Wednesday's News & Ideas - 12/7/2022
- How churches leave UMC
- Warnock wins
- Iran’s morality police
- Political church shopping
- Churches experiment with youth outreach
- Dealing with holiday stress, Danish-style
Some churches leave UMC through formal process; others are suing
Religion News Service: Legal action — or the threat of legal action — represents a new strategy on behalf of churches that want to leave the 6.4 million-member United Methodist Church.
A pastor and politician who sees voting as a form of prayer*
The New York Times: Raphael Warnock, a son of Savannah public housing who rose to become Georgia’s first Black senator, secured a full six-year term and a spot among Democrats’ rising stars.
Confusion over Iran’s religious police as women drop hijab
Associated Press: Confusion over the status of Iran’s religious police grew as state media cast doubt on reports the force had been shut down.
The Atlantic: The real reason Iran is canceling the morality police*
Political church shopping is further polarizing America
Religion & Politics: Even after the midterm elections and calls to reduce religious polarization, America’s religious and political divide may be growing. One culprit? Church shopping.
Churches in Knoxville, Tenn. are experimenting with ways to draw young people back
NPR: Churches hemorrhaging members are experimenting with ways to help millennials and Gen Z find meaning.
The Spark
How to deal with holiday stress, Danish-style
How can you best find a balance during the holidays so that you are fulfilled instead of frazzled? Perhaps you can find balance by taking a few cultural cues from the Danes, says The Conversation.
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