Tuesday's News & Ideas - 1/28/2025

A congregation reckons with the loss of their church in the Los Angeles fires
NPR: The Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades was one of the houses of worship destroyed by Fires in LA County. About 80% of the congregation have lost their homes.

Public schools try to protect undocumented students from Trump immigration raids
NBC News: A recent move by Trump allows immigration authorities to conduct raids at schools. Multiple school districts have pledged to complicate the efforts.

5 things your religious community can do to support trans people
Sojourners: Recently, I sat with a group of people from her progressive church when, all of a sudden, someone said something transphobic. It was the kind of comment I’ve heard before in the news or from transphobic politicians. But the difference was that I, perhaps naively, thought I was safe in this setting, Oisín Rowe says.

Ohio pastor convicted in dispute over sheltering homeless vows to continue his mission
The Associated Press: The church, called Dad’s Place, remains open to temporarily shelter people while it also appeals a separate civil case.

Quebec’s ban on religious symbols will be tested at the Supreme Court*
The New York Times: Canada’s highest court will decide whether a law that Quebec enacted in 2019, barring public-sector workers from wearing religious symbols, violates their rights.

The Spark

Cozy comfort
New research backs up what gamers have thought for years: video games can be an antidote to stress and anxiety, Reuters says.

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