Browsing Tag
Religion
37 posts
Religion plays a central – and often under-reported – role in the lives of Appalachians. It’s not just about going to church; religion seeps into the cultural identities of who we are, how we raise our families, and guides our politics. But so often, outsiders leave the stories of our religion at the foot of white evangelical faiths. Here, we illuminate the role of the diverse religious communities in the region and how their stories not just fit into but shape the national narrative.
The Appalachian Pastor Who Created a Diverse Congregation in an Overwhelmingly White Community
This story originally appeared in The Washington Post Magazine. At 11 a.m. each Sunday — labeled by the Rev.…
Political Conflicts Are Escalating in Sanctuaries of Southwestern PA Churches. Can They Heal?
Racism, abortion, same-sex unions, mask-wearing, vaccines. Churches could be sites of dialogue, pastors say. Now, they’re more polarized…
Christians Are Politically Divided. Two Pittsburgh Seminaries Explain How They’re Readying Pastors for the Minefield.
In the part of Appalachia near Pittsburgh, new pastors could have widely different experiences. They might be called…
Commentary: Celebrating Another Ramadan in a Pandemic Has Meant Learning Patience and Perseverance in Times of Uncertainty
The spring semester of college for me has been quite a spiral. My days consist of spending many…
Places of Worship in West Virginia Grapple with COVID’s Impact on Holiday Services
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, Pastor Nancy White has shifted the way members of…
Young, Rural and Jewish: Meet Teens Who Are as Diverse and Interesting as the Places They Call Home
Their small-town neighbors aren’t familiar with the faith. Their urban counterparts barely know they exist. As the only…