Weekly Outlook - What counts as disruption in worship?

Dear readers, At the Outlook, the E.T. Thompson Award carries special meaning for us. Named for Ernest Trice Thompson — founding editor of the Outlook, church historian and leader in the church’s social witness — the award honors Presbyterians whose faithful leadership has made a lasting impact on the church and the world. In one week, we’ll announce the 2026 recipient of the E.T. Thompson Award, and on June 4, we’ll host a Facebook Live conversation celebrating this year’s honoree and their ministry. Ahead of the announcement, we invite you to learn more about the award, its history and the remarkable leaders who have received it over the years. Learn more about the E.T. Thompson Award → Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook

MRTI defends engagement over categorical fossil fuel divestment by Mark Douglas & Kerri N. Allen   A fourth set of General Assembly Co-Moderator candidates announces they will stand by Mike Ferguson What counts as a disruption in worship? by Katrina Pekich-Bundy Overtures seek Israel embargo, genocide declaration by Eric Ledermann   An update from GA227’s Financial Stewardship and Witness Committee by Mike Ferguson What is the E.T. Thompson Award? by Rose Schrott Taylor

In case you missed it... Krysten Carter Holloway is president-elect of Board of Pensions Holloway will be presented to the 227th General Assembly (2026) and will formally assume the role upon confirmation by the General Assembly on or about July 1 — Board of Pensions Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Charlotte campus has a new Chaplain and Director of Student Life Amanda Shanks began in her new role last month — Press releases Make Your Home in This Luminous Dark Blaine Crawford reviews James K. A. Smith's "Make Your Home in This Luminous Dark," a timely and deeply personal guide to finding faith, love and companionship in life's darkest seasons. In the room of prayer, there’s no “right way” L. Roger Owens reflects on prayer as both practice and way of life, inviting readers to see every moment as participation in God’s presence. A pair of prodigious scholars to receive Excellence in Theological Education awards The Rev. Dr. Frances Taylor Gench and Dr. James Hudnut-Beumler will be honored during the 227th General Assembly. — Robyn Davis Sekula Unification Commission approves its comments on General Assembly items of business The UC addresses ordination, pay equity, artificial intelligence and more. — Presbyterian News Service 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.

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - It's been called the Ellis Island of the South. Now residents worry about ICE.

A Visit to the Ellis Island of the South When RNS reporter Yonat Shimron visited Clarkston, Ga., she expected to find a thriving small city of resettled refugees. One of the most diverse square miles in America, Clarkston has been dubbed the Ellis Island of the South. But when she arrived, she found that many recently resettled refugees are living in fear that the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda — intended to target undocumented immigrants — will ensnare them, too. Refugee advocates, meanwhile, are on high alert, hosting Know Your Rights meetings and emergency preparedness seminars.   "There are not any positive words to give them hope, except we say, 'We are with you. We are here' and, 'We want to offer you any kind of support you need,'" said Muzhda Oriakhil, a U.S. citizen from Afghanistan who works for a nonprofit helping refugee mothers in Clarkston. Read more. Top Stories It’s been called the Ellis Island of the South. Now residents worry about ICE. (RNS) — As the U.S. embraces aggressive anti-immigrant policies, Clarkston, Georgia, is now a test of how to best protect the diverse community of refugees. Rededicate 250 touts a star-studded prayer bash with politicians, Christian celebrities (RNS) — But a new poll finds many Americans aren’t comfortable mixing religion and politics. A record-breaking race and Catholic blessing highlight the role of faith for Kenyan runners (RNS) — Sabastian Sawe clinched the London Marathon in record time, becoming the first human to run an official marathon in under two hours. His win also drew attention to the connection between running and faith for Kenyans. Albrecht Weinberg, a Holocaust survivor who returned to Germany in his 80s, dies at 101 BERLIN (AP) — Weinberg, who was born in Rhauderfehn, near Leer, on March 7, 1925, survived incarceration at the Auschwitz, Mittelbau-Dora and Bergen-Belsen camps as well as three death marches at the end of World War II. Opinion Faith communities must lead on the hunger crisis — but they can’t substitute for US policy (RNS) — The need for faith-based leadership on hunger is a sign American policy is not working. We traded church for wellness. Now, we’re paying for it. (RNS) — The spiritual-but-not-religious helped create a void in public life that is now being filled in ways we didn’t anticipate and frankly don’t like. I know because I’m one of them.  ICYMI Federal employees sue USDA secretary over Christian messaging (RNS) — Asked to comment on the suit, a USDA spokesperson said: ‘While we do not comment on pending litigation, we will keep the plaintiffs in our prayers during this process.’ A Christian nation? At 250, America is still fighting over what that means Scholars say American history is more Christian than secular advocates claim — and less religious than Christian nationalists would assert. A look at the complicated, contested history of America as a Christian nation. 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.

