Weekly Outlook - Mr. Rogers, Trump's Bible & creative solutions

Dear readers, One of my favorite annual practices at the Outlook is curating our end-of-year lists — what were our most popular articles? Prayers? News stories? What essays are worth returning to again? It feels like a way to both reflect on the year (What did I spend my time creating?) and learn more about our audience (What stories do you want to read?). In looking at the data, I've learned that Presbyterian's faithfulness to Mr. Rogers remains strong, that we're all trying to understand and reconcile the relationship between faith and politics in America, that small churches are seeking creative solutions, and that the Outlook has a ministry of providing words when words are hard to come by. Next week, I'll share our top news stories, products, and worship resources as well as our staff's favorite essays from the year. What have been some of your favorite Outlook articles from the past year? What do you hope we cover in 2025?  Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor P.S. If you missed it, Outlook Social Media Producer Jesy Littlejohn had a really interesting conversation on Facebook Live with PC(USA) pastor and researcher Erin Raffety and neurodivergent director of ministry Ellen White about how neurodivergent youth are reshaping youth ministry in innovative, faithful ways. P.S.S. We have book recommendations for anyone looking for Christmas present ideas, too!

The Outlook’s top opinion pieces of 2024: Faith, politics, and the church’s future by Rose Schrott Taylor History, mystery and the Christmas story by Ken Bailey The top Outlook book recommendations of 2024 by Amy Pagliarealla Justice, gratitude and healing: The most referenced prayers of 2024 by Rose Schrott Taylor In case you missed it... A collect prayer for the shortest day of the year Daniel Health offers a prayer examining sunlight and son-light for December 21, the shortest day of the year. The kingdom of God calls us to something beyond the imagination “If we see wrong, step up. I believe that God steps with us.” Chris Burton and Dartinia Hull tackle systemic sin, generational trauma, and the hope found in God’s promises. “There are no new pains:” A feminist Advent reflection Liz Cooledge Jenkins reflects on Elizabeth, Luke's Gospel, and Audre Lorde. At-home Christmas liturgy Here is a tool to invite the holy into the day. — Rose Schrott Taylor  New Interim Unified Agency of the PC(USA) takes next step in reimagining work going forward Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries will join with Theology, Formation and Evangelism. —  Mike Ferguson Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground For religious and spiritual alike, "Ordinary Mysticism" provides a smorgasbord of resources for listening to life to hear the voice of divine presence in the ordinary. — Jessica Hawkinson Dorow Joy and sorrow with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings In "Woodland," Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings’ merge timeless folk ballads with pressing social issues, blending joy, sorrow, and soulful protest. — Andrew Taylor-Troutman 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.