In the US, breakaway Texas UMC megachurch reveals plans for new Methodist denomination
Southlake, Texas, USRNS Last year, White’s Chapel, a large congregation in a wealthy suburb outside of Dallas, overwhelmingly voted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. Today, the church, which draws more than 2,000 people on a Sunday, belongs to a denomination of one, a network it is calling the Methodist Collegiate Church. White’s Chapel Methodist […]
US seeks to shore up border as migrants gather ahead of end to Title 42
San Diego, US Reuters The Biden administration and Texas state government are sending reinforcements to the US-Mexico border to prepare for a possible increase in illegal immigration when COVID-19 restrictions known as Title 42 are set to end on Thursday. Hundreds of specialised investigative agents and air marshals from the US Department of Homeland Security […]
Driver arrested after seven, including migrants, killed in Brownsville, Texas
Reuters At least seven pedestrians were killed and several others injured on Sunday when an SUV mowed down people near a homeless shelter that attends to migrants in Brownsville, Texas, police said. The male driver was in custody, Lieutenant Martin Sandoval of the Brownsville Police Department said, adding he was charged with reckless driving and […]
At least eight people killed by gunman at Texas mall; shooter killed by police
Reuters A gunman shot and killed eight people and wounded at least seven others at a busy mall north of Dallas on Saturday, police said. The gunman, whom authorities said they think acted alone and whose motive was not yet known, was killed by a police officer after he began firing outside of the Allen […]
Two migrants suffocate to death aboard Texas train, 10 hospitalised
Reuters Two suspected undocumented immigrants suffocated to death aboard a freight train and 10 others in need of medical care were taken by helicopter or ambulance to hospital on Friday in south Texas, police said. Officials in Uvlade, Texas, received an anonymous emergency 911 call advising them that numerous immigrants were suffocating inside a train, […]
Essay: Replacing vengeance with mercy in our death penalty policy
KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR, in an article first published on Religion News Service, says the troubling case of Andre Thomas in the US invites a closer look at all the factors that play a part in the death penalty…
Biden visits US-Mexico border as immigration issue heats up
El Paso, Texas, USReuters President Joe Biden visited the US-Mexico border on Sunday for the first time since taking office, tackling one of the most politically charged issues in the country as he prepares for a re-election bid. His visit was not expected to result in new policies, but rather to demonstrate that he is […]
Frustration among migrants at US-Mexico border as COVID restrictions remain
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico/Washington DC, USReuters When Vladimir Castellanos learned that COVID-19 restrictions blocking him and other migrants from claiming asylum at the US border with Mexico may not be terminated this week, he said he felt deceived. Castellanos and his brother are Venezuelans, and they were among dozens of migrants gathered on both sides of […]
Religious liberty concerns raised as Texas Governor seeks to investigate groups helping migrants
United StatesRNS Texas Governor Greg Abbott has asked the state attorney to investigate non-governmental organisations that he claims have assisted with “illegal border crossings” along the US-Mexico border near El Paso, raising religious liberty concerns among faith-based groups and religious organisers helping migrants with medical needs and shelter. Abbott, in his 14th December letter to Attorney […]
United Methodists: Texas megachurch White’s Chapel departs UMC to anchor new Methodist ‘college’
BELYNN HOLLARS and EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service report on White’s Chapel United Methodist Church’s bid to become what co-pastor Rev John McKellar calls “a healing agent between all of Methodism”…