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Young organists pull out all the stops to inspire interest in a ‘complex’ instrument
By Adelle M. Banks — December 21, 2023
(RNS) — Young musicians have taken to the organ at a time when there has been a decline in the number of instruments and in the professionals who play them.
Church for ‘nones’: Meet the anti-dogma spiritual collectives emerging across the US
By Kathryn Post — December 20, 2023
ATLANTA (RNS) — These spiritual communities discard doctrine, prefer questions over answers and have no intention of converting anybody to anything.
In India’s holiest city, Hindus worship the nation of India
By Richa Karmarkar — December 20, 2023
VARANASI, India (RNS) — The Bharat Mata mandir in India’s holiest city has come to represent an ideology that many in Narendra Modi’s constituency hold — a distinctly religious allegiance to the personified mother goddess of India.
On same-sex blessings, some Catholics celebrate change while others point to limits
By Claire Giangravé — December 19, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican’s declaration allowing blessings for ‘irregular’ couples seems to have deepened an already strong divide between conservatives and progressives in the church.
How a remnant group of United Methodists is making a new church home
By Yonat Shimron — December 18, 2023
ADVANCE, N.C. (RNS) — Here, in the middle of a bland industrial park that looks like a self-storage facility, a new church is emerging.
With Pope Francis’ encouragement, Vatican allows blessings for same-sex couples
By Claire Giangravé — December 18, 2023
(RNS) — 'God never turns away anyone who approaches him!' read the document issued by the Vatican's doctrinal department.
Cardinal Becciu sentenced to 5 and a half years in prison by Vatican tribunal
By Claire Giangravé — December 16, 2023
(RNS) — Vatican judges found 9 of the 10 defendants in the trial guilty, with sentences including prison time and fines.
Church of England to introduce same-sex blessing, as it faces ‘disestablishment’ bill in Parliament
By Catherine Pepinster — December 15, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — The prayers may be too little too late on an issue that has long alienated the church from politicians and peers.
In Texas, debate over school chaplains escalates school board culture wars
By Jack Jenkins — December 14, 2023
HOUSTON (RNS) — Conservative Christian activists are hoping to turn Texas public schools into a ‘mission field.’
Black church coalition names reparations, voting, health equity among priorities
By Adelle M. Banks — December 14, 2023
(RNS) — ‘There are so many pressing issues, from the future of COVID-19 and mental health to gun violence and voting rights, that must be addressed,’ said CNBC Chairman W. Franklyn Richardson.
Abilene Christian University to revisit sexuality policy after ‘Holy Sexuality Week’
By Kathryn Post — December 13, 2023
(RNS) — Over 2,000 students, alumni and friends of the university signed a letter claiming the event included one-sided, exclusionary messages about LGBTQ people.
Muslim migrants in New York find refuge in a Nigerian church
By Fiona André — December 12, 2023
NEW YORK (RNS) — ‘They are Muslim. Our intention is to assist them, not convert them,’ said the pastor.
Ahead of White House Hanukkah celebration, a wave of faith-led cease-fire demonstrations
By Jack Jenkins — December 11, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The demonstrators, who were later arrested, noted the ongoing Jewish holiday, shouting, 'No Hanukkah to celebrate, cease-fire cannot wait!'
Preaching to polarized congregations: A responsibility and a challenge, clergy say
By Adelle M. Banks — December 8, 2023
(RNS) — 'It's not about going from red to blue to purple,' Andrew Hanauer of One America Movement advises clergy. ‘It's about going above the partisan divisions.’
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’s plot to ruin Christmas, and America
By Bob Smietana — December 7, 2023
(RNS) — Jews have long played a role in shaping how Americans celebrate Christmas. For Christian nationalism leader Andrew Torba, their contributions are a sign of a plot to remove Jesus from the Christmas story.
