NEWS STORY
RNS-Religion-Pandemic: Study: Religion soothed evangelicals at start of COVID. Politics may put them at risk
(RNS) — Several new studies highlight the way that religion and politics shape American’s response to the pandemic. One in particular showed that, at least early in the pandemic, faith helped evangelicals feel less stress about the pandemic but politics made them take it less seriously.By Bob Smietana. 800 words. (Categories, a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Women-Lectionary: Women are essential in the Bible. Now they’re in the Sunday readings
(RNS) — Christian publishers are offering more resources for female-focused worship and study, with two books of readings for church services debuting in the past month. Their authors say there’s room for more resources focused on the stories of women in Scripture and feminine imagery for God. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 1,000 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Airbnb-Churches: From luxury stays to ‘champing’ in the sanctuary, churches adopt pandemic-era Airbnb models
(RNS) — With the pandemic curbing their usual activity, churches in the U.S. and U.K. have been offering full-service kitchen rentals, indoor camping experiences and luxury getaways, jacuzzi included. These alternate Airbnb models are helping churches maximize their sacred space while occasionally making a profit. By Kathryn Post. 1,000 words. (category: i)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Garthwaite-Oped: Rebooting Hildegard von Bingen
(RNS) — Modern imagery of the 11th century German saint and doctor of the church, whose feast is Sept. 17, would have us believe she is all about brewing beer, folk remedies, cosmology and recipes featuring spelt. But if we look deeper, we find a mystic leader with messages relevant to us in our turbulent times. By Susan Garthwaite. 820 words. (category: k)