NEWS BRIEF
RNS-UCC-SanDiego: Black Lives Matter banner outside University Christian Church in San Diego defaced
(RNS) — A Black Lives Matter banner that hung outside University Christian Church in San Diego was defaced with bright pink paint over the weekend. It happened just after a number of rainbow-colored doors emblazoned with the words “God’s Doors Are Open to All” were ripped off of the church pillars on Friday, Jan. 22. By Alejandra Molina. 330 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Bishops-LGBTQ: A group of Catholic bishops issues statement condemning bullying of LGBTQ youth
(RNS) — A group of U.S. Catholic bishops has released a statement condemning the bullying of LGBTQ youth, insisting “all people of goodwill should help, support, and defend” them. The declaration appears to echo recent moves by Pope Francis, who has not suggested changing church teaching on sexuality but has taken what many analysts argue is a more conciliatory posture toward LGBTQ concerns than his predecessors. By Jack Jenkins. 421 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Warnock-Sermon: In sermon, Warnock, now senator and pastor, said he heard ‘echoes of the spirit’ in swearings-in
(RNS) — On the first Sunday after he became a Georgia senator, the Rev. Raphael Warnock described his election and the changing scene at the U.S. Capitol — from insurrection to inauguration — as forms of divine messaging. By Adelle M. Banks. 400 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Cat-Spirituality: New e-course teaches: Copy cats and achieve purrvana
(RNS) — Like many people at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, Jon M. Sweeney welcomed new pets into his home: two kittens named Martin and Rosa after civil rights leaders Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Sweeney — who is Catholic and married to a rabbi — also has found new spiritual teachers during this time. They’re his two kittens, Martin and Rosa. Now the author and publisher of Paraclete Press is sharing the lessons he has learned from his cats in a new e-course called The Spirituality of Cats through the multifaith website Spirituality and Practice. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 630 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Church-Explosion: Protesters and supporters denounce explosion at anti-LGBTQ First Works Baptist Church
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — As the FBI and local police investigate an explosion at First Works Baptist Church in El Monte, California, which has been at the center of protests for its anti-LGBTQ messages, both supporters and protesters of the church are denouncing the attack. The church believes “homosexuality is a sin and an abomination which God punishes with the death penalty.” But prominent protestors say they never intended for the attack to happen. By Alejandra Molina. 600 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Merritt-Oped: Biden’s first 100 days: What’s not for evangelicals to like?
(RNS) — Biden’s agenda for his first 100 days largely eschews culture war issues in favor of concerns that he shares with many white evangelicals. With a few exceptions, the president’s list of priorities matches up nicely with, if not Perkins, Jeffress and Graham’s, then perfectly orthodox organizations such as World Relief and the National Association of Evangelicals. By Jonathan Merritt. 818 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-McLaren-Oped: Even as Washington returns to calm, whistleblowers’ moral courage is no less urgent
(RNS) — Faith communities have a role in supporting government employees that fill our pews, and the faith leaders who serve as important trusted confidants and advisors to potential whistleblowers. We do little to prepare our clergy for this complex job. By Brian McLaren. 720 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: With vaccinations, an army of gray volunteers is coming
(RNS) — I have faith in my generation and my elders. I think we will have an army of gray volunteers stepping up to do what is needed. After all, the young have been doing all they can to protect us, now it is our turn to protect them. By Thomas Reese. 580 words. (category: k)