Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of August 17-21, 2026

‘What does it mean to be a servant leader?’ Inaugural UKirk Leadership Retreat prepares students for ministry on campus and beyond

The PC(USA)’s Young Adult Volunteers are commissioned to ‘a year of service for a lifetime of change’ Forty-seven young adults are now set to serve at nine sites across the nation and around the world

Unearthing the past: Fanny Leiper's sketchbook Piecing together a woman's life through her art and her son's records

PILLARS community is updated on the work of the Presbyterian Hunger Program Webinar targets the PC(USA)’s recurring givers

Which comes first, wisdom or desire? Dr. Christine Roy Yoder compares moral skill and moral will for student leaders

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

RNS Morning Report - At 70, Sandi Patty sings ‘The Voice I Have Now,’ plans new album

Top Stories At 70, Sandi Patty sings ‘The Voice I Have Now,’ plans new album (RNS) — ‘It's the perfect song for someone sort of looking back over their career, looking back over life, and realizing God has been faithful all this time,’ Patty said in an interview. Cardinal Brislin joins African clergy in calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Drawing on Africa’s experience of apartheid, genocide and war, Cardinal Stephen Brislin and nine other Catholic clergy say Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide — and argue silence is no longer an option. Once shaped by court rituals, China’s imperial cuisine lives on today BEIJING (AP) — Imperial cuisine encompasses the meals emperors ate daily and the feasts their courts held throughout the year. Opinion A Muslim educator and a rabbi: One ideology threatens us both (RNS) — White supremacy does not distinguish between the communities it seeks to intimidate. Our resistance shouldn’t distinguish between them, either. New book ‘A Nation Wrestles With God’ traces religious dialogue through our history (RNS) — Wrestling — with the divine, with morality — might well be America’s most sustained pastime. ICYMI 11 faith groups accuse Trump administration of violating court order while spying on churches (RNS) — Religious groups now argue that the government has committed ‘multiple egregious violations’ of a preliminary injunction handed down in their case back in February. Pope Leo: War fuels a ‘vicious cycle’ of environmental destruction VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The pope linked war, environmental destruction and inequality to the same crisis of the human heart, calling for a spiritual and ecological transformation.       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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WCC News: During visit to Nigeria, WCC general secretary expresses gratitude for churches’ powerful witness

During a visit to Nigeria from 20-27 August, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay participated with the Church of the Lord (Worldwide) in celebrating its 90th historic Tabieorar Anniversary, under the theme "Faithful & Glorious God.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivers message of greetings to the Church of the Lord (Worldwide) in celebrating its 90th Tabieorar Anniversary. Photo: Ibrahim Wushishi Yusuf/WCC 24 August 2026 In a special message to the church, Pillay extended heartfelt congratulations. “This important milestone provides an opportunity to give thanks to Almighty God for His abundant grace, faithfulness, and guidance throughout the remarkable journey of your church,” said Pillay. “The Church of the Lord has made a profound contribution to the spiritual life of Nigeria and to Christian communities around the world.” Pillay noted that the church has nurtured generations of believers and inspired many to live lives of faith, holiness, and service. “We express our gratitude for the vital role the Church of the Lord continues to play in Nigeria,” he said. “In a nation facing significant social, economic, and security challenges, your ministry has been a source of hope, moral guidance, reconciliation, and compassionate care.” He commended the church’s commitment to prayer, community development, peacebuilding, and the promotion of human dignity. “We are equally grateful for the global reach and influence of the Church of the Lord,” he said. “Through its presence in many countries and its engagement in the wider ecumenical movement, the church contributes significantly to the worldwide mission of God and enriches the fellowship of Christians across continents.” Pillay offered particular appreciation for the leadership of His Eminence Most Rev. Dr Rufus Okikiola Ositelu, primate of the Church of the Lord (Aladura). “Under his visionary and dedicated leadership, the church has continued to grow in its commitment to spiritual renewal, mission, education, and social engagement,” Pillay said. “His faithful service has strengthened the witness of the church both nationally and internationally.” Ositelu serves as the WCC president from Africa.  “In this important role, Most Rev. Dr Ositelu has faithfully represented the voices, concerns, and aspirations of African churches within the worldwide fellowship of churches,” said Pillay. “His commitment to justice, peace, reconciliation, intergenerational engagement, and Christian unity has enriched the work of the WCC and strengthened the bonds of fellowship among churches across the globe.” Pillay is visiting Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria from 20-27 August, to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and cooperation among the WCC member churches in Nigeria, and to deepen the relationship between the WCC and the churches in the country. Pillay and the church leaders are gathering in a spirit of prayer, mutual respect, listening, openness, and ecumenical fellowship. The gatherings will provide space for church leaders to share their experiences and concerns, while also exploring practical ways for churches and the WCC to continue to contribute together to peace, justice, reconciliation, human dignity, and the well-being of the people of Nigeria and Africa. WCC Message to the 90th Tabiẹorar Anniversary of the Church of the Lord (Aladura), Nigeria WCC general secretary: “Women have stood at the heart of God's mission” (WCC news release, 21 August 2026) WCC general secretary to visit Nigeria to strengthen bonds (WCC news release, 19 August 2026) Photos from the WCC visit to Nigeria See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland