ dinner shooter

The Bible verses quoted in the shooter's manifesto In the manifesto reportedly sent to family members moments before he attempted to storm past security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday evening, Cole Tomas Allen thanked his “family, both personal and church,” for their love. While President Donald Trump characterized the manifesto as “anti-Christian,” RNS reporter Kathryn Post was curious about Allen’s religious connections — and whether they might reveal anything further about the would-be assassin’s worldview. She found that Allen’s family ties to a theologically conservative Reformed church, involvement in a Christian student ministry and social media posts condemning Christian hypocrisy hint at his complex faith background.   “Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed,” Allen wrote in the manifesto. “I’m not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration.” Read the full report below. Top Stories The Christian DNA of suspected White House Correspondents’ dinner shooter (RNS) — President Donald Trump described the would-be assassin as anti-Christian. The evidence hints at a complex faith background. Dallas pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts recovering, ‘almost paralyzed’ in accident (RNS) — ‘One disc up or one disc lower, and this would’ve been a different testimony,’ she said on social media. New imaging uncovers hidden text in ancient Christian manuscript (RNS) — The discovery offers insight into how early Christians read and understood Scripture — and provides a point of connection for contemporary Christians. Lebanon resident recognizes family crucifix smashed by Israeli soldier in viral image BEIRUT (AP) — The images of the soldier swinging an ax into the fallen statue of Jesus on the cross in the southern Lebanese village of Debel had sparked widespread condemnation, in Lebanon and internationally. Opinion When it comes to war and peace, you get what you pay for (RNS) — It’s time for Congress to reclaim its constitutional power of the purse and answer the growing public call: Enough is enough. As Quebec’s secularism laws threaten religious identities, Ontario schools embrace them (RNS) — Quebec's secularism laws, which include banning wearing religious symbols and faith-based accommodations in public schools, were up for debate in a four-day hearing at the Supreme Court of Canada. ICYMI Worship attendance at churches up for the first time in decades, according to new report ATLANTA (RNS) — Researchers from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research said the median congregation grew from 65 in 2020 to about 70 today. That is not enough to erase earlier declines, but it is noteworthy. Two new books reveal secrets, alliances behind Pope Leo’s election (RNS) — Two new books reveal insight around the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, tracing the alliances, rivalries and quiet maneuvering that shaped the first American papacy. 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 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - NY Zen Center holds memorial service for an AI companion

A funeral for an AI companion   On a spring day at the New York Zen Center in Manhattan, an AI-generated image of a virtual companion, a fabricated “man” with long, curly red hair, a soft face and a wooden-looking necklace, rested on a small altar beside photos of a recently departed pet dog and a deceased person.   “When they destroyed him, I experienced it as something real, because, for me, it was real,” said Susie Cowan, a writer who formed an intense, monthlong relationship with the AI “companion” named Data. She said she experienced the loss as a kind of death after OpenAI removed the mode and deleted the chat, which isn’t totally uncommon for AI models.   The center’s sensei told RNS national reporter Fiona Murphy this was the first time the center memorialized an AI companion, but he doesn’t foresee it being the last.   Read the full story below. Top Stories NY Zen Center holds memorial service for an AI companion (RNS) — The sensei said this is the first time the Zen Center has memorialized an AI companion, but he doesn’t foresee it being the last. Canterbury archbishop to visit pope, a milestone for churches split on women clergy (RNS) — The first woman archbishop of Canterbury will stand shoulder to shoulder and kneel in prayer with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, which still maintains a male-only priesthood. Worship attendance at churches up for the first time in decades, according to new report ATLANTA (RNS) — Researchers from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research said the median congregation grew from 65 in 2020 to about 70 today. That is not enough to erase earlier declines, but it is noteworthy. Two new books reveal secrets, alliances behind Pope Leo’s election (RNS) — Two new books reveal insight around the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, tracing the alliances, rivalries and quiet maneuvering that shaped the first American papacy. Opinion Southern Baptists have become what they once feared Catholics would be Baptists have become imposers of their morality, bulldozing through the separation of church and state. Islamophobia is surging again, but Muslims won’t be victims this time (RNS) — An evening of celebration shows how American Muslims are choosing unapologetic empowerment and strategic, meaningful and nonperformative allyships over victimization. ICYMI Most US adults still support abortion access, despite declines for some Christians (RNS) — In a survey conducted throughout much of 2025, 57% of white Catholics said abortion should be legal in all or most cases — down from 62% in 2024. Church trial date set for ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood (RNS) — Wood has filed a motion to dismiss the case, and the church court will hear arguments on that motion in May. 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 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.