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
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.
Dozens of Black churches receive total of $4 million for historic preservation
By Adelle M. Banks — January 15, 2024
(RNS) — This year’s grants, which range from $50,000 to $200,000, will allow congregations to address issues such as mold contamination, demolition, water filtration and deferred maintenance.
Bishop T.D. Jakes continues longtime commitment to Md. revival in wake of rumors
By Adelle M. Banks — January 12, 2024
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (RNS) — ‘I love you back,’ he told those who welcomed him back to the revival. ‘I feel your prayers. I’m thankful to God for them.’
Religious leaders to mark MLK Day with early start for 2024 voter mobilization
By Adelle M. Banks — January 12, 2024
(RNS) — 'We're starting early because we need to spend a lot more time educating people about how to vote, how to vote against the rising tide of misinformation,' said the Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner.
Biden calls out ‘poison’ of white supremacy in address at Mother Emanuel in S.C.
By Adelle M. Banks — January 8, 2024
(RNS) — Biden’s remarks were interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters shouting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. In return, people in the pews started calling out “Four More Years.”
Biden to visit Mother Emanuel AME Church as South Carolina primaries approach
By Adelle M. Banks — January 5, 2024
(RNS) — ‘I would hope and pray that the community comes and hears and gets excited, gets energized about the 2024 election,’ said the church’s pastor.
Pandemic boosted resilience, hurt financial health of Black churches, says report
By Adelle M. Banks — January 4, 2024
(RNS) — A new report highlights the challenges faced by Black and multiracial congregations, as well as their resilience, in the wake of COVID-19.
