Black Protestants

Ahead of right-wing rally, Washington DC churches ask for extra police protection

By Jack Jenkins — September 17, 2021

(RNS) — Black Lives Matter signs belonging to churches in the area were torn down and set on fire by Proud Boys in December 2020.

Study: Religion soothed evangelicals at start of COVID. Politics put them at risk.

By Bob Smietana — September 17, 2021

Survey: Who Americans blame for insurrection depends on their faith

By Jack Jenkins — September 16, 2021

Kenyan Anglican province defies moratorium to ordain woman bishop

By Fredrick Nzwili — September 15, 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The Rev. Rose Okeno was installed as bishop of the Butere Diocese on Sunday, even as a 2018 moratorium of the Global Anglican Future Conference resolved to halt the consecration of women into the episcopate until a consensus is reached.

Former US presidents, religious leaders launch organization to aid Afghan evacuees

By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 14, 2021

(RNS) — Welcome.US provides a single point of entry for Americans to donate to frontline organizations, host arriving families through Airbnb and find other ways to help Afghans as they rebuild their lives in the United States after fleeing the Taliban.

Faith leaders backing Okla. death row inmate hail parole board’s commutation request

By Adelle M. Banks — September 14, 2021

(RNS) — Clergy from across the country had advocated for Julius Jones, holding rallies and writing letters in hopes of getting him clemency or release from prison.

‘The story is still unfolding’: 10 Americans on how 9/11 changed their faith lives

By Yonat Shimron, Kathryn Post — September 10, 2021

(RNS) — The Sept. 11 attacks changed many Americans’ faith communities and spiritual lives as much as it did how we see our world and one another.

Staccato Powell, disrobed as AME Zion bishop: pioneer or swindler?

By Adelle M. Banks — September 1, 2021

(RNS) — ‘All we are doing now is trying to save those congregations that are in bankruptcy court,’ said the denomination’s senior bishop.

How the Black church can help end the HIV/AIDS crisis

By Frederick A. Davie, Don Abram — August 29, 2021

(RNS) — The HIV/AIDs epidemic remains a looming threat to Black communities.

MLK’s family, Rev. Al Sharpton address voting rights, filibuster at Washington march

By Adelle M. Banks — August 28, 2021

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Rev. Al Sharpton contrasted the Aug. 28 march to the Jan. 6 insurrection: ‘We are the real patriots showing America how to be at its best.’

In the beginning, there was reggae

By Andre Henry — August 26, 2021

(RNS) — Reggae music encapsulates the prophetic spirituality I looked to embody when I was an evangelical Christian but could never find.

Proud Boys leader sentenced to five months for burning church banner

By Jack Jenkins — August 23, 2021

(RNS) — Superior Court Judge Harold Cushenberry Jr. sentenced Tarrio to 155 days in jail after concluding that he ‘did not credibly express genuine remorse.’

Jesse Jackson and wife Jacqueline hospitalized with COVID-19

By Jack Jenkins — August 22, 2021

(RNS) — The civil rights activist, who was vaccinated in January, has been a fixture at voting rights demonstrations in recent months.

Gina Stewart becomes first woman elected to lead US Black Baptist organization

By Adelle M. Banks — August 16, 2021

(RNS) — Stewart, the senior pastor of a church in Memphis, Tennessee, previously served in vice presidential roles of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society for six years.

Back-to-school time influences congregations’ decisions on masking and meeting