USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture
@usccrcc.bsky.social
The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture advances the understanding of religion and society, and supports faith and community leaders in becoming full partners in the work of positive social change.
https://crcc.usc.edu/
https://crcc.usc.edu/
CRCC out and about! Richard Flory with Bruce Phillips at SSSR. Najuma Smith presenting at the Exponential Conference. Soraya Ahyuadin attended the Islamic Scholarship Fund Film Awards Gala, pictured with Somayeh Nikooei, Executive Director and an American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute fellow.
November 7, 2025 at 6:06 PM
CRCC out and about! Richard Flory with Bruce Phillips at SSSR. Najuma Smith presenting at the Exponential Conference. Soraya Ahyuadin attended the Islamic Scholarship Fund Film Awards Gala, pictured with Somayeh Nikooei, Executive Director and an American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute fellow.
CRCC's Soraya Ahyaudin recently attended a celebration dinner where the Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation awarded Interim President Beong-Soo Kim, the first Asian American to lead USC, the Distinguishing Pathfinder Award.
November 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
CRCC's Soraya Ahyaudin recently attended a celebration dinner where the Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation awarded Interim President Beong-Soo Kim, the first Asian American to lead USC, the Distinguishing Pathfinder Award.
Join us at 1 pm TODAY on Zoom for our Economic Empowerment session on SNAP/CalFresh benefits and changes in Medi-Cal eligibility that will take effect in 2026.
Zoom Link: usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Zoom Link: usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Join us at 1 pm TODAY on Zoom for our Economic Empowerment session on SNAP/CalFresh benefits and changes in Medi-Cal eligibility that will take effect in 2026.
Zoom Link: usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Zoom Link: usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
TOMORROW, November 4 @ 1 pm PT
Join CRCC's Najuma Smith and LA County staff providing important updates about CalFresh/SNAP benefits and changes in Medi-Cal eligibility that will take effect in 2026.
Zoom registration:
usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join CRCC's Najuma Smith and LA County staff providing important updates about CalFresh/SNAP benefits and changes in Medi-Cal eligibility that will take effect in 2026.
Zoom registration:
usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 3, 2025 at 9:43 PM
TOMORROW, November 4 @ 1 pm PT
Join CRCC's Najuma Smith and LA County staff providing important updates about CalFresh/SNAP benefits and changes in Medi-Cal eligibility that will take effect in 2026.
Zoom registration:
usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join CRCC's Najuma Smith and LA County staff providing important updates about CalFresh/SNAP benefits and changes in Medi-Cal eligibility that will take effect in 2026.
Zoom registration:
usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Invest in Your Leadership Skills - Apply for NewGround Facilitation Skills Training. Learn more and apply here by Nov. 3rd!
If you came to our Compelling Preaching Across Divides conference last fall, you had a preview of their methods. Go deeper…
mjnewground.org/facilitation...
If you came to our Compelling Preaching Across Divides conference last fall, you had a preview of their methods. Go deeper…
mjnewground.org/facilitation...
Facilitation Training - NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change
Facilitation Training Sessions Thank you for your interest in the NewGround Facilitation Skills Training 2025 aimed at building participants capacity for communicating across differences. Together we ...
mjnewground.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Invest in Your Leadership Skills - Apply for NewGround Facilitation Skills Training. Learn more and apply here by Nov. 3rd!
If you came to our Compelling Preaching Across Divides conference last fall, you had a preview of their methods. Go deeper…
mjnewground.org/facilitation...
If you came to our Compelling Preaching Across Divides conference last fall, you had a preview of their methods. Go deeper…
mjnewground.org/facilitation...
How will the government shutdown affect your communities?
Join us for a rapid response Economic Empowerment session led by Najuma Smith, Assistant Director for Community and Public Engagement
Tuesday, November 4 @ 1 pm PT on Zoom
mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...
Join us for a rapid response Economic Empowerment session led by Najuma Smith, Assistant Director for Community and Public Engagement
Tuesday, November 4 @ 1 pm PT on Zoom
mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...
October 30, 2025 at 6:20 PM
How will the government shutdown affect your communities?
Join us for a rapid response Economic Empowerment session led by Najuma Smith, Assistant Director for Community and Public Engagement
Tuesday, November 4 @ 1 pm PT on Zoom
mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...
Join us for a rapid response Economic Empowerment session led by Najuma Smith, Assistant Director for Community and Public Engagement
Tuesday, November 4 @ 1 pm PT on Zoom
mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...
For Filipino American History Month, looking back at how a Filipino American artist connected with her Indigenous heritage through a Day of the Dead altar. Read her story, and learn about culture bearer Sapi Bawer.
crcc.usc.edu/nica-aquino-...
crcc.usc.edu/nica-aquino-...
Nica Aquino: Searching for Home
Ironically, hope for the Kalinga way of life may be found far from Lubuagan and the Chico River, in the outposts of the Filipino diaspora. For example, one of Cirilo “Sapi” Bawer’s …
crcc.usc.edu
October 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
For Filipino American History Month, looking back at how a Filipino American artist connected with her Indigenous heritage through a Day of the Dead altar. Read her story, and learn about culture bearer Sapi Bawer.
crcc.usc.edu/nica-aquino-...
crcc.usc.edu/nica-aquino-...