This Week in Religion - Why Christian saints rule the runway

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Lead story

‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ shows how Christian imagery circulates in unusual ways through the fashion industry

Editor's note:

Meryl Streep appeared at the premiere of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” in long black gloves, dark glasses and a flowing red cape. While the film itself has little to do with the devil, her dramatic fashion style did invoke long-held devil imagery.

Lynn S. Neal, a religion professor at Wake Forest University, writes how Streep’s outfit reflects a much larger story: Christianity and fashion have been intertwined for centuries. The devil imagery taps into an “older moral rhetoric” around fashion being cast as “troublesome” for faith.

However, that’s not all – Christian imagery eventually inspired the design of many garments. In fact, as popular culture brought Christian symbols out of church contexts, fashion became a place where they could be reinterpreted and reimagined, such as Gianni Versace’s 1991 biker jackets adorned with bejeweled crosses.

The devil, Neal writes, makes only an occasional appearance in haute couture – it is “Christian figures who embody ideals of goodness” who “rule the runway.”

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Religion News

In underground breastmilk donation networks, motherhood transcends politics and theology

While institutionalized milk banks offer solutions for parents in need of milk, informal sharing has created opportunities for parent-to-parent connection – where faith plays a role. By Fiona André/Religion News Service

Vatican issues final warning to breakaway traditionalist group attached to the old Latin Mass

With Pope Leo XIV's first big crisis looming, the Vatican warned a breakaway group that their planned consecration of bishops without papal consent constitutes a schismatic act that incurs automatic excommunication. By Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press

A Christian nation? At 250, America is still fighting over what that means

Scholars say American history is more Christian than secular advocates claim – and less religious than Christian nationalists would assert. A look at the complicated, contested history of America as a Christian nation. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service

A crisis of conscience spurred this Christian IVF doctor's career pivot

A Tennessee doctor is practicing reproductive medicine aligned with his Christian faith. Dr. John Gordon’s clinic limits how many embryos it creates and doesn’t discard viable embryos, genetically test them or donate them to science. By Tiffany Stanley/The Associated Press 

Rejecting church and state separation is on the wish list for Trump's religious liberty commission

The commissioners, most of them conservative Christians, are preparing to make recommendations after more than a year of hearings. By Peter Smith/The Associated Press

 

Commentary and Analysis

Muslim women-led nonprofits are engaging in advocacy despite facing a surge in Islamophobia

Research shows discrimination often reduces civic engagement among marginalized groups. These women are bucking that trend. By Nausheena Hussain and Young-Joo Lee for The Conversation

Abraham Foxman was a warrior against hate. His work is hardly complete.

Abe Foxman made the world a little less hateful. We need him now more than ever. By Jeffrey Salkin/Religion News Service

Attending multiple places of worship is the norm for many Americans

Surveys about religion often ask a single question about how often people go to services. That means researchers miss an important piece of the puzzle. By Katie Corcoran and Christopher P. Scheitle for The Conversation

Protestant leaders once championed birth control – not to liberate women, but as part of ‘responsible parenthood’

As birth control became increasingly accepted, some supporters’ views were based in religious beliefs about what motherhood should look like. By Samira Mehta for The Conversation

 

Photos of the Week: Georgian patriarch, Shiite pilgrims and more

Gunter Demnig places a palm-sized brass Holocaust plaque in Berlin, Germany, on May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

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