NEWS STORY
RNS-Chaplaincy-Coronavirus: In pandemic, health care chaplains address an “existential and spiritual crisis”
(RNS) — Chaplains in hospitals and retirement homes are finding the nature of their ministry due to the coronavirus outbreak, when patients and medical staff alike are dealing with stress and isolation. By Alejandra Molina. 930 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Churches-Schools: Virus prompts churches that meet in schools to find new ways for preaching, praying
(RNS) — Church plants — relatively new congregations that often start without their own physical place to meet — are facing some of the same logistical challenges as other congregations adjusting to worship outside their usual locations. But these fledgling churches are, in some ways, more nimble and more vulnerable. By Adelle M. Banks. 1,300 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Shabbat-Coronavirus: The coronavirus is upending thousands of years of Jewish tradition
(RNS) — On Saturday, Rabbi Barry Leff will fire up his iPad, click on the Zoom video app and begin recording a modified Shabbat service for members of his Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Synagogue from the kitchen counter of his Mercer Island, Washington, home. But a majority of Orthodox synagogues across the world will go dark. By Yonat Shimron. 750 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Homeless-NYC: New York’s Bowery Mission adapts homeless ministry to coronavirus restrictions
NEW YORK (RNS) — Staff members at New York’s oldest homeless shelter are asking for donations to cover increased demand for prepackaged food and cleaning supplies. By Katelyn Beaty. 980 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-MACDONALD-RETURN: James MacDonald returns to pulpit for first time since ouster from Harvest Bible Chapel
CHICAGO (RNS) — The former megachurch pastor, who was let go last year for misconduct, is set to preach Sunday (March 22) at Calvary Chapel South Bay in Gardena, California — albeit via livestream as many churches across the country have moved their services online to slow the spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 400 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-D’Souza-Oped: Can someone be a Hindu by culture and a Christian by faith at the same time?
(RNS) — Despite a debate spurred by the election of a Christian in India, Christian Hindus do not live in contradiction between two different identities. Rather, they embrace the truth that is found in the person of Jesus Christ while holding on to their vibrant Hindu culture. By Joseph D’Souza. 1,030 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Singh-Oped: Let’s take enforced social distancing for what it is: A life intervention
(RNS) — If you asked me a week ago how my life aligned with my priorities, I would have responded with a shrug, saying that I tried to keep these things aligned and felt like I was doing a pretty good job. But the past week’s events have challenged me to see what I really consider important, and to approach the crisis as a chance to follow my faith’s teaching of optimism. By Simran Jeet Singh. 930 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Meditating on death during a pandemic
(RNS) — Being in isolation due to contact with a person with COVID-19 has caused me to take to heart what Pope Francis says are the most important words in a family: “Thank you” and “I am sorry.” By Thomas Reese. 930 words. (category: k)
