All of us have been watching news of the devastating wildfires in Hawaii.
That’s where we start our weekly roundup of the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.
What To Know: The Big Story
Wildfires’ human toll: At least 55 people are dead in Hawaii’s worst natural disaster, and that number will likely rise as search and rescue operations continue, The Associated Press reports.
President Joe Biden, Pope Francis and other prominent leaders and ordinary people around the world are offering prayers.
Up in flames: The fires leveled the historic town of Lahaina on Maui, destroying cultural landmarks, according to ABC News.
Those landmarks include the Waiola Church, the first Christian church on Maui; and the Baldwin Home, its oldest house, which served as a missionary compound around 1834.
A Buddhist temple also is among the sites feared lost or damaged, as are Episcopal and Methodist churches.
USA Today’s Terry Collins shares these heartbreaking reflections from a leader of the Waiola church:
It took just two words for Judy Kinser to describe her beloved historic church on the island of Maui, which just celebrated its 200th anniversary three months ago.
"Destroyed. Devastating," Kinser, treasurer and office administrator at Waiola Church in Lahaina, Hawaii, said Wednesday. "Not sure if the church building and preschool buildings (are) also gone."
As word and images of the wildfires began spreading across the town of Lahaina, longtime member Anela Rosa, the church's lay minister of 13 years, tearfully confirmed the worst.
"It's gone, the social hall, the sanctuary, the annex, all of it," Rosa told USA TODAY Wednesday. "It is totally unimaginable."
Relief efforts: As always after disasters, faith-based organizations are mobilizing help. Southern Baptists are among faith groups preparing to respond, as Baptist Press’ Timothy Cocke explains. Mike Thom with CVHN Radio details some of the efforts:
Kahului Baptist Church is among a group of churches left scrambling to care for people. The church has opened a shelter and is doing its best to provide food and goods to people. The church has also set up a mobile hygiene trailer, allowing evacuees to have showers and do laundry.
Meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are being used as evacuation centers. according to Mary Richards with TheChurchNews.com.
Karen Schwartz with Chabad.org reports:
With wildfires claiming at least 53 lives and leaving thousands homeless on the island of Maui, emergency workers continued their search for survivors in the charred ruins of burned-out buildings. Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and volunteers joined relief workers in helping Maui residents and thousands of tourists who had to evacuate the island and cope with the disaster.
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjasnky of Chabad of Maui reported multiple homes belonging to Jewish residents succumbing to the blaze. Echoing their unwavering support during past calamities—as in previous natural disasters like Hurricane Lane in 2018—Chabad centers across Hawaii are offering vital services—including housing, kosher meals, Shabbat services and emotional support.
This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.
Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads
1. Hindu presidential candidate: “Vivek Ramaswamy is as comfortable talking about Bible stories as he is sharing the message of the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most sacred Hindu texts.”
The Associated Press’ Deepa Bharath details how Ramaswamy “has leaned into his faith as he vies for the nomination of a party where evangelical Christian support is key.”
In other campaign news, Religion News Service’s Jack Jenkins delves into whether former President Donald Trump’s latest indictment will hurt him with evangelical voters. (Spoiler alert: Probably not.)
2. Ghosted again: How should pastors respond to disappearing congregants?
That’s the fascinating question explored in this piece by Maria Baer at Christianity Today.
3. Baseball players’ pilgrimage: “When in the capital for road games, many Mexican League players join the throngs paying their respects at the Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe.”
The New York Times’ James Wagner — joined by photographer Alejandro Cegarra — goes behind the scenes. The tradition, Wagner notes, is tied to the large role religion plays in the sports culture throughout Latin America.
CONTINUE READING: “Prayers For Maui — Houses Of Worship Burned; People Of Faith Organize Help” by Bobby Ross, Jr., at Religion Unplugged.