Tuesday, August 25, 2026

RNS Morning Report - West Bank Christians face escalating violence

RNS Morning Report Desktop
Settler attacks threaten the West Bank’s final Christian village
 
As settler violence escalates in Taybeh, the West Bank’s last Christian village, a Catholic priest and a papal charity are working to give Palestinian Christians security, jobs and community support to remain in the Holy Land.
 
“Taybeh has experienced fires, incursions, attacks on private property, the intimidation of families and obstruction of emergency services,” Father Bashar Fawadleh, the Latin parish priest of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh, told RNS Reporter Claire Giangravè.
 
The escalating violence in recent weeks has drawn widespread condemnation and prompted Israel’s military to declare Taybeh closed to non-residents to attempt to prevent attacks.
 
“This is the worst, the worst crisis that we have witnessed even since 1967,” said Joseph Hazboun, the director of a papal agency supporting Eastern churches who has lived in the Holy Land his entire life.
 
Read Giangravè’s report on what is at stake.
 
 
 
 

Top Stories

The West Bank’s last Christian village is under threat

Settler attacks threaten the West Bank’s final Christian village

(RNS) — As settler violence escalates in Taybeh, a Catholic priest and a papal charity are working to give Palestinian Christians security, jobs and community support to remain in the Holy Land.
The West Bank’s last Christian village is under threat

Rev. Barbara Brown Zikmund, trailblazing religion scholar, dies at 87

(RNS) — The Rev. Barbara Brown Zikmund began her career in academia in the 1960s and went on to reach a series of milestones for women in theological institutions.
The West Bank’s last Christian village is under threat

Chinese Valentine’s Day is rooted in legend and tradition, not just romance

BEIJING (AP) — The festival is observed on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar, which fell on Aug. 19 in 2026. Celebrations are also held in Singapore, Vietnam and other Asian countries.

Opinion

The West Bank’s last Christian village is under threat

Notre Dame’s John Cavadini taught the forgotten power of fatherhood

(RNS) — The university’s Catholic think tank is shifting leadership and was formed by a man who modeled the best of fatherhood and masculinity.

ICYMI

The West Bank’s last Christian village is under threat

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.
The West Bank’s last Christian village is under threat

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.
 
 
 

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E-ssentials: Cross Country Check-In, Grassy Narrows Rally, Church Bulletins, and more!

Mark Your Calendars for the Next Cross Country Check-In!

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
 

Join the General Secretary, members of the General Council Executive, and the Moderator for a live conversation with people across the United Church. Listen, ask questions, put faces to names, and share perspectives that can help inform the church’s leadership and decision-making.

Upcoming sessions (French sessions to be announced soon!):

  • October 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET
  • November 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET
Learn more on CHURCHx

On September 23, Join the Grassy Narrows River Run Rally

[Image credit: Grassy Narrows River Run]
 

For decades, Grassy Narrows First Nation has faced devastating harm from mercury poisoning, with lasting impacts on the community’s health, culture, and livelihoods.

On September 23, United Church communities of faith across the country are invited to stand in solidarity with Grassy Narrows by amplifying the community’s message or joining the United Church contingent at the River Run. The Toronto rally begins at noon at Grange Park.

Learn more by visiting FreeGrassy.net, or in the recent news item shared earlier this month.

Read the news story for more details

Join the Call: 27,000 Refugees by 2027

[Image credit:Canadian Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holders Association]

“27 for 27”—is an advocacy initiative calling to increase privately sponsored refugee arrivals in Canada to 27,000 by 2027 in the next Immigration Levels Plan.

Communities of faith have long played an important role in welcoming refugees and helping newcomers rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

Communities of faith are encouraged to explore this initiative and join the call for a strong and compassionate refugee sponsorship program in Canada: 27,000 for 2027 Campaign.
Learn more

Calls for Nominations Coming Soon!

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]

How will you put your God-given gifts into service? Several national committees are seeking new members to join their teams. Serving in a national role is a way that you can impact the life and work of the church, develop new skills, build relationships, and deepen your own faith. 

Offer to serve or be that person who notices and encourages others. 

On August 27, watch our website for the latest opportunities to serve!  

Becoming an Intercultural Church

                                                        [Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
 

What does it mean to go beyond simple inclusion or diversity initiatives and move toward genuine transformation?

Beginning October 14, this six-session interactive course will help ministry teams and individuals explore practical ways to build intercultural communities rooted in deep listening, shared power, responsibility, and hope.

Led by Rev. Dr. Hyuk Cho of the Vancouver School of Theology, the series will connect intercultural theology and biblical reflection with the lived realities of congregations. Participate as an individual or as part of a congregational team. Learn more and register on CHURCHx.

Register today on CHURCHx

Mission and Service Stories: Nourishing Students

[Image credit: Brock University Ecumenical Chaplaincy]
 

At Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, the Ecumenical Chaplaincy is responding to student food insecurity with a practical ministry of care. Supported by Mission and Service, local church volunteers prepare homemade meals that are stored in freezers at the Faith and Life Centre. The ecumenical chaplain distributes the meals to students who ask for them, ensuring nutritious food is available when it’s needed. 

As students return to campus, our gifts to Mission and Service help ministries like Brock University’s Ecumenical Chaplaincy provide practical support when it’s needed most. Together, we can help ensure students have access to nutritious meals and a caring community throughout the academic year. 

Read the Mission and Service story

Project Ploughshares Marks 50 Years of Peacebuilding

[Image credit: Project Ploughshares]

Celebrate 50 years of Project Ploughshares on the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. The anniversary gala will be held Monday, September 21, at 6:00 p.m. at Federation Hall, University of Waterloo in Ontario, and will feature dinner and a keynote address by the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy.

Tickets are $70. Proceeds support Project Ploughshares’ continuing research, advocacy, and action for global peace.

Register today!
Get tickets

The United Church Bookstore: Restocked! Bulletin Covers for Worship Planning!

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
 
Planning in-person worship for the fall and beyond? The United Church Bookstore has restocked its bulletin covers!

From Creation Time to Advent, and more, there are covers and resources for every season.

For assistance ordering your bulletin covers, we have a 2027 Bulletin Covers Planning Kit available for you to download and use. We hope these bulletins assist your faith community as you gather to worship.
Order your bulletins today!

Worship Resources

See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations.

Fourteenth after Pentecost - August 30, 2026
Fifteenth after Pentecost - September 6, 2026
Creation Time 1 - September 13, 2026
Creation Time 2 - September 20, 2026
World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel - September 20, 2026
Creation Time 3 - September 27, 2026
Orange Shirt Sunday - September 27, 2026

For more inspiring worship ideas and resources, subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca.
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