RNS Weekly Digest - Astronaut Victor Glover is still trying to find the spiritual words to describe his Moon mission

Astronaut Victor Glover is still trying to find the spiritual words to describe his Moon mission

On a humid evening in late March, Victor Glover huddled with his fellow Artemis II astronauts to have what the spacefarers called their “ultimate dinner.” It was their last full meal before embarking on their historic journey around the Moon — the first human-crewed visit to Earth’s silver satellite since 1972. After Glover finished his spread of lamb chops, spinach and sweet potatoes, the cook returned with something else: Communion elements. The cook, a Christian himself, then sat next to Glover and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen as the men paused to pray before observing the Christian sacrament together. “I prayed and I pleaded that God accepts that I do this for the mission,” Glover, who worships with Churches of Christ congregations in Texas, told Religion News Service in a recent video interview. It was a quiet moment of religious ritual shortly before a rocket launch so explosively loud that, even a mile away, the boom rivaled the sound of standing near a screaming jet engine. The Space Launch System that carried the Orion spacecraft then catapulted Glover, the pilot for the mission, and his fellow Artemis II crew members into space, where they soared around the Moon and back in a gaping 252,756 mile arc that took them farther away from the Earth than any human beings in history. But as millions back home marveled at the nine-day mission’s breathtaking photographs and technical accomplishments, Glover said the journey was also steeped in spiritual significance, from blastoff to splashdown.  Religion & Politics The country’s largest Protestant adoption agency is dropping LGBTQ couples — again Mosques face increasing challenges to provide security amid growing anti-Muslim fervor Supreme Court stops execution of inmate who became a ministry leader on death row Photos of the Week: Ratha Yatra in NYC, World Cup begins Bosnian Muslim boys and men dressed in Bosnian national soccer team jerseys pray at a Friday prayer, ahead of the soccer match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Canada and Bosnia, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut) In Opinion Why boycotting Israel at grocery co-ops hurts Jews, Palestinians and the food movement The theology lesson in Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' What Pope Leo’s AI encyclical means for Catholic colleges and universities And finally, She left Amish life. Now millions watch her cook in Amish dress. When Lovina Zook put her traditional, dark green Amish dress back on for the video that catapulted her into online fame, butterflies flooded her stomach. “There was a sense of panic that I’m going to be trapped again,” Zook said.  Zook, now 23, had left her Iowa community of Swartzentruber Amish, one of the faith’s most conservative affiliations, just before she turned 18. Years later, in 2024, she decided to make a video following the “everyone has a backstory” trend on TikTok, where she had started posting casually after growing up in a religious tradition that forbade her from using technology. At first, she said, she didn't know what her backstory was. Then, it clicked. 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. Copyright © 2026 RNS, All rights reserved.

 

RNS Morning Report - She left Amish life. Now millions watch her cook in Amish dress.

She left Amish life. Now millions watch her cook in Amish dress.   RNS National Reporter Fiona Murphy is fascinated (and targeted online) by trad wife content. One day, an ex-Amish influencer caught her eye.   Lovina Zook has become an unlikely TikTok star, using technology once forbidden to her and building an audience of 3.4 million followers. Now in her second trimester of pregnancy with her first child and living in North Texas with her husband, Eli Zook, who is also ex-Amish, Zook films herself cooking Amish food and reinterpreting a tradition she fled, while complicating the internet’s “trad wife” fantasies and outsiders’ romantic ideas about the Amish.   “That dress now does not symbolize hurt,” Zook told Murphy in a recent interview. “Now that dress symbolizes freedom.”         Top Stories She left Amish life. Now millions watch her cook in Amish dress. (RNS) — Lovina Zook is using technology once forbidden to her to reinterpret a tradition she fled, complicating both the internet’s ‘trad wife’ fantasies and outsiders’ romantic ideas about the Amish. An Episcopal camp offers queer Christians an affirming haven in Idaho (FāVS News) — The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane has hosted Queer Camp at Lake Coeur d’Alene since 2024, offering LGBTQ+ Christians and allies an affirming retreat in a state that introduced 27 anti-LGBTQ+ bills last year. Faith is integral to a country’s fortunes, says research review  (RNS) — Religion is playing a far greater role in economic growth and prosperity than many people realize, affecting key economic behavior including education, family size and savings, according to the Berlin-based think tank the Rockwool Foundation. Photos of the Week: Ratha Yatra in NYC, World Cup begins (RNS) — Each week RNS presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s photo selection includes a Ratha Yatra in New York City, the beginning of the World Cup and more. Opinion The theology lesson in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ (RNS) — From ‘Close Encounters’ to ‘E.T.’ to ‘Disclosure Day,’ we might begin to understand Steven Spielberg’s religious journey. Catholic rally celebrating nation’s founding offers a vision of America’s future (RNS) — The Zeale for America 250 rally offered a window into a movement that blends Catholic devotion, conservative activism and Trump-era politics into a single narrative of American history and national renewal. ICYMI A Native naming ceremony welcomes newly discovered spider into community of the land PORTLAND, Ore.  (RNS and NPR) — After its discovery by a local scientist, a new spider species received a ceremonial welcome by the Yakama Nation.  Hare Krishnas celebrate a 50-year milestone with a parade of chariots in Manhattan (RNS) — More than 25,000 devotees of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) attended the parade, according to organizers. 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.

United Methodist Now - Dads, history, and the people quietly changing America

 

We put our faith into action Discover these tips for dads   Dads can sometimes find it challenging to express the joy their children bring them. Taking some small steps will help parents share love with their children every day. CONNECT WITH THE KIDS Learn about Juneteenth On June 19, 1865, word reached slaves in Texas that they were free. As we celebrate this day, we reflect on how we can continue to resist evil, injustice, and oppression. WATCH Advertisements: Hear stories of joyful service   Church and Community Workers, United Methodist missionaries serving throughout the U.S., connect the church with underserved communities, leading programs that drive positive change. MEET MISSIONARIES How we are loving, serving and leading: Test your knowledge about circuit riders Circuit riders helped spread the gospel as they served many churches across a large geographic area. TAKE THE QUIZ Start a family conversation about helping others We can do missions wherever we may be. Use this practical resource to consider following this call as a family. GET THEM TALKING Find out what to do if you’re getting a new pastor Explore these encouraging suggestions that will help your church experience a blessed season of transition. TIPS & IDEAS Forward

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