Weekly Outlook - Finding God in Halloween 🎃

Dear readers, I'm missing my old neighborhood today. In September, my husband and I exchanged a 100-year-old duplex for a newly built townhome. Each residence has its perks — I love that I can use our finished basement without inhaling coal dust and asbestos. However, our old neighborhood had a great Halloween culture.  Pittsburgh is a hilly town, and we lived on a flat street. Each Halloween, hundreds of children (and adults) came through. In our new neighborhood, we're mostly surrounded by retirees and other couples without children. I'm guessing the kids that are here will go elsewhere for trick-or-treat. I am going to miss the practice of connecting with my neighbors. Of drinking cider and munching on candy, playing it cool for the pre-teens while marveling over the little princesses, ghosts, and pumpkins.  Brendan McLean, the associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tyler, Texas, also loves Halloween — even more than I do. In a recent article, he connects the spirit of community, and connection, and open doors shown today with the goodness of God. It's worth a read.  And for those die-hard Reformation fans out there, we remember Martin Luther's boldness today as well. You may appreciate Dawn DeVries' article, "Is celebrating and studying the Reformation still valuable?"  Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor

Is celebrating and studying the Reformation still valuable? by Dawn DeVries  Presbyterian camps offer hope and recovery after hurricanes by Colleen Earp A pastoral confession: My favorite holiday is Halloween by Brendan McLean The Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett celebrates the work of the PMA Board and the Matthew 25 movement by Beth Waltemath In case you missed it... How pastors in western North Carolina united after Hurricane Helene When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, faith communities didn't stand alone. Discover how leaders turned disaster into connection and healing for their communities. — Erin Booke It will be baseball. It will be prayer: The poetry of E. Ethelbert Miller Andrew Taylor-Troutman offers the perfect recommendation for anyone who likes thinking about God and baseball. Bound by love to bear witness "It pains me to witness those I love in pain. But that is the nature of love, and its responsibility," writes Teri McDowell Ott. Barbara G. Wheeler, pioneering leader in theological education and advocate for inclusivity, dies at 79 Wheeler was a former president of Auburn Seminary, a founding board member of Covenant Network of Presbyterians, a dedicated Presbyterian, and a loving wife and mother. The Reformation’s African roots Martin Luther's encounter with Abba Mika’el greatly influenced how he expressed his ideas, writes Elana Keppel Levy. The power of Christ compels them: Why Hollywood is making so many exorcism movies Exorcism movies are making a comeback — and the reasons are more interesting than you might think. — Joseph Holme Readers recommend: Books helping us through election season Outlook readers share the books they’ve found most useful this election season. 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.

Available now! The Outlook's daily Advent devotional. In a world dominated by binary thinking – light vs. dark, good vs. evil – this Advent devotional challenges us to see beyond familiar binaries and embrace the complex, natural patterns of God in the world.

This Week in Religion - Harris, Trump or delay: Clergy prepare for various outcomes

Lead story

Faith groups use election scenarios to prepare spiritually, mentally for what’s next

Editor's note:

In Virginia and Minnesota and New York City, in churches and synagogues and on Zoom meetings, clergy around the country are preparing for the day after the election − come what may. “We do not want to limit our planning for the most optimistic or most likely outcome, but to ensure our plans are robust enough for any outcome,” reads the first page of one church’s scenarios document. That planning ranges from preparing to protest to training as poll chaplains or to learning to identify deepfake videos. And, of course, a lot of prayer. Chris Crawford, a policy strategist for Protect Democracy, has worked with 20 faith-based groups to prepare for the election. He told RNS national reporter Adelle M. Banks that he believes many found it “comforting to come face to face with some of the most anxiety-inducing outcomes,” and to make a plan for them.

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Religion News

Pope’s child protection board urges transparency from Vatican sex abuse office and compensation

Pope Francis’ child protection board calls for victims of clergy sex abuse to have greater access to information about their cases and the right to compensation, in the first-ever global assessment of the Catholic Church’s efforts to address the crisis. By Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press

The mashup holiday 'Diwaloween' celebrates light as the year turns dark

This year, two seemingly opposing holidays, Diwali and Halloween, will be celebrated as one by many South Asians for the first time since 2016. By Richa Karmarkar/Religion News Service

Liberty University sued by former IT staffer fired after disclosing she's a transgender woman

The nationwide debate over transgender rights is playing out on a personal level in a federal court lawsuit filed by a former Liberty University employee fired by the Christian school after disclosing her identity as a transgender woman. The lawsuit on behalf of Ellenor Zinski was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. By David Crary/The Associated Press

After exiting the Christian music industry, these artists engage religion on their terms

After interrogating their beliefs, some onetime CCM artists are revisiting faith in some fashion, trying on elements they’d previously discarded and writing music for listeners who might be more spiritual than religious. By Kathryn Post/Religion News Service

Church near Pennsylvania’s Capitol becomes peace hub hoping to protect democracy in divisive election 

Grace United Methodist Church, located close to Pennsylvania’s State Capitol, recently installed a pole with the message: “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Its pastor hopes her church’s stand for peace will inspire others as votes are counted in perhaps the most crucial battleground state. By Luis Andres Henao/The Associated Press

 

