Church Times

Catholic communities worldwide mark the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, with reflections this year centring on the theme 'Rebuild my church'. Writers and religious congregations are using the Sunday readings to call for renewal of the Church's structures and mission. The phrase echoes the account of St Francis of Assisi being told to rebuild God's house, a symbol often invoked in times of institutional crisis.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its General Conference, where senior leaders delivered sermons and guidance to members worldwide. Coverage highlighted counsel on faith, family and personal discipleship, with talks translated into many languages and broadcast globally. Members and observers discussed the main themes and messages from the sessions as the conference concluded.

D. Todd Christofferson, a senior leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has condemned gambling in all its forms and called on church members to stop betting. Speaking in an address covered by the Salt Lake Tribune, he framed gambling as morally harmful. The statement lands amid expanding legalized sports betting in the United States.

The Seattle Times has published a piece exploring what the architects of the separation of church and state would make of today's debates over religion in American public life. The article revisits the founding era's thinking on religious liberty and applies it to current controversies. It is drawing attention amid ongoing disputes over the role of religion in government and schools.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding its October 2026 general conference, with live coverage of the Sunday afternoon session provided by Church News. The biannual conference features addresses from church leaders, and the live updates format lets members and followers follow remarks and announcements in real time as the final sessions of the event conclude.

Pope Leo XIV has called on the Catholic Church to form an alliance with artists in response to the rise of artificial intelligence, arguing that algorithms lack the human spark that drives genuine creativity. The pontiff positioned art and faith as shared defenses of human dignity and meaning at a time when AI-generated content is rapidly spreading. The remarks add the Vatican's moral voice to the growing global debate over AI's impact on culture and work.

Church news from the Wilson Times reports that weekly services have been announced for local congregations. The notice lists upcoming worship times for area churches, the kind of routine religious announcement regularly published for parishioners planning their weekend attendance. Beyond the publication of the service times themselves, no further details about the churches or events are given.

Times Record News has published its regular roundup of church information for Oct. 3, listing service times and events for area congregations. The weekly notices are a standing feature for readers looking for worship schedules and community activities in the region.

Carthage Community Church is being mentioned in local news coverage this week, according to a report in The Courier Times. No further details about the church's activities or any specific event were available. Readers in the area appear to be following the mention as it circulates through regional news.

A local church directory listing congregations and their service details has been made available to the community. The resource is intended to help residents find nearby churches, worship times and contact information. There is no further detail on who compiled it or which area it covers, and no notable reactions have been recorded so far.

Churches in the Sewickley area of Pennsylvania have announced their schedule of morning worship services, support groups and other community activities. The listings give local residents times for services and details of parish programmes, and are being shared with readers of the regional outlet covering the Sewickley area.

A listing of local church services and sermons has been published in the Times-Standard, outlining worship times and sermon topics for area congregations. Such notices help residents plan weekend attendance and keep track of religious community events. There is no indication of a specific controversy or news event driving attention beyond the routine publication of the schedule.

The 3D top-down Metroidvania 'Crown Of Blight' has been released on Steam. Players take the role of a church elite hunter investigating the source of a plague. To mark the launch, the game is available at a 10 percent discount in a limited-time sale, and gaming media are covering the release.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has introduced a new program aimed at supporting missionaries through one of the most difficult parts of their service: coming home. Returning missionaries often struggle with the abrupt transition from a structured, purpose-driven life of full-time service back to everyday routines. The initiative seeks to ease that adjustment, and coverage has drawn attention to the emotional and practical challenges many former missionaries face after their missions end.

Crossroads Church in Ohio is investigating its senior pastor Brian Tome over comments made in 2015 that were described at the time as humor. The probe, reported by The Roys Report, comes as religious organizations face renewed scrutiny of past statements by their leaders. Details of the remarks and the scope of the investigation have not been fully disclosed, and the church has not said what consequences Tome might face.

An Associated Press reporter spent the night locked inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem alongside clergy and pilgrims, offering an inside account of the ancient ritual in which the church's doors are sealed each evening. The piece gives readers a rare glimpse of worship, prayers and life inside the contested site after closing time, when only a handful of people remain within its walls.

The New York Times reports on a woman returning to England and visiting the church where she once hoped to marry. The piece appears to be a personal essay or profile touching on memory, faith and English church life. Readers are reacting to its reflective tone and the emotional pull of revisiting a place tied to old hopes.

A new book, 'Encountering Henri: The living legacy of Henri Nouwen', edited by Stephen Lazarus, has been reviewed in the Church Times. The collection examines how the late spiritual writer Henri Nouwen continues to influence Christians through the memories and reflections of those who knew him. The review highlights interest in Nouwen's enduring appeal among readers of spiritual literature more than 25 years after his death.

A historic church says it is searching for 'sacred rhythms' as it stands at a crossroads, according to a report in the Gettysburg Times. The phrase suggests the congregation is weighing how to preserve traditional worship practices while adapting to new circumstances. Details about the specific decisions facing the church were not available beyond the headline.

Bridgeport Christian Church is preparing to host what it describes as a haunting afternoon of classic literature. The event pairs the church setting with readings from well-known literary works, giving local residents a seasonal cultural gathering. Details on participating readers, featured authors, and times were not included in the announcement, which appeared as a brief community notice.

The Cosmopolitan Choir is scheduled to give a performance this Sunday at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church. The announcement was carried in local news coverage in the Pine Bluff area. Details about the program, starting time and admission were not included in the initial notice, and no community reaction has been reported yet. Local residents interested in gospel and choral music are expected to attend the church event.

SS. Francis and Clare Progressive Catholic Church has announced plans to open a new location, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. The Progressive Catholic congregation is expanding its footprint with the additional site. No further details about the location, opening date or community reaction were available in the report.