Richard Flory and Soraya Ahyaudin attended the Consultation on Collaborative Research for Congregational Life conference last week where researchers, practitioners, and foundation partners share approaches to studying congregational life.
Pictured: Flory with Verity Jones of The Lilly Endowment.
Don't forget to apply for a journalism fellowship for Stories of Change in American Christianity!
Apply today: dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/stories...
CRCC hosts an annual Economic Empowerment series. Presentations address organizational and personal financial management. We encourage you to watch past programs, review and implement learnings with your teams or family, and share the knowledge with your community.
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/home/co...
Partnership for Growth LA is harnessing the power of relationships to strengthen Los Angeles. Learn from Rev. Eddie Anderson and Rabbi Joel Simonds how they've brought funding into communities in 2 weeks!
Seats are almost full so registrer today!
pp.events/bq8E6VJb
We’ve been rendered speechless over the ridiculous nature of religion-politics news — but we do know that religious leaders should NOT be speechless when it comes social issues. #CompellingPreaching brings one’s core beliefs to bear on life in the public square.
📸: @revjuju preaching in public
During #EarthMonth, check out this piece featuring CRCC affiliate Rev. Frank Jackson, Jr., who connects churches to the energy industry.
www.sjvceo.com/blogee/spotl...
While Mark moved to Maryland to pastor in recent years, we continue to value his work and his example here in Southern California. Join us in congratulating Mark and celebrating an impactful career!
Congrats to Mark Whitlock on his retirement! Mark left the banking industry to help Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Murray start FAME Renaissance, became an AME pastor himself, and joined USC to replicate the model of faith-based community development through our training programs.
This #FinancialLiteracyMonth, check out our Wealth-Building Resources to help congregations empower their communities. During this time of great uncertainty, our goal is to equip you to build thriving congregations and communities.
Learn more: dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/report/...
Take a deep dive into collaboration as a strategy for building economic strength. Join us for our first Economic Empowerment session of 2026. Wednesday, April 29, 2026 9:30 am.
RSVP Today: pp.events/bq8E6VJb
(Spots are going quickly!)
We are excited about the ideas journalists are proposing for submittal. Please remember the deadline to apply is coming up on May 4th.
Learn more:
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/stories...
Thursday, @iacsusc.bsky.social is hosting a presentation and panel discussion with Dr. Vincent Lloyd about how our society can move beyond racial identity as the primary way to think about race in America.
RSVP: dornsife.usc.edu/iacs/dignity...
Welcome to #FinancialLiteracyMonth! Check out our past programs to help congregations empower their communities.
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/home/co...
Happy #Passover to our friends observing the holiday this week.
Check out our friend Michael Christensen's OpEd just in time for #GoodFriday in the San Diego Union Tribune at the beginning of #HolyWeek.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/30/o...
Many congregations are aging along with their members. Gretchen Alkema, a nationally recognized expert in health and aging, with over 30 years of experience in care systems to improve the lives of older adults and their family caregivers.
Watch here:
youtu.be/6vRIcqd-0B0?...
Journalists: Want to take part in our religion reporting fellowship but not sure what stories to suggest? Read our guide to finding stories of change in American religion:
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/a-guide...
The Chopra-Epstein connection points to the dangers of abuse and harm within religious, spiritual and wellness communities, our friend Ann Gleig writes for RNS.
religionnews.com/2026/03/06/t...
CRCC invites journalists to propose story ideas for its “Stories of Change in American Religion” initiative. This guide provides an overview of the state of religion in the US and introduce journalists to how scholars at CRCC think about religion and social change.
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/stories...
#EidMubark to our friends celebrating the end of #Ramadan!
And as we posted earlier today during this Women's History Month, it's important to lift up women's voices and leadership within organization and movements.
Movements and collectives who hold each other morally and socially accountable are more important—and effective in the long term—than charismatic leaders.
We have repeatedly seen in religious and activist spaces that there is danger in hagiography. As Gustavo Arellano put it, "someone considered a secular saint by many for decades turned out to be a human more terrible than anyone could’ve imagined."
www.latimes.com/california/s...
screenshot of CRCC's website expertise page "explore by social issues" with listing.
Screenshot of CRCC's Expertise page on website with image of faith leaders protesting
Head to the "Expertise" page, scroll down to "explore by social issues."
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/home/cr...
screenshot of "gender and sexuality" topic page on CRCC's website with listing of article on a Muslim Feminist in France
As we celebrate Women's History Month, check out stories on women leading humanitarian & faith efforts around the world.
Our new website makes it easy to explore social issues, including "gender and sexuality."
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/explore...
Many congregations are aging along with their members. Young adults’ religious participation is declining, even as they yearn for meaning and connection with other generations. Watch talks about both youth and elders.
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/youth-a...
Please join us for a public lecture and conversation with renowned seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, who will be speaking on the intersection of science, morality, and faith in our present moment.
You can find more information and register to attend in-person or online at cst.edu/lucy-jones/
ICYMI - Watch our informational webinar about CRCC's Stories of Change in American Religion Initiative. Journalists can find out how they can apply to a journalism fellowship that will fund deeply reported storytelling on the diversity of religious life in America.
dornsife.usc.edu/crcc/journal...
