NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Bergen-Corona: Orthodox rabbis in Bergen County, N.J. cancel all synagogue services, gatherings
(RNS) — Orthodox Jewish rabbis in Bergen County, New Jersey, have ordered the cancellation of all communal events, including prayer services and public celebrations, as part of a wide-ranging effort to stem the coronavirus. By Yonat Shimron. 450 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Conference-Cancellations: Religious conference organizers cancel, monitor upcoming events in light of virus
(RNS) As the once-a-decade Religion Communication Congress has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, an expert on religion conferences predicts there’ll be an “uptick” in those kinds of decisions. By Adelle M. Banks. 950 words (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Vatican-Quarantine: A deserted city: Dispatches from Rome in the time of coronavirus
VATICAN CITY (RNS) – Vatican reporter Claire Ginagrave reports her first hand account of what life and faith are like in quarantined Rome after Italy imposed the harshest restrictions in Europe to limit the spread of coronavirus. By Claire Giangravé. 1,000 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-UMC-Conference: United Methodist bishops ask court to rule on constitutionality of proposal to split denomination
(RNS) — A proposed plan to split the United Methodist Church is on its way to the denomination’s top court to decide whether the legislation that would implement it is constitutional. If so, delegates could take up the proposal, called “A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation,” at the quadrennial United Methodist General Conference May 5 to 15 in Minneapolis. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 500 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Coronavirus is a physical and spiritual threat
(RNS) — Christians have a responsibility beyond practicing personal hygiene. We also have a public responsibility to support civic programs to protect the vulnerable and care for the sick. By Thomas Reese. 840 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Stetzer-Oped: Why churches should forsake gathering for the sake of the vulnerable
(RNS) — Staying away from church might be the best way to love your neighbor during a pandemic. By Ed Stetzer. 800 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Raushenbush-Oped: What happens when a virus forces faith communities to go virtual
(RNS) — Being forced into “social distancing” doesn’t mean we can’t be present to one another in new ways that digital technology allows. The most important quality that any religious community can offer is love and comfort in times of sorrow and celebration and gratitude in times of joy. By Paul Brandeis Raushenbush. 935 words. (category: k)
