RNS Morning Report: Bishop Vashti McKenzie to lead National Council of Churches for next two years

Quote of the Day “We have not seen violence or vandalism against Supreme Court justices — we have seen it at Catholic churches. That’s unacceptable.” – White House press secretary Jen Psaki We believe journalism should be free and accessible to everyone. That’s why we don’t have a paywall on our site, and that’s why we produce, free of charge, our Morning Report newsletter just for you. But without you, we don’t exist. It’s as simple as that.We’re popping in to today to ask you to contribute to our spring membership campaign, which will enable us to continue providing our reporting well into 2021 and beyond. If you value our work, please make a contribution here today. Top Stories Bishop Vashti McKenzie to lead National Council of Churches for next two years (RNS) — McKenzie succeeds Jim Winkler, who left the ecumenical organization on Jan. 31.   After church protests, experts warn extremists may exploit abortion demonstrations WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘For white nationalists specifically, opposition to abortion is a centerpiece in their worldview,’ said Jared Holt, an extremism expert.   A tuition-free Jesuit school comes with lifelong investment (RNS) — The middle school employs Jesuit values as it supports students from underserved communities from ‘fourth grade through a lifetime.’   White House’s Melissa Rogers affirms religious diversity as interfaith group expands WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘There’s so much that unites us if we are only willing to look for that unity and work side by side,’ Rogers said at the event launching Interfaith America.   An immigrant Muslim finds his model of empowerment in Black American Islam (RNS) — One in a new series of interviews with contemporary faith-based leaders reinventing American faith. RNS Opinion Why is the church failing in the West? (RNS) — Vocations and church attendance are down. Young people are leaving the church in droves. Why?   Is Paul Simon Jewish? Or ‘Jew-ish’? (RNS) — You can take the boy out of Queens. Can you take Queens out of the boy? ICYMI Grove City faculty say college is facing a ‘fight for the soul’ (RNS) — A new report on critical race theory only added fuel to the dispute that has engulfed the Christian college.   Even abortion foes will help friends who choose to end a pregnancy (RNS) — Americans hold complicated views on abortion — with many seeing it as immoral but necessary. And they often help out friends who choose abortion. In Other News James Macdonell, activist minister, dies at 89 I just discovered Capitol rioters attend my church Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend