RNS Morning Report: Willow Creek announces major layoffs amid post-COVID struggle

Quote of the Day “Willow is about half of the size we were before COVID, which is right in line with churches across the country.” – Dave Dummitt, Willow Creek Community Church senior pastor Top Stories Willow Creek announces major layoffs amid post-COVID struggle (RNS) — The layoffs come as the church struggles to rebound from COVID-19 and the scandal involving co-founder Bill Hybels.   As Roe’s potential fall nears, abortion abolitionists turn on ‘pro-life elites’ (RNS) — Abortion abolitionists, including a leading candidate for SBC president, want an end to abortion, with no exceptions, and say women who have illegal abortions should face murder charges.   Insurers suddenly raise stakes on German churches’ sex abuse response (RNS) — One of Germany’s biggest trade associations, representing 10 million insured people, has given victims of sexual abuse a powerful ally with deep pockets and highly paid lawyers.   Cardinal: Pope ordered auditor to resign over spying charge VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinal Angelo Becciu testified Wednesday that it was Francis who ordered the ouster of the Holy See’s auditor-general.   Doctor who fought church gunman remembered as kind protector ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (AP) — It was no surprise to friends and colleagues that John Cheng spent his final moments saving others by rushing a gunman who fired on a Southern California church   Gunman targets Taiwanese faith with long pro-democracy link LOS ANGELES (AP) — Investigators said they obtained Chou's handwritten notes documenting his hatred of Taiwan. RNS Opinion Advocate for abortion if you must. But don’t say poor people made you do it. (RNS) — Economically vulnerable people of color are significantly more anti-abortion than rich white folks are.   Kendrick Lamar’s new album reminds us that even prophets are fallible (RNS) — His first album in five years has the Pulitzer Prize winner counting the costs of truth-telling. ICYMI Preservationists seek to acquire beloved Hollywood home to cloistered nuns LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Over the years, the Monastery of the Angels community has been dwindling as the nuns age and after some died from COVID-19 and other causes, making it difficult to sustain the monastery’s ‘democratic way of life.’   Gore says climate crisis like ‘nature hike right through the Book of Revelation’ (RNS) — ‘The transition to a cleaner future can also be a transition to a more just and equitable future,’ he said at a Black Interfaith Project event. In Other News The Christian leader trying to break America’s link between faith and guns ‘She told Martin Luther King: tell ’em about the dream!’ The eternal life of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson 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