Weekly Outlook - The questions Presbyterians can’t avoid before GA227

Dear readers, Following the General Assembly can feel like drinking from a firehose. Let us help! Sign up for Presbyterian Outlook text alerts, and we'll send key news, analysis and developments from GA227 directly to your phone. No scrolling social media. No overflowing inbox. Just the stories you need to know, delivered as they happen. Whether you're a commissioner, pastor, church leader or simply trying to keep up with the assembly, our SMS updates make it easy to stay informed. Sign up here. It's free! Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. Want unlimited access to the Outlook? We're running a General Assembly special for first-time subscribers. A year of the Outlook for $9.95. Learn more.  Join us today at noon!

Arizona presbyteries keep border ministry alive by Eric Ledermann As GA227 debates mission theology, what’s at stake? by Stan Skreslet Global mission partners sound off by Gregg Brekke   How the Synod of Lincoln Trails is rethinking boundary training by Rebecca Blair

In case you missed it... General Assembly Operations Committee is being asked the most basic GA question of all Should future assemblies be held entirely in person — along with an exhibit hall? — Mike Ferguson Conversion Therapy Dropout Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez traces his journey from shame and exclusion to healing, faith and queer belonging in the church in "Conversion Therapy Dropout." Amy Pagliarella offers a review. Women of Faith nominees to be honored at General Assembly breakfast Registration for the event is open until June 5. — Beth Waltemath Order the chaos Artist and mother Merideth Hite Estevez discovers that creativity — and grace — are often born in life’s glitter-covered chaos, where God meets us in the messy work of mending. Beyond the altar: Prayer as devotion, discipline and public witness Winterbourne Harrison-Jones reimagines prayer as activism, insisting that true communion with God must move beyond the sanctuary and into the streets. How the Board of Pensions prices the Medical Plan Two principles guide the approach to pricing. — Todd Ingves Adapting together: A small church and Buddhist monks A small congregation discovered unexpected community – and new possibilities for fellowship – with neighboring Buddhist monks, writes David Williams. Hear from all the moderator candidates June 17 7 pm ET All who register will receive a recording

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

The future of the PC(USA): A co-mod webinar

Hear from the candidates standing for moderator As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) prepares for the 227th General Assembly, one of the most important decisions commissioners will make is selecting the denomination's next moderator. On June 17 at 7 p.m. Eastern, join the Presbyterian Outlook for a live conversation with the candidates seeking to serve in this vital role. For 90 minutes, Outlook editor Teri McDowell Ott will interview the candidates about their hopes for the church, their priorities for the coming years and the challenges they believe the denomination must address.  Whether you're serving as a commissioner, following the assembly from your congregation or simply interested in the future of the PC(USA), this webinar offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to lead. What you'll get: A 90-minute live conversation with the moderator candidates Insight into each candidate's vision for the church Access to an on-demand replay after the event The Presbyterian Outlook has long been a trusted source for General Assembly coverage. This conversation continues that tradition by helping Presbyterians engage faithfully and thoughtfully with the issues and leaders shaping the denomination's future. Reserve your spot today. Learn more Follow GA with the Outlook The June 17 webinar is just one of the ways we're helping Presbyterians follow the 227th General Assembly.  Outlook's Guide to GA227 — A practical, easy-to-read guide to the issues, committees and decisions shaping this year's assembly.  Bulletin inserts — Ready-to-use resources to help congregations understand what's happening before and after the assembly.  SMS updates — Get key assembly news and developments delivered directly to your phone.  Email updates — Receive our latest reporting, analysis and resources throughout the assembly. Learn more about all of our General Assembly resources on our GA landing page. Choose how you want to follow GA227

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - Pepper-sprayed yet undeterred: Faith leaders keep ministering at Delaney Hall

Pepper-sprayed yet undeterred: Faith leaders keep ministering at Delaney Hall   When National Reporter Jack Jenkins first got ahold of Charlene Walker, head of Faith in New Jersey, on Tuesday night, she sounded a bit frazzled. She had agreed to an interview, and was talking while driving to Delaney Hall, the New Jersey immigrant detention center where another round of protests were set to begin that evening.   But the conversation was cut short only a few seconds after it began: as she tried to park near the detention center, she suddenly found herself stuck between several police cars, all of their lights flashing.   She called back later, happy to talk about her experience. But the moment spoke to an under-covered dynamic at play there: the seemingly constant presence of religious leaders and faith-based activists such as Walker, who have put themselves at risk while operating outside the facility — both as demonstrators and as volunteers aiding immigrant families — over the past year.      Top Stories Pepper-sprayed yet undeterred: Faith leaders keep ministering at Delaney Hall (RNS) — ‘We are called by our faith to put our bodies on the line if that’s the call,’ said the Rev. Robin Tanner, a Unitarian Universalist minister. Defense Department to drop atheists, pagans, 175 others from list of military faiths (RNS) — The new list includes 31 recognized faiths, most of them Christian denominations. Draft of King’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ found at Virginia seminary archives ALEXANDRIA, Va. (RNS) — The version housed at Virginia Theological Seminary is not for sale, and archive staffers plan to seek the best ways to make its contents available for the public to view. As polyamory gains visibility, monogamy faces a vote in the Presbyterian Church (USA) (RNS) — A separate proposal calls for a broader theological framework on human relationships.   Opinion The status quo at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque is deteriorating (RNS) — The long-standing practice has been to preserve the site for Muslim worship and allow visitors of other faiths. Why evangelicals should oppose the new farm bill’s Save Our Bacon Act (RNS) — Evangelicals have largely forgotten past generations of evangelicals who not only fought against the slave trade and inhumane working conditions but also against animal cruelty. ICYMI Catholic sisters push Palantir on human rights as faith leaders rally in New York (RNS) — The proposal comes as immigrant community members and faith leaders prepare to rally outside the company’s New York office. ‘The Autism Pastor’ Lamar Hardwick dies at age 47 (RNS) — Hardwick was known for his disability advocacy and dynamic preaching. 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.

