Emily McFarlan Miller

Emily McFarlan Miller is a national reporter for RNS based in Chicago. She covers evangelical and mainline Protestant Christianity.

All Stories by Emily McFarlan Miller

Presbyterian Church in America votes to leave National Association of Evangelicals

By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 23, 2022

(RNS) — It’s the third time in the past decade the theologically conservative Presbyterian denomination has considered a measure to leave the association, an umbrella organization of 40 evangelical Christian denominations.

New documentary follows the Rev. James Martin ‘Building a Bridge’ to LGBTQ Catholics

By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 23, 2022

(RNS) — ‘I just hope that it helps LGBTQ Catholics see that there’s a place for them in their own church — it’s their church, too — and also for Catholic leaders to hear these voices,’ Martin said.

Meet the first minister of gun violence prevention

By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 1, 2022

(RNS) — The Rev. Deanna Hollas urged Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations to host Guns to Gardens events at their churches, inviting — and sometimes incentivizing — gun owners to hand over their weapons to be turned into garden tools.

Asian American Christians see more work for the church to do to stop AAPI hate

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 31, 2022

(RNS) — 'In some ways, I think we have more to grieve now than we did one year ago after the March 16 Atlanta massacre,' said the Rev. Michelle Ami Reyes, vice president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative.

Chicago church preaches ‘The Gospel according to Dolly Parton’

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 30, 2022

(RNS) — For the past five weeks, each Sunday’s sermon at Church of the Three Crosses has focused on a different song by Parton.

ELCA presiding bishop requests resignation of first transgender bishop

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 28, 2022

(RNS) — Bishop Megan Rohrer’s removal of a Latino pastor on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been criticized by the Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA as showing a ‘lack of empathy and understanding toward their Latinx siblings.’

Shooting survivor shares why Christians need to offer more than thoughts and prayers

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 26, 2022

(RNS) — ‘If God’s answer to our prayers is one that requires personal sacrifice, are we willing to hear that?’ said Taylor Schumann, author of ‘When Thoughts and Prayers Aren't Enough.’

How a witch is using her grandmother’s Slavic magic to aid Ukraine’s war effort

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 20, 2022

(RNS) — Madame Pamita's new book 'Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft' was released just after Russia's invasion of Ukraine — 'exactly at the time that it was so needed,' she said.

Department of Interior releases first report detailing US Indian boarding schools

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 11, 2022

(RNS) — The Roman Catholic Church and a number of Protestant denominations are beginning to investigate their own roles in those boarding schools.

US annual conferences can’t just leave the United Methodist Church, rules top court

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 11, 2022

(RNS) — The decision by the Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, comes just over a week after the launch of the Global Methodist Church, a new denomination formed by theologically conservative Methodists.

God is a mother, too, writes children’s book author Teresa Kim Pecinovsky

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 6, 2022

(RNS) — The author spoke to Religion News Service about why it’s important for people of all ages to see God as a mother and how the story of Hagar and Ishmael resonates for her.

Florida churches among first to begin exit from UMC to new, conservative denomination

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 5, 2022

(RNS) — The departure of any church or clergy from the denomination is not instantaneous, but must first go through its annual conferences.

Roe v. Wade: Faith leaders react to leaked SCOTUS opinion

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 3, 2022

(RNS) — Religious views of abortion are not as monolithic as many may believe.

After years of loud debate, conservatives quietly split from United Methodist Church

By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 2, 2022

(RNS) — After decades of rancorous debate over the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ United Methodists, a schism finally came 'without fanfare, but full of hope, faith, and perseverance.'

Mother’s Day gift guide: Something for everyone who mothers