Weekly Outlook - An announcement years in the making

Dear readers, We’re honored to share that the Presbyterian Outlook has named the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins as the 2026 recipient of the E.T. Thompson Award. Presented every two years, the award recognizes leaders whose ministry reflects the convictions of Ernest Trice Thompson — the Outlook’s founding editor, church historian and advocate for the church’s witness in the world. Over the years, the award has honored individuals whose leadership, scholarship, pastoral care and public witness have shaped the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in meaningful ways. In other words: it’s a pretty big deal. Hawkins has spent decades calling the church toward justice, compassion and courageous public discipleship. Through his leadership in racial equity and social witness ministries, he has helped Presbyterians engage difficult conversations while keeping faith, community and human dignity at the center. We’ll celebrate Hawkins and talk more about his ministry during a special Facebook Live conversation on June 4 at 12 p.m. ET. We’d love for you to join us. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. Want unlimited access to the Outlook? We're running a General Assembly special for first-time subscribers. A year of the Outlook for $9.95. Learn more.  P.S.S. Need help catching up on the issues coming to this year's GA? Download our free GA227 guide.

I stood outside an ICE detention center — and saw two kingdoms collide by Quincy Worthington Presbyterian Outlook honors Jimmie R. Hawkins by Teri McDowell Ott Prayer and the problem of evil by Tara W. Bulger    Overture requiring PC(USA) ministers to be monogamous generates debate, confusion by Gregg Brekke

In case you missed it... Why this Presbyterian pastor still knows the Hail Mary by heart Brittany Porch reflects on her Catholic roots, the comfort of inherited prayer and the words that return to us in moments of grief. The Gospel of Salome In "The Gospel of Salome," Kaethe Schwehn gives voice to an overlooked female disciple to craft a vivid, humanizing portrait of the historical Jesus. Ross Fogg offers a review. Little birds of prayer  Andrew Taylor-Troutman invites readers into a gentle practice of prayer shaped by rhythm, imagination and praise. A prayer for Presbyterian Heritage Sunday In this prayer, Rachel Sutphin gives thanks for the saints and reformers who shaped the church — and calls today’s Presbyterians to a living, justice-seeking faith. Special committee proposes confession specific to the times we live in As the 227th General Assembly approaches, PC(USA) leaders say a proposed new confession is meant to help the church speak truthfully about sin, justice and faith in this time and place. — Harriet Riley Former mission co-workers go public as PC(USA) severance conditions expire A year after the Interim Unified Agency eliminated 54 mission co-worker positions, former co-workers are describing what they endured — and two GA227 overtures are calling for accountability. — Eric Ledermann Clarity and oversight sought after passage of ‘Olympia Overture’ The PC(USA) continues to navigate questions first raised at the 2024 General Assembly as a new overture asks how recently approved amendments shape ordination and freedom of conscience across the church. — Blake Brinegar What counts as a disruption in worship? Katrina Pekich-Bundy reflects on neurodiversity, children in worship and the assumptions congregations make about who belongs in the sanctuary.

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - Can virality create revival? Gen Z evangelist Bryce Crawford has faith

