The legacy of Black activist teachers

Why Pete Hegseth nomination is a milestone for the rightwing Christian movement he follows*
The Tennessean: To his brotherhood within a theologically conservative, hard-right church coalition, Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s ascension as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Defense Department wasn’t merely opportunistic.
Religion Dispatches: Not a single senator probed the most dangerous part of Pete Hegseth’s background: His ties to white Christian nationalism

When the word is not just flesh: Reporting on A.I. in religion*
The New York Times: A technology reporter came across a Facebook group called “A.I. for Church Leaders and Pastors,” and his interest was piqued.

My Gen Z daughter and her Altadena and Pasadena classmates are showing us the way
Religion News Service: It should not be surprising that the children of this community would lead in taking care of their own across faiths, ethnicities and languages.
Religion News Service: What can a pastor say to people who have lost everything?

‘Fix your hearts or die’: The unflinching moral compass of David Lynch
Religion News Service: With age, Lynch grew more confident that some of his questions had answers.

Trump wants to end sanctuary churches. We won’t be intimidated
Sojourners: As we enter a second Donald Trump presidency, the stakes could not be higher for undocumented people and asylum seekers in this country.

Negotiators reach six-week ceasefire in Gaza, officials say
Reuters: Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that mediators said would take effect on Sunday and include a release of hostages held there during 15 months of bloodshed that devastated the Palestinian enclave and inflamed the Middle East. 
NPR: Netanyahu delays ceasefire vote, claiming Hamas created a ‘last minute crisis’

Minister accused of sex abuse landed one high-profile job after another*
The Washington Post: Jeff Taylor went from the pulpit to the Red Cross to a college nonprofit. Now, his alleged victims are speaking out, and the FBI is investigating.

SMU wants to separate from the church but keep the ‘Methodist’*
Inside Higher Ed: The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday in an ongoing legal saga between the United Methodist Church and Southern Methodist University over who governs the university.

Faith-based immigrant rights activist faces threat of deportation 
Religion News Service: Ravi Ragbir has helped thousands of immigrants as the co-founder of New Sanctuary Coalition. Now he faces the threat of deportation.

The legacy of Black activist teachers*
The Christian Century: Almeda Wright’s impeccably researched profiles explore the connections between religion, education, and social action, with the goal of inspiring in young people a grander sense of the impact they can have.