Weekly Outlook - The ministry of excess space

Dear readers, You won't be receiving our weekly email newsletters next week. Don't worry — you're still on the mailing list. The Outlook staff is just taking the week off to practice sabbath.  We started this tradition three years ago, shortly after both Outlook Editor/Publisher Teri McDowell Ott and I finished our first full year at the publication. It became clear to the new staff that the pace of work at a small, independent publication is a steady race with few breaks. The staff does make use of our vacation days, but when we step away, our co-workers are required to take on extra hours to ensure that we continue to produce the materials our readers count on.  Shutting down for a full week allows all of us to collectively recharge and practice a slower pace. The word "practice" is key here. As I'm sure you're well aware, it can be quite hard to extract yourself from our world's collective culture of constant availability and relentless productivity. In fact, I'll let you in on a never-before-shared secret: the first year, all three full-time employees worked the majority of our sabbath week without telling our co-workers. In the following years, however, we've learned just how precious (and needed) this week off is. And we will try again to practice pausing. I'm personally looking forward to less screentime. I just picked up sewing and plan to practice being bad at something. My husband and I hope to get the keys to our first house on Monday (eek), and I hope to undertake some necessary cleaning before we move in. So, I will talk to you on the other side! And I hope that you can find moments of rest this next week as well. Even if it's five minutes of deep breathing, a sticky, sweaty walk with a friend, or an evening reading a book.  Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook

How love, faith, and community made my nursing dream possible by Alejandra Barrera Unification Commission approves job descriptions for restructured board by John A. Bolt, Outlook reporting The ministry of excess space by John A. Bolt, Outlook reporting Blessing of the backpacks by Jess Rigel The Outlook staff will be off August 4-8 for sabbath by Teri McDowell Ott What a wisdom text taught me about online dating by Katy Shevel In case you missed it... Black Elegies: Meditations on the Art of Mourning  "Black Elegies" attempts to make visible the seen and unseen registers of grief in those marked by the transatlantic slave trade. — Jordan Burton Big truths for little readers Three new children’s books explore big faith questions with beauty, joy, and hope — from Miriam’s dancing to a magical lunchbox and what the Bible really is. — A collection of authors Union Theological Seminary President Serene Jones to retire after 18 years of leadership Following a sabbatical, she’ll return to Union to teach and write. — Union Theological Seminary Summer reading: Grief, healing, and the search for meaning Amy Pagliarella offers a list of memoirs and novels that grapple with suffering, memory, and personal transformation. Rethinking psychological evaluations in the PC(USA) ordination process Jane L. Holtzclaw, Presbyterian pastor and psychiatrist, questions the PC(USA)-required psychological evaluations for ordination and offers alternatives for discernment. Stronger than the Storm: RHINO’s 20-Year legacy of hope 20 years after Katrina, St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church continues to rebuild hope in New Orleans and beyond.

byFaith Magazine - 10 Attendance Statistics from the 52nd General Assembly

10 Attendance Statistics from the 52nd General Assembly By Andy Jones Discover some interesting statistics about the commissioners from the most recent General Assembly. READ NOW

Building Projects: Christ Central in Durham By Benjamin Morris "The goal was never a new building on its own... but rather, a long-term presence grounded in a unique city yearning for gospel love." READ NOW Worship Directory Study Committee Members Announced By Megan Fowler The moderator of the 52nd General Assembly has appointed members to serve on the Directory of Worship Study Committee. READ NOW Christian Nationalism Study Committee Members Announced By Megan Fowler The moderator of the 52nd General Assembly has appointed members to serve on the Christian Nationalism Study Committee. READ NOW Building Projects: First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga By Benjamin Morris The fabric into which First Pres is woven in downtown Chattanooga has created a number of challenges over the years. READ NOW

AROUND THE WEB Glorifying the Triune God Through Church Planting On my office door at Covenant Seminary, you will find a parody of the Chick-fil-A cow advertisement that states, “Plant more churches. On the PCA’s Committee on Christian Nationalism The committee is tasked to study “the relationship between Christian Nationalism, Ethno-Nationalism, and related teachings” and “write a report that gives pastoral guidance when addressing congregations, new members, and future officers of the PCA.” Worship Leader, Tell the Whole Story As worship leaders design services, we have the privilege of inviting people into the Story of stories.  10 Things You Should Know About Disability Ministry Disability exists because we live in a fallen world, but it can also be a means by which God displays his glory and grace. An Answer to the Critics of Jesus Calling Since Sarah passed away in 2023, it falls to us, her family, to bring clarity to another wave of misinformed criticism that has now infiltrated the PCA that Sarah loved and served for decades. FOLLOW  |  DONATE  |  DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RNS Morning Report - ELCA elects first Black presiding bishop, calls Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide

Top Stories ELCA elects first Black presiding bishop, calls Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide (RNS) — The Rev. Yehiel Curry, bishop of the ELCA’s Metropolitan Chicago Synod since 2019, will serve a six-year term as presiding bishop of the 2.7 million-member denomination.   Brent Leatherwood, head of embattled SBC public policy arm, steps down (RNS) — The SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has been criticized for failing to fall in line with the MAGA agenda.   American Jewish Committee to donate $25K to damaged Gaza church (RNS) — The church has been housing and feeding a few hundred Christians and Muslims for nearly two years as the war continues.   Ex-Vatican auditor Libero Milone seeks to bring case, and evidence, to the pope (RNS) — The former Vatican auditor is pursuing further legal action after his wrongful termination case was dismissed and key evidence was excluded from his appeal.   Pope Leo confirms John Henry Newman as doctor of the church VATICAN CITY (RNS) — St. John Henry Newman’s teachings on the development of theology and the centrality of conscience have deeply influenced the Catholic Church.   RNS Opinion What the story of the Charleston church murders teaches (RNS) — The twists and turns of racial justice in America.   A few words on becoming voiceless (RNS) — I won’t be able to talk, but spasmodic dysphonia will not rob me of my voice.   ICYMI Evangelical legal group asks Supreme Court to overturn same-sex marriage ruling (RNS) — ‘We think that it’s not a matter of if, but just a matter of when, the Supreme Court will overrule Obergefell,’ said Mathew Staver, head of Liberty Counsel.   New Jersey church threatened by eminent domain gets a reprieve – for now (RNS) — Church leaders and Mayor Dan Rodrick have been at odds for months over the future of the property. In Other News How a Harvard initiative studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict collapsed Christian refugees caught in the crosshairs of U.S. immigration policy   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