Weekend Plug-in 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com.

(ANALYSIS) In the 10 days since a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, questions about the incompetent police response have dominated the headlines.

So, too, has the political debate over gun violence, specifically the assault-style weapons used in Uvalde as well as recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and — just this week — Tulsa, Oklahoma.

And rightly so.

But faith, too, has emerged as a vital part of the story, as we first highlighted last Friday. Once again this week, that is where we start.

Check out this must-read coverage:

• A church, a gathering place for generations, becomes a hub for Uvalde’s grief (by Rick Rojas, New York Times)

• Funeral after funeral, Uvalde’s only Catholic priest leans on faith (by Teo Armus, Washington Post)

• Meet the first minister of gun violence prevention (by Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service)

• In Uvalde, a ministry of listening and silence (by Addie Michaelian, World)

• ‘This is wailing, weeping, heartfelt grief. This is what this town is feeling’ (by Audrey Jackson, Christian Chronicle)

• The arrow in America’s heart (by Elizabeth Dias, New York Times)

• A former pastor grieves the loss of his great-granddaughter in Uvalde (by John Burnett and Marisa Peñaloza, NPR)

• On Texas shooting, Vatican Academy for Life says just laws ‘protect all citizens’ (by Elise Ann Allen, Crux)

• Denominations have begun creating special prayers for fatal mass shootings (by Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post)

A quick note: That last story — the one about special prayers — actually was published last year, but it still seems relevant.

Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads

1. Clergy of color face unprecedented mental health challenges: A “lack of resources, poor access to health care and stifling stigma over mental health issues have turned pastors into counselors and caregivers,” report Deepa Bharath of The Associated Press and Adelle M. Banks of Religion News Service.

This story is part of a special project by the Global Religion Journalism Initiative, a Lilly Endowment-funded collaborative effort of AP, RNS and The Conversation.

Read, too, this report by AP’s Giovanna Dell’Orto and RNS’ Kathryn Post on campus ministries collaborating with mental health professionals.

2. What the end of Roe v. Wade will mean for the next generation of obstetricians: “For a long time, Cara Buskmiller has known two things about herself: she wants to deliver babies, and she is called by her faith to a lifetime of virginity.”

That lede sets the scene for Emma Green’s insightful first article for the New Yorker. At The Atlantic, Green established herself as one of the nation’s premier Godbeat pros. Technically, she no longer covers religion. But her expertise shines in this piece, as does her willingness to consider a side of the abortion debate mainstream news coverage often ignores.

3. SBC report is the start of momentum, but ‘culture has to change,’ says survivor Jules Woodson: The Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Katherine Burgess interviews Woodson about the Southern Baptist Convention’s release of a long-secret list of ministers accused of abuse.

Related coverage:

• She spent decades warning Southern Baptists about abuse. This week's revelations brought ‘no joy’ (by Robert Downen and John Tedesco, Houston Chronicle)

• Fallout from Southern Baptist Convention sex abuse report extends to Falls Creek in Oklahoma (by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman)

• SBC committee waives privilege after bitter debate, moving abuse investigation forward (by Bob Smietana, Religion News Service)

• Southern Baptist Convention abuse task force makes recommendations, calls for ‘ministry check’ site (by Liam Adams, The Tennessean)

More Top Reads

• Christian nationalism on the rise in some GOP campaigns (by Peter Smith and Deepa Bharath, Associated Press)

• Theft of a church’s tabernacle leaves more than a physical void (by Ali Watkins and Sean Piccoli, New York Times)

• Americans' erratic relationship with religion will be tested again after abortion ruling, experts say (by Sarah Elbeshbishi, USA Today)

• Far from home, Middle Eastern band finds rhythm in Germany (by Kirsten Grieshaber, AP)

• Pope Francis names progressive U.S. bishop as cardinal (by Francis X. Rocca, Wall Street Journal)

• Muslim call to prayer arrives to Minneapolis soundscape (by Giovanna Dell'Orto, AP)

• Arkansas United Methodists working toward amicable separation as national denomination splits (by Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

• Australia had a Pentecostal prime minister. Did it matter? (by Morgan Lee, Christianity Today)

• Student sues university over ‘no-contact’ orders after Christian statements (by Mark A. Kellner, Washington Times)

• The latest research on friendship in America — and why it matters (by Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)

• Think piece: New cardinals make conclave handicapping easier … and much harder (by John L. Allen Jr., Crux)

• Think piece: What comes after the religious right? (by Nate Hochman, New York Times)

• Think piece: Why most pastors avoid politics (by Ryan Burge, Wall Street Journal)

Inside The Godbeat: Behind The Bylines

The BBC has a new religion editor: Aleem Maqbool.

“There’s this sense outside the BBC that some editors are nervous about religion and faith stories. I haven’t found that,” Maqbool tells the Religion Media Centre.

“I have found that there’s a recognition that we need to report on those areas. It may be a honeymoon period, but I feel like I’m pushing at an open door. There’s nobody saying, ‘No, you can’t do that’.”

Charging Station: In Case You Missed It

Here is where you can catch up on recent news and opinions from ReligionUnplugged.com.

• Relief ministry Cross International sets goal to serve 100,000 families by 2024 (by Shannon Cuthrell)

• Pro-life speaker Jennifer Christie’s career unravels over unverified sexual assault claim (by Steve Rabey)

• Mixed signals in leap of American bishop Robert McElroy (by Terry Mattingly)

• Romanian congregation becomes family for traumatized souls (by Erik Tryggestad)

• How Christian faith propels elite Kenyan runners to global success (by Dr. Robert Carle)

• News coverage of Pelosi Communion ban mangled Catholic doctrine (by Clemente Lisi)

• What the early church said about abortion (by Dr. Michael Brown)

• Lessons from the ‘world's most dedicated teacher’ (by Vicky Abraham)

• New investigative series looks into sexual abuse at Kanakuk Kamps (by Warren Cole Smith)

The Final Plug

“We could all use a little lighter news,” according to Religion News Service’s Emily McFarlan Miller.

She does her part to provide it.

Check out Miller’s feature on a Chicago church preaching “The Gospel According To Dolly.” That would be, in case there’s any confusion, Dolly Parton.

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the weekend.

Bobby Ross Jr. is a columnist for ReligionUnplugged.com 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.