Weekend Plug-in 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com.

(ANALYSIS) The Religion News Association named nearly 100 finalists in 22 categories last week for its 2020 Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence.

Among the familiar names on the list: Religion Unplugged’s own Meagan Clark, Paul Glader and Elizabeth Vandenboom. And yes, I was honored to be included for my work with The Christian Chronicle.

But one finalist’s name stood out: Heidi Hall.

Hall, a former religion and education editor for The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, was nominated posthumously. She died Sept. 25 last year from metastatic colorectal cancer. She was 49.

Her deeply personal final story was published the day after her passing.

“It's the story of her life — of losing everything when she left the (Jehovah’s) Witnesses — and finding a new family of her own,” RNS editor-in-chief Bob Smietana noted at the time.

“Final edits were done by her hospice bed,” Smietana said after the RNA finalists were named. “I hope she is smiling somewhere.”

The winners will be announced this fall.

Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads

1. Religious leaders weigh in on mask mandate's exemption for religious gatherings: For nearly two decades, my friend and former colleague Carla Hinton has served as faith editor of The Oklahoman, the daily newspaper in Oklahoma City.

As an Oklahoman subscriber (I live in Oklahoma City), here’s what I love about Hinton: Again and again, she provides fair, impartial coverage of important, often controversial subjects. This piece from Sunday’s front page is yet another fine example.

2. Saints, sinners and the statue debate: Kelsey Dallas, national religion reporter for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, is another journalist whose willingness to tell all sides of the story impresses me.

This one delves into what the Bible’s teaching that all humans are flawed means for today’s statute debates. Dallas interviews smart sources who disagree, which — surprise, surprise — makes for thought-provoking reading.

3. The faith of the late Rep. John Lewis: Jay Reeves, a Birmingham, Ala.-based writer for The Associated Press, provides an excellent overview of the civil rights activist’s religious devotion.

Also outstanding: Adelle M. Banks’ Religion News Service obit of the preaching politician, who died July 17 at age 80.

Finally, don’t miss the personal tribute to Lewis that former Washington Post writer Hamil R. Harris wrote for Religion Unplugged.

More Top Reads

• Hospital chaplains fill role of surrogate family members during times of isolation, depression, death (Deepa Bharath, Orange County Register)

• William Barr, nation’s top lawyer, is a culture warrior Catholic (John Gehring, National Catholic Reporter)

• AP explains: Hagia Sophia’s history of conflict and faith (Suzan Fraser, The Associated Press)

• Churches are building housing developments ‘in God’s back yard’ (Alex Wittenberg, Bloomberg)

• Desecration of Catholic churches across U.S. leaves congregations shaken (Francis X. Rocca, Wall Street Journal)

• Biden’s bid touts faith, courts even religion conservatives (Elana Schor and Jack Jenkins, The Associated Press)

• Joe Biden is a man of faith. That could help him win over some White evangelicals (Sarah Mucha, CNN)

• San Gabriel Mission fire provokes deep, conflicting reactions (Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times)

• James Lawson: John Lewis and C.T. Vivian gave leadership to struggle for equality (Holly Meyer, The Tennessean)

Inside The Godbeat: Behind The Bylines

Sam Kestenbaum, who writes about religions for the New York Times and others, won a first-place award from the Society for Features Journalism.

Kestenbaum was honored in the Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio category for a collection of his religion features in the Times, including “#MAGA church: The doomsday prophet who says the Bible predicted Trump.”

“Deeply reported and well-written profiles of fascinating religious figures,” the contest judge said. “As a collection, they reveal as much about American spirituality as the individuals.”

A few interesting reads from Godbeat insiders:

• My spiritual path through the COVID-19 darkness (Kalpana Jain, Religion News Service)

• 9 tips for church leaders on engaging secular media (Marilyn Stewart, Facts and Trends)

• Matthew 18 and the Christian journalist (Warren Cole Smith, MinistryWatch.com)

Charging Station: In Case You Missed It

Here is where you can catch up on recent news and opinions from Religion Unplugged.

• Rev. CT Vivian remembered as fearless Civil Rights veteran, loving family man (Hamil R. Harris)

• Little Rock church set ablaze by BLM protest is rebuilding (Erik Tryggestad)

• Was Jesus White and should sacred art that depicts him in that manner be scrapped? (Richard Ostling)

• Bevelyn Beatty, Black paint, and BLM: courageous act or cowardice vandalism? (Tom Campisi)

• Catholic church vandalized: Where’s the national press coverage? (Clemente Lisi)

• Top online tributes to Mary Magdalene on her feast day (Meagan Clark)

• J.I. Packer leaves mark on important evangelical institutions (Christina Darnell)

• The latent fascism of today’s anti-fascists (Aaron Kheriaty)

• Jewish Atlanta remembers John Lewis with affection, respect (Dave Schechter)

• Ethiopians, mired in identity-based violence, should look at Rwanda’s history (Zenebe Beyene)

• Kenya’s churches reopen cautiously as COVID-19 infections are on the rise (Tom Osanjo)

The Final Plug

“Can I just say this is the most Southern outreach ministry I've heard of?”

That’s how Christianity Today’s Daniel Silliman characterized news of the Barbecue Baptist Church traveling to Nashville to serve first responders and medical professionals.

I can’t say that I’m well-versed on BBQ theology.

But suddenly, I’m hungry.

Bobby Ross Jr. is a columnist for Religion Unplugged and editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle. A former religion writer for The Associated Press and The Oklahoman, Ross has reported from all 50 states and 15 nations. He has covered religion since 1999.