RNS Morning Report - Church membership may be declining, but many churchgoers are double-dosing

Top Stories Church membership may be declining, but many churchgoers are double-dosing (RNS) — Amid a collapse of loyalty to religious institutions, many churchgoers say they are attending multiple congregations on Sunday morning.   Anti-Shariah conspiracy theories, a staple of 9/11-era rhetoric, resurge around Mamdani (RNS) — As critics revive anti-Shariah talk, Muslim advocates fear consequences for communities across the country.   Sen. Cotton urges IRS to review CAIR’s nonprofit status, alleges ties with terror groups (RNS) — Cotton’s letter is the latest in a series of accusations claiming CAIR has ties to terror organizations and denouncing the group’s pro-Palestinian activism.   Photos of the Week: Pachamama, Tisha B’Av (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes Pachamama traditions in Bolivia, Tisha B'Av commemorations and more.   RNS Opinion As Gaza starves, churches must lead on Palestinian recognition (RNS) — The protection of the Palestinian people is a matter of faith and conscience.   Norman Gyamfi wants to save gospel music — at the cost of losing its soul (RNS) — Bragging about gutting gospel music of its soulful urgency and political relevance to increase profits isn’t the flex Gyamfi thinks it is.   ICYMI Texas Rep. James Talarico calls Democrats’ redistricting exodus an act of faith (RNS) — Talarico said: ‘It’s not just a political struggle, it is a spiritual struggle, and we need to shield ourselves and be ready for the fight ahead.’   Ryan Burge joins the Danforth Center at Washington University (RNS) — A political scientist and former small-church pastor, Burge has long studied the intersection of religion and politics. In Other News Mel Gibson’s 2-part ‘Resurrection of the Christ’ to be released starting Holy Week 2027 Outrage as Spanish town bans Muslim religious festivals from public spaces   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

RNS Weekly Digest: 'This is domestic terror': Shaken by ICE raids, pastors rethink ministries

'This is domestic terror': Shaken by ICE raids, pastors rethink ministries

When the Rev. Tanya Lopez talks about the day in June when she had to confront masked agents in her church parking lot, she focuses on the man they detained. As the pastor of Downey Memorial Christian Church near Los Angeles, California, she said her primary concern was the person being taken away by the apparent federal immigration agents, though they declined to identify what agency they worked for. But the fact that agents felt comfortable apprehending a man on church property — and were willing, Lopez says, to raise a weapon at her even after she identified herself as a pastor — left her shaken. “This is domestic terror, in my opinion,” Lopez told Religion News Service in June. “I don’t feel safe. I still have to show up at church on Sunday. I still have to lead worship.”  Religion & Politics Texas Rep. James Talarico calls Democrats' redistricting exodus an act of faith At meeting of African Catholic leaders, bishops urge peace on the continent Opus Dei Catholic who led Dallas ICE lawyers now defends immigrants Photos of the Week: Pachamama, Tisha B'Av People gather on La Cumbre, a mountain considered sacred to burn offerings in observance of the month of Pachamama, or Mother Earth, performing an ancient tradition to ask for a good harvest, on the outskirts of La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) In Opinion Influencers invoked the Bible to promote spanking. What about its harmful effects? Billions in park funding at risk as Great American Outdoors act expires Why we need women's mosques And finally, Pope Leo is focused on AI. What should his guidance offer the world? From the start of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV signaled his interest — and concern — over the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence, prompting many Vatican observers to believe a major papal document might be coming to address autonomous systems and their impact on humanity. The Vatican has been carefully observing the rise of AI, which has made dramatic leaps just this year. The new version of ChatGPT, released by OpenAI in February, claims improved emotional understanding, and Google’s AlphaEvolve is creatively solving mathematical problems. Google’s Veo 3 creates state-of-the-art AI videos with synched audio. AI-controlled F-16s are now rivaling human pilots, and China is deploying intelligent robots to do an increasing number of tasks, from waiting tables to providing health care. Experts say Artificial General Intelligence — machines capable of simulating human reasoning — may be only a few years away. A mathematician, canon lawyer and theologian, Pope Leo has shown he understands the stakes. Speaking to cardinals in the Sistine Chapel only 48 hours after his election, he said he was inspired to take the name Leo to follow in the footsteps of Leo XIII, who in 1891 issued “Rerum Novarum” (“On Revolutions”) to address the upheavals of the Industrial Revolution. 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.

Uniting Church in Australia - ASC meets in July ✝️, a reflection on the #MarchforHumanity 📢, Remembering Joan Stott ❤️ & more in National News 7 August

