Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of July 6-10, 2026

A service of lament and hope First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Texas, worships one year after the devastating Hill Country floods

Broadcast journalist with Presbyterian roots champions inclusive adoption Loving parents welcomed her at 6 months old and influenced her interests

God on the go Dr. Safwat Marzouk of Union Presbyterian Seminary leads an immigration webinar for the Synod of the Covenant

Mountains, ministry and momentum Registration is now open for PYWA’s 2026 national gathering

150 dangerous songs Pastor and author Richard Bruxvoort Colligan stops by the ‘A Matter of Faith’ virtual studios

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

RNS Morning Report - How Islamophobia roiled a Texas election

'It really did take me back to after 9/11': How Islamophobia roiled a Texas election Last week, Mark Hill, a Republican business attorney, was sworn in as new mayor of Frisco, Texas, after winning 58% of the vote in the June 13 election. His opponent, retired construction business owner and Republican Rod Vilhauer, campaigned on anti-Muslim, anti-South Asian immigrant rhetoric, while Hill promised to “unite our city and build a future rooted in connection, opportunity, and pride.” The race was marked by vitriolic city council meetings, clashes in Facebook groups and rallies drawing conservative activists from across the country, dividing the city of 245,000. RNS National Reporter Fiona André reports: As state Republican leaders have ramped up their Islamophobic, anti-Shariah law rhetoric ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the race has been seen as a bellwether of what happens when campaigns stoke anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim sentiment.       Top Stories ‘It really did take me back to after 9/11’: How Islamophobia roiled a Texas election FRISCO, Texas (RNS) — A mayoral election in Frisco, Texas, turned into a referendum on who belongs, with Islamophobic and anti-Hindu rhetoric dominating. The Latina women in Texas reshaping the UMC (RNS) — Latina United Methodist Church leaders in Texas are emerging with fresh models for ministry following years of schism, decline and uncertainty within the denomination. Vatican-backed priest tours US to visit immigrant advocates, community organizers (RNS) — 'This is completely terrible, and we cannot be silent in front of this,' the Rev. Mattia Ferrari, the coordinator of World Meeting of Popular Movements, told RNS about the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Opinion Beyond the End Times: What evangelical support for Israel really reveals  (RNS) — For many evangelicals, Israel is not just a sign of the End Times. It is also the homeland of a people they believe God has chosen and whom Christians are called to love.  How do we respond to Lindsey Graham’s death? It matters. (RNS) — Sen. Lindsey Graham has died. Why are people responding in such a tasteless way? ICYMI Inside a Christian mother’s fight against ICE activity in Chicago (RNS) — The second episode of ‘Faith on the Immigration Frontline' follows Audrey Luhmann, mother of eight, as she patrols courthouses, responds to community alerts, gathers supplies for immigrants and cares for her family. Muslim advocacy group fights for trust after Texas brands it a terrorist group AUSTIN, Texas (RNS) — A terrorist designation in Texas is fraying trust inside Muslim communities as mosque and nonprofit leaders decide whether standing by CAIR is worth the risk.  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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Uniting Church in Australia - Standing with the nation of Tuvalu | School of Discipleship meets | Broome UC celebrates milestone and more in National Update 14 July 2026

