RNS Morning Report: She was an early church deacon. Catholic women now want to reclaim her example.

Top Stories She was an early church deacon. Catholic women now want to reclaim her example. (RNS) — On Saturday (Sept. 3), 56 pilgrims from four countries will gather in Mexico City to celebrate St. Phoebe’s feast day and consider how they might urge the church to reclaim the diaconate for women.   You’ve seen ‘The Rings of Power,’ but have you heard of this tiny museum housing J.R.R. Tolkien’s treasures? (RNS) — The collection of letters and books has grown to become the Marion E. Wade Center, one of the foremost research centers not only on Lewis, but also Tolkien and five other British Christian authors who had influenced Lewis’ work.   At Dave Ramsey’s company, some sex outside marriage was OK, court documents show (RMS) — Newly released documents detail the Christian finance company's scrutiny of employee sex lives — and what it lets pass.   Think of Pope John Paul I’s life, not his death, supporters of his beautification say (RNS) — Rumors surrounding Pope John Paul I’s sudden death have obscured the legacy of his life for too long, postulants for his sainthood said.   Jehovah’s Witnesses return to door knocking ‘like getting back on a bicycle’ (RNS) — When people are less open to them, they focus more on those who take a tract, read a brochure or enroll in a Bible study program.   Afghan mosque blast kills 18, including pro-Taliban cleric HERAT, Afghanistan (AP) — A blast through a crowded mosque in western Afghanistan killed at least 18, including prominent cleric Mujib-ul Rahman Ansari, who was known for his criticism of the country's Western-backed governments. RNS Opinion Fifty years after the Munich massacre The massacre at Munich, fifty years ago, came to define my life -- and my calling.   ‘Honk for Jesus’ provides an uncomfortable reflection of the Black church (RNS) — Throughout the film and especially in the final scene, today’s Black church sees itself in all of its conflicting glory   For ‘sandwich generation’ women, make this Labor Day weekend a Labor ‘sabbath’ (RNS) — Women need labor unions to secure time for all of our work, as mothers, daughters and employees.   The world needs to make China pay for its maltreatment of the Uyghurs (RNS) — It's time to challenge China's economic hegemony to force its compliance on human rights.   Yoga versus democracy? What survey data says about spiritual Americans’ political behavior (The Conversation) — As the US gets less religious, some thinkers warn that it may get more selfish as people engage less with their communities. A team of scholars decided to investigate that concern.   Rushdie’s right to blasphemy, not free speech, was attacked at Chautauqua (RNS) — Failure to confront religious blasphemy laws will only lead to more violence like the Rushdie attack.   Is “Mo” on Netflix good for the Jews? "Mo" is funny, poignant, sad, and biting. It's OK. Jews can take it. ICYMI She was an early church deacon. Catholic women now want to reclaim her example. (RNS) — On Saturday (Sept. 3), 56 pilgrims from four countries will gather in Mexico City to celebrate St. Phoebe’s feast day and consider how they might urge the church to reclaim the diaconate for women.   Is “Mo” on Netflix good for the Jews? "Mo" is funny, poignant, sad, and biting. It's OK. Jews can take it. In Other News Jehovah’s Witnesses resume door-to-door visits for the first time since the pandemic ‘Our people are still trapped’: Uyghur exiles demand action on abuses   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 at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend