Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of August 18 - 22

Ten months after back-to-back hurricanes, Florida church’s recovery continues Sarasota’s Siesta Key Chapel is cleaned up and back in operation, but far from whole

The PC(USA) commissions a new class of Young Adult Volunteers Worshipers gather at the Presbyterian Center and online to bless the Class of 2025-26

PDA deploys to Texas Hill Country Discussions focus on ‘human-to-human connection,’ immediate needs and long-term recovery

'A beautiful responsibility': Documentary film will encapsulate history of Black Liberation Theology Emmy-award winning filmmaker to use the Presbyterian Historical Society archives for source material

Delegation of PC(USA) leaders travels to Peru July trip focused on the impacts of mining and other extractive industries

Interim Unified Agency, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Religion News Service - At conference, pastors address racism in their churches as momentum fades

Sponsored message: Top Stories At conference, pastors address racism in their churches as momentum fades NORCROSS, Ga. (RNS) — Five years after George Floyd’s murder at the hands of a police officer, OneRace’s conference explored how the anti-racist momentum of 2020 has progressively faded.    The last pastor in blockaded Sudan city holds out for remaining Christians NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — As two militias fight over the west Sudanese city of El-Fasher, an Anglican priest hangs on to serve a population slowly dying from hunger and stray bullets.   Police raid ends Italy’s migrant parish; defiant priest vows he won’t surrender (RNS) — After the raid, Biancalani said he is looking to the example of sanctuary churches in the United States, vowing not to surrender: ‘If there are canonical tools to defend hospitality, I will use them.’   Samaritan’s Purse joins Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s aid efforts in Gaza (RNS) — Since July 26, Samaritan’s Purse has sent eight relief flights and a medical team to Gaza — one of the only faith-based groups to join the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s efforts.   RNS Opinion Dr. James Dobson’s death ends a life, but not a legacy of lies and harm (RNS) — His radio show and books shaped generations and fueled the shame that drove queer people like me into conversion therapy.   How a film festival nearly censored Jewish memory (RNS) — It all worked out OK. But there are many lessons here. ICYMI Financial tool tells Catholics if they are investing in abortion, LGBTQ+ causes and porn (RNS) — A scorecard developed by Catholic financial adviser Chris McMahon tells parishes, dioceses and individuals how their investments may conflict with church teaching — and how to change course.   NYC faith leaders look to coordinate as federal cuts strain pantries and soup kitchens NEW YORK (RNS) — With federal funding cuts impacting food pantry resources across the nation, faith leaders in New York pledge new collaborations to sustain the city’s food banks and soup kitchens. In Other News Ex-pastor at Pete Hegseth’s church calls for public executions and says Bible backs Ice raids Judge strikes down Minnesota law banning religious tests for college credit program   Depend on our reporting? Help us out! As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. You can support this work! News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

Religion News Service - Episcopal Church removes priest who founded Christian psychedelic society

Sponsored message: Top Stories Episcopal Church removes priest who founded Christian psychedelic society (RNS) — Hunt Priest was removed from ministry nearly a decade after participating in a controversial study on clergy and psychedelics.   Judge rules some Texas school districts don’t have to display Ten Commandments (RNS) — ‘As a rabbi and public school parent, I welcome this ruling,’ Rabbi Mara Nathan, a plaintiff in the case, said in a statement.   Study suggests online religious services may be less effective than in person (RNS) — On average, people attending church in person had a higher heart rate during the service and experienced more transcendence, according to a recent study.   Qatar urges a Gaza ceasefire after a ‘positive response’ from Hamas JERUSALEM (AP) — The prospect of an expanded assault on Gaza City and other areas sheltering hundreds of thousands of civilians has sparked international outrage. Sponsored message: RNS Opinion For New York’s Muslims, Zohran Mamdani’s candidacy is a reckoning on 9/11 backlash (RNS) — The mayoral candidate’s popularity is a reflection of 9/11’s impact on New York’s political and cultural landscape.   SCOTUS supported parents’ rights in education. But religious free exercise needs limits. (RNS) — Case in point: a California faith-based day care lawsuit.   ICYMI Attendance drops, fear rises in immigrant churches as Trump takes over DC WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘I never thought I had one day to cancel Sunday worship because it is not safe for our Latino siblings to come to church. But here we are … ,’ wrote one pastor on Facebook.   Federal judge approves partial settlement for lost AME Church retirement funds (RNS) — Retirement plan participants could recoup more of the lost funds in further legal proceedings. In Other News ‘I want to try and get to Heaven’: Trump gets reflective on ‘Fox & Friends’ Trump-loathing billionaire teams with archbishop to fight deportations   Depend on our reporting? Help us out! As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. You can support this work! News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205