Weekly Outlook - A surprising shift in PC(USA) membership

Dear readers, I saw my first back-to-school commercial the other day — one of those ads aimed at moms and kids — and it instantly transported me back to childhood. I can still remember the strange mix of excitement and dread those commercials stirred up. How could summer already be ending when it felt like it had just begun? What would this school year bring? I can still smell the freshly polished tile floors of my elementary school and remember the confidence of a brand-new first-day outfit and a pencil case stocked with fresh pencils. We're entering that stretch of summer that's equal parts savoring late evenings and preparing for the season ahead. So, in that spirit, we're getting a head start, too. Beginning tomorrow through July 31, all of our Advent devotionals, liturgies and hymn collections are 10% off with the code XMAS. It's a chance to check one thing off your fall to-do list while saving a little along the way. And if you're still catching up after General Assembly, we've got you covered there, too. Our new post-GA bulletin inserts summarize the assembly's major actions in a format that's easy to share with your congregation. Available in both full-page and half-page versions, they're designed to help your church understand what happened in Milwaukee—without having to sort through hours of reports and debate. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook

When Ella Langley and Lil Wayne join the benediction by Maggie Alsup Presbyterian patriotism: Honestly honoring our history by Matthew B. Warren   A Presbyterian founder's antidote to our divided moment by James Calvin Davis PC(USA) membership decline slows, but congregations continue to close by John Bolt New website will enable churches and mid councils to easily prove their federal tax-exempt status by Mike Ferguson Polity Matters: What’s in a title? by Carson Rhyne

In case you missed it... Becoming Neighbors Loving our neighbor sounds simple — Aram Feinberg reviews Amar Peterman's "Becoming Neighbors" and asks if it's as easy as it sounds. The state of our union On America’s 250th anniversary, faith communities model a fragile but hopeful vision of unity grounded in truth, repentance and shared responsibility, writes Teri McDowell Ott. New ministry books for preaching, pastoral care and congregational life Whether crafting sermon series, accompanying grieving people or forming communities of radical welcome, these books offer practical wisdom for church leaders, writes Amy Pagliarella. Why Christians should care about science denialism When misinformation fuels disease outbreaks and deepens inequality, science denialism becomes more than an intellectual debate. It becomes a social justice issue that Christians cannot ignore, writes Elizabeth Haswell. Amid ICE killings, more than 100 clergy from across the US stage protest at Delaney Hall 'I am sick and tired of waking up every morning to see another loved one is dead,' said Charlene Walker, head of Faith in New Jersey. It's like SparkNotes but for General Assembly...

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - Video: Sen. Raphael Warnock has faith in US democracy

Raphael Warnock says the US is a freedom train. People need to get on it.   Given his roles as both preacher and policymaker, Raphael Warnock was a natural subject for the RNS video series created to mark America’s 250th: “What does it mean to belong in America?”   In the fifth and final episode, released Thursday, Warnock spoke about growing up as the son of Pentecostal preachers, the social gospel of Martin Luther King Jr., what the Bible says about immigrants and why he has faith in the American experiment.   “America’s a freedom train,” Warnock said. “And at each stop, different people who have different life experiences have had to get on that train and help us to keep moving towards our destination. Freedom is a journey.”   Watch the interview or read the transcript.         Top Stories Raphael Warnock says the US is a freedom train. People need to get on it. (RNS) — In the final episode of ‘What does it mean to belong in America,’ the Rev. Raphael Warnock, the US senator from Georgia, talks about welcoming immigrants, tribalism and his faith in the American experiment. ‘It’s a sin if you do not vote’: Progressive National Baptists urge midterm turnout WASHINGTON (RNS) — The historically Black denomination made voting a theme of its annual session. In a Tisha B’Av reversal, these American Jews grieve for destruction of Palestinian lives (RNS) — Seven cities across the country — including Boston, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Seattle — held similar public rituals to mark the Jewish day of mourning. These Catholic sisters want to start a new order with a difficult mission: Helping clergy abuse survivors (RNS and NPR) — Sister Theresa Aletheia and Sister Danielle Lussier are the only community of religious sisters in the Catholic Church fully dedicated to serving abuse victims. Opinion ‘The Odyssey,’ the Jews and a history lesson for an Oregon theater (RNS) — At a time of rising antisemitism, a business chose to casually erase Jewish history in order to sell movie tickets. ICYMI As Jews mark Tisha B’Av, ancient mourning rituals make room for modern grief (RNS) — ‘October 7 will definitely be in my mind, but Tisha B'Av also gives you the long view of Jewish history,’ Rabbi Diana Fersko said. ‘This isn’t a peacekeeping initiative — this is a terror campaign’: Texas faith leaders condemn ICE deaths AUSTIN, Texas (RNS) — A news conference inside the state Capitol brought together about two dozen leaders from the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ, the National Council of Jewish Women and other faith-related groups. 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 - July 24, 2026