14 July 2026 National Update Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Featured Story Standing with the nation of Tuvalu For the people of the small Polynesian nation of Tuvalu, rising seas are more than an environmental challenge. They threaten homes, livelihoods, culture and identity. In Tuvalu, land is inseparable from faith, ancestry and belonging. As coastlines erode, so too does a way of life nurtured for generations. During a visit to Tuvalu in late May, a Uniting Church delegation witnessed both the significant challenges facing the Pacific nation and the extraordinary faith, resilience and hope of its people. The visit also included the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Uniting Church and the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT Church), reaffirming a shared commitment to discipleship, justice and partnership. We are pleased to share this special video exploring the profound connection between land, faith and identity for the people of Tuvalu. It invites us as the Church to respond with more than prayer alone. It is a call to faithful action: to advocate, to care for God’s creation and to stand alongside our Pacific neighbours in hope and solidarity. Watch the video LEARNING School of Discipleship inspires deeper discipleship and community Last month, School of Discipleship 2026 brought together young adults, ministers, families and children for a weekend of worship, learning and community centred on the theme ‘Lost in Translation: Reclaiming Discipleship and the Foundations of Faith’. Rev Adrian Sukumar-White reflects on how the gathering challenged participants to rediscover the heart of Christian discipleship and inspired a renewed commitment to following Jesus in everyday life. CELEBRATION Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday is this weekend! This Sunday 19 July, Uniting Churches across Australia are invited to celebrate Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday (INS), a national celebration that honours the rich diversity of cultures and languages within the body of Christ. Established following a decision of the 16th Assembly in 2022, INS encourages us to deepen our understanding of what it means to live and grow together as an intercultural Church. It also invites congregations to build meaningful relationships with culturally diverse communities in their neighbourhoods and participate in what God is already doing among them. Worship resources, including a full service, prayer and practical ideas for involvement, are now available. If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to download these as you prepare for this special occasion. OUR CHURCH Broome Uniting: Celebrating 100 years and more in the Kimberley Next month, Broome Uniting Church celebrates a century of worship in its historic church building, a recognised landmark in the town’s pearling district overlooking Roebuck Bay. While the current building marks its centenary, the church’s presence in Broome dates back to 1910, when the Presbyterian Church of Western Australia established an outpost in the north-west Australian town. Today, Broome Uniting continues to be a welcoming place of worship and community. Wendy Hendry recently visited and wrote a feature on this wonderful church and its people. COVENANTING Anniversary of the Covenant Statement Last Friday marked 32 years since the signing of the Covenant between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress – a historic commitment to walk together as First and Second Peoples in Christ. Signed on 10 July 1994, the Covenant calls us into a relationship grounded in truth, justice, mutual respect and reconciliation. It acknowledges the sovereignty of First Peoples, commits the Church to listening and learning, and challenges us to work together for healing and a more just future. As we give thanks for this enduring Covenant, may we continue to live it out in our congregations, communities and daily lives – walking together in faith and the love of Christ. In honour of the anniversary and to celebrate NAIDOC Week, Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli penned this message and prayer. LEARNING May Macleod Lecture coming up later this month This year’s May Macleod Lecture will be hosted by UTC on Thursday 30 July at the United Theological College in Sydney. The lecture will be presented by Rev Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, ‘From Memory to Healing: Engaging Justice, Reconciliation and Unity in a Wounded World’. Rev Dr Nalwamba is Programme Director for Unity, Mission and Ecumenical Formation. Register today by clicking here. Ashfield Uniting Church has unveiled a new Indigenous Stations of the Cross, offering one of Christianity’s longstanding traditions through a First Nations lens. This year’s Justice and International Mission Convention will be delving into what it means to be a peacemaking Church. Speakers include Dr Nida Shoughry, Dr Tsameret Levy-Daphny and Dr Matt Anslow. It’s on 25 July at the CTM in Melbourne. The Uniting Church’s Gospel Hall Melbourne – home to the oldest Chinese church in Australia – was recently featured in The Age and will be a site of the upcoming Open House Melbourne festival. The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to Christian unity through a series of ecumenical partnership visits in Switzerland last week. ICYMI: The Assembly’s Liturgical Renewal Project has launched a new Substack to share updates, reflections and resources as the project unfolds. Subscribe to have new posts delivered straight to your inbox and stay connected with this important work. July 19  Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday August 4  National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 30  Frontier Services Sunday September 1  Season of Creation (until 4 Oct) Click here for the Uniting Church Assembly 2026 calendar. ACT: Registered Nurse - Uniting Mirinjani NSW: Lecturer in Global Christianity - United Theological College NSW: Presbytery Minister - Northern Presbytery NSW: Young Adults Resource Worker - Eastwood UC NSW: Store Manager - Alpine UC Op Shop NT: Minister - Alice Springs UC NT: Shop Supervisor - Darwin Memorial UC Op Shop NT: Minister - Living Water UC QLD: Reception & Bookings Admin - Alexandra Park Conference Centre QLD: Associate Director of Mission (Integration, Formation & Church Partnerships) -UnitingCare QLD QLD: Residential Service Manager - Pinangba SA: Outback Links Volunteer - Frontier Services SA: Family Connections Coordinator - Clare UC VIC: Minister/Deacon - Living Faith Church Greensborough VIC: Minister/Pastor - Echuca Moama UC TAS: Minister/Pastor - Hobart Scots Memorial UC TAS: Home Care Worker - Uniting AgeWell WA: Marketing Coordinator - Uniting WA WA: Pilbara Patrol Remote Area Bush Chaplain - Synod of WA WA: Minister - Wagin Group of Congregations Have a role you’d like us to advertise? Send us the details! Join us in prayer for... The nation of Tuvalu. May we as a Church be led to act, to advocate and to stand alongside our global neighbours. those who attended School of Discipleship 2026. May they continue to grow deeper in their faith. Eritrea and Ethiopia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

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