Another oped from Compelling Preaching initiative participant Michael Christensen:
religionunplugged.com/news/faith-i...
religionunplugged.com/news/faith-i...
The Christian Case For ‘No Kings’ Protests
(OPINION) After participating in multiple protests this year opposing authoritarianism, a Christian minister reflects on how people of faith can help sustain the growing No Kings movement — with hope,...
religionunplugged.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Another oped from Compelling Preaching initiative participant Michael Christensen:
religionunplugged.com/news/faith-i...
religionunplugged.com/news/faith-i...
The Window on Death Row presents a personal look at the death penalty from the point of view of an exoneree and his chaplain. We got to watch this Oscar qualifying doc — and its producer Linda Freund, who worked on our engaged spirituality project — on the big screen last week.
October 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The Window on Death Row presents a personal look at the death penalty from the point of view of an exoneree and his chaplain. We got to watch this Oscar qualifying doc — and its producer Linda Freund, who worked on our engaged spirituality project — on the big screen last week.
If you will be at the @sssreligion.bsky.social next week, look me up and let’s connect. If you’re ready to hibernate, we are celebrating several recent publications from CRCC affiliates and friends. Read on and stay tuned!
— Richard Flory, Executive Director
mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...
— Richard Flory, Executive Director
mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...
October 23, 2025 at 6:40 PM
If you will be at the @sssreligion.bsky.social next week, look me up and let’s connect. If you’re ready to hibernate, we are celebrating several recent publications from CRCC affiliates and friends. Read on and stay tuned!
— Richard Flory, Executive Director
mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...
— Richard Flory, Executive Director
mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...
Thu, Oct. 23rd at 11am PST on Zoom
Scams: How They Affect Seniors, Teens, and How to Protect Your Loved Ones
We encourage faith leaders to watch/share with their communities, as this is a critical issue for economic empowerment:
Register for Zoom link:
usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Scams: How They Affect Seniors, Teens, and How to Protect Your Loved Ones
We encourage faith leaders to watch/share with their communities, as this is a critical issue for economic empowerment:
Register for Zoom link:
usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
October 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Thu, Oct. 23rd at 11am PST on Zoom
Scams: How They Affect Seniors, Teens, and How to Protect Your Loved Ones
We encourage faith leaders to watch/share with their communities, as this is a critical issue for economic empowerment:
Register for Zoom link:
usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Scams: How They Affect Seniors, Teens, and How to Protect Your Loved Ones
We encourage faith leaders to watch/share with their communities, as this is a critical issue for economic empowerment:
Register for Zoom link:
usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Proud of @revjuju.bsky.social for co-leading the D.Min cohort at @fullerseminary.bsky.social! ✌️
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Proud of @revjuju.bsky.social for co-leading the D.Min cohort at @fullerseminary.bsky.social! ✌️
For decades, Sisters JoAnna Persch & Pat Murphy showed up at Chicago's Broadview Detention Center to protest inhumane immigration policies and provide spiritual care to migrants, whom they saw first and foremost as children of God. We profiled these 2 as part of our Spiritual Exemplars Project.
October 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
For decades, Sisters JoAnna Persch & Pat Murphy showed up at Chicago's Broadview Detention Center to protest inhumane immigration policies and provide spiritual care to migrants, whom they saw first and foremost as children of God. We profiled these 2 as part of our Spiritual Exemplars Project.
To our friends celebrating, #HappyDiwali!
Considered one of the most significant religious and cultural festivals in India, for observers, Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
religionnews.com/2025/10/20/w...
religionnews.com/2025/10/20/w...
What is Diwali, the Indian festival of lights?
(RNS) — Diwali is one of the most celebrated holidays in India and has become increasingly significant in the Indian-American diaspora.
religionnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:44 AM
To our friends celebrating, #HappyDiwali!
@usc.edu declined an offer by the Trump administration to join a compact that would potentially give preferential funding in exchange for a list of changes to school policy.
From our friends, USC sociologists Manuel Pastor and Jody Agius Vallejo:
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
From our friends, USC sociologists Manuel Pastor and Jody Agius Vallejo:
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: Trump's ultimatum to USC and others is a dismally researched document
We give it an F. Though considering portions of it are plagiarized, it probably shouldn't even be graded.
www.latimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
@usc.edu declined an offer by the Trump administration to join a compact that would potentially give preferential funding in exchange for a list of changes to school policy.
From our friends, USC sociologists Manuel Pastor and Jody Agius Vallejo:
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
From our friends, USC sociologists Manuel Pastor and Jody Agius Vallejo:
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
October 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social highlights its partnership with CRCC on a new book series.We are so excited to be a part of this initiative. We will be releasing our book next February.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/...