Commentary and Analysis

The ‘Courage Tour’ is attempting to get Christians to vote for Trump − and focused on defeating ‘demons’

The 'Courage Tour,' a religio-political rally, is going around battleground states. It is  focused on defeating Democrats, but also on defeating 'demonic forces.' By Michael E. Heyes for The Conversation

Synod ends with disappointment and hope

The synod’s job is over. Now it is up to the rest of the church to become synodal. By Thomas Reese/Religion News Service

How dogs were implicated during the Salem witch trials

Dogs appeared several times during testimonies, typically because an accused witch was believed to have had a dog who would do her bidding, or because the devil appeared in the form of a dog.  By Bridget Marshall for The Conversation

My family lived the horrors of Native American boarding schools – why Biden’s apology doesn’t go far enough

From the 19th to 20th century, Native children were physically removed from their homes and put into boarding schools. A scholar asks if that was genocide. By Rosalyn R. LaPier for The Conversation

 

Photos of the Week: Panama pilgrims; Presidential push and more

A woman drips candle wax on Valentin Solis as part of his penance, as pilgrims make their way, some crawling, to the San Felipe Church in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic Black Christ statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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RNS Morning Report: In a time of change, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says, he kept his eye trained on love

Top Stories In a time of change, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says, he kept his eye trained on love (RNS) — His electrifying sermon on the power of love at the 2018 royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be the highlight. But Michael Curry may also be remembered for a capacity to keep the main thing the main thing.   Black churches and ‘Divine Nine’ fraternities and sororities partner to boost Black vote (RNS) — Theologian Candice Marie Benbow said, ‘We live at this intersection of being Black faith people and Black people who are in Greek letter organizations who are committed to communal uplift.’   These Latina Christians are shaping the future of abortion in Florida (RNS) — Latina Floridians told RNS their faith has guided them as they work to engage their communities to vote for or against Amendment 4.   Texas nuns in battle with Fort Worth bishop are dismissed from religious life (RNS) — The nuns have ‘reverted to a lay state’ after a sometimes bizarre yearlong tussle with Bishop Michael Olson.   RNS Opinion Authoritarian movements depend on political religions — not least in America (RNS) — On Election Day 2024, one is on offer.   Phil Lesh was good for the Jews (RNS) — The Grateful Dead bass player was not Jewish. But ...   ICYMI Meet the conservative, white religious women voting for Kamala Harris (RNS) — Democrats and some prominent evangelical women are highlighting Donald Trump’s character and conduct, as well as issues such as abortion access, to convince religious conservative women to vote for Harris.   We tried Christian nationalism in America. It went badly. (RNS) — Nostalgia for a ‘Christian America’ overlooks the realities of religion in the founding era — which included taxes, jail time, exile and even public hangings for anyone who defied state-run churches. In Other News Why are some Evangelicals drawn to — and sticking by — Trump? This pastor weighs in Diocese bans ‘All Are Welcome,’ other hymns from Catholic Masses   Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. RNS is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend

The Christian Recorder - Bishop Sarah Frances Davis Covenant Keepers and Intercessors Prayer Ministry Announces New Leadership

The Executive Chair of Church Growth and Development, Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, names Rev. Dr. Patricia S. McAllister and Rev. Tyra L. Frazier as Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator of The Bishop Sarah Frances Davis Covenant Keepers and Intercessors Ministry. This comes following the retirement of Rev. Dorisalene Hughes, who has served faithfully as Prayer Coordinator for the past 12 years.  The ministry is currently preparing for a relaunch under the supervision of Commission Chair Bishop Erika D. Crawford and the guidance of Executive Chair Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris. This relaunch will include updated social media platforms, access to 24-hour prayer, themed prayer nights, prayer labs, Mondays at Midnight Prayer, and corporate and personal prayer geared towards enhancing our collective spiritual experience.  When asked about his expectations for the new administration, Dr. Norris proclaimed, “I am expecting a fresh wind from heaven to fall on the leaders and intercessors of this ministry.  There is still power in prayer.” Additionally, Rev. Dr. Patricia S. McAllister is currently Chair of the First Episcopal District Prayer Ministry under the leadership of Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. She is a person who believes in prayer. She believes prayer should be “Strategic and intentional with the purpose of pulling down the enemy’s strongholds.”  Dr. McAllister currently serves as Pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church in Columbia, PA, with an earned Doctorate in Spiritual Warfare from Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA. Rev. Tyra L. Frazier is an intercessor for the First Episcopal District Prayer Ministry, where she serves under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Patricia S. McAllister. Her number one goal is to help the people of God realize that “Prayer Changes ALL Things Not Just Some Things.” Rev. Tyra is a published author of Traveling Through Your Storm, a book of meditations and prayers. She is the Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Bay Shore, New York. She is also pursuing her Doctorate at Asbury Theological Seminary.  Dr. Marcellus A. Norris firmly believes that the mission of this Prayer Ministry, through the power of prayer and fasting, will advance across the connection to cover every need and every concern in the Blood of Jesus.  May the same spirit and integrity of the late Bishop Sarah Frances Davis live on through these gracious and dedicated servants as they lead this all-important ministry. Like Bishop Davis, they believe that “There is No Politics in Prayer.”

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The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright ©  2024 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.