Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of May 27 - 30

Supreme Court declines to review Oak Flat case involving land used for Native American religious ceremonies Apache Stronghold plans to continue fighting to save land from copper mining

All amendments proposed by the 226th General Assembly receive approval from a majority of presbyteries All changes, which will be included in a revised Book of Order, go into effect on July 4

Unification Commission votes unanimously to recommend a hybrid 228th General Assembly in 2028 A proposal for online committee work and in-person plenary at a to-be-determined site will be voted on next year by the 227th General Assembly

New book co-written by PC(USA) pastor the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis sparks a lively discussion Theoharis and co-author Noam Sandweiss-Back appear with Kairos Center colleagues during an engaging webinar

Webinar explores General Assembly overture on caring for wilderness lands in Utah Presbyterians for Earth Care offers up ‘Protecting Sacred Lands for Culture, Climate and Justice’

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WCC News: Upcoming global webinar tackles period stigma in faith communities

As the international community works toward achieving gender equality by 2030, faith leaders are stepping forward to address one of the most overlooked barriers to women's empowerment: menstrual stigma. A joint webinar on 4 June from 15:00-16:30 CEST will explore how religious communities can lead transformative change in making menstruation a normal fact of life globally. 2 June 2025 "Faith communities have a unique moral authority to challenge harmful taboos that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential," said Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace. "When we address menstrual hygiene with dignity and respect, we affirm the fundamental worth of every woman and girl." The "Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld" webinar, hosted by the World Council of Churches, Norwegian Church Aid, and Partnerships for Religion and Development, will bring together diverse perspectives on this critical issue.  Today, millions of women and girls worldwide face discrimination and exclusion simply because they menstruate. Due to societal taboos and lack of access to sanitary products, many use unhygienic alternatives that create health risks. Educational opportunities are lost when girls miss school during their monthly cycles, perpetuating cycles of inequality. "This webinar marks our fourth year of sustained advocacy on an issue that churches and faith-based organisations have too often ignored," noted Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food and coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network. "We're building momentum toward a world where menstruation becomes a normal part of life rather than a source of shame." Participants will explore good practices, funding challenges, and concrete actions for local implementation. A key objective of this webinar is to involve men, especially in faith communities, to take leadership in ending the period poverty and stigma.  More info here See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

RNS Morning Report - With new campus, Pastor Doug Wilson's Christian Valhalla grows in Idaho

Top Stories With new campus, Pastor Doug Wilson’s Christian Valhalla grows in Idaho MOSCOW, Idaho (FāVS News) — Wilson's expanding infrastructure puts him at the center of a larger debate about the role of faith in public life reaching from small-town Idaho to the highest levels of government.   Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo ISTANBUL (RNS) — Initial reports that the centuries-old St. Catherine's Monastery would be closed were denied, but Orthodox leaders remain concerned that the monastery's new status will interfere with the monks' lives.   William Barber’s ex-wife accuses him of misdirecting funds to pay her alimony (RNS) — The preacher’s ex-wife alleges that since November 2023, Repairers of the Breach has issued her monthly checks for $7,000 to pay his alimony.   St. John’s University partnership with US border protection divides campus (RNS) — The partnership threatens 'the university’s Catholic and Vincentian mission' a group of faculty, students and alumni argued in a petition.   PCA leader Bryan Chapell offers to resign after ‘scandalizers’ flap (RNS) — Bryan Chapell, the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America, has repeatedly apologized for his comments made during a recent podcast about other church leaders.   RNS Opinion Hajj pilgrims leaving the US this week face an anxious homecoming (RNS) — The Trump administration's immigration crackdown has Hajj-bound Americans nervous and occasionally outright scared about everything from their visa status to their social media histories.   Watching Rome from Chicagoland: Muslims measure new pope’s promise (RNS) — Muslims in the pontiff's native city want to see Francis’ social justice approach to Christian-Muslim relations continue. ICYMI Berliners are rediscovering their faith outdoors through local pilgrimages BERLIN (RNS) — Christian pilgrimage walks are a way for Berliners and visitors of all ages to engage with their faith without stepping foot in a church.   90 days after judge’s order, Trump administration has failed to restart refugee program (RNS) — Faith groups say thousands remain locked in limbo as the administration drags its feet. In Other News FBI investigates attack on Jewish gathering in Colorado that injured eight Raleigh pastor pleads guilty to Covid-19 loan fraud charges, facing up to 30 years in prison   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

WCC news: At vespers service, WCC general secretary commemorates 1700 years of the Nicene Creed

On 1 June, at the Berner Münster in Bern, Switzerland, Ecumenical Vespers marked a celebration of joy and unity in faith organized by the Swiss National Council of Churches and the Protestant Church in Switzerland. Bern, Switzerland. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 1 June 2025 For 1700 years, the Nicene Creed has united Christians of all denominations. World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivered a sermon that remembered the first Ecumenical Council of 325 in Nicaea – a milestone for the church that strengthened the unity of faith then and now. “I am so glad to see different churches gather here together in fellowship and prayer,” he said. “The spirit in which we listen to one another is important.” Pillay also talked about characteristics that help us to navigate through differences and preserve unity. “Personally, I believe that we must never stop praying and walking and working together for Christian unity,” he said. “Our inability to live up to the calling of visible Christian unity should not diminish or blur the ultimate vision.” Pillay urged churches to continue to pray and work together. “Whatever the challenges we may face in preserving the unity of fellowship as Christians we must not fixate on what separates us but on Christ who unites us and calls us to have unity in our witness to the world,” he said. “Christian unity matters!” What matters most is that we are called to pray, walk, and witness together, continued Pillay.  “This year of the Nicaea celebration is important for Christians to seize the opportunity to work together, to show the world that we are together, made one in Jesus our Lord who holds us all together in love,” he said. “What the world needs today is love.” Pillay asked those gathered: “Are we willing to follow Jesus?” He concluded: “May this be our desire and intention as we share Christ`s love and hope in a troubled and suffering world.” Read the full sermon Learn more about "Ecumenical Vespers commemorating 1700 years of the Nicene Creed" Nicaea 2025 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland