Weekly Outlook - A new book from Mr. Rogers 📕

Dear readers, I've recently found myself at the kitty-corner edge of grief, watching loved ones struggle through a family crisis that largely leaves my life unaffected. It's a strange thing to hold and seems to present itself as questions mostly: How can I show up in a useful way? How would I want to deal with this situation? How will this person handle things differently than I would? Why is this happening? Unrelated to my personal life, Outlook Book Review Editor Amy Pagliarella recently curated a list of resources for grief and loss. I have to tell you, friends, I've added just about every book on this list to my shopping cart. Not only do I want to explore my relationship with grief to be a better friend, but I imagine that I might find a favorite resource and offer it as a gift to those who might need some extra help processing loss.  This list is a great resource for anyone in ministry. These are books you want at your fingertips. But it's also a great resource for friends, siblings, partners, and loved ones who find themselves one-degree removed from loss. In situations where I feel helpless, I've always found that creating space for words is a grounding gift. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor

While overall PC(USA) membership continues to decline, new worshiping communities maintain their growth by Mike Ferguson This Beautiful Day: Daily Wisdom from Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers Every Day for Everyone: 365 Devotions from Genesis to Revelation by N.T. Wright and John Goldingay How neurodivergent youth are reshaping youth ministry by Erin Raffety and Ellen White In case you missed it... Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World’s Most Powerful Religion — And Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation  Technology's promises of human progress, potential and possibilities give it permission to exploit marginalized people, increase inequality and frequently adopt the worst of religion. — Mike Goodwin on "Tech Agnostic" Outside Supreme Court, religious protesters mostly rally in favor of transgender rights ‘As a trans person myself, I know that I’m just as much an image of God as a cisgender, heterosexual person of whatever color, race and creed,’ said the Rev. M.E. Eccles, a trans Episcopal priest. Sit down, and rest The world will wear me down unless I demand otherwise, writes Dartinia Hull. Two Presbyterian churches receive $175,000 grants to maintain their vitality First Presbyterian Church of Fargo and First Presbyterian Church of Taos are two of 24 recipients for National Fund for Sacred Places grants. 2025 Grawemeyer Religion Award Goes to Rabbi and Disability Advocate Julia Watts Belse Georgetown professor’s book, "Loving Our Own Bones," inspires reappraisal of disability. — News from other sources 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 Responsive Advent prayer of confession Written by Jill Duffield. Christmas Beatitudes Christian Iosso writes: "Blessed are those who have no 'home for the holidays,' without jobs or funds to buy gifts, who have outlived their friends..." 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.