Gen Z’s sweatpants and Crocs-wearing evangelist On the penultimate night of his I Love Jesus tour in late March, 22-year-old evangelist Bryce Crawford stepped onstage wearing wide-legged sweatpants, a cross-themed vintage tee and Lightning McQueen-shaped Crocs. “Who has their physical Bibles in the room?” he asked with a slight Georgia drawl. Throughout the 975-seat Crest Theatre in Sacramento, hands gripping Bibles sprang up. “Wow, amazing!” he said, before joking, “You know, for everyone who doesn’t have their Bibles … God’s gonna judge the earth.” After graduating high school in 2022, Crawford began traveling around Southern California — with a cameraman in tow — to “bring hope” to “the darkest places on earth,” as he told Hayden Royster, who reported the story for RNS. In a few short years, Crawford has become one of the most popular evangelical voices of his generation. But whether his virality is driving a real movement remains to be seen. Read the full story below.  Top Stories Can virality create revival? Gen Z evangelist Bryce Crawford has faith (RNS) — Twenty-two-year-old Bryce Crawford is becoming one of the internet’s most popular evangelical voices through his street preaching videos, podcast and national tour. But whether he is driving a real movement — and where this is all heading — remains to be seen. After years fostering interfaith ties, San Diego mosque finds allies in grief (RNS) — In the hours after the shooting, interfaith leaders and allies crowded vigils to stand in solidarity with the San Diego Muslim community. For Jewish converts, the spring holiday Shavuot takes on special significance  (RNS) — The festival commemorates when God gave the Torah, and with it, both spiritual freedom and responsibility, to the Israelites on Mount Sinai, a pivotal moment in the Jewish story. Many converts see Shavuot as particularly personal — a reminder that embracing Judaism is a daily choice.  As seminaries shuttered, Union grew. For Serene Jones, controversy was the price of survival. NEW YORK (RNS) — Jones is stepping down as president of Union Theological Seminary after 18 years. Her tenure has been defined by difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions that helped stabilize the institution even as mainline Protestantism declines. Opinion As Stephen Colbert signs off, America loses a prophet (RNS) — Comedians are doing some of the most serious moral work in America right now. America’s faith in war is a spiritual crisis — not just a political one  (RNS) — Few of our preachers use their pulpits to call for an end to war, often because they are afraid to do so. ICYMI In Los Angeles, a sister offers shelter and mercy to immigrants convicted of crimes (RNS) — Sister Teresa Groth runs Francisco Homes, a housing program for formerly incarcerated men, including immigrants facing deportation. Pope Leo’s popularity gives Vatican finances a boost, but old questions remain VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV says Vatican finances do not keep him up at night. In his first year, rising Vatican bank income and renewed interest from American Catholic donors suggest he may have reason for calm. 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 - In Los Angeles, a sister offers shelter and mercy to immigrants convicted of crimes

In LA, a sister offers shelter and mercy to immigrants convicted of crimes   When RNS national reporter Aleja Hertzler-McCain was in Los Angeles last fall to report on faith communities’ response to mass deportations, a Catholic archdiocese staff member encouraged her to reach out to a Catholic sister running transitional housing for men who had served long prison sentences. Hertzler-McCain checked with the staffer that she understood the focus of the trip — what immigration story could be told there?   But when Hertzler-McCain called Sister Teresa Groth, she found that Groth was supporting several immigrant men who were at risk of deportation due to their convictions. And, in the face of a nationwide trend where immigrant advocates and Catholic bishops were arguing that deportations should be reserved for exactly these kinds of people, Groth was insisting on the value of mercy.   Over the months since the reporting trip, Hertzler-McCain followed how the men rebuilt their lives after incarceration — forgiving or asking the forgiveness of family members, and getting jobs — all with the possibility of deportation looming over their heads.   Her full story, linked below, highlights Groth’s conviction that the public should hear from these men, and that people of faith must promote mercy. Top Stories In Los Angeles, a sister offers shelter and mercy to immigrants convicted of crimes (RNS) — Sister Teresa Groth runs Francisco Homes, a housing program for formerly incarcerated men, including immigrants facing deportation. Can virality create revival? Gen Z evangelist Bryce Crawford has faith (RNS) — Twenty-two-year-old Bryce Crawford is becoming one of the internet’s most popular evangelical voices through his street preaching videos, podcast and national tour. But whether he is driving a real movement — and where this is all heading — remains to be seen. Photos of the Week: California mosque attack, Rededicate 250 (RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes the aftermath of a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the Rededicate 250 event and more. Pope Leo’s popularity gives Vatican finances a boost, but old questions remain VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV says Vatican finances do not keep him up at night. In his first year, rising Vatican bank income and renewed interest from American Catholic donors suggest he may have reason for calm. Opinion America, According to Hillsdale Who gets to tell America’s story? How can you make God speak again? A 13-year-old student had the answer. (RNS) — This Shavuot, I recall a remarkably wise comment from a young girl that echoes across the Jewish tradition. ICYMI Bipartisan Senate duo introduce new bill to protect US Jews and institutions (RNS) — The bill would substantially enhance the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion annually. ‘One Nation Under God?’: 5 takeaways from RNS and NPR’s ‘1A’ live show (RNS) — Host Niala Boodhoo was joined at the American University in Washington, D.C., by RNS national reporter Jack Jenkins, religious liberty lawyer and Muslim identity scholar Asma T. Uddin, Mark D. Hall of Regent University and Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center. 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.