Tuesday's News & Ideas - 3/28/2023

9-year-old Nashville shooting victim’s father is school’s pastor
The Daily Beast: The Covenant School is a ministry of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, where Hallie Scruggs’ father serves as senior pastor and an ex-officio trustee.
Christianity Today: Presbyterian school mourns 6 dead in Nashville shooting*

How the pandemic has affected attendance at U.S. religious services
Pew Research Center: A stable share of Americans have been participating in some way – either virtually or in person – during the pandemic, but in-person attendance is slightly lower than it was before COVID-19.

Parishioners are salvaging what they can from their 100-year-old church after tornado
NPR: A 100-year-old church in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, was decimated by tornados. Parishioners are already in the process of rebuilding their congregation.

Public theologian Yolanda Pierce named next dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School
Religion News Service: “I look forward to building on the strong foundation that Emilie Townes and others have established to form this treasured community,” Pierce said.

‘A portrait of defeat’: Inside a revealing film about Pope Francis
The Guardian: Gianfranco Rosi’s intimate new documentary “In Viaggio: The Travels of Pope Francis” follows the pontiff as he confronts contentious issues around the world.

The Spark

To get into this party, you’ll need the right name. (It’s Ryan.)
“I love them all already,” said one Ryan* of the many others in attendance to The New York Times. “It’s like they have a vibe. They understand me.”

*access is limited for nonsubscribers