Weekly Outlook - A prayer for democracy on election day

This is Dartinia, filling in for Rose Taylor while she’s on family leave.  Baby Outlook is here. We are all elated for this new little family. While it’s exciting to see a friend and a truly good person become a parent, I’m also thinking about the early days with my own children: 11 p.m. grocery-store trips because we were ALL awake, diapers so full they could fell a dinosaur, and doubt. I actually argued with my maternity-ward nurse.  “I need a fishing license. And a driver’s license. Right?” “Yes,” she said. “So why don’t I need a parenting license?” She smiled. “The best parents are the ones who ask that question.” I wouldn’t ask the license question these days.  In-the-trenches parenting takes more hope and faith than I sometimes had, especially while walking the peanut butter aisle at midnight. Hope that the world would be kind, faith that I could help my kids discover the people God made them to be.  When my oldest was three, she took her Rug-Rats Chuckie “packpack” to church with my mom-in-law. The pastor made the altar call, his booming voice and the organ-and-drum set irresistible, and Alex ran to the front of Trinity United Methodist and danced joyfully with the packpack. The pastor insisted she bring Chuckie to every service.  My colleague’s faith is buckets beyond my mustard-seed sliver. Whatever questions she has as a parent, she never questions God’s grace, presence, and faithfulness.  Rose’s faith gives me hope. It is a gift to all, and especially to her precious little one.  Peace, Dartinia Hull Managing Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. Have you started your Advent plans? We've got daily devotionals and a plethora of liturgies to make your life easier. Learn more.

A prayer for democracy on election day by Teri McDowell Ott Theology Beer Camp creates radically inclusive space by Brandon M. Mercer What has formed your theology? by Maggie Alsup Breaking, Disintegrating, Scattering by Larissa Kwong Abazia

In case you missed it... No other God: Voting, faith, and state intimidation As citizens of the United States, we have the responsibility to vote and decide on the shape of our future. — Rev. Dr. Serene Jones Polity matters: Faithful governance and the Book of Order Kyle Walker reflects on a major change in Presbyterian church order from 2011. Harmful theology hiding in plain sight Religion shapes our shared life. Theological education helps Christians discern when faith leads toward love and justice — and when it is used to justify exclusion and power. — Teri McDowell Ott An ‘empathy gap’ divides Americans ahead of the midterms, says PRRI report A new survey from Washington, D.C.-based Public Religion Research Institute has found a new dividing line among Americans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections: empathy. — Bob Smietana Explorations of nature and neurospicy childhoods Theologian, educator and mom Dr. Kiara Jorgenson appears on Sounding Board. — Mike Ferguson Consensus, clarity and courage: Workshop at Stewardship Kaleidoscope identifies the three Cs of property discernment Workshop helps guide church leaders through decisions about church property which are often fraught with emotion, theology, tradition, history, finance, stewardship and a range of other concerns. Weathering the Storm: Navigating the Anti-Social Justice Wave Book review of Tiffany G. Townsend’s "Weathering the Storm" which addresses the obstruction of social progress and offers several paths towards healing. — Veronica Johnson

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RNS Morning Report - Ohio will elect its first Hindu or Jewish governor. Here’s how religion is shaping the nasty race.

In case you missed it: We’re currently running a survey to better understand you so we can better serve you. We’re interested in learning things like how you consume news, what questions you have that we can answer, and more. If you have a few minutes, we’d greatly appreciate your input. If you’ve already taken the survey, thank you for your input! We look forward to sharing what we learn with you soon. Top Stories Ohio will elect its first Hindu or Jewish governor. Here’s how religion is shaping the nasty race. COLUMBUS, Ohio (RNS) — Visiting campaign events and houses of worship, RNS explores how religion has shaped both Dr. Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaigns. UMC bishop removes ministers from Dallas’ Highland Park; church says they will stay (RNS) — In yet another escalation, the bishop said he was removing the Rev. Matt Tuggle, senior minister, and the Rev. Paul Rasmussen, former senior minister, ‘from all positions’ at the church. Chicago Catholics suing Trump administration bring migrant detainees’ stories to Pope Leo VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The delegation thanked the Chicago-born pope for supporting pastoral access to detained immigrants as its legal fight for permanent access to the Broadview ICE facility continues. Republicans turn to transgender-focused attack ads against Democrats of faith (RNS) — LGBTQ Christians also say they are disappointed with Democrats who have backed away from positions that affirm trans people, resulting in a conflict for advocates. Atlanta program for formerly incarcerated people now houses Senegalese asylum-seekers (RNS) — The nonprofit Inner-City Muslim Action Network-Atlanta opened its housing program to Senegalese immigrants seeking asylum after the city government asked for help. The group says the model is working, even while federal funding has been slashed. Opinion AI and religion: A modest proposal (RNS) — In establishing safeguards for AI, some companies should attempt to build in not only rules of ethical behavior, but also, to the extent possible, a sense of what it means to be a flesh-and-blood being. Jordan’s Christians are citizens, not guests (RNS) — I have spent years coming to Jordan to work alongside Jordanian churches and young people. I know some of the Christians who were affected by the Oct. 23 attack. Their grief is personal to me, as is the deep pride they express in their country. Why American Jews are divided, and how we can fix it (RNS) — You know the saying that two Jews have three opinions? It's more like eight. A new book tells why. ICYMI Amid mixed Pew findings, youngest adults outpace parents’ generation in worship attendance (RNS) — The complicated findings, based on relatively small samples within each age group, come as Americans’ religious decline continues to plateau. The Vatican Museums celebrate almost a century of popemobiles with new exhibit VATICAN CITY (RNS) — From silk brocade to electric motors, a new Vatican exhibit traces nearly a century of Mercedes-Benz papal cars and the changing ways popes meet the world. 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.

