Coronavirus

President Biden: ‘Let us recommit ourselves to the lessons of Easter’
(RNS) — We know that the crisis is not yet over, but as Easter heralds the return of spring, we see signs of hope all around us.

At second Easter under pandemic rules, Christians glimpse church’s future
(RNS) — The pandemic has ‘redefined for me what church is going to be like and what the definition of membership is,’ said one pastor in North Carolina.

Christians mark Good Friday amid lingering virus woes
JERUSALEM (AP) — “Things are open, but cautiously and gradually,” said Wadie Abunassar, an adviser to church leaders in the Holy Land.

Sikh leaders celebrate upcoming holiday with vaccine clinic
LONDON (AP) — Sikh leader Balwinder Singh Basra rolled up his sleeve to get a COVID-19 vaccine Sunday at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Luton, north of London. And he wanted everyone to know about it.

On an Easter shadowed by the Lorraine Motel, recommit to justice
(RNS) — Fifty-three years after MLK’s assassination, we must transform a place of bloodshed into inspiration for a better world.

Christian nationalism is a barrier to mass vaccination against COVID-19
(RNS) — Some who identify as Christian nationalists believe they will be protected from any disease.

Gospel singer Deitrick Haddon commemorates pandemic’s ‘year of loss’ in new song
(RNS) — ‘Man, we can’t stand to lose anybody else. I mean, how much more can we take?’ said the singer about his lyrics for ‘Sick World.’

You deserve to stop suffering: After a year like 2020, it’s finally time to address those relational issues
(RNS) — 2020 may have been the year that brought painful, dysfunctional patterns to the surface, but 2021 will be the year you start moving forward.

LA Buddhist temple seeking balance between security and welcome after attack
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — ‘It’s a balance of maintaining security, but at the same time being welcoming,’ said the Rev. Noriaki Ito.

Franklin Graham unfazed after evangelical base blasts him for encouraging vaccines
(RNS) — Graham’s March 24 Facebook post uncovered a deep divide among evangelicals, many of whom are suspicious of COVID-19 vaccines. His organization, Samaritan’s Purse, is managing vaccine clinics in Boone, North Carolina.

Religious conference planning continues amid COVID-19, socially distant or online
(RNS) — Religious conference planners are waiting to hear whether their meetings will go on as expected this year and contemplating how they will look as the pandemic continues.

Pope Francis reduces cardinal wages as Vatican finances struggle due to pandemic
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In its financial budget for 2021, the Vatican announced that the financial toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on Vatican coffers amounts to more than $60 million.

Faith and the COVID-19 vaccine: ‘Don’t throw away your shot’
(RNS) — ‘The mayor’s office called, wanting to take a shot with me, but the mayor was too slow. When he called I had already gotten my shot!’ said Pastor Clarence C. Moore, senior pastor of the New Era Church in Indianapolis.

Praying with Mennonites
(RNS) — A dozen or so Mennonites in San Antonio, meeting for prayer at 6:30 a.m. on Zoom, have seen their prayers answered again and again.

Churches stepping up as COVID-19 vaccine sites across the Washington metropolitan area
(RNS) — ‘We’ve seen several people come out and sign up for this initiative because of it being located at the church,’ said a D.C. health department spokesperson.