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February 2026 | A project of the Center for Rural Strategies
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The Geography of
Non-Denominational Christianity
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Non-denominational Christians are on the rise nationwide. Does that hold true in rural America, too? Daily Yonder data editor Sarah Melotte explores the spatiality of non-denominational Christians using data from the 2020 US Religion Census in this recent piece from her Rural Index newsletter.
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We know faith leaders and congregations are facing the challenges and questions of data centers as they rapidly expand into rural communities across the country. We invite you to join the Rural Assembly online for this 90-minute interactive session “What Rural Communities Need to Know about AI Data Centers” designed to cut through the noise and help rural practitioners and community members understand what’s currently disputed about data center impacts.
"What Rural Communities Need to Know About Data Centers" Webinar
March 4, 2 p.m. ET
Register
We’ll explore the physical realities of these facilities, examine who really pays for the energy they consume, and look at what community agreements can and cannot secure.
You’ll learn about the political landscape at federal and state levels, and discover the tools communities are using to maintain local decision-making power, from zoning and permitting strategