New ‘Sacred Songs’ builds on Ailey Dance Theater’s spiritual repertoire NEW YORK (RNS) — ‘Sacred Songs,’ choreographed by interim artistic director Matthew Rushing, reimagines music omitted from the group’s signature work, ‘Revelations,’ 64 years after its premiere. The post New ‘Sacred Songs’ builds on Ailey Dance Theater’s spiritual repertoire appeared first on RNS.

In Bethlehem, a Christian pastor says a year of protest for Palestinians shows few gains (RNS) — Asked about Mike Huckabee potentially becoming the U.S. ambassador to Israel, the Rev. Munther Isaac called the prospect ‘frightening,’ adding, ‘Huckabee presents himself, at least, as a man who does not live in reality.’ The post In Bethlehem, a Christian pastor says a year of protest for Palestinians shows few gains appeared first on RNS.

Reflections on my mother’s last days (RNS) — For a few short, eternal weeks, nestled inside that bed, gestation was reversed. The post Reflections on my mother’s last days appeared first on RNS.

After shooting, Wisconsin school and church lean into Christmas message for comfort Decked in holiday light displays and a Nativity scene, the evangelical, nondenominational church with over 1,200 members also hosted a vigil service Tuesday. The post After shooting, Wisconsin school and church lean into Christmas message for comfort appeared first on RNS.

More than 60 years later, Langston Hughes’ ‘Black Nativity’ is a pillar of African American theater (The Conversation) — ‘Black Nativity’ may be different each time you see it − and that’s exactly what the playwright had in mind. The post More than 60 years later, Langston Hughes’ ‘Black Nativity’ is a pillar of African American theater appeared first on RNS.

At Hanukkah, a celebration of eternal light − from the desert tabernacle to synagogues today (The Conversation) — The Hanukkah story centers on rekindling the eternal light in the Temple, a symbol of God’s presence. Similarly, the Ner Tamid above the ark in synagogues is never supposed to go out. The post At Hanukkah, a celebration of eternal light − from the desert tabernacle to synagogues today appeared first on RNS.

Biden commutes sentences of 37 on federal death row, three remain WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level,’ Biden said in his statement. The post Biden commutes sentences of 37 on federal death row, three remain appeared first on RNS.

Top Religion News 2024: NYT Reporter Ruth Graham Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks about top religion news stories of the year with Ruth Graham, national reporter at The New York Times, where she covers religion, faith, and values. The post Top Religion News 2024: NYT Reporter Ruth Graham appeared first on RNS.

Despite warnings from US government, Texas minister travels to Ukraine to share Christmas hope A. Larry Ross Communications The post Despite warnings from US government, Texas minister travels to Ukraine to share Christmas hope appeared first on RNS.

What the new LDS hymns say about Mormon theology (RNS) — Memo from the newest LDS hymns: We’re Christians, we’re Christians, we’re Christians. The post What the new LDS hymns say about Mormon theology appeared first on RNS.

751 years after his death, Rumi’s influence crosses continental and religious divides KONYA, Turkey (RNS) — The 10 days of events that ended Tuesday (Dec. 17) drew hundreds from around the world to this minor provincial capital in central Turkey. The post 751 years after his death, Rumi’s influence crosses continental and religious divides appeared first on RNS.

Photos of the Week: Prayers and pilgrims around the world (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes prayers and pilgrims around the world from a variety of faiths. The post Photos of the Week: Prayers and pilgrims around the world appeared first on RNS.

In war-torn Sudan, Anglican primate asks for a ‘silencing of guns’ for Christmas (RNS) — ‘Enough is enough to the suffering of the innocent people. Enough is enough to death,’ said Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo in his Christmas message. The post In war-torn Sudan, Anglican primate asks for a ‘silencing of guns’ for Christmas appeared first on RNS.

Winter solstice is having a moment — in churches, too PITTSBURGH (RNS) — In mainline Christian circles, winter solstice celebrations and longest night services are growing in popularity. The post Winter solstice is having a moment — in churches, too appeared first on RNS.

Churches consider what sanctuary might look like in Trump’s second term (RNS) — The news that Trump may rescind a policy discouraging immigration officials from arresting people at churches is making some church leaders reconsider sanctuary. The post Churches consider what sanctuary might look like in Trump’s second term appeared first on RNS.

Trump nominates CatholicVote president and culture warrior as Holy See ambassador (RNS) — CatholicVote has slowly emerged as a player in conservative politics, often as a sharp-elbowed crusader in the culture wars. The post Trump nominates CatholicVote president and culture warrior as Holy See ambassador appeared first on RNS.

Rabbi David Saperstein, 50 years later, still committed to lobbying for common ground WASHINGTON (RNS) — Saperstein has refused to give up on bipartisan and interfaith efforts that have grown more difficult since Oct. 7, 2023. The post Rabbi David Saperstein, 50 years later, still committed to lobbying for common ground appeared first on RNS.

Rabbi David Saperstein on democracy, diplomacy and hopes for bipartisanship WASHINGTON (RNS) — The former religious freedom ambassador said ‘the breakdown of bipartisanship is really one of the most alarming trends in American political life and cultural life.’ The post Rabbi David Saperstein on democracy, diplomacy and hopes for bipartisanship appeared first on RNS.

How American converts complicate Syrian Orthodox Christians’ future (RNS) — Syria’s Christians face an uncertain future, caught between shifting alliances both in the sphere of global politics and the petty preferences of the West’s culture wars. The post How American converts complicate Syrian Orthodox Christians’ future appeared first on RNS.

In Texas, an uncommon collaboration between two high-profile Catholic leaders BROWNSVILLE, Texas (RNS) — According to Sister Norma Pimentel, she and Bishop Daniel Flores share an emphasis on a pastoral approach. The post In Texas, an uncommon collaboration between two high-profile Catholic leaders appeared first on RNS.