RNS Morning Report: Grappling with the sacred in Juneteenth's celebration of freedom

Top Stories Grappling with the sacred in Juneteenth’s celebration of freedom (RNS) — With Juneteenth falling on Sunday this year, Christians especially are taking the opportunity to consider the spiritual charge of the day.   A pioneering Shabbat service marks a new way to observe Jewish Juneteenth (RNS) —The Juneteenth Kabbalat Shabbat was the first Jewish service organized and led by Jews of color to mark the annual celebration of freedom that is now a federal holiday.   ‘You wear out’: How chronic illness grounds and inspires William Barber’s activism Earlier this year, Barber contacted Religion News Service to open up about his health struggles in detail for the first time.   Southern Baptists change direction on sexual abuse after years of delay (RNS) — The recently concluded SBC meeting swung between worship and bickering as more than 10,000 Southern Baptists gathered in California to address sexual abuse.   On abortion, Muslim Americans say Islamic history is ‘on the side of mercy’ (RNS) — Muslim Americans are gearing up for what overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision could mean for their communities.   Seattle Pacific University students continue sit-in after viral graduation protest (RNS) — 'We weren't just going to do the whole pomp and circumstance and let this issue fade into the background,' said graduating senior Chloe Guillot.   Poor People’s Campaign holds major DC rally to combat poverty (RNS) — The Rev. William Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, called legislation that hurts the poor 'forms of policy murder.'   Humanist chaplains guide nonreligious students on quest for meaning (RNS) — ‘The nonreligious have as much of, or more of, a need for meaning, purpose and community as anybody else.’   Maine diocese sued for 1st time since abuse suit barrier end PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Attorneys who represent three people with claims of childhood sexual abuse by Catholic clergy and a lay educator filed the complaints seeking monetary damages.   Gunman kills 3 seniors over potluck dinner at Alabama church VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (AP) — Emergency dispatchers got a call at around 6:20 p.m. reporting an active shooter at Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia Hills, said Police Capt. Shane Ware.   Belgian bishop declines cardinal honor over abuse record (AP) — Ghent Bishop Luc Van Looy had asked Francis for permission to decline the honor in order “to not harm victims again,” and Francis accepted the request, the bishops said in a statement. RNS Opinion Why LGBTQ pride is a Jewish issue "Hippie Jew f-----!" Those three words changed my life.   At annual meeting, Southern Baptists draw the line (RNS) — The SBC has to decide for itself whether it will be smaller and purer or bigger and more accepting.   Pilgrimage to Mecca is never easy. Saudi Arabia just made it a lot harder. (RNS) — Less than a month before the pilgrimage to Mecca was to begin, the Saudis changed the rules.   Jesus’ earthly dad, St. Joseph – often overlooked – is honored by Father’s Day in many Catholic nations (The Conversation) — The Catholic Church considers St. Joseph a role model of fatherhood and faith. In many countries, Father’s Day is celebrated on his feast day.   Why Indigenous communities need a seat at the table on climate (The Conversation) — An Anglican Aboriginal pastor who attended the COP26 climate conference shares his perspective on Indigenous knowledge in dealing with climate change.   Wiccan celebration of summer solstice is a reminder that change, as expressed in nature, is inevitable (The Conversation) — For Wiccans, midsummer, with the maximum hours of sunlight, is the time for celebrating new life. ICYMI California again seeks to pass human composting bill as Catholic bishops oppose it (RNS) — Burial, cremation and alkaline hydrolysis are the only death care choices currently available in California.   Rolland Slade, SBC Executive Committee chair: seeking ‘to make a wrong right’ ANAHEIM, Calif. (RNS) — ‘I think the one thing that surprised me more than anything was the list,’ said Slade of a recently revealed list of convicted abusers. In Other News How Franklin Graham pushed a domestic abuse victim to return to her husband Saudi authorities seize rainbow toys in crackdown on homosexuality Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend