COVID-19 delayed a United Methodist schism. But it has left LGBT members in limbo.
(RNS) — The COVID-19 pandemic canceled a meeting that might have split the United Methodist Church. But the delay left LGBT United Methodists in limbo.
United Methodists would've met this week to consider a split. What are they doing instead?
(RNS) — Many US United Methodist leaders see the delay as a blessing, allowing more time and cooler heads to consider a split. Others are concerned about ongoing damage after decades of debate over the role of LGBTQ Christians in the church.
Clergy, scientists grapple with thoughts of worship without congregational singing
(RNS) — ‘Singing together is a big deal,’ said a Philadelphia pastor.
2 Hispanic churches and too many tears: 100 COVID-19 deaths
NEW YORK (AP) — Two churches, one Catholic, one Lutheran, have lost more than 100 members to the coronavirus and because of lockdown rules lack the ability to mourn together in person.
From flannelgraphs to Zoom, churches bring Sunday school home
(RNS) — As the coronavirus continues to upend daily life in the United States, churches and Christian leaders are finding ways to relieve anxious kids and overwhelmed parents online.
Before we get ‘back to normal,’ we need to grieve and pray
(RNS) — We can learn from the prophet Nehemiah, who cried and mourned openly for the losses of conquered Jerusalem.
Religious leaders decry, question death of Ahmaud Arbery after video surfaces
(RNS) — Here’s a sampling of 10 voices who, across racial and ideological lines, reacted to the video and demanded justice for Arbery’s death.
Watchdog seeks discipline for Army chaplain who shared John Piper coronavirus book
(RNS) — The Military Religious Freedom Foundation is representing 22 chaplains who objected to an email with the book that ties the coronavirus to God’s judgment.
National Day of Prayer, reshaped by pandemic, includes interfaith and online events
(RNS) — In its 69th year, the observance — often predominated by evangelical Christians gathering in public places — will feature interfaith and even international voices on computer screens and cellphones.
Church giving down more due to COVID-19 than during recession, survey shows
(RNS) — Brian Kluth, who organized the State of the Plate research, predicted the findings could lead to tighter budgets for congregations and their staffs.
For first time, survey finds majority of pastors says global warming is real, man-made
(RNS) — In previous studies, researchers found pastors were more skeptical of human-caused climate change.
One church’s tale of two pandemics, 100 years apart
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The experience of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, founded to serve Japanese immigrants at the time of the 1918 flu epidemic, shows how Americans of faith weathered a crisis strikingly similar to this one.
Pushing guns during a pandemic
(RNS) — Americans bought 1 million more guns last month than are normally sold at this time of year.
Hobby Lobby clarifies coronavirus sick leave policy amid accusations
(RNS) — ‘Employees in certain states were asked to use personal paid time off and vacation benefits in the early stages of a store closure, with the Company temporarily paying 75% of average wages after,’ read a statement from the company.
As coronavirus keeps parishioners homebound, Christian clergy debate online Communion
(RNS) — With churchgoers holed up in their homes for weeks and even months to come, Christian leaders are starting to ask: Is Communion appropriate for cyberspace?