Weekly Outlook - The Instagram saga continues 📸

Dear readers, It has been a hectic 24 hours for the Outlook team. I find myself doing breathing exercises and listening to classical music as I write this, trying to settle my nervous system enough to offer some perspective. For those busy with Ash Wednesday services or your personal lives, here's what's gone down.  On February 19, 2025, our Instagram account was suspended for allegedly violating community standards. We were not informed which standard we violated — even after requesting clarification. Our appeal was reviewed and denied within 10 minutes, leaving us no recourse. Our account, along with all the unique content we created for it, was gone. Yesterday, we published an editorial letting our readers know what happened and where they could now find us on social media. This article also outlined some of Meta's ethics with which we, as an organization, do not align. The editorial went (Presbyterian) viral, resulting in 1,000 new followers on Bluesky and more than 13,000 views in less than 12 hours.  Today, early in the morning, our Instagram account was reinstated by Meta with an apology.  Our team has been up since 6 a.m. connecting, planning, and drafting our next steps forward. After all that, do we return to Instagram?  We have ultimately decided to hold firm to our reasons for criticizing Meta and our vision for the future of Outlook's social channels. We will not be returning to the platform. You can read more about that here. We are still discerning the next steps. Other press outlets have shown interest in telling our story and some friends have reached out to counseling legal action.  For now, I find myself sitting in the gray area of social media — which is where I often find myself as a Christian, marketer, digital native, and theologian. These are the things I know to be true:  Meta continues to prioritize corporate interests, limit user control, relax hate speech policies, roll back fact-checking and end DEI initiatives. (Read more about that here.) This does not align with Presbyterian Outlook's ethics. Nor does it align with my own.  On Facebook (another Meta platform), the Outlook received an incredible outpouring of love and support yesterday from our followers and readers. We believe that it was your attention, your care, your outrage that ultimately led to the reinstatement of our Instagram profile. Social media, even Meta, can still do the work of connecting and working together towards a cause.  When our account was deleted, I felt dejected and small.  I wrote something along these lines yesterday on my personal Facebook profile, and a friend commented "Who has the power?" Using my own words, she reminded me that I do have power. We do have power. Another friend messaged me that she has been seeking out "hush harbors" online for years. Resistance is possible.  It feels that we are living in a sea change moment when it comes to social media. I believe our use of social media, as individual and faith-based nonprofits, will look different a year from now. Exactly how, I'm not sure yet.  For now, I'll keep listening to classical music and breathing deep. Maybe I'll even make a cup of tea and watch my dog sleep, so unbothered by it all. Perhaps there's a lesson there, too. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor P.S. A day before our editorial about Instagram went live, I published an essay by Brendan McLean on the viral anglerfish video. For those working to hold the good and the bad of social media together, Brendan has some words of wisdom.

Five months after Hurricane Helene, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church continues providing recovery and relief by Layton Williams Berkes Presbyterian Outlook banned by Instagram by Teri McDowell Ott Our Instagram is back — but we’re still leaving. Here’s why. by Teri McDowell Ott Lessons from the viral anglerfish video by Brendan McLean  The Rev. Jihyun Oh announces an interim leadership team for the Interim Unified Agency by Rick Jones and Mike Ferguson Curiosity: An innate gift and a lifelong pursuit by Mike Ferguson In case you missed it... Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible Liz Charlotte Grant addresses recovering fundamentalists, inviting them to rediscover the relevance of Scripture throughout the pages of "Knock at the Sky," writes Emery J. Cummins. Boycotts accompany prayer as faith leaders prepare for a Lent of protest The Rev. Jamal Bryant said he hopes 100,000 ‘conscientious Christians’ will have signed up by March 5 to mark the ‘season of denial’ by fasting from shopping at Target. — Adelle M. Banks Registration for the Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage now open The Rev. Sharon Risher will keynote the Sept. 24-27 training at Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center. The power of the pilgrim Keatan King and Omar Rouchon hope secular sites of racial justice work can become the grounds where future church leaders find their lives' work. Dear Aunt Osibe and Uncle Ernest: A letter to my ancestors Gail Henderson-Belsito remembers two people who embodied all that is civil and right. Jesus’ call to curiosity: Detaching from what we think we know Being curious takes vulnerability and courage, writes Teri McDowell Ott, but this is the soft, fertile soil from which spring flowers bloom. Fresh Outlook Bible Studies: “Revelation” In four sessions, “Revelation: Professing Christ Today” by Mark D. Hinds seeks to create an inclusive environment for discussing and reflecting on the political ramifications of following Christ.

