Archive
Conflict and Congregations: How Churches Respond to Politics and the Pandemic
As the 2022 midterm elections approach, little can be predicted—except, perhaps, that they will further cement the deep divides in our country. Those divides often extend into religious congregations. CRCC is a …
Why Activism Thrives in L.A.’s Black Churches
This article was originally published by Trojan Family Magazine. by Eric Lindberg; Photos by Gus Ruelas Many members of the Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard’s church near downtown Los Angeles struggled for food during the …
Dr. Christina Puchalski: COVID-19 Highlights Spiritual Needs In Health Care
This video was originally published by Religion Unplugged, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. As health care professionals assess the lessons of the COVID-19 global pandemic, one unexpected message …
Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom: An Evangelical Professor And Her Students Inside A Maximum Security Prison
This radio documentary was originally produced by KALW’s The Spiritual Edge, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. To hear this and other profiles, subscribe to The Spiritual Edge podcast in …
Russell Jeung: He Started A Movement to #StopAAPIHate
This radio documentary was originally produced by KALW’s The Spiritual Edge, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. To hear this and other profiles, subscribe to The Spiritual Edge podcast …
Honolulu Civil Beat: Flory on Evangelical Pastors’ Influence on Vaccine Uptake
Some pastors in Hawaii are discouraging their members from getting the COVID-19 vaccine, Honolulu Civil Beat reports. The article quotes CRCC’s Richard Flory about the perception of vaccines within evangelical Christianity. According …
Teachers Turn to Mindfulness After a Stressful Pandemic Year
This article was originally published in Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. The past school year was the most challenging in Jon Salunga’s teaching career. It was …
5 Ways for Faith Communities To Support COVID-19 Vaccine Access Locally and Globally
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with the Delta variant sweeping across the globe, the need for a timely and coordinated vaccine response is urgent. Faith communities and their leaders are an important …
Modi silent on Muslim philanthropist’s offer of medical supplies for India
This article was originally published by Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. NEW DELHI (RNS) — Only 30 miles from the northern Indian city of Amritsar, oxygen …
The End (of Lockdown) is Near: Opening Houses of Worship in a Time of Uncertainty
I had just announced our church’s plans to resume in-person worship when someone called and told me they had contracted COVID-19. Immediately, I second-guessed the decision to reopen our worship building for …
Deseret News: Flory on Reaching Gen Z During the Pandemic
Is the COVID-19 pandemic the perfect opportunity for faith leaders to reach Gen Z? Research suggests that this might be an ideal moment for faith leaders to reach out, but so far, …
Annenberg News: Soraya Ahyaudin on Second Pandemic Ramadan
Muslims are celebrating their second Ramadan during the global COVID-19 pandemic, restricting the ability to break the fast and pray together. Annenberg Media spoke with Soraya Ahyaudin, director of the American Muslim …
“Living to Serve” by Sarbjit Singh
My name is Sarbjit Singh and I am a social activist for the Southern California Sikh community. I want to share my reflection regarding COVID-19 and what I have learned throughout lockdown–specifically, …
Credits
This report is a project of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture in partnership with Take Two of KPCC on the one-year anniversary of the lockdown. CRCC thanks the following …
“Constantly Attuning the Mind to God: Reflections on a Year in Lockdown” by Brother Balananda
The founder of Self-Realization Fellowship, Paramahansa Yogananda — who is widely regarded as the Father of Yoga in the West — shared this prayer-affirmation: “Dear Father, whatever conditions confront me, I know …
“Staying in the Game” by Pastor Eddie Anderson
My sisters and brothers, I stand before you this morning as we embrace the new year to remind you that, despite the stings in life, it is still worth it to play the …
“Despite All These Things” by Vanessa Gomez Brake
In January of 2020, Taal Volcano in the Philippines began to erupt. At the time, I thought that would be the scariest thing my family would ever have to endure. Of course, …
“The Greatest Blessing: Skillfully Responding to the Situation” by Venerable Sanathavihari
Sangha is the glue that holds the Buddhist practice together. During these challenging times, Buddhist practitioners have found it difficult to be separated from their Sangha. The most common question and comment …
“The Cursed Harvest” by Rabbi Noah Zvi Farkas
I turned to my rabbinic colleagues earlier this year and sighed. We had just completed our 23rd funeral in four weeks due to COVID-19, and it was all starting to feel like …
“Troubled Waters” by Pastor YaNi Davis
Psalm 89:9 You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them. So often we think of imagery, metaphors and symbols that relate to water when we think …