UM News Digest - Oct. 30, 2026

UM News Digest - Oct. 30, 2026 Madagascar churches | New pastor at Highland Park | Richard Allen tribute “We didn’t know how our good Lord could open a way like this to plant a United Methodist church in the North, a vision we had upon our arrival in Madagascar.”  — The Rev. Eric Kalumba Nkulu, a Global Ministries missionary assigned as a church planter in Madagascar. The Rev. Eric Kalumba Nkulu, a Global Ministries missionary assigned as a church planter in Madagascar, receives the first stone of a new United Methodist church building from a local construction worker in Sambava, Madagascar. Photo by Rosette Viviane, UM News. New churches take root in Madagascar ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (UM News) — United Methodism continues to expand in Madagascar as the church lays the foundation for two new church buildings on the island nation. The Sambava congregation in the North has grown from five members to more than 130 and helped establish five additional congregations in surrounding communities. Esdras Rakotoarivony and Vanessa Rakotonirina have the story. Read story Bishop names new pastor to Highland Park DALLAS (UM News) — Bishop Rubén Saenz Jr. is making plans to care for Highland Park members who wish to stay United Methodist. In letters to both Highland Park lay leaders and congregants, he also maintained that this week’s congregational vote to cut ties with the denomination is not valid under church law. Heather Hahn reports. Read story   African Methodist Episcopal and United Methodist leaders hold a banner for the Bishop Richard Allen Way street renaming celebration Oct. 7 at Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News. United Methodists help honor AME Church founder PHILADELPHIA (UM News) — United Methodists joined in a historic tribute to the former slave who founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church, as Philadelphia’s mayor renamed a street in honor of Bishop Richard Allen. The celebration began at Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church, where Allen was a licensed preacher serving the church’s growing Black membership until racial segregation prompted him and others to depart in 1787. John W. Coleman has the story. Read story Northern Illinois Conference United Methodists, Muslims connect over dinner BARRINGTON, Ill.  — United Methodists and their Muslim neighbors broke bread Oct. 13 at Barrington United Methodist Church as part of a campaign titled “Hope in Action: Standing Together Against Hate and Division.” The dinner was designed to encourage participants to build relationships across faith traditions and put compassion into practice. Lisa Smith reports. Read story Global Ministries Solar power shines in wildfire response SPOKANE, Wash. — Fifteen “solar suitcases” were distributed in eastern Washington state after wildfires damaged land and homes, forcing 67,000 people to evacuate in August. The new solar tools generate electricity for United Methodist Early Response Teams, reducing the need for gas generators and limiting emissions. Beverly Touchton has the story. Read story ADVERTISEMENT Religion and Race A call for equity as General Conference site added WASHINGTON — Following the Commission on the General Conference’s selection of Harare, Zimbabwe, as a site beyond Minneapolis for the 2028 General Conference, the top executives of seven general agencies and the Connectional Table have issued a call for equity and full participation. “We call on the Commission on General Conference to offer deliberate and prayerful consideration for how to offer these concurrent sites with as much equity as possible for all involved; and if equity is not possible, to prioritize those most often disenfranchised.”  Read statement UM News: Zimbabwe added as 2nd General Conference site Reconciling Ministries Network Group shares safety concerns with new location SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. — Reconciling Ministries Network, a group that advocates for LGBTQ equality in The United Methodist Church, also is responding to the choice of Zimbabwe as a second site for General Conference 2028 with questions and concerns. “Our questions center around the safety of delegates and other Conference attendees and for the integrity of our shared commitments,” the group said in a statement. “The legal landscape in Zimbabwe is not uncertain for the LGBTQ+ people who call it home. We are learning from them, and want to understand what delegates would face should GC 2028 be held there.”  Read statement ADVERTISEMENT Church and Society Election eve prayer service planned WASHINGTON — On the eve of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society is hosting Faithful in This Hour, a virtual service of prayer and discernment. Through worship and intentional prayer, participants are invited to listen to members of the faith community and reflect on voting their values with humility and care, supporting equitable civic participation and renewing their commitment to the work of justice beyond Election Day. The service is at 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Nov. 2. Learn more Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News Top court delays ruling related to California church closure Read story Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News Gathering offers 16 ideas for church future Read story Nov. 4 National Webinar: Resistance from the Borderlands Nov. 14 SBC21 Presents: Renewing Our Faith Summit More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos