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) Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers!

I’m back home in Oklahoma after a fulfilling time at the Religion News Association annual meeting in the Washington, D.C., area last week.

Who’s ready to check out the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith?

What To Know: The Big Story

Islam’s holy month: The new crescent moon Thursday marked the start of Ramadan, as the Washington Post’s Morgan Coates and Adela Suliman report:

Almost 2 billion Muslims around the world will observe a month of abstaining from food, drink, smoking, gossip and sexual relations during daylight hours — from dawn to dusk.

Pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating women are exempt from fasting, as are the sick, elderly or those traveling. Children are also not expected to fast.

The Associated Press explains:

For the next 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything — even the tiniest sip of water — from sunrise to sunset. Many will strictly observe prayers, read the Quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to God. Family and friends will gather for joyful nightly feasts.

An important time: Ramadan began “as parts of the Middle East approached crucial junctures in high-stakes peace negotiations during the holy month, traditionally a time of reconciliation,” AP’s Jack Jeffery notes.

Schools and sports: Across the U.S., Muslim students are pushing to designate Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan, as a school holiday, Religion News Service’s Alejandra Molina reports.

Meanwhile, two English sports leagues are helping Muslim athletes observe Ramadan this year, according to the Deseret News’ Kelsey Dallas.

Two more Ramadan reads: CNN’s Saeed Ahmed provides an etiquette guide for non-Muslims. The Deseret News’ Mya Jaradat asks, “Is corporate America ready for Ramadan?”

Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads

1. Who gets to keep their property?: “The slow-moving schism in the Episcopal Church was manna from heaven for law firms, but hell on earth for people in the pews.”

That’s the stellar lede as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Frank Lockwood updates readers on years of legal disputes in the Diocese of South Carolina.

Two decades ago, I recall covering — with legendary Associated Press religion writer Richard N. Ostling — Episcopalians’ split over the appointment of a gay bishop.

2. Swastikas, bullhorns, guns: Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. hit a 43-year high, according to a new report.

The Los Angeles Times’ Jaweed Kaleem cites examples such as two Orthodox Jewish men shot on consecutive mornings last month as they left Los Angeles religious services and congregants held hostage at a Reform synagogue in Texas last year by a man shouting conspiracies about Jews wielding political power.

3. Pioneer of gospel music: “Scattered in crates, dirty and difficult to read, the gospel music of composer Charles Henry Pace sat packed away, unorganized — and unrealized — for more than 20 years.”

But now, as The Associated Press’ Jessie Wardarski details, the University of Pittsburgh “is restoring his work from the 1920s to the 1950s and cementing his place in the genre’s history.”

The curiosity of music historian Christopher Lynch set the project into motion, Wardarski explains.

More Top Reads

As The King’s College in New York faces closure, scrutiny turns to its backers, Meagan Saliashvili writes for Religion News Service. … Since January, an Oklahoma imam has performed numerous weddings for Afghan refugee couples who need marriage licenses as proof they are legally wed, The Oklahoman’s Carla Hinton reports. … Ukraine’s Hare Krishnas survive war by Zoom and serving neighbors, according to RNS’ Tori Luecking. … Meet the nuns who left Brooklyn, unable to practice prayer and silence when parties with thumping music gathered outside their walls, as the New York Times’ Kaya Laterman recounts. … Pope Francis has a chance to radically reshape U.S. Catholic hierarchy, according to the National Catholic Reporter’s Brian Fraga. … The “City of Faith” exhibit celebrates South Asian religion in New York City, RNS’ Kathryn Post reports. … A Christian family inspired the new movie “On a Wing and a Prayer,” The Christian Chronicle’s Calvin Cockrell details. … Finally, a think piece by the New York Times’ Nicholas Kristof raises concerns about the “dangerous religious intolerance” of Indian Prime Minister Modi.

Inside The Godbeat

Tiffany Stanley, who helped create the online journal Religion & Politics, is joining The Associated Press’ global religion team.

In other Godbeat news, check out the new "StoryLine" podcast as Kim Lawton and Kimberly Winston interview religion journalist Sam Kestenbaum.

Charging Station: ICYMI

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

In war-torn Ukraine, a church has become a symbol of hope and resilience.

Journalist Natalia Shevchenko reports the story from Kherson.

The Final Plug

A worship leader-turned-“Star Wars” memer found trademark trouble in an unexpected quarter, Religion News Service’s Bob Smietana reports.

Read more about the company that trademarked the term “Worship Leader” and made others stop using it, via Christianity Today’s Kelsey Kramer McGinnis.

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the weekend.

Bobby Ross Jr. writes the Weekend Plug-in column for ReligionUnplugged.com and serves as 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 18 nations. He has covered religion since 1999.