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7 August 2025 National Update Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE Discernment, fellowship and decisions at the July meeting of the Assembly Standing Committee The Uniting Church Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) met in in late July, bringing together elected members, Assembly Officers, UAICC leadership and Synod General Secretaries. Now meeting five times a year, twice online, the ASC provides oversight of the Assembly's ministry and mission. This meeting marked Rev Charissa Suli’s first full year as President of the Assembly. She reflected on an exceptionally busy three months, during which she travelled extensively across Australia and overseas. Rev Suli shared insights from young people calling for greater inclusion and spoke about the Church’s ongoing advocacy for justice in Palestine. Reports were also presented by General Secretary Andrew Johnson and Rev Will Pickett, interim co-chair of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. Over the three-day meeting, the ASC explored potential pillars for a new Assembly Strategic Plan and made a number of decisions to progress the work of the Act2 Project. Other key decisions included adopting the World Council of Churches’ statement on Palestine, launching a review of the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice, and approving Terms of Reference for a Covenant Revival Working Group. Read full story JUSTICE Why I marched: a personal reflection on the March for Humanity Rev Hee Won Chang, minister at Hope Uniting Church, writes about why she joined thousands of others in the March for Humanity on Sunday. “I firmly believe this is what discipleship looks like when it walks out the church doors and into the world ... So we walked, for hostages, for Gaza, for every person oppressed who longs to be free. And as we walked, we met Christ Jesus walking beside us.” OUR PEOPLE A tribute to Joan Stott: a woman of unwavering faith, action and sisterhood The Uniting Church Assembly joins with many across Australia and the world in mourning the passing and giving thanks for the life of Joan Stott, who died peacefully on 9 July 2025. We pay tribute to Joan's influential life, which was felt locally in the Uniting Church, nationally through the Uniting Church Adult Fellowship, and internationally through the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. All were enriched by her enduring passions for the gifts of women and of older people in the church. GLOBAL CHURCH “My heart soared with gratitude at this experience”: young adult pilgrims for peace Uniting Church Pastor Joyce Tangi shares her experience of joining the inaugural World Methodist Council Young Adult Pilgrimage of Peace in South Korea in June this year. WORSHIP Celebrating the gift of Uniting in Worship 2 over two decades The month of July marked 20 years since the release of Uniting in Worship 2, the worship book of the Uniting Church in Australia. To celebrate the anniversary, the Assembly has unveiled two new videos featuring the reflections of members of the then National Working Group on Worship who were involved in its release. For the first time, the Assembly has also made this resource available online for free, along with the material previously only available on the CD-ROM. RESOURCES Features of our living library of UCA resources  Last month saw the successful launch of the refreshed uHub – our living library of Uniting Church resources. In this and future editions of National Update, we’ll be highlighting various aspects of this content-rich site, calling attention to the vast array of resources, both old and new, that exist to support and encourage the ongoing mission of the church. This week we look at the relationship between the Assembly’s uHub and the Camden Theological Library's Illuminate site. ADVOCACY In case you missed it: an update on the Uniting Church Assembly's position on Palestine At its July meeting, the Uniting Church Assembly Standing Committee adopted the recent statement of the World Council of Churches Central Committee on Palestine and Israel as the official position of the Uniting Church Assembly. This powerful statement, 'A Call to End Apartheid, Occupation and Impunity in Palestine and Israel', was released at the June WCC Central Committee meeting in Johannesburg. It reflects two years of consultation with churches in the Middle East and the church in Palestine. EVENTS An interfaith service of peace and justice in Palestine This weekend, Pitt St Uniting Church in Sydney CBD will be the host of an interfaith service of prayer for peace in Palestine. This gathering will bring together voices from Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian communities standing together in a shared call for justice, with Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli as the guest speaker. All are welcome, this Saturday 9 August from 5:30pm AEST. Download the flyer. PRESIDENT Rev Suli’s reflections following the NSW and ACT Synod Last month’s Uniting Church of NSW & ACT Synod provided a timely reminder of who we are called to be as the Body of Christ in a complex and changing world. UCA President Rev Charissa Suli penned this reflection following the 41st session. EVENTS Gender justice conference calls for papers The Wesley Centre, with the support of Pilgrim Theological College, is holding its inaugural Theology and Culture Conference from 11–13 February 2026. The theme for this interdisciplinary gathering is Gendered Violence. This conference seeks to critically explore religious beliefs and theological frameworks that both contribute to and counter cultures of sexism, exclusion and violence. Conference organisers are currently inviting papers and workshop proposals from scholars, theologians and practitioners across disciplines. Click here to learn more. Join President Rev Charissa Suli in a time of prayer for peace and unity in Korea tomorrow Friday 8 August at 7pm AEST on Zoom. Register here. The WCC Ecumenical International Youth Day is taking place 12–13 August. This online event will centre on the theme Rooted in Hope: Nurturing Faith and Mental Well-being in the Face of Climate Crisis. Calling all second generation CALD leaders! The Feast of Faith conference returns this September. This is an opportunity to deepen your faith, build community and share stories of hope. Rev Jon and Rev Ness – two Sydney-based Uniting ministers – have launched a podcast series for families called On The Way. Its aim is to spark positive, curious conversations about God. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or catch it on YouTube. ICYMI: Official Assembly resources are now available for purchase from Wayzgoose. ICYMI: You're invited to attend a special screening of The Golden Chain of Mercy. This award-winning documentary tells of Australia and New Zealand’s forgotten role in aiding Armenian genocide survivors in the shadows of World War I. Next edition of National Update   Please note that National Update is now sent fortnightly on a Thursday. Our next regular edition will be on 21 August. Shorter editions are often sent in between. We gladly welcome contributions of stories, news and events from across the Uniting Church. Email comms@nat.uca.org.au Join us in prayer for... Those who are homeless across our country. May we and the Uniting Church’s community services network be instruments of Christ’s love in offering the help they may need. The NSW country communities of Narrabri and Wee Waa as floodwaters in both regions continue to rise and evacuations get underway. The nations of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

Jobs: Youth and Families Minister - The Gap UC (QLD Synod) A full-time role to disciple and connect children, youth and families in a vibrant Brisbane church. Jobs: Activity Facilitator - Beyond Limits (Synod of SA) Multiple casual positions available to deliver experiential learning programs at numerous sites.

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