RNS Morning Report: Pennsylvania’s evolving ‘Bible belt’

Top Stories As Pennsylvania’s ‘Bible belt’ evolves, clergy look to one another for mutual support LANCASTER, Pennsylvania (RNS) — The difficulties of the pandemic and the widening gap between people of different political persuasions have put a strain on the clergy of one small town in this historically religious region. They have found mutual support in a 'ministerium' dedicated to community unity.   California senator announces bill to protect religious practices of incarcerated individuals (RNS) — Backers of the bill say that allowing religious detainees and prisoners to wear religious garb does not constitute 'coddling' them.   Lutheran World Federation head Anne Burghardt on historic firsts and helping Ukraine CHICAGO (RNS) — The secretary general spoke to Religion News Service while in Chicago last week visiting the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran denomination in the country and a member of the Lutheran World Federation.   Psychedelic churches in US pushing boundaries of religion HILDALE, Utah (AP) — “In every major city in the United States, every weekend, there’s multiple ayahuasca ceremonies,” said a lawyer who specializes in psychedelic law.   Pope, Anglican, Presbyterian leaders denounce anti-gay laws ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — The three Christian leaders spoke on LGBTQ rights during an unprecedented joint airborne news conference Sunday.   Pope accuses critics of exploiting Pope Benedict XVI’s death ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis accused some of his critics Sunday of taking advantage of retired Pope Benedict XVI’s death.   Spiritual advisers offering final comfort in execution rooms ST. LOUIS (AP) — A Supreme Court ruling last March requires states to allow spiritual advisers to join condemned inmates in their final moments. RNS Opinion Believers and doers: A faith-focused approach to social innovation (RNS) — We need to forge collaborations among faith-based organizations and entrepreneurs in order to achieve the social impact we’re seeking.   Is cultured meat the kosher way to go? And if we have cultured beef, is the real thing eco-kosher? ICYMI Church of England submits blessings for same-sex couples to fierce debate in Synod LONDON (RNS) — The bishops have displeased both conservatives and progressives in the church with a proposal to bless civil unions between same-sex partners.   Outrage over far-right Israeli government has American Jewish leaders stewing (RNS) — One New York rabbi has forsworn the Prayer for the State of Israel in the Saturday liturgy. Many others have protested through letters and petitions. In Other News Salman Rushdie says he’s grateful, ‘can’t regret’ his life after stabbing People perish for lack of religion   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