UM News Digest - July 24, 2026 Seeking peace in Iran | Congo water project | A pastor’s reflection “Dale understood that you have to make peace with your enemies. In order to do that, you have to talk to them.”  — Jaydee Hanson, on Bishop C. Dale White’s visit to Iran in 1979. Bishop C. Dale White speaks at the 1980 United Methodist General Conference in Indianapolis about his 11-day visit to Iran in November aimed at fostering dialogue amid the Iranian hostage crisis. File photo courtesy of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. Taking action during a previous Iran crisis NEW YORK (UM News) — Decades before this year’s U.S.-Iran conflict, a United Methodist bishop set off for Iran on a Christmas mission for peace. Bishop C. Dale White of New Jersey joined a small delegation of religious leaders headed to Iran in hopes of fostering dialogue during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. The 11-day visit not only made an impact at the moment, but also led to action by the denomination’s top legislative body and a White House meeting with President Jimmy Carter in 1980. Linda Bloom has the story. Read story Jean Tshomba, coordinator of the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Disaster Management Office in Eastern Congo, turns on the tap of a new rainwater cistern in Kibumba, Congo, as team members and residents of the village look on. Photo by Jolie Shabani, UM News. Church installs rainwater tanks in isolated village KIBUMBA, Congo (UM News) — More than 600 households in a remote Congolese village now have access to clean water through a rainwater project funded by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Before the rainwater tanks were installed, residents had to walk long distances in search of clean water. Jolie Shabani reports. Read story South Carolina Conference Summer Break Café nourishes children COLUMBIA, S.C. — Every summer, thousands of kids in Columbia, South Carolina, lose access to the meals they count on during the school year. But for 19 years, Francis Burns United Methodist Church has been answering that need. What the church offers is more than a meal. The Summer Break Café nourishes both children and volunteers. Jessica Brodie has the story. Read story Wisconsin Conference Bishop responds to fatal shooting SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Wisconsin Conference Bishop Dan Schwerin called for a full investigation and “appropriate action” after the shooting of a homeless man by a police officer on July 22. Corey Durell Ruiz, 38, was killed on a Madison city street and video of it taken by bystanders was posted online. Police said Ruiz wounded an officer with a knife while resisting arrest. There has been a tense atmosphere in Madison since the event. “May we respond with prayer and nonviolent, hopeful action,” Schwerin wrote. Read statement AP: Fatal police shooting roils community ADVERTISEMENT Rio Texas Conference Trained volunteers needed in Texas SAN ANTONIO — The Rio Texas Conference is calling for trained Early Response Team volunteers to help with cleanup after floods in central Texas. “The Rio Texas Conference is coordinating volunteer opportunities to ensure assistance is provided safely, effectively and where it is needed most,” the conference said. Early Response Team volunteers do not rebuild homes. Instead, they help families take the critical first steps that prepare homes for long-term recovery. Learn more Donate   New 2026 annual conference reports posted NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2026 annual conference reports. New this week is a special session of the Liberia Annual Conference. Read reports ADVERTISEMENT UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. Why I chose to remain in The United Methodist Church  WHEELING, Ill. (UM News) — A retired elder in the Northern Illinois Conference reflects on the early experiences that drew him to Methodism. When deciding whether to remain in the denomination, the Rev. Eun Chul Cho said, the image of the cross came to mind, with the two beams representing his relationships with God and United Methodist leaders.  Read commentary Church and Society Agency hosts US Congress members WASHINGTON — Several U.S. Congress members gathered for a dinner with United Methodist bishops, ecumenical leaders and Church and Society staff at the United Methodist Building. Bishop Julius Trimble, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, hosted the dinner. The lawmakers who attended, most of whom identify with the Methodist tradition, discussed faith, democracy and the church’s role in public life.  Read press release Wiley University Wiley names new dean of chapel MARSHALL, Texas — United Methodist-related Wiley University announces the Rev. Christopher Weems is its new dean of the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel. An ordained United Methodist elder, Weems steps into the role with a vision to reconnect Wiley University with its Methodist heritage. Wiley is one of 11 historically Black colleges and universities that receives support from The United Methodist Church’s Black College Fund. Read press release Learn more about Black College Fund Photo by Jaime Moreno, AP Amid ICE killings, churches defend immigrants Read story Photo courtesy of the Hamilton campaign On the road with Rev. Adam Hamilton in Kansas Read story July 28 Faith and AI Discernment Webinar Sept. 22-24 Growing in Grace Symposium 2026 More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos