Coronavirus shutdowns disrupt America’s soul, closing houses of worship

RNS) — The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted day-to-day life for millions. In the U.S., colleges have shut down their campuses, major sporting..

Religion News Service

Opinion: Preparing for COVID-19? Add caring for the vulnerable to your coronavirus checklist

(RNS) — As a Christian living in a northern climate, I find it unfortunate that none of Jesus’ teachings directly speak to..

Editorials

Faithful leadership in times of crisis

David, the shepherd accustomed to protecting the sheep from wild animals, jettisoned Saul’s ill-fitting armor and instead went to the creek to..

Religion News Service

Pray and wash: Religion joins with science amid virus crisis

NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has prompted multiple religious faiths to change or cancel services as houses of worship try..

Outlook Reporting

“Church in an Emergency/Pandemic” — Advisory opinion from the Office of the General Assembly

The Office of the General Assembly has posted an advisory opinion from stated clerk J. Herbert Nelson on the “Church in an..

Presbyterian News Service

Regarding ruling elders: The practice of contemplation

(OGA) Contemplation, Contemplating, Contemplative. For some, these are words of comfort. A break from producing. Just the thought adds oxygen to the..

Presbyterian News Service

Presbyterian seminaries respond to COVID-19 with caution, preparation

(PNS) Presbyterian seminaries are taking action to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and thinking through what the spread of the..

Voices

A prayer in the time of the coronavirus

Guest commentary by Jeffrey Myers God our Creator, who calls the stars by name and sets the fireflies dancing, who makes the mountains..

Voices

Congregational leadership: Responding to COVID-19

Guest commentary by Susan Krummel For leaders in congregations, the current health crisis is new territory. I was in worship on Sunday,..

Looking into the lectionary

3rd Sunday in Lent — March 15, 2020

Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42 Lent 3A Jesus, weary and in the heat of the day, takes his time with the..

Presbyterian News Service

PC(USA) employees to work from home and registration for the 224th General Assembly delayed again

(OGA) The continued spread of the coronavirus has once again prompted officials with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to take action to ensure..

Religion News Service

United Methodist bishops ask church court to review proposal to split denomination

(RNS) — A proposed plan to split the United Methodist Church is on its way to the denomination’s top court to decide..

Benedictory

Remember who you are

I’ll never forget a story from Jim Lowry, then-pastor at Idlewild Presbyterian Church in Memphis, of how each Saturday evening in his..

In This Corner

Preacher parking

The minister in a New Jersey church painted signs that read “Reserved for the preacher” on the two best parking places. Some..

Presbyterians in Action

Church book club

Many Presbyterian churches, including Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church in Katy, Texas, host book clubs where avid readers meet monthly to read and..

He/She Said

Daniel Deitrich

“I don’t think I could follow the way of Jesus without the support of those around me or without the practices we..

From the Archives

A village full of goodness (40 years ago)

40 years ago — March 17, 1980 “During the first four years of the 1940s, a little Huguenot village perched on a..

Book Reviews

Collateral Damage: Changing the Conversation about Firearms and Faith

James E. Atwood Herald Press, 224 pages Reviewed by G. Wilson Gunn Jr. In James Atwood’s new book, he makes his most..

Outlook Features

Discussion questions: Who is God, really?

A basic theological question is this: Who is God, really? This issue of the Outlook is devoted to answering this very question...

Religion News Service

With coronavirus concerns, sales up for prepackaged Communion cups and wafers

(RNS) — Every week at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, congregants come forward for Communion. But in light..

Presbyterian News Service

PC(USA) stated clerk speaks about in-person worship and the coronavirus

(PNS) The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is urging congregations to make decisions about worshiping in..

Outlook Reporting

Transylvania Presbytery recommends canceling worship gatherings on Mar. 15

Another presbytery – Transylvania Presbytery in Kentucky – is recommending that Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations in the region cancel church services on..