UM News Digest - June 6, 2026

UM News Digest - June 6, 2026 Church growth in Kenya | Connecting in Africa | Meeting God on the trail “I inherited a vacuum district: no buildings, no members, no funds, no office, no parsonage, no vehicles. I quickly realized strong evangelism strategies were the only way forward.” — The Rev. Antony Maiga, on growing the church in Nairobi, Kenya. Parkview Kitengela United Methodist Church’s choir entertains visitors from the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry at the church in Nairobi, Kenya, during the agencies’ spring board meeting. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News. Evangelism sparks church growth in Kenya NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — When the Nairobi District superintendent started his United Methodist appointment two years ago, he had no churches or members. Now, there are nine congregations in four circuits, and membership has grown to more than 1,400. The Rev. Antony Maiga says evangelism and community outreach have been key. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.  Read story Bishop Daniel Lunge (center) of the Central Congo Episcopal Area speaks during a roundtable on communication in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as East Congo Bishop Antoine Kalema Tambwe (left) and North Katanga Bishop Mande Muyombo look on. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News. Charting new path for African communication DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (UM News) — Bishops, communicators and United Methodist Communications staff gathered recently to develop a creative strategy to keep local churches in the Mid-Africa Regional Conference connected despite power outages, poor roads and language barriers. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports. Read story Mountain Sky Conference Seekers invited to meet God on the trail DENVER — The Mountain Sky Conference’s geography of mountains, canyons and high desert is becoming part of a larger invitation. Through a conference-wide initiative called Spiritual Geography, Mountain Sky leaders are exploring how the land itself can become a place of ministry. One visible expression of that vision is Mountain Sky Trekking. Kristian Young has the story. Read story Florida Conference Recovery program leads to multiple baptisms FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Trinity United Methodist Church recently celebrated the sacrament of baptism with four participants in Trinity’s Strength Through Recovery program. The seeds of that ministry were sewn when a member of Trinity’s prayer-shawl group sought to engage the church in supporting a local substance-abuse recovery program. The Florida Conference has the story. Read story ADVERTISEMENT South Carolina Conference Laundry ministry brings clean clothes, love ORANGEBURG, S.C. — What began as a deeply personal experience for the Rev. Ellis White Jr. has become a lifeline of grace. The Laundry of Love Ministry at Edisto Fork United Methodist Church was born out of his desire to ease a burden: the rising cost of doing laundry during tough economic times. Jessica Brodie reports. Read story New England Conference  Empathy Project invites people to share stories MANCHESTER, N.H. — Those attending the New England Annual Conference through June 6 will have an opportunity to walk a mile in another person’s shoes — at least figuratively. Presented by the New England Conference’s Commission on Religion and Race, the Empathy Project invites people to hear and share stories to foster deeper understanding. The project is the brainchild of the Rev. Juhee Lee, pastor of Haven United Methodist Church in East Providence, Rhode Island. The conference has the story. Read story New 2026 annual conference reports posted NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2026 annual conference reports. New this week are the Baltimore-Washington, Central Appalachian Missionary, Great Plains and North Alabama conferences. Read reports ADVERTISEMENT Northern Illinois Conference March for immigrants set CHICAGO — A march to express concern for the treatment of immigrants is set for 5:30 p.m. U.S. Central time June 15 in Schaumburg, Illinois. The demonstration, “Faithful Action: Love Your Neighbor,” will take place on the second day of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference, which is June 14-16. All are invited to participate. Read press release Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News Church historians explore racial and revolutionary past Read story Photo by Roque Facela, UM News Southern Africans live into regionalization Read story Sunday, June 7 - Tuesday, June 9 Alabama-West Florida Conference Sunday, June 7 - Wednesday, June 10 South Carolina Annual Conference More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos