July 27th – News Of The Day
Church Gets Big Win In Abortion Coverage Case
A Seattle area church is one step closer to being released from a Washington state law requirement that its employee health-insurance plans cover abortion if they also offer maternity care. In a win for the church, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a 2018 law caused injury to the Cedar Park Assembly of God, reversing a decision by the district that it had not and thereby dismissing the case. The Reproductive Parity Act, was signed into law in 2018. The law requires all insurance plans covering maternity care to also cover abortion. It does not include an exemption for houses of worship. Read more about the victory here.
Kanye West Releases New Album With Religious Themes
On August 6, Kanye West is releasing his newest album, called Donda. It follows his 2019 album, Jesus Is King. This latest album continues the rapper’s journey into Christian themes. West’s relationship with God saturates the album. The lead single “No Child Left Behind,” features the chorus: “He’s done miracles on me.” Named after his late mother, the album is also West’s tribute to her. Donda West was an English teacher when she passed away in 2007 after complications with plastic surgery. The death was particularly tragic for West, as he often described his mother as his “everything.” Read more about the new album here.
One Million Hours Of Prayers For Tokyo Olympics
An international prayer movement has been launched in support of the Tokyo Olympic Games, with Japanese Christians inviting the global church to unite for one million hours of prayer. Japan1Million, is an international prayer movement led by the Japan international Sports Partnership and the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association during the 30 days of the Olympics and Paralympics. “Committed prayer is needed for a significant spiritual breakthrough in Japan,” Pastor and director Keishi Ikeda said. “We believe Alfred Tennyson’s words, ‘more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” Read more about the effort here.
Madrid Planting Huge Forest Ring Around City
To combat climate change and pollution, Madrid is building a green wall around the city. An urban forest with nearly half a million new trees. “What we want to do is to improve the air quality in the whole city,” says Mariano Fuentes, Madrid’s councilor for the environment and urban development. “To fight the ‘heat island’ effect that is happening inside the city, to absorb the greenhouse emissions generated by the city, and to connect all the existing forest masses that already exist around the city.” The project will also make use of rundown sites lying between roads and buildings to help absorb 175,000 tons of CO2 per year. Read more about the mass planting here.
