RNS Morning Report: The Episcopal Church revises clergy misconduct protocols for fairness, transparency

Top Stories The Episcopal Church revises clergy misconduct protocols for fairness, transparency (RNS) — The changes come as the denomination prepares to welcome a new presiding bishop with a history of bringing abuse to light.   California Baptists cut staff, citing decline in Cooperative Program Giving (RNS) — Overall giving to the SBC’s national funding program is down about 2%.   Judge rules against Texas Attorney General Paxton in campaign against migrant shelters (RNS) — ‘The record before this Court makes clear that the Texas Attorney General’s use of the request to examine documents from Annunciation House was a pretext to justify its harassment of Annunciation House employees and the persons seeking refuge,’ Judge Francisco Dominguez wrote.   For Israel’s Reform Jews, no need to follow US peers in ordaining rabbis in interfaith marriages JERUSALEM (RNS) — 'In America there is a high rate of interfaith marriages. Here, that issue is irrelevant to us,' said Nachman Shai, dean of the HUC-JIR Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem.   Lawsuits challenging abortion bans on religious freedom grounds falter (RNS) — Advocates argue the legal strategy that abortion bans violate religious freedom are not yet dead. In both the Missouri and Kentucky cases, appeals are planned. RNS Opinion The Americans with Disabilities Act is still doing its work. Churches should join in. (RNS) — A church that includes people with disabilities is a more radiant church.   Supreme Court of Oklahoma says no to Catholic charter school, but this may not be the end of the boundary-pushing saga (The Conversation) — Officials have vowed to keep fighting for permission to open the school as a charter – which would be a controversial first for the country. ICYMI After Morris allegations, Texas legislators vow to expand statutes of limitations on abuse FORT WORTH, Texas (RNS) — ‘These actions demand public exposure, should never be tolerated, and any person who harms a child should and must be held accountable,’ said Texas state Rep. Nate Schatzline.   Partners of US Catholic bishops’ social justice department adjust after layoffs (RNS) — ‘We are hoping that there is some kind of alternative plan to keep the church going, to keep the justice and peace programs going, to keep our advocacy work going,’ said Steven Nabieu Rogers, executive director of the Africa Faith and Justice Network. In Other News Charles Carroll of Carrollton: a ‘patriotic’ Catholic Founding Father Some legislators lean into religion in public education as Supreme Court leans right   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. RNS 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

July in Montreat

News Corner

Tomorrow we will celebrate the Fourth of July with our 55th annual parade and a variety of activities for the whole family. This year’s theme is Live Together, Play Together, and our 2024 parade marshals are The Stoney Creek Boys. We hope you will join us! Learn more. Our Summer Worship Series continues to offer engaging, dynamic opportunities for all to worship God each Sunday morning through August 4. All services will take place in Anderson Auditorium beginning at 10:30 am and are also available online via livestream. Find a full list of guest preachers on our website. Earlier this week, we held our first Arts, Music, and Theology (AMT) lecture of the summer. This free lecture series will take place each Tuesday from now through July 30, and will feature a different speaker sharing their knowledge of various topics related to either the arts, music, theology, or all three. Explore lecture details here. We will welcome nearly 2,500 more high school youth over the next four weeks of Montreat Youth Conference! If you have not yet made plans to attend this summer, there is still time to sign up. Specifically, we have a special option during week six that allows youth to attend as individuals. Learn more. We are very excited that Becca Stevens, founder and president of Thistle Farms and the Center for Contemplative Justice, will be joining us as the keynote speaker for Women's Connection next month. If you would like to join us for Becca's keynote, one-night-only tickets for An Evening with Becca Stevens will go on sale at 10:00 am on Monday, July 8. Admission includes access to Becca's keynote lecture in Anderson Auditorium on August 10, 2024. Learn more or sign up for email alerts by clicking here. Montreat Middle School Conference will take place at Maryville College in Maryville, TN, later this month. During this conference, youth who have completed fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade will explore the theme "In the Middle of It All" through daily keynote, worship, recreation, and small groups. See what else this conference offers here. The second part in our series of mini-workshops, Is it Just Me? Or is Parenting Harder Now?, will take place on Wednesday, July 17, at 7:00 pm. We will gather in the Thompson Brown Meeting Room (located on the first floor of Moore Center) to hear from family counselor David Bradley. Learn more. Last month we announced that Montreat will host The Great Search, a book release celebration for author John Philip Newell's forthcoming book of the same name. Taking place on October 24, 2024, this event will feature traditional Celtic music, fellowship, and the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book and have it signed by John Philip. Tickets are available now on our website. Make a visit to Moore Center! The Huckleberry is now following its summer schedule and will be open Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am-9:00 pm, Sat. 8:00 am-3:00 pm, and closed Sunday. View the menu here. Meanwhile, The Montreat Store is open Mon.-Sat. 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Have a question about purchasing an item? Call the store at 828.669.5298.

The Art of Transitional Ministry August 11-16, 2024 The Art of Transitional Ministry provides vital training for pastors who are currently engaged in, or are considering a call to, interim/transitional ministry. Recognized as a specialized ministry in the PC(USA), transitional ministry requires both resilience and spiritual strength. Hone these skills and deepen the impact of your ministry through this five-day course. Learn More

Upcoming Event Calendar

Click on each event to learn more or view our full event calendar and find your event for more information.

Montreat Youth Conference | June 2-August 3, 2024 Summer Worship Series | June 2-August 4, 2024 Arts, Music, and Theology | July 2-30, 2024 Fourth of July Celebration | July 4, 2024 Middle School Conference | July 17-21, 2024 Women's Connection | August 9-11, 2024 An Evening with Becca Stevens| August 10, 2024

The Art of Transitional Ministry | August 11-16, 2024 Fall Craft Week | September 22-27, 2024 The Spiritual Wisdom of Trees | October 10-13, 2024 Wee Kirk Conference | October 21-23, 2024 Earth & Soul Retreat | October 23-25, 2024 The Great Search: Book Release Celebration | October 24, 2024 Thanksgiving in Montreat | November 26-30, 2024

View our full event calendar

Montreat Moment

Get in touch with your creative side this summer! The Currie Craft Center and Sally Jones Pottery offer a variety of art classes for adults each week during the summer season. Class options for the upcoming week are available to preview each Thursday at 6:00 pm, with registration opening on Fridays at 9:00 am. Learn More

Have You Been to the Barn This Summer?

Have you attended a big circle mountain dance at the Barn this summer? If you've been to the Barn recently, you may have noticed some changes. After decades of roller skating, dancing, Clubs, crafts, and conferences, the Barn received a renovation earlier this year thanks to the generous support of our donors. For a full list of donors, or to make a gift to the barn, visit the Barn Donor Recognition page on our website. We hope to see you at the next big circle mountain dance at the Barn!

Keep up with Montreat!