RNS Morning Report: The first woman to head Unitarian Universalists ends term full of historic turns

Top Stories The first woman to head Unitarian Universalists ends term full of historic turns   President Susan Frederick-Gray has led the denomination throughout a pandemic, insurrection, racial reckoning and the fall of Roe v. Wade.   ‘The Wicker Man,’ the classic horror film and pagan must-see, gets new life at 50 In anticipation of its 50th anniversary, the landmark film’s ‘director’s cut’ was released Wednesday in time for the solstice, a major pagan holiday.   Azza Karam resigns as secretary general of Religions for Peace She was elected secretary general at the 10th World Assembly of the global coalition in Lindau, Germany, in 2019, marking the first time a woman and a Muslim was chosen to lead the organization that was founded in 1970.   Convalescing Pope Francis holds talks with Cuba’s president at Vatican Pope Francis, in his first full week back at the Vatican following abdominal surgery, met on Tuesday with Cuba’s president, part of the Holy See's attention to the communist-led Caribbean island nation.   RNS Opinion US Mormons are becoming less Republican, but not by much Driven by younger voters, U.S. Mormons are shifting slowly away from default affiliation with the GOP. But it’s less of a blue wave than a blue ripple.   Welcoming the stranger on World Refugee Day Accepting refugees professionally and compassionately is part of America’s history. ICYMI Vatican confirm synod topics will address questions of LGBTQ+ and women deacons The document addresses inclusivity toward LGBTQ+ faithful, the issue of female ordination and welcoming toward divorced, remarried or polygamous couples.   A Black preacher ‘no longer at war with her body’ on connecting flesh with the divine In a new book, womanist theologian Lyvonne Briggs counsels women to ‘unlearn’ the shame the church has historically attached to their physical selves and ‘feel full, whole, at ease and at home in their bodies.’ In Other News Temple visits rise in China as jobless young people seek spiritual assistance Four immigrants who sought sanctuary in churches no longer face deportation   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