Adelle M. Banks

Adelle M. Banks, production editor and a national reporter, joined RNS in 1995. An award-winning journalist, she previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton.

All Stories by Adelle M. Banks

National Cathedral windows shift from themes of Confederacy to racial justice

By Adelle M. Banks — September 23, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'There is a lot of work yet to be done to confront systemic racism,' said the cathedral's Dean Randy Hollerith.

From Rockettes to Riverside: Senior minister Adriene Thorne leads NYC church

By Adelle M. Banks — September 22, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I love bringing dancers that I know into the space,’ she said. ‘We had some at my installation.’

Sarah Jakes Roberts, pastor and T.D. Jakes’ daughter, now Time100 Next honoree

By Adelle M. Banks — September 19, 2023
(RNS) — ‘When your father is T.D. Jakes and you follow his footsteps into the world of ministry, there’s a lot of pressure to find your own voice,’ said Tyler Perry in tribute.

From ‘Nights on Broadway’ to ‘1963’: Candi Staton recalls 16th St. Baptist bombing

By Adelle M. Banks — September 15, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I was thinking about trying to protect my children. And we had to drive right through the worst part of the riots — downtown Birmingham,’ she said.

Women at the first March on Washington: a secretary, a future bishop and a marshal

By Adelle M. Banks — August 17, 2023
(RNS) — ‘You wanted to present your best selves,’ recalled Bishop Vashti McKenzie, who was 16 at the time. ‘There was no one in jeans and T-shirts that I recall.’

Chanequa Walker-Barnes calls care of self vital to caring for others

By Adelle M. Banks — August 15, 2023
(RNS) — In her new book, ‘Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves,’ she describes, how to live with healthy habits, wise speech and regular laughter.

Progressive National Baptists gain partners to address voting rights, gun violence

By Adelle M. Banks — August 10, 2023
(RNS) — Members of the historically Black Protestant denomination also marked the ninth anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, in nearby Ferguson, Missouri.

Melvin Talbert, first United Methodist bishop to officiate same-sex wedding, dead at 89

By Adelle M. Banks — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — Talbert was recognized for his work on racial justice, LGBTQ advocacy and ecumenical cooperation.

Anne Graham Lotz, Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright on End Times, their health, their ministry

By Adelle M. Banks — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — The daughter and granddaughter of Billy Graham are out with their second joint book, ‘Preparing to Meet Jesus: A 21-Day Challenge to Move from Salvation to Transformation.’

Vice President Harris critiques Florida’s slavery view at AME churchwomen’s meeting

By Adelle M. Banks — August 1, 2023
(RNS) — Harris said she felt ‘at home’ among the African Methodist Episcopal Church members as she recalled her own Christian upbringing in Oakland, California.

Arthur Gay, NAE leader who introduced Reagan’s ‘evil empire’ speech, dead at 86

By Adelle M. Banks — July 28, 2023
(RNS) — Gay led the National Association of Evangelicals during a time when Reagan was seeking the continuing support of U.S. evangelicals.

Emmett Till memorialized in monument that includes Chicago church

By Adelle M. Banks — July 25, 2023
(RNS) — ‘At a time when there are those who seek to ban books, bury history, we're making it clear — crystal, crystal clear,’ said President Joe Biden.

Frederick D. Haynes III on succeeding Jesse Jackson, marching and ‘woke preaching’

By Adelle M. Banks — July 21, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Jesse Jackson has been a mentor for quite some time, so I can't say there's a singular piece of advice because he has given me so much,’ said Haynes.

Texas Baptists affirm women in ‘ministerial’ roles as SBC debate moves to states

By Adelle M. Banks — July 20, 2023
(RNS) — In the same week as the Texas Baptists’ meeting, Black leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention and SBC President Bart Barber met over similar issues in Ridgecrest, North Carolina.

White Texas couple leads ‘Let’s Talk Race’ class to educate churchgoers

By Adelle M. Banks — July 19, 2023
(RNS) — Shelley and David Park recommend books, movies, videos, podcasts and people to follow on social media to ‘expand your echo chamber.’
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