Clergy & Congregations
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
Teenager is charged with terrorism offenses in stabbings of bishop and priest at Sydney church
By Mark Baker and Keiran Smith — April 19, 2024
More Stories
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.
Thomas Gumbleton, Detroit Catholic bishop who opposed war and promoted social justice, dies at 94
By Ed White — April 5, 2024
DETROIT (AP) — Gumbleton became a national religious figure in the 1960s when he was urged by activist priests to oppose the U.S. role in the Vietnam War.
Churches look to eclipse as outreach opportunity
By Adelle M. Banks — April 4, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Science is part of God’s wonder,’ said one pastor. ‘And I think it’s good for us to celebrate that as Christians.’
Ahead of General Conference, queer United Methodist delegates organize a caucus
By Yonat Shimron — April 4, 2024
(RNS) — After a four-year COVID-19 delay, and the departure of about 25% of its U.S. churches, the United Methodist Church is meeting again and the issue of human sexuality is back on the agenda.
LGBTQ-inclusive church in Cuba welcomes all in a country that once sent gay people to labor camps
By Luis Andres Henao — April 1, 2024
MATANZAS, Cuba (AP) — Cuba repressed gay people after its 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro and sent many to labor camps. But in recent years, the communist-run island barred anti-gay discrimination.
Page 1 of 35
