Clergy & Congregations
United Methodists vote to restructure worldwide church into four parts
By Yonat Shimron — April 25, 2024
(RNS) — The plan, called ‘regionalization,’ must now go before each region, called an annual conference, for ratification by the end of 2025.
United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusion
By Peter Smith — April 25, 2024
Spain approves plan to compensate victims of Catholic Church sex abuse. Church will be asked to pay
By Associated Press — April 24, 2024
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The Anglican Communion has deep differences over homosexuality – but a process of dialogue, known as ‘via media,’ has helped hold contradictory beliefs together
By Lisa McClain — April 23, 2024
(The Conversation) — With over 80 million believers in 160 countries, the Anglican Communion has been grappling with LGBTQ+ issues since the 1970s.
At a time of deep divisions, American Jews will celebrate Passover in multiple tones
By Yonat Shimron — April 22, 2024
(RNS) — Supplementary Seder readings this year range in focus from those anchored in the trauma and pain of Israelis to those rooted in the oppression of Palestinians.
Hiking, disc golf, flower arranging: UMC initiative connects people around non-church interests
By Yonat Shimron — April 19, 2024
NORWOOD, N.C. (RNS) — 'Fresh Expressions' is a denominational initiative intended to connect people who may not be interested in church but are interested in learning a new skill or making new friends.
Teenager is charged with terrorism offenses in stabbings of bishop and priest at Sydney church
By Mark Baker and Keiran Smith — April 19, 2024
SYDNEY (AP) — A crowd of up to 600 people converged on the church after the attack, some demanding that police hand over the boy.
Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Sydney clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader says
By Mark Baker and Rod Mcguirk — April 17, 2024
SYDNEY (AP) — Kheir is among several community leaders who have accused police of unnecessarily raising community tensions with a premature declaration on Tuesday that the attack at Christ the Good Shepherd Church fit the definition of a terrorist act.
After traditionalist churches left, UMC may be more — not less — diverse
By Yonat Shimron — April 16, 2024
(RNS) — Even after the departures, 24% of North Carolina clergy remaining in the denomination disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married and ordained within the denomination.
As a landmark United Methodist gathering approaches, African churches weigh their future.
By Peter Smith — April 15, 2024
(AP) — Today, members from four continents vote at legislative gatherings, serve on boards together, go on mission trips to each others’ countries and are largely governed by the same rules.
Far-right pastor Doug Wilson meets with local critics in Idaho
By Tracy Simmons — April 12, 2024
MOSCOW, Idaho (FaVS News) — More than 100 people attended the forum, which was held on the University of Idaho campus and organized by the student group Collegiate Reformed Fellowship.
Documentary portrays asylum-seeking family helped by a Seattle synagogue
By Yonat Shimron — April 11, 2024
(RNS) — ‘All We Carry’ follows a Honduran couple and their son as they make their way from Mexico to Seattle, where they settle for three years until an immigration court hears their asylum claim.
Vatican’s top diplomat begins a 6-day visit to Vietnam aimed at normalizing relations
By Aniruddha Ghosal — April 10, 2024
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) —Vietnam described that appointment as a “historic moment,” underscoring a stronger relationship that could have implications in the future for the Holy See’s ties with China.
At Yale, Christian pastors sign a declaration opposing religious nationalism
By Yonat Shimron — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — The declaration commits Christian leaders to preaching on moral issues and rejecting a political movement it says is exploiting traditional values to undermine democracy.
Anger in Malaysia over shoes bearing logo resembling Arabic word for God. Company head apologizes
By Associated Press — April 8, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) —The Islamic department said if evidence that the logo was deliberately created to mimic the word “God” in Arabic, legal action will be taken to prevent similar future incidents.
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