Adelle M. Banks

Adelle M. Banks, production editor and a national reporter, joined RNS in 1995. An award-winning journalist, she previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton.

All Stories by Adelle M. Banks

Caribbean musician Sherwin Gardner’s viral hit song surpasses 1 billion TikTok views

By Adelle M. Banks — March 15, 2024
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (RNS) — ‘It's like a prayer,’ Gardner said of his hit song. ‘God already kind of answered that — within the first two weeks of the year.’

Rabbi, religious freedom delegation end Saudi trip early after yarmulke incident

By Adelle M. Banks — March 12, 2024
(RNS) — ‘No one should be denied access to a heritage site, especially one intended to highlight unity and progress, simply for existing as a Jew,’ said Rabbi Abraham Cooper.

Biden administration finalizes rule on religious liberty protections

By Adelle M. Banks — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — 'Today’s announcement establishes uniform policies to safeguard Americans from religious discrimination in social services,' said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

‘How Great Thou Art’ gets new ending on 75th anniversary of famed English translation

By Adelle M. Banks — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘When we approached all the people to be part of it, we had a lot of green lights very quickly,’ singer Matt Redman said of participating recording artists.

Faith leaders renew push for ‘accurate’ Black history education in Florida

By Adelle M. Banks — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — Training sessions in Tallahassee and in Orlando will feature curriculum companies whose products could enhance those wishing to teach Black history in schools and churches.

At National Cathedral, leaders of different parties, perspectives call for civility

By Adelle M. Banks — February 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore spoke about their participation in the ‘Disagree Better’ project and noted their efforts to seek bipartisan solutions.

African Methodist Episcopal Church leaders call for halt to all US funding of Israel

By Adelle M. Banks — February 16, 2024
(RNS) — The statement comes in a week of continuing calls for cease-fire and humanitarian aid for the victims of the war that began on Oct. 7.

With George Floyd in mind, Bible co-editors created Breathe Life Bible

By Adelle M. Banks — February 13, 2024
(RNS) — After the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white police officer, the co-editors of the new Bible say they felt compelled to do something.

In ‘Gospel’ docuseries, Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores Black church’s music, ministers

By Adelle M. Banks — February 9, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Gates reveals early tension within the genres as some musicians held to music only of faith and others were comfortable far afield from gospel music.

At National Prayer Breakfast, Biden speaks of praying, working for peace

By Adelle M. Banks — February 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We're all blessed to live in a nation where we can practice our many faiths and practice them freely,’ Biden said at the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall.

‘Genius: MLK/X’ docudrama depicts the personal lives of the two civil rights activists

By Adelle M. Banks — February 1, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The series includes scenes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, at home with their families and discussing their faith.

Historic sermon by Gina Stewart at joint Black Baptist meeting draws cheers, controversy

By Adelle M. Banks — January 30, 2024
(RNS) — After many in the room cheered her on and stood as she preached, the session featuring her sermon temporarily disappeared from the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.’s Facebook page.

Agriculture Department, COGIC make plans for funds to add trees to urban centers

By Adelle M. Banks — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said ‘structuring this program so that it's empowering more tree planting and more workforce development gives us the opportunity to partner with the church.’

Religious donors keep giving to houses of worship and beyond amid inflation

By Adelle M. Banks — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — Most religious donors gave the same amount of money (or more) to their congregations in 2023 as in 2022, a new report finds.

As March for Life continues, supporters, opponents plan more state action

By Adelle M. Banks — January 18, 2024
(RNS) — ‘I think where we're going to see the most engagement and the most action is at the state level,’ said Focus on the Family analyst Nicole Hunt.
Page 1 of 158