NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Methodist-Reschedule: United Methodist reschedule meeting — and vote to split — to 2021
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church has rescheduled its General Conference for Aug. 29-Sept. 7, 2021, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis. The General Conference — during which delegates from across the globe are expected to discuss a proposal to split the denomination over the inclusion of its LGBTQ members — had been set for earlier this month in Minneapolis. It was postponed in March when the convention center announced it was restricting events at the venue to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 266 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-NewYork-Mosque: At Manhattan mosque, an imam eases a pandemic’s grief
NEW YORK (RNS) — Imam Saad Jalloh, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, one of Manhattan’s largest mosques, is a familiar voice to thousands of Muslims across the city. Lately he’s also become a familiar voice to the staff at local hospitals. Social workers, nurses and doctors have taken to calling Jalloh to ask what to say to a dying Muslim. By Selin Thomas. 1,150 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Ramadan-Lessons: What Muslim digital community organizers learned from a remote Ramadan
(RNS) — Young Muslims’ efforts to keep their communities connected during the holy month have birthed virtual iftars, Quran study groups and halal game nights on nearly every possible digital platform. While originally meant as stopgap measures to replace the community fostered during in-person Ramadan get-togethers, organizers of many of these digital efforts say, participants quickly realized they had tapped into something special by going online. By Aysha Khan. 1,300 words. (category: k)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Gilkes-Oped: Kneeling to venerate hate: The meaning of a police killing in Minnesota
(RNS) — As a video from Minneapolis shows a black man gratuitously killed before a crowd of witnesses while unsuccessfully appealing to the humanity of a white police officer, we are reminded that the traditions of hate and murder are alive and well and actively venerated. By Cheryl Townsend Gilkes. 1,078 words. (category: k)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: COVID-19 virus puts a spotlight on inequality and racism
(RNS) — While the coronavirus is an equal opportunity killer, the poor and people of color are disproportionately suffering and dying from COVID-19. These communities were least prepared to respond to the virus for reasons rooted in racism and inequality. By Thomas Reese. 900 words. (category: k)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Silk-Oped: Why governments should not be deeming in-person worship essential
(RNS) — A reasonable case can be made that indoor religious gatherings should be permitted on free exercise grounds, so long as they are conducted on terms that assure public safety. But their legality should not be dependent on whether they are applicable to other types of business. By Mark Silk. 800 words. (category: k)