Partnership in Focus: The Center for Religion and Civic Culture
Founded in 1996 and named a Pew Center of Excellence in 2002, the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture (CRCC) advances the understanding of religion and society, and supports faith and community ...
www.bloomsbury.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:09 PM
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social highlights its partnership with CRCC on a new book series.We are so excited to be a part of this initiative. We will be releasing our book next February.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/...
Congratulations to Ken Chitwood on his new book, Borícua Muslims: Everyday Cosmopolitanism among Puerto Rican Converts to Islam!
utpress.utexas.edu/9781477332443/
utpress.utexas.edu/9781477332443/
Borícua Muslims
The stories and struggles of Puerto Rican Muslims in modern day America. Among Puerto Rican converts to Islam, marginalization is a fact of daily life. The...
utpress.utexas.edu
October 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Congratulations to Ken Chitwood on his new book, Borícua Muslims: Everyday Cosmopolitanism among Puerto Rican Converts to Islam!
utpress.utexas.edu/9781477332443/
utpress.utexas.edu/9781477332443/
@rns.org tracks the ups and downs of the influential megachurch Willow Creek:
"Religion sociologists Don Miller and Wade Clark Roof had started to describe Americans as a generation of seekers — which made Willow’s seeker-friendly approach to ministry appealing."
religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...
"Religion sociologists Don Miller and Wade Clark Roof had started to describe Americans as a generation of seekers — which made Willow’s seeker-friendly approach to ministry appealing."
religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...
As Willow Creek turns 50, the onetime 'church of the future' redefines success
(RNS) — In the mid-1970s, a group of high schoolers and their former youth pastor started a church in a movie theater and named it Willow Creek. American religion hasn’t been the same since. The churc...
religionnews.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM
@rns.org tracks the ups and downs of the influential megachurch Willow Creek:
"Religion sociologists Don Miller and Wade Clark Roof had started to describe Americans as a generation of seekers — which made Willow’s seeker-friendly approach to ministry appealing."
religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...
"Religion sociologists Don Miller and Wade Clark Roof had started to describe Americans as a generation of seekers — which made Willow’s seeker-friendly approach to ministry appealing."
religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...
CNN features American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute fellow, Dr. Hussein Rashid's challenges working at Harvard Divinity School in the aftermath of Oct. 7, 2023.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRw-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRw-...
Former professor says Harvard is relishing Trump’s attacks
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
CNN features American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute fellow, Dr. Hussein Rashid's challenges working at Harvard Divinity School in the aftermath of Oct. 7, 2023.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRw-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRw-...
Originally a church, today the Peace Cathedral hosts a synagogue, mosque, church, temple and oratory housed under one roof. More than a spiritual home for members of multiple faith communities, it is a place for homegrown political activism as well.
therevealer.org/the-spiritua...
therevealer.org/the-spiritua...
October 10, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Originally a church, today the Peace Cathedral hosts a synagogue, mosque, church, temple and oratory housed under one roof. More than a spiritual home for members of multiple faith communities, it is a place for homegrown political activism as well.
therevealer.org/the-spiritua...
therevealer.org/the-spiritua...
Congratulations to Febe Armanios on her new book, which was supported in part by CRCC's Pentecostal and Charismatic Research Initiative!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
October 7, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Congratulations to Febe Armanios on her new book, which was supported in part by CRCC's Pentecostal and Charismatic Research Initiative!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
CRCC is at The Lilly Endowment this week to talk about Thriving Congregations. Check out our toolkit on Reimagining Church
crcc.usc.edu/reimagining-...
crcc.usc.edu/reimagining-...
Reimagining Church: A Toolkit
Even as religious affiliation declines in the United States, some faith groups across religious traditions continue to thrive. But what does it mean to thrive? How can congregations grow more vital as...
crcc.usc.edu
October 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
CRCC is at The Lilly Endowment this week to talk about Thriving Congregations. Check out our toolkit on Reimagining Church
crcc.usc.edu/reimagining-...
crcc.usc.edu/reimagining-...
Affiliate Maureen Day presented about her research on “Catholicism at a Crossroads” with @iacsusc.bsky.social and many other campus partners.
October 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Affiliate Maureen Day presented about her research on “Catholicism at a Crossroads” with @iacsusc.bsky.social and many other campus partners.
Welcome to the Preaching with the Sciences homily outline library featuring the first fruits of an extraordinary initiative.
This free online resource featuring 110+ homily outlines and growing, provides ideas for key Sundays and feast days across the 3-year lectionary cycle.
ctu.edu/preaching-wi...
This free online resource featuring 110+ homily outlines and growing, provides ideas for key Sundays and feast days across the 3-year lectionary cycle.
ctu.edu/preaching-wi...
October 1, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Welcome to the Preaching with the Sciences homily outline library featuring the first fruits of an extraordinary initiative.
This free online resource featuring 110+ homily outlines and growing, provides ideas for key Sundays and feast days across the 3-year lectionary cycle.
ctu.edu/preaching-wi...
This free online resource featuring 110+ homily outlines and growing, provides ideas for key Sundays and feast days across the 3-year lectionary cycle.
ctu.edu/preaching-wi...