RNS Morning Report: The UMC lost a quarter of its churches — most in the South

Top Stories The UMC lost a quarter of its churches — most in the South (RNS) — The same area of the country that tends to be the most politically conservative and Republican-leaning was where most United Methodist churches voted to leave the denomination.   Top UN court orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stops short of ordering cease-fire (RNS) — It could take years for the court to consider all aspects of South Africa's genocide allegations. In the meantime, the U.N. Security Council scheduled a Jan. 31 meeting to follow up on the ruling.   Photos of the Week: Ayodhya Ram temple; March for Life (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes the opening of a controversial Hindu temple in India, the annual March for Life in Washington and more.   These three candidates for Congress are running on (Hindu) values (RNS) — Hindu Americans are making inroads into the political space like never before.   Uyghur Youth Initiative video on genocide goes viral (RNS) — Filmed by youth activists following a recent pro-Uyghur protest in Munich, the video has since had over 3 million views on TikTok and 7.5 million hits on Instagram. RNS Opinion America’s lack of faith in our collective power is a bigger problem than Trump (RNS) — Americans' loss of a democratic imagination is bigger than a loss in the ballot box.   A Mormon faith beyond the performance checklist (RNS) — 'When we really stop and reflect, we realize that in our religious performance, we're nurturing the very part of ourselves that the gospel instructs us not to feed,' says meditation teacher and LDS author Thomas McConkie. ICYMI Pope Francis’ synod made few waves, but organizers say it’s already changing the church (RNS) — The controversy over blessing gay couples is just another example of synodality at work, according to Sr. Nathalie Becquart.   Catholic clergy in Uganda accuse the West of a new colonialism through LGBTQ activism KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) — Most Ugandan Catholics oppose Pope Francis' recent move to allow priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples. In Other News Religious trauma still haunts millions of LGBTQ Americans Biden speaks on religious faith at South Carolina church   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