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[Anglican Communion News Service] The World Council of Churches has formally launched an “Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action,” following a special plenary session during the WCC central committee meeting. The session, chaired by the Anglican Communion’s Panama Bishop Julio Murray, who also is the former archbishop of Central America, brought together church leaders, theologians and…

A repair crew installs scaffolding in preparation for replacement of Grace Episcopal Church’s slate roof, a $1.5 million project that is expected to be completed by December. Photo: David Paulsen/Episcopal News Service [Episcopal News Service – Madison, Wisconsin] Building maintenance at Grace Episcopal Church is an ongoing challenge. That may come as no surprise for…

[Religion News Service] For years, conservative legal groups have argued that an IRS rule barring churches from endorsing candidates was unconstitutional. Now the IRS agrees. In a court filing, the IRS said the-so called Johnson Amendment, which bars all nonprofits from being involved in campaigns, should not apply to political speech during religious services. Speaking about politics at…

The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday translated into Arabic. Photo: Courtesy of Halim Shukair [Episcopal News Service] For the Rev. Halim Shukair, priest-in-charge at Mother of the Savior Episcopal Church, an Arabic-speaking parish in Dearborn, Michigan, being able to worship in one’s native language can help welcome people looking for a church home. That’s…

Onlookers in Kerrville, Texas, look down July 6 over the damage along the Guadalupe River. Photo: Associated Press [Episcopal News Service] Episcopal leaders are calling for prayers and donations to assist relief efforts in central Texas after flooding there killed more than 80 people. Most of the victims were in Kerr County, including 27 children…

[Religion News Service] As record‑breaking heat waves scorch much of Europe — with triple‑digit temperatures, wildfires and deaths reported — the Vatican on July 3 released a new liturgy for the Mass reflecting concern for the environment, offering prayers, readings and hymns that highlight the church’s responsibility to protect the Earth. This new Mass “can be…

Some of the regular members of ‘Monday School’ at All Saints in Homewood, Alabama, gather in front of the church. They are (from left) Abby Poole, Tom Richeson, Grace Turner, Carrie Dennis, Magie Logan, Taylor Gerard, Memily Colvin, David Walters, Karen Ammons and Michelle Suttle. Photo: Diocese of Alabama [Episcopal Diocese of Alabama] Every Monday…

[Anglican Communion News Service] Anglican churches in Iraq have taken part in a United Nations process seeking to bring about improvements to human rights within Iraq. Calling for the adoption of human rights treaties, freedom of religion and greater protection for women and girls, the churches also praised the Iraqi government for efforts being made. These…

The Very Rev. Winnie Varghese (left), dean of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, and New York Bishop Matthew Heyd share a social media-style frame during the launch of the new #onesingleact campaign. Photo: Courtesy Diocese of new York [Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Diocese of New York, the Cathedral Church of St….

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe. [Episcopal News Service] In an opinion piece originally published July 3 in Religion News Service, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe reflected on The Episcopal Church’s history as it has emerged as an institutional leader in “resisting” the Trump Administration’s “overreach and recklessness” since President Donald Trump took office in January. Rowe’s op-ed…