Hiking, disc golf, flower arranging: UMC initiative connects people around non-church interests NORWOOD, N.C. (RNS) — ‘Fresh Expressions’ is a denominational initiative intended to connect people who may not be interested in church but are interested in learning a new skill or making new friends. The post Hiking, disc golf, flower arranging: UMC initiative connects people around non-church interests appeared first on Religion News Service.

‘Flynn’ portrays the Christian nationalist evangelist’s fight with the ‘Deep State’ (RNS) — The new film offers an account of Flynn’s career, portraying him as a victim of a ‘Deep State’ conspiracy and omitting his current mission to spread the gospel of Christian nationalism.  The post ‘Flynn’ portrays the Christian nationalist evangelist’s fight with the ‘Deep State’ appeared first on Religion News Service.

John Adams’ Nativity oratorio ‘El Nino’ gets colorful staging at the Met NEW YORK (AP) —The production is a retelling of the birth and early life of Jesus through a mix of biblical verses and modern Latin American poetry, medieval texts and apocrypha. The post John Adams’ Nativity oratorio ‘El Nino’ gets colorful staging at the Met appeared first on Religion News Service.

Teenager is charged with terrorism offenses in stabbings of bishop and priest at Sydney church SYDNEY (AP) — A crowd of up to 600 people converged on the church after the attack, some demanding that police hand over the boy. The post Teenager is charged with terrorism offenses in stabbings of bishop and priest at Sydney church appeared first on Religion News Service.

Maurizio Cattalan, Zoe Saldana join iconoclastic Vatican Biennale exhibition inside women’s prison VENICE, Italy (AP) — Pope Francis, who met with over 200 artists in the Sistine Chapel last year, will see the mural for himself when he visits the pavilion April 28. The post Maurizio Cattalan, Zoe Saldana join iconoclastic Vatican Biennale exhibition inside women’s prison appeared first on Religion News Service.

3 things to learn about patience − and impatience − from al-Ghazali, a medieval Islamic scholar (The Conversation) — In religious traditions, patience is more than waiting, or even more than enduring a hardship. But what does patience look like? And when should we not exercise patience? The post 3 things to learn about patience − and impatience − from al-Ghazali, a medieval Islamic scholar appeared first on Religion News Service.

How to choose a great wine for Passover (RNS) — Red wine, or white, for Passover? This year, why you might choose white wine. The post How to choose a great wine for Passover appeared first on Religion News Service.

A Muslim valedictorian is abandoned by her own university (RNS) — The decision to bar Asna Tabassum from speaking shows academic institutions are failing to protect students equally. The post A Muslim valedictorian is abandoned by her own university appeared first on Religion News Service.

Animal cruelty officer-turned-animal chaplain Matty Giuliano loves ferrets and St. Francis EATONTOWN, N.J. (RNS) — ‘I know there are plenty of people out there who believe animals have no souls,’ said Giuliano. ‘And I cannot accept one of God’s creation is, spiritually, the equivalent of a cup of ice cream.’ The post Animal cruelty officer-turned-animal chaplain Matty Giuliano loves ferrets and St. Francis appeared first on Religion N…

Israelis prepare for a Passover overshadowed by war and loss JERUSALEM (RNS) — Some households in Israel are limiting the number of Seder guests out of fear that Iran or one of its proxies will attack Israel during the Passover observance. The post Israelis prepare for a Passover overshadowed by war and loss appeared first on Religion News Service.

Europe’s Jews expand security program as they grapple with antisemitic fallout of Gaza war (RNS) — After being piloted in six communities, a European Community-sponsored security program, EUCARE, is now ready to be implemented across the continent. The post Europe’s Jews expand security program as they grapple with antisemitic fallout of Gaza war appeared first on Religion News Service.

New leader of Jesse Jackson’s civil rights organization steps down just months on the job CHICAGO (AP) —Haynes, 63, said he felt it was “necessary” to move on in light of “challenges that continue to exist,” but declined to elaborate further. The post New leader of Jesse Jackson’s civil rights organization steps down just months on the job appeared first on Religion News Service.

Congratulations to Adelle Banks recipient of the 2024 William A. Reed Lifetime Achievement Award Religion News Service The post Congratulations to Adelle Banks recipient of the 2024 William A. Reed Lifetime Achievement Award appeared first on Religion News Service.

What happens when most of the Catholic churches in Baltimore close? (RNS) — The loss to local communities is likely to be substantial. The post What happens when most of the Catholic churches in Baltimore close? appeared first on Religion News Service.

Prominent Baptist pastor in military-ruled Myanmar detained again hours after release from prison BANGKOK (AP) — The Rev. Hkalam Samson was among the 3,300 prisoners released nationwide on Wednesday to mark the traditional Thingyan New Year holiday. The post Prominent Baptist pastor in military-ruled Myanmar detained again hours after release from prison appeared first on Religion News Service.

Sydney teen accused of stabbing 2 clerics showed no signs of radicalization, Muslim leader says SYDNEY (AP) — The teen spoke in Arabic about the Prophet Muhammad being insulted after he stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Rev. Isaac Royel during Monday night’s Assyrian Orthodox service, which was being streamed online. The post Sydney teen accused of stabbing 2 clerics showed no signs of radicalization, Muslim leader says appeared fir…

Israelis grapple with how to celebrate Passover, a holiday about freedom, while many remain captive JERUSALEM (AP) — This year, Alon Gat is struggling with how to reconcile a holiday commemorating freedom after his mother was slain and other family members abducted when Hamas attacked Israel. The post Israelis grapple with how to celebrate Passover, a holiday about freedom, while many remain captive appeared first on Religion News Service.

Once a fringe Indian ideology, Hindu nationalism is now mainstream, thanks to Modi’s decade in power AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — Supporters and critics agree on one thing: Modi has achieved staying power by making Hindu nationalism acceptable — desirable, even — to a nation of 1.4 billion that for decades prided itself on pluralism and secularism The post Once a fringe Indian ideology, Hindu nationalism is now mainstream, thanks to Modi’s decade in…

Nancy French had it all — then along came Trump. Her new book ‘Ghosted’ tells all. (RNS) — Once a go-to ghostwriter for conservative politicians, Nancy French lost friends and many of her clients for criticizing Donald Trump. The post Nancy French had it all — then along came Trump. Her new book ‘Ghosted’ tells all. appeared first on Religion News Service.

It’s not just young women who have a problem with Mormon temple garments. It’s young adults, period. (RNS) — An LDS church leader recently said that garment rules were getting stricter because of the laxity of young women. Let’s expand that to ‘young people.’ The post It’s not just young women who have a problem with Mormon temple garments. It’s young adults, period. appeared first on Religion News Service.