Nation

Churches in the most-populous county in the U.S. can now meet in person for worship because of changes in legal and political decisions. But with the pandemic still raging, many congregations continue to meet virtually.

The actor-turned-evangelical Christian activist Kirk Cameron led a large outdoor Christmas caroling event Tuesday night in Thousand Oaks, California, despite a COVID-19 surge that is filling hospital beds across the southern part of the state.

At Christmases past, parishioners at Middle Collegiate in New York City rejoiced over gospel hymns, carols, and soul tunes played on a Steinway piano that is now only metal and ashes after the historic church was destroyed this month by fire.

Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, has blasted Raphael Warnock’s rhetoric and proposals as “radical,” socialist, and out of step with Georgia residents. But for the Black Baptist preacher, he is continuing the tradition of his church.

A Biden transition team official refused to say which church Biden might attend in the nation’s capital or whether he might return to Delaware for services, at least to start. Washington’s COVID-19 measures restrict large indoor services, and many churches have moved services online.

The Trump administration on Monday moved to loosen restrictions on religious organizations that receive federal money to provide social services. The administration said it was clearing barriers that it claimed make it difficult for religious groups to participate in federal programs.

People reportedly affiliated with the hate group Proud Boys tore down Black Lives Matter signs belonging to churches in Washington Saturday night, setting at least one aflame. The damage to the signs came after supporters of President Donald Trump flocked to the nation’s capital.

Boise police are investigating after the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial was defaced by swastika stickers earlier this week. The stickers, which included the words, “we are everywhere” as well as the Nazi insignia, were discovered Tuesday (Dec. 8) by a visitor to the memorial in downtown Boise.

Two Republican lawmakers put up a Christmas tree in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda despite being told they weren’t allowed to do so — a show of defiance after Gov. Tony Evers opted not to display a holiday tree there this year because the building is closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An early morning fire Saturday in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood has destroyed the 128-year-old sanctuary of Middle Collegiate Church, one of the oldest congregations in the city.