Coronavirus
Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration near Chicago, largest in US, canceled due to COVID-19
By Alejandra Molina — November 24, 2020
(RNS) — More than 200,000 devotees normally attend the celebration, some walking barefoot and carrying statues of the Virgin.
Biden says Americans can worship in person ‘safely.’ But what does that mean?
By Jack Jenkins — November 24, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — When asked by a reporter whether Americans should be able to attend religious services despite the ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, the president-elect responded, ‘Yes, safely.’
Thanksgiving has always been about grief. Pass the mashed potatoes.
By Jana Riess — November 24, 2020
(RNS) — Marking both grief and gratitude isn’t antithetical to the Thanksgiving holiday; in fact, it’s baked into its very history.
Poor People’s Campaign mourns 250K COVID deaths, calls for stimulus relief
By Yonat Shimron — November 23, 2020
(RNS) — The group, led by the Rev. William Barber, is staging a national service of eulogy and remembrance two miles from the U.S. Capitol.
Martin Luther’s pandemic advice goes viral — 500 years later
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 20, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Luther's advice was the subject of a lunch-and-learn session hosted Friday on Zoom by Good Shepherd Church, a congregation in suburban Naperville affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Stay home, evangelical medical organization tells churches as COVID spreads
By Bob Smietana — November 20, 2020
(RNS) — A leading association of evangelical doctors says in-person church 'should not become an idol by itself.'
Chicago church releases a beer for Advent — and the end of the world
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 19, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Church members stopped by to pick up the wreaths they’d ordered for the coming Advent season — OK, so they were cardboard drink holders filled with Advent-themed beers and topped with a green ribbon and Christ candle to light on Christmas Eve.
Fauci and Collins dispense Thanksgiving COVID-19 advice at cathedral forum
By Adelle M. Banks — November 13, 2020
(RNS) — Infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci advised weighing the risks. National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said he’s skipping the family gathering this year.
A blue surprise? As Arizona trends toward Biden, Latino voters stand out
By Alejandra Molina — November 12, 2020
(RNS) — The election results in Arizona are a testament to the grassroots organizing work that has been present in the state for the past 10 years.
Anxiety, loneliness and spiritual isolation characterize life in prison during pandemic
By Lyra Walsh Fuchs — November 10, 2020
NEW YORK (RNS) — Religious practices of all sorts are fixtures of community for those inside — and all have been stymied by the pandemic lockdowns.
Ben Carson, Seventh-day Adventist, tests positive for coronavirus
By Jack Jenkins — November 9, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Seventh-day Adventist website stresses health as a spiritual concern, saying, 'we believe God calls us to care for our bodies, treating them with the respect a divine creation deserves.'
A former Catholic school-turned-Nashville swingers club is reborn as homeless shelter
By Bob Smietana — November 5, 2020
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — Churches and other faith-based groups form the backbone of the emergency shelter system for the homeless. But COVID-19 means many shelters are having to shut down or find creative ways to open.
For whom the bell tolls: COVID-19 deaths recalled with church bell, vigils, services
By Adelle M. Banks — October 30, 2020
(RNS) — ‘The bell has no words,’ said a pastor whose church bell is sounding through All Saints' Day. ‘This will transcend dogma, denomination, religion, politics.’
For many who lost loved ones to COVID-19, this Day of the Dead will be a time of healing
By Alejandra Molina — October 29, 2020
(RNS) — As COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted U.S. Latinos, many will be celebrating the virus’ victims on Day of the Dead altars.
Taco trucks and voter guides boost political profiles of faith communities at the margins
By Alejandra Molina — October 28, 2020
(RNS) — Civic engagement, said one activist, humanizes minority faith groups in the eyes of the rest of the electorate.