Meredith Somers

Jewish new year begins with celebration, reflection

Another name for the Jewish new year (which now will be 5775), Rosh Hashanah begins Wednesday night. Published September 24, 2014

Washington National Cathedral to celebrate 107th birthday this weekend

The Washington National Cathedral is celebrating its 107th birthday this weekend and the public is invited to attend. The Cathedral Day Celebration 2014 is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday and includes prayer services, forums, tours and concerts. Published September 23, 2014

Poll: Americans want more politics with their preaching

A growing percentage of Americans say houses of worship should bring politics to the pulpit, according to a new survey from Pew Research. Published September 22, 2014

Religious influence at lowest in years: poll

Religion's influence in American life is at its lowest level in more than a decade, according to a new Pew Research poll that looked at religion and politics. Published September 22, 2014

Catholic Archdiocese of Washington marks 75th anniversary

Past and present leaders of the Archdiocese of Washington joined Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl on Sunday as he celebrated the archdiocese's 75th anniversary, calling on the area's faithful to be thankful for the past but also hopeful about the future. Published September 21, 2014

U.S. pushed to protect global religious freedom

The United States is not doing enough to promote and protect international religious freedom, a panel of advocates warned Congress on Thursday. Published September 18, 2014

Higher Ground: Lost and found

Every cloud has a silver lining, but a tornado? Published September 18, 2014

Kansas City IHOP provides never-ending service of music, prayer

A certain IHOP in Kansas City, Missouri, bills itself as a global establishment open 24 hours a day — but don't expect to be served a stack of pancakes. Published September 17, 2014

Redskins name-change movement heads to Capitol Hill

The Change the Mascot campaign sent out letters to 31 NFL owners, urging them to "stand on the right side of history and demand the name change." Published September 16, 2014

Higher Ground: ‘Pastafarian’ strains Oklahoma ID laws

An Oklahoma woman persuaded the State Highway Patrol to allow her to wear a spaghetti strainer for her driver's license photo because it is part of her religion. Published September 11, 2014

Christians fleeing Islamic State need long-term aid, human rights experts says

Religious freedom advocates and human rights officials say the international community needs to provide long-term aid for thousands of Christians fleeing genocide by the Islamic State. Published September 10, 2014

World religious leaders urge unity in stopping Islamic State

The Islamic State's genocide of Christians will have lasting effects not only on the Middle East's culture but on world peace, a panel of Christian leaders and religious freedom advocates warned Tuesday. Published September 9, 2014

‘Don’t Say the Pledge’ campaign takes aim at ‘under God’

The American Humanist Association on Monday launched a national campaign encouraging Americans to “sit out” the Pledge of Allegiance until the words “under God” are removed from it. Published September 8, 2014

Nationals to host spirited ‘Faith Day’

Come for the sport, stay for the spirit. Published September 4, 2014

Higher Ground: Sexy and godly

A church billboard in northeast Pennsylvania has drivers doing double takes, but church leaders hope it will lure new and younger faces to the congregation. Published September 4, 2014

Under what? Poll: One-third of Americans want God out of Pledge

About one-third of Americans would like "under God" removed from the Pledge of Allegiance, after being told those words were not part of the original expression, a new survey shows. Published September 4, 2014

Community comes together to help stricken mother

Melissa Sarkis-Kirby is trapped inside her own body. Published September 3, 2014

Higher Ground: Prayer policy

The town at the center of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that endorsed prayers before government meetings has adopted new guidelines that have some worried that nonreligious groups will be limited in their participation. Published August 28, 2014

The Movie Memphis Belle B-17 bomber offers passengers a view into U.S. history

Soaring 1,200 feet above the ground in a 70-year-old plane held together with what feels like little more than nuts, bolts and prayers can test just about anyone's mettle. Published August 28, 2014

ALS Association prepares for life after ice bucket challenge

The chilly challenge accepted 'round the world has unleashed a tsunami of YouTube videos and millions of dollars for research of Lou Gehrig's disease. Published August 26, 2014