Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of May 25 - 29, 2026

PC(USA) global partners speak A webinar features three partners working to minister effectively in the Global Ecumenical Partnership model

Showing compassion to the vulnerable in Lebanon Jinishian Memorial Association provides vital assistance in embattled region

Leader Formation webinar explores being Presbyterian in a ‘dysvangelical’ age Authors and GA Co-Moderators highlight Reformed identity, community and hope for the church’s future

Hymns that resist Christian nationalism Two Presbyterian pastors and hymnwriters, the Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing and the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, offer up a meaty workshop

Presbyterian profile: The Rev. Harold Voelkel (1898-1984) The story of a United Nations chaplain assigned to the POW camps during the Korean War

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

RNS Morning Report - Kate Bowler on unexpected joy in the midst of pain

Kate Bowler on unexpected joy in the midst of pain (VIDEO)   Author and Duke Divinity School professor Kate Bowler has pondered mortality and grief in her previous books. She also spent the past decade bashing the American cult of positivity and the pursuit of optimal happiness.   Her experience battling Stage 4 colon cancer in her 30s taught her the fallacy of such thinking. In the midst of a devastating diagnosis, Bowler found experiences of joy. Now she’s written a book about it.   RNS Senior Editor Yonat Shimron sat down with Bowler to talk about her latest book, “Joyful Anyway.”   “Everything that mattered was slipping away from me so quickly, and I was very angry, and I was heartbroken, and I just had this one strange little stretch where I felt bubble wrapped in love,” Bowler said.          Top Stories Kate Bowler on unexpected joy, even in the midst of pain (RNS) — In the midst of a devastating cancer diagnosis, Kate Bowler also found experiences of joy. Now she's written a book about it. Mamdani skipped NYC’s Israel Day Parade. Supporters say he missed the point. NEW YORK (RNS) — Supporters argued the parade was foremost about supporting the New York Jewish community — which has faced escalating antisemitic incidents — rather than the actions of the Israeli government. Chicago mayor sees Pope Leo XIV as key ally on social justice, migration after Vatican meeting ROME (AP) — The mayor said it was comforting to know that someone who comes from the city of Chicago "can speak to justice” and defend “the most vulnerable among us.” Opinion I’ve dedicated my career to soccer. I’m boycotting this World Cup. (RNS) — A scholar specializing in soccer explains why he believes this World Cup is debasing the world's secular religion. The Vatican is tackling a big problem plaguing global healthcare (RNS) — More than 100 experts and advocates gathered for the largest-ever summit in Rome on the challenges to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene at hospitals and clinics around the world lacking these basic needs. Can Reform Judaism reform itself? (RNS) — A New York City conference considers the future of Reform Judaism. ICYMI From pregame invocations to cheering nuns, how NBA playoff teams embrace faith (RNS) — The Oklahoma City Thunder is the only NBA team to hold a public, ecumenical invocation before the singing of the national anthem — a longstanding tradition that continues to confound basketball fans who live outside the city. Bad Bunny wants to meet Pope Leo XIV. In Madrid, a crossover event is in the works. MADRID (RNS) — The pontiff and the pop star will be in Madrid next week. 'It’s not impossible to think that here will be where Pope Leo and Bad Bunny will cross paths,' said one city official. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. 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

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - How worship music became the soundtrack of today’s political right

How worship music became the soundtrack of today’s political right   In the 1960’s, the gospel song “We Shall Overcome” became the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. The emotionally powerful, repetitive lyrics are easy to remember and sing.   RNS National Reporter Bob Smietana noticed that in recent years, a similar phenomenon has been sweeping conservative political events. “How Great Is Our God” and other worship songs – with no overt political overtones – have been sung at the Jericho March preceding the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, anti-vax revivals, Charlie Kirk’s memorial and even at the Pentagon. He wanted to know why.   “They want Christians to hear it as saying, ‘You Christians are under threat,’” said Randy Lovelace, the pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. “‘You are embattled. We hear you, we will support you, and we’ll use this music so that you feel safe, that we have your back, and we’re going to fight.’”   Top Stories How worship music became the soundtrack of today’s political right (RNS) — One of the most popular worship songs, “How Great Is Our God,” has moved from churches to political rallies in recent years. From pregame invocations to cheering nuns, how NBA playoff teams embrace faith (RNS) — The Oklahoma City Thunder is the only NBA team to hold a public, ecumenical invocation before the singing of the national anthem — a longstanding tradition that continues to confound basketball fans who live outside the city. Samaritan’s Purse to open Ebola field hospital in Democratic Republic of the Congo (RNS) — The Christian humanitarian relief organization has deep expertise in treating Ebola. Bad Bunny wants to meet Pope Leo XIV. In Madrid, a crossover event is in the works. MADRID (RNS) — The pontiff and the pop star will be in Madrid next week. 'It’s not impossible to think that here will be where Pope Leo and Bad Bunny will cross paths,' said one city official. Opinion A Mormon father and his gay son, LDS pop culture icons, choose to ‘stay in the room’ (RNS) — Filmmaker and musician Michael McLean denied for years that his son Jeff might be gay. But today, their relationship has not only survived but thrived. A new book shares the ups and downs of their journey. Congress must choose accountability and human dignity over more ICE funding (RNS) — Instead of demanding accountability before approving more funding, Congress is poised to deepen its investment in the very systems generating widespread alarm. A Catholic solution to gender bias in AI (RNS) — Most of the programmers teaching AI to “think” are men. One can only hope that the views of women will be added to the equation. ICYMI These houses of worship are older than America. How they outlasted wars, schisms and lawsuits. (RNS) — Only about 1% of houses of worship in the U.S. today existed in 1776. Here are four that predate the revolution — and still hold services. Muslim principal in Texas reassigned, investigated after right-wing backlash (RNS) — Interfaith religious leaders and district parents say the Fort Worth Independent School District capitulated to a hateful online smear campaign against Shayma Alzubi. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. 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

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.