Top PC(USA) News of the Week: PC(USA) Pastor competes on Jeopardy, YAVs share stories, Advocating for Affordable Healthcare, a new Gun Violence resource

Week of September 28 - October 2, 2026

Who is the Presbyterian pastor who won on ‘Jeopardy!’? National Presbyterian Church associate pastor comes from behind to win on the iconic game show

Young Adult Volunteers speak of their work and its impact — on themselves and on the communities they serve The PILLARS recurring gift community receives its second up-close look at a cherished PC(USA) ministry

Churches urged to advocate for those who need affordable, accessible healthcare Self-Development of People’s latest webinar encourages people of faith to work with community partners on this justice issue

Gun violence prevention is a group project Presbyterians are leaders in the effort that includes ecumenical, interfaith and community partners

PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness helps create new clergy resource on gun violence prevention laws The resource focuses on Extreme Risk Protection Orders, which remove temporarily firearms from at-risk individuals

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

RNS Morning Report - A former SSPX priest embraces life as a gay man and tattoo artist

Top Stories A former SSPX priest embraces life as a gay man and tattoo artist EXTON, Pennsylvania — In some traditionalist circles, Palmquist’s story — from SSPX priest to talking on YouTube about his faith and being gay — is already infamous. As ICE readies Louisiana facility for children and families, faith leaders hold vigil ALEXANDRIA, La. (RNS and Verite News) — Part of the Trump administration’s efforts to ramp up deportations, the facility — which will hold unaccompanied minors and families — is situated beside an airport that has become known as the country’s busiest hub for deportation flights. As anti-Hindu rhetoric grows, Texas Hindus rethink public celebrations DALLAS (RNS) — ‘I enjoy celebrating your culture, religion, whatever your faith is, but everything has a limit,’ said Irving resident Seema Ashar. ‘You cannot disturb other people, and it’s getting wilder and wilder every year. You have to respect everybody around you.’ For Sukkot, etrogim purveyors find a lively, lucrative market in Brooklyn (RNS) —The most expensive fruit sold in New York City today is not for consumption. A single etrog, a pithy, lemon-like citrus fruit, can cost thousands of dollars for religious Jews willing to pay for perfection.       Opinion America: Don’t be a stranger (RNS) — All told, only 34% of Americans — barely a third — say most people can be trusted. There is a path to a more neighborly America. Shields up! Evasive maneuvers! How the LDS Church responds to perceived criticism (RNS) — The church’s insatiable need for public approval means we are supposed to emphasize how the church’s internal records show our metrics going up, up, up. ICYMI Bishop Mariann Budde to resign, will remain in post during lengthy replacement process WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘I’m going to do all that I can to both lead well in this period and to ensure that there’s as much wind in the sails of the future leader and the diocese going forward as is humanly possible,’ Budde said in an exclusive interview with Religion News Service. Here’s what to know about Pete Hegseth’s new Office of Religious Affairs (RNS) — A memo announcing the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs said it would ‘oversee research, technology, and analytical tools to support and assess spiritual fitness, spiritual readiness, and spiritual resilience’ of soldiers.       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

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WCC news: WCC general secretary shares encouragement with WCC education commission

In a special message entitled “The Spirit of Ecumenical Learning,” World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shared appreciation for the work of the WCC Ecumenical Education and Formation Commission as they start their biannual meeting at the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey.  WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay addressed the opening session of the EEF Commission via video message. He will join the group on 7 October for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 5 October 2026 “As you gather here in these days, I appreciate all of you for traveling long distances to confer about the state of ecumenical education globally and to advance the cause of ecumenical education and formation,” wrote Pillay. “After the celebrations and deliberations in Egypt last year of the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, our theological imperative is clearer than ever: we are called to critical appropriation of that ancient, life-giving faith in every context to face and address our global crisis at its deepest spiritual level.” Pillay noted that ecumenical learning liberates us from our parochial thinking and frees us to throw ourselves into that work with open minds and hearts, wherever we are.  “Discerning the will of God in these changing and challenging times is essential so that we may bring glory to God and relevantly address the needs of our times,” he wrote. “So, dear commissioners, my hopes and prayers are with you as you gather these days.” The EEF Commission meeting goes from 5-9 October, bringing together members for a week of reflection, evaluation, and planning around the future of ecumenical education and formation. Under the theme “Ecumenical Formation as Ethos and as Programme,” the meeting will consider the commission’s mandate and priorities, review current initiatives, and identify directions for its future work.  Read the full message Watch the video recording WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation to meet at Bossey (WCC news release, 30 September 2026) 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 356 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