RNS Morning Report: A queer yeshiva offers a path to liberatio

Top Stories Mark Rivera pleads guilty to felony sexual assault, sentenced to 6 more years (RNS) — The former Anglican lay pastor has already been sentenced to 15 years for separate child sexual abuse crimes.   Amid attacks on trans people, a queer yeshiva offers a path to liberation (RNS) — At Svara, LGBTQ Jews are reinterpreting and reshaping Jewish tradition by copying the methods used by the rabbis who compiled the Talmud.   A grain farmer applies Buddhist principles to preserve the land — and maximize taste (RNS) — Food and farming have always served as outlets for Mai Nguyen’s Buddhist practice. But a decade ago the Californian applied the faith's teachings of interconnectedness to a holistic approach to farming.   Theology on Tap? ‘Sober Spirituality’ explores church drinking culture (RNS) — Episcopal priest The Rev. Erin Jean Warde invites readers to consider a mindful relationship with alcohol. RNS Opinion We know Americans have become less religious. Surprising new data shows us where. (RNS) — North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan saw drops in total religious adherents of at least 10%.   Why I am saying kaddish for Al Jaffee of Mad magazine (RNS) — A childhood literary hero has died — the man who taught me the art of snark. ICYMI ‘Healing the healers’ with the restorative wisdom of the Black church (RNS) — The Rev. Jennifer Bailey believes Americans’ divisions are experienced as grief and loss, and looks to provide rituals to help us heal.   There’s a reason every hit worship song sounds the same (RNS) — A new study found that the most popular worship songs come from a handful of megachurches with a knack for writing pop songs about what God will do for you. In Other News The climate apocalypse is also a religious crisis Okla. church denied in bid for first publicly funded U.S. religious school   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