Order today! How do we hold space for grief while clinging to hope? Grieving Change and Loss, a daily Lenten devotional from Presbyterian Outlook, embraces the complexity of loss in its many forms — from lost health to fractured friendships — and invites you to encounter the resurrection promise anew. Explore grief’s six stages each week with reflections, Scripture, and prayer.

RNS Morning Report - Survey: Relations between Jewish and Arab Israelis continue to suffer amid war

Top Stories Survey: Relations between Jewish and Arab Israelis continue to suffer amid war (RNS) — ‘The level of fear is very, very high. Our job is to tell them that this is not the time to duck down and wait for the tsunami to end. This is the time to show up,’ said Mohammad Darawshe, director of strategy for Givat Haviva, which organized the survey.   This Lent, US Lutherans are learning a new Palestinian practice: Sumud (RNS) — An Arab word meaning 'steadfastness,' the Sumud devotional offers churches a six-week study to raise awareness of Israel’s military rule over Palestinians.   Southern Baptist Convention leaders address lack of funds for legal bills (RNS) — While the SBC collects hundreds of millions in donations each year, very little is spent on overhead or oversight. Now, a series of lawsuits by pastors accused of abuse has left the denomination unable to pay its legal bills.   Pope Francis shares recording for faithful praying for his recovery (RNS) — Doctors said the pope’s condition remains stable and he has not had any further respiratory insufficiencies since Monday.   RNS Opinion Making sense of the ‘madwomen’ in the Talmud (RNS) — In her debut book, ‘The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic,’ Gila Fine, a lecturer of rabbinic literature at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, shows how the women in the Talmud may be more misunderstood than crazy.   Trolls gonna troll, but reasonable religious debate won’t be rolled (RNS) — Canceling others’ comments for no good reason is a bridge too far.   ICYMI Catholic women go on Lenten strike to highlight their work in the church (RNS) — The Synod on Synodality disappointed many women’s hopes that it would recognize women’s essential role in the church. A women’s strike, they hope, will make their point.   Queer Christian groups oppose Trump orders in Ash Wednesday statement (RNS) — The statement is signed by 11 Christian LGBTQ groups representing tens of thousands of constituents and roughly 5,000 congregations. In Other News D.C. U.S. attorney tells Georgetown he won’t hire from any school with ‘DEI’ Trump’s foreign aid demolition hits major Christian charities   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

UM News Weekly Digest

UM News Digest - Mar. 7, 2025 Church gears up for new bishops and new map Marking International Women’s Day Pastor’s legacy holds lessons for today “Such a reshape and addition of central conferences aligns with the cultural contextual realities as well as the proximity of annual conferences.” — North Katanga Area Bishop Mande Muyombo, on the increase of central conferences on the African continent. The United Methodist Church is getting a new map in Africa. Graphic by Ben Ward, UM News. Church gears up for new bishops and new map NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Four United Methodist central conferences are scheduled in the coming months. By the time they conclude, United Methodists expect to have eight additional new bishops and one more central conference. Heather Hahn reports. Read story See related UM News story: Congo Central Conference gets new dates South Georgia Conference How a Georgia church redefines community THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Grace United Methodist Church wasn’t supposed to exist. The congregation was born from the painful process of disaffiliation, a moment that could have ended in heartbreak but instead became a chance for rebirth. The church has seen its focus shift from preserving structures to strengthening communities. The Rev. Stephanie Smith has the story. Read story Michigan Conference Michigan, Liberia connection helps students LANSING, Mich. — Michigan congregations have donated more than $320,000 to support students in United Methodist schools in Liberia and in Michigan Conference Freedom Schools. In Liberia, the money provides scholarships at four Readers to Leaders schools. Members from six churches visited two of those schools and other United Methodist-supported projects in February. “It was very evident that the scholarships are making a big difference in the lives of students,” said the Rev. Jon Reynolds, chair of the Liberia Task Force of the Michigan Conference. Kay DeMoss reports. Read story ADVERTISEMENT Church and Society Marking International Women’s Day WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is joining more than 100 nongovernmental organizations in a statement for International Women’s Day on March 8. The push for International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action” for rapid advancements in gender equity. “International Women’s Day is a reminder for all of us to strive for a world free from bias and discrimination,” said Camille Henderson-Edwards, Church and Society’s senior executive director for economic, health and gender justice. Read press release Read statement (PDF) Iowa Conference Bishop decries anti-trans law DES MOINES, Iowa — Legislation passed by Iowa lawmakers removing civil rights protections from transgender people in the state opens the door to discrimination and harm, writes Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai in a pastoral letter. “A tiny minority that is already disproportionately bullied has been made even more vulnerable. This is not the way of Christ,” she said.  Read letter United Methodist Higher Education Foundation Foundation celebrates 60 years NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This year, the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation celebrates its 60th anniversary. Since 1965, the foundation has supported the higher education of United Methodists and the United Methodist-related institutions they attend. In the past decade alone, the foundation has awarded upward of $25 million in scholarships to more than 10,000 students.  Read press release ADVERTISEMENT UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. Pastor’s legacy holds lessons for today FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (UM News) — Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde and other advocates for human dignity are embodying the legacy of the Rev. Carrie Whitehurst Parrish. A trailblazer for women clergy in The United Methodist Church, Parrish championed equality and fought to tear down barriers in her day. “In a world where religion is often distorted for political gain, Parrish embodied what it truly means to be a leader, have power and live as a person of Christ,” writes her granddaughter Anna Riddle. Read commentary Wespath Calming retirement plan concerns GLENVIEW, Ill. — In light of a Wall Street Journal article about struggling church-related pension programs, the top executive of Wespath Benefits and Investments is sending a message to its clients that their retirement plans are secure. “For over 115 years, the retirement plans Wespath manages have endured depressions, recessions, market upheavals, wars and pandemics,” writes Andy Hendren. Among the protections in place are a commitment to transparency, fully funded plans, laws it must follow as a fiduciary, independent board oversight and advice from third-party experts. Read commentary Georgia Area Conferences join for Lenten devotionals MACON, Ga. — As they did during Advent, laity and clergy in the North Georgia and South Georgia conferences have teamed up to share the message of Christ through daily Lenten devotionals. The laity-led effort aims to encourage reflection, repentance and spiritual renewal. Read devotionals      United Theological Seminary Seminary plans webinars on emotional intelligence DAYTON, Ohio — The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary plans to hold a webinar series on “Emotional Intelligence: Leading and Managing Your Staff/High Capacity Leaders.” The webinars, led by the Rev. John McGill, are set for 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern time March 27 and April 3. Individual registration costs $125. United is among the 13 United Methodist seminaries in the U.S. Learn more and register Tuesday, April 1 - Thursday, April 3 Collaborative Paths to Gender Equity training Friday, May 2 - Saturday, May 17 Global Ministries EarthKeepers spring online training More United Methodist events File photo courtesy of Central United Methodist Church Pouring new wine into old wineskins   PHILADELPHIA (UM News) — In a four-part series, John W. Coleman spotlights legacy Black United Methodist churches that are maintaining their traditions while also doing innovative ministries to serve the present age. First up are Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington and Central United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Watch video Logo courtesy Council of Bishops Bishops’ president offers Lenten message   WASHINGTON — Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone shared a message as Christians around the world began the season of Lent. “The Lenten journey does not require us to turn away from the pain and struggles of the present,” she writes. “Instead, it invites us to bring them before God, whose faithfulness never wavers.” Read message Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News Ministry sends books to prisons   BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UM News) — The little library at Canterbury United Methodist Church is busy throughout the week with volunteers reading letters as part of its Books to Prisons ministry. Each note from an inmate includes a book request. Volunteers fulfill orders and share a personal note. It is an opportunity to show the love of Christ to those who often feel forgotten. Lilla Marigza has the story. Read message Logo courtesy Nigeria Episcopal Area Drought-affected families get food relief   TARABA STATE, Nigeria — With support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has distributed aid to drought-affected communities. “Many people were at the brink of starvation, but with this intervention, they can now feed their families,” said the Rev. Iliya Elisha. Filibus Bakari Auta reports. Read story UMNews.org | UM News Photos