Emily McFarlan Miller
Emily McFarlan Miller is a national reporter for RNS based in Chicago. She covers evangelical and mainline Protestant Christianity.
All Stories by Emily McFarlan Miller
United Methodist bishops meet, look to pivot after 2,400+ churches disaffiliate
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 1, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — United Methodist bishops from across the globe are meeting this week for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where can seekers find community outside organized religion? Meet The Nearness
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 27, 2023
(RNS) — ‘One of the things that really strikes me is that we’re all drowning in content, but what we need are containers for connection,’ said Casper ter Kuile of The Nearness.
UMC top court rules disaffiliating clergy don’t automatically lose credentials
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 26, 2023
(RNS) — A Wisconsin bishop had required clergy whose churches were disaffiliating to give up their jobs or their credentials.
Judge dismisses lawsuit by Florida United Methodist churches
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 20, 2023
(RNS) — A second lawsuit, by 36 churches in North Carolina, was also dismissed last month.
UMC clergy reportedly face complaint, church trial after marrying nonbinary couple
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 19, 2023
(RNS) — The Rev. Paige Swaim-Presley and the Rev. Elizabeth Davidson say they were informed in late February a formal complaint has been filed against them, allegedly for officiating a same-sex wedding.
Lutherans launch initiative joining Indigenous-led Truth and Healing Movement
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 13, 2023
(RNS) — ‘It’s pretty tremendous that a bishop has commissioned a movement,’ said Vance Blackfox, the ELCA’s director for Indigenous ministries and tribal relations.
Adult egg hunts and kiddie pools full of gifts: Is Easter the new Christmas?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 7, 2023
(RNS) — At a time when fewer people are going to church, events like the Adult Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt hosted by the Itasca Park District and Village of Itasca are taking off.
Indigenous activists share mixed feelings on Vatican repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 5, 2023
(RNS) — ‘They haven’t even begun to come to terms with the true nature of what we’re actually talking about,’ Steven Newcomb said.
Astrologers respond as Starbucks becomes latest brand to look to the stars
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 30, 2023
(RNS) — Some astrologers see astrology’s appearance in memes and marketing as a move in a positive direction.
These are the schools the Global Methodist Church recommends for hopeful clergy
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 22, 2023
(RNS) — The fledgling Methodist denomination, which broke away from the United Methodist Church last year amid ongoing debate over the role of LGBTQ Christians, has announced a list of recommended educational institutions for candidates seeking ordination as a deacon or elder.
Court rehears case to protect Oak Flat, an Apache sacred site in Arizona
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 21, 2023
(RNS) — ‘A win for Apache Stronghold will be a win for people of all faiths,’ said Luke Goodrich.
For United Methodists’ top court, 2024 is the new 2020
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 15, 2023
(RNS) — Three of the most recent decisions released by the Judicial Council dealt with resolutions that annual and jurisdictional conferences have approved regarding the denomination’s stance on LGBTQ inclusion.
Former Bishop Megan Rohrer, forced to resign over Latino pastor’s removal, sues ELCA
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 9, 2023
(RNS) — Rohrer is suing the denomination, claiming he was ‘scapegoated’ and cast as racist for following orders when he removed the pastor of a Latino congregation on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
‘Resistance’ is not just a buzzword in Kaitlin Curtice’s new book
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 7, 2023
(RNS) — In ‘Living Resistance,’ Curtice shares essays about what resistance can look like, touching on topics such as prayer and protecting the land and even child care.
Frank Griswold, who led Episcopal Church through tumultuous times, dies at 85
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 6, 2023
(RNS) — Griswold led the mainline denomination through the ordination of its first openly gay bishop.
