Top PC(USA) News of the Week: Election Prayer, Blueprint for Freedom, Letters of Protest, Hope in Hymn-writing, & Coffee and Spirituality

Week of November 2-6, 2026

On the eve of Tuesday’s election, Presbyterians gather online to pray More than 300 register for a vigil that centers reading Scripture, singing and praying

Shared values between folks in the Twin Cities and Ukrainians Historian Timothy Snyder packs Westminster Presbyterian Church for his ‘A Blueprint for Freedom’ talk

This month in Presbyterian history Letters of protest, a Thanksgiving hymn, and a survey of Lane Theological Seminary's land

Leafing through the hymnal Noted hymnwriter and scholar Dr. David Bjorlin is the most recent guest on the ‘Sounding Board’ podcast

Coffee and spirituality During a Leader Formation webinar, the Rev. Amos Méndez serves up tasty cups of eachr

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

RNS Morning Report - Argentina’s Milei embraces Pope Leo XIV, who pushes him on austerity

Top Stories Argentina’s Milei embraces Pope Leo XIV, who pushes him on austerity BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (RNS) – In his speech, Leo emphasized a number of public policy priorities, including many that Milei has made cuts to, though Leo did not directly criticize the president. ‘Indian Christmas:’ Hindus celebrate and mourn the commercialization of Diwali (RNS) — Big-box retailers and luxury brands have embraced the Hindu festival of lights. But some question whether the five-day spiritual festival question is being flattened into a glitzy shopping season. In Uruguay, Pope Leo XIV greets Latin America’s most secular country MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (RNS) — Religiously unaffiliated Uruguayans told RNS they retain a mix of skepticism and hope that the visit will bring some benefit to the country. Rabbis who came to help Palestinians pick olives say they found a community under siege (RNS) — For a Rabbis for Ceasefire delegation to the West Bank, the past week-and-a-half offered an up-close look at what they described as Israeli efforts to disrupt — if not destroy — a critical economic and cultural lifeline for Palestinian farmers. Secular voters are increasing. Can ‘the nones’ become a political force? (RNS) — In the 2026 midterms, the Rev. Adam Hamilton and James Talarico emphasized their Christian faith but won stronger support among nonreligious voters than among Christians. Gov. Shapiro calls Philadelphia bike ride protest targeting Jewish-owned businesses ‘blatant antisemitism’ (RNS) — Organizers of the “Boycott Ride” said on Instagram that the cycling demonstration is intended to show pro-Palestinian solidarity and protest six businesses, which they say are “Zionist establishments.” Pope Leo XIV calls for universal access to health care in Uruguay VATICAN CITY (RNS) – Opening his Latin America trip in Montevideo, Leo drew on his recent illness and a monument dedicated to Uruguay’s national hero to urge leaders to care for those who need it most. Opinion Captain Picard Was Wrong About AI Personhood (RNS) — The race to create AI 'persons' is a danger to our moral landscape. Federal action banning it is needed. Russell Brand, convicted of rape, told us who he was. Why didn’t Christian leaders listen? (RNS) — After Brand's conversion to Christianity, Bishop Robert Barron, Carl Lentz, Tullian Tchividjian and Gabe Lyons all appeared in interviews with him — even though the accusations against Brand were already public. Dirty soda is quirky but unmistakably Mormon (RNS) — A new documentary explores the origins and religious angle behind Utah's best-known beverage export. ICYMI Nithya Raman, a practicing Hindu, elected as mayor of Los Angeles (RNS) — Los Angles voters elected Hindu Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman as mayor, giving mayoral offices to Indian American immigrants in the two largest U.S. cities. Muslim advocacy group CAIR shuts Florida chapter as terror designation takes effect (RNS) A federal judge denied the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ bid to halt Florida’s terrorist designation. 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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RNS Weekly Digest - At least 7 Muslims win election to Congress, a record

At least 7 Muslims win election to Congress, a record

A record seven Muslims were elected to Congress, six to the House of Representatives and one to the Senate. Early Wednesday (Nov. 4), Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Michigan Democrat, made history as the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. The son of Egyptian immigrants and a former public health official, the 42-year-old was repeatedly scrutinized and attacked for his faith. President Donald Trump labeled him a “jihadist” and claimed, without evidence, that El-Sayed was on the side of Muslim terrorist groups.  “Islamophobia backfired,” said Fatima Salman, a close childhood friend of El-Sayed who fundraised and campaigned for him. “Today is a day of joy, of celebration, and we need that moment because we have been under so much pressure for so long.”  Religion & Politics Is Brad Lander, a pro-Palestinian liberal Zionist heading to Congress, the future of Jewish Democrats? Nithya Raman, a practicing Hindu, elected as mayor of Los Angeles On Election night, the religious left is back Photos of the Week: US midterms, preparing for the pope’s trip Supporters cheer in celebration of election results announced at a watch party for the Rev. Adam Hamilton on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Hamilton, who pastors a United Methodist megachurch, challenged Republican incumbent Roger Marshall for the U.S. Senate seat. (RNS photo/Kit Doyle) In Opinion Midterms were a victory for Golden Rule Christianity Hating Muslims is becoming a losing strategy On Diwali, Jains honor a man who owned nothing. COP31 should take note. And finally, After Texas midterm victory, Rev. Frederick Haynes eager to serve with fellow ordained congressmen. The Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III got a taste of what it would be like to be both a pastor and a politician when he learned on Tuesday (Nov. 3) that he had won a Texas congressional seat while he was working at his predominantly Black megachurch in Dallas. Haynes is aligned with two historically Black denominations — the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., the one in which he grew up, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention, where he is cochair of the social justice commission. After being encouraged to run by his 12,000-member Friendship-West Baptist Church congregation, Haynes conducted a race calling for economic relief, including lower healthcare costs for the people he would represent if he made it to Congress. He also agreed with Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, declaring, “We’re going to have to get money out of politics so we can get money back in the pockets of the people.” Haynes, 65, spoke with Religion News Service on Wednesday (Nov. 4) about his congressional plans, how he looks forward to serving with other members known for their faith, and who he considers the heroes of voter turnout in the midterms. 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. Copyright © 2026 RNS, All rights reserved.