The Slingshot: Royal wedding; solar-powered congregations; Pope Francis on the big screen

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Members of the armed forces ride horses during a parade rehearsal on May 17, 2018, ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding Saturday in Windsor, England. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)


Need to know: Friday, May 18, 2018

Episcopalians scramble to capitalize on royal wedding opportunity

For Episcopal congregations, tomorrow’s royal wedding of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markel marks a moment of opportunity to welcome newcomers who’re suddenly curious about Anglican worship.

How smaller congregations are challenging the system to ‘go solar’

Congregations eager to install solar panels are working with cooperatives and other partners who are helping make the projects affordable.

Hawaii volcano blasts churches into action

As lava flows threaten homes of 2,000 evacuees, congregations on the big island of Hawaii are helping the displaced secure temporary housing and basic services.

‘Pope Francis: A Man of His Word’ is an inspiring, thoroughly engrossing portrait

A new documentary by Wim Wenders, offers audiences a thoroughly engrossing portrait of one of the most beloved and galvanizing figures of the 21st century. (Subscription may be required.)

The elusive phenomenon of churches without God

“Atheist churches” aim to offer some features of a religious congregation – fellowship, collective enjoyment, a stimulus to moral behavior – while eschewing any belief in a deity or the supernatural.

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Latest news from RNS

Interfaith leaders join Jews in call for new envoy to fight anti-Semitism

WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'Mr. Secretary, anti-Semitism starts with Jews, but doesn't end there: when any minority is threatened, everyone is less safe,' the signatories told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Museum of the Bible visitors top half a million in first six months

WASHINGTON (RNS) — More than 1,700 groups have visited the high-tech Museum of the Bible that sits two blocks from the National Mall, the site of the U.S. Capitol, art galleries and other museums.

Vatican denounces offshore tax havens as harming the poor

(AP) — The Vatican is denouncing offshore tax havens and financial instruments such as derivatives and credit default swaps as gravely immoral and unjust, calling them 'ticking time bombs' that hurt the world’s poor the most.

More views from RNS

Pope Francis on the Beatitudes

(RNS) — In his recent 'Gaudete et Exsultate,' Pope Francis teaches that living the Beatitudes means 'going against the flow' in a world that pushes us in the opposite direction from holiness.

The Anglican politics of Prince Harry’s wedding

It has to do with same-sex marriage.

Fake Mormon news story goes viral, claiming the LDS Church has apologized for racism

The LDS Church issued a statement on racism today -- but that statement was not the one that briefly proved a flashpoint of joy, then betrayal, among Mormons on social media.

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