Weekly Outlook - Enjoy that nap; We've got your blessings here

Dear readers, This week's NPR's Throughline podcast traced the beginning of our national Thanksgiving holiday to the Civil War. While most states recognized the historical moment of the pilgrims arriving at Plymouth, the exact day of the commemoration varied. It became a national holiday recognized on the last Thursday in November largely thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale, an editor of a woman's magazine, and a letter she wrote to President Lincoln. With the national celebration came the promotion of the now well-known story of the Wampanoag Tribe having mercy on the under-resourced pilgrims. At the time, this history wasn't nationally known. Thanksgiving has never been as simple as it proclaims to be. It was birthed out of conflict. Additionally, it shows the power of story, for even the narrative promoted by the government leaves out how the Wampanoag Tribe's kindness was ultimately repaid with violence.  Last year, I reflected on my love of and conflicted feelings about the Thanksgiving Day Parade in this newsletter. I received a response from one reader saying that I ruined her holiday. I hope I don't ruin any holidays this year. My aim is to create space for all of us and to say: we have capacity for complexity. It's okay if you are conflicted about today's holiday or encounter tension around your table. It seems this has been a part of our national celebration of Thanksgiving from the beginning.  Today is a day with layers. I pray we all find space to flip through them and offer the whole messy package to God, who welcomes us just as we are and grows our hearts along the way. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor P.S.: Are you always called upon to pray at your family gatherings? We've got you covered. Go ahead and enjoy that glass of wine or nap: https://pres-outlook.org/tag/thanksgiving/

A key day of the 227th General Assembly will be spent out in the community by Mike Ferguson Got an empty church lawn? Why not turn it into a dog park? by Bob Smietana Moving in with Jesus: A grilled cheese parable by Eliza C. Jaremko The manger and the inn: A Middle Eastern view of the birth story of Jesus by Ken Bailey A Thanksgiving mealtime prayer inspired by Psalm 104 by Amanda Horan A Thanksgiving benediction by Katy Shevel In case you missed it... Practicing Christ’s patterns Christ not only illuminates our common bonds as humans but shows what we can accomplish when we work together toward the good, writes Teri McDowell Ott. Bishop Gene Robinson, first openly gay Episcopal bishop, preaches defense of McBride Robinson voiced deep frustration with the critics of U.S. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, who is the first openly transgender person elected to Congress and an ordained Presbyterian elder. — Jack Jenkins Holiday reading Whether you’re looking for something to read aloud to a child or want to spend the holidays catching up on some of the year’s best, you’ll want to check out these great books. — Amy Pagliarella Austin Seminary and Schreiner University launch innovative MDiv/MBA dual degree program to prepare future faith-based leaders Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Schreiner University have partnered to offer a dual degree program blending theology and business education. Upon completing the program, graduates will be awarded a Master of Divinity degree from Austin Seminary and a Master of Business Administration from Schreiner University. — Jeff Sanchez Looking forward to the 227th General Assembly The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly hears how plans are proceeding. — Mike Ferguson Unification Commission consolidates PC(USA) agencies, resulting in program changes and staff reduction ‘Interim Unified Agency’ to be led by Stated Clerk Jihyun Oh. — Gregg Brekke, Outlook reporting Resources for grief and loss Amy Pagliarella suggests the resources for grief pastors, caregivers, and loved ones will want on hand, to reference or offer to others in need.  Revelation: Professing Christ Today In a world that frequently promotes hatred, hostility and division, discover Revelation’s call to embody God’s grace, generosity and forgiveness. A new Fresh Outlook study.

An original, daily devotional — perfect for printing or emailing In a world dominated by binary thinking – light vs. dark, good vs. evil – this Advent devotional by Teri McDowell Ott challenges us to see beyond familiar binaries and embrace the complex, natural patterns of God in the world.

WCC news: WCC general secretary will visit Canadian Council of Churches to strengthen ties

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay will visit Canada from 4-9 December, a visit during which he will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Canadian Council of Churches, as well as meet with member churches and ecumenical organizations in Canada. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 29 November 2024 The general secretary will place the Canadian context into the broader global ecumenical movement, the WCC strategic plan, and the journey to unity, reconciliation, and justice. Pillay will explore the unique contributions of Canadian churches. Pillay will also meet with high-level political leaders and others to gain more insight into the Canadian context, as well as the challenges and strengths of how the church in Canada is responding, and how the WCC can journey with them. Pillay will visit the House of Commons, and plans to meet with Hon. Wab Kinew, premier of Manitoba, and Canada's first provincial premier of First Nations descent. In addition, Pillay will focus on interfaith work, meeting with the Manitoba Multifaith Council, and being featured in a panel discussion entitled “Faith in the Public Square.” He will also meet with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, touring the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to receive historical context for residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. He will also participate in a sharing circle meeting to listen to stories from Indigenous communities.  Pillay will have an informal conversation with young people at Grace Lutheran Church in  Winnipeg, sharing about ecumenism and the work of WCC, and will also have a dialogue with representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Pillay will preach at the Broadway Disciples United Church.  He will also visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights as well as the Metropolitan Cathedral. WCC member churches in Canada The Canadian Council of Churches See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

RNS Morning Report: T.D. Jakes files suit after medical incident, accusing minister of false abuse claim

Top Stories T.D. Jakes files suit after medical incident, accusing minister of false abuse claims (RNS) — The lawsuit makes a direct link between Jakes’ medical state and Duane Youngblood’s allegations, which Jakes’ suit calls ‘false and defamatory.’   Jain Americans adapt Thanksgiving by applying an ethic of nonviolence even to the turkey (RNS) — Jain Americans have forged Thanksgiving traditions of their own, participating in a ritual fast, praying for forgiveness or cooking up a vegan feast for their families.   Signing church services for the Deaf is a work of love — and a willingness to learn the Bible WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'One missed sign or one missed concept can prevent others from working out their service salvation on that day', said Bronte Stewart, who founded an ASL interpretation program at her church in 2014.   RNS holiday gift guide 2024: Ideas for your atheist pals and spiritual loved ones alike (RNS) — Ganesh ornaments, humanist children’s books and Hanukkah nail decals are just some of the gifts to consider.   RNS Opinion How should nonprofits prepare for the ‘nonprofit killer’ bill becoming law? (RNS) — With Americans serving more than 1.5 million tax-exempt nonprofits in the United States, according to the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, House Bill 9495 should concern all of us.   What should public schoolchildren learn about the Bible? (RNS) — It should not be about imposing faith. It could be about encouraging knowledge.   ICYMI Pope Francis enshrines synod’s final report as church teaching (RNS) — Bishops will be asked to report to the pope about how they are implementing synodality in their churches every five years.   Bishop Gene Robinson, first openly gay Episcopal bishop, preaches defense of McBride WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'I couldn’t admire her more as a human and as a child of God,' Bishop Gene Robinson said of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride. In Other News What church leaders are saying following Bishop T.D. Jakes’ onstage medical incident On eve of UK assisted suicide vote, archbishop defends role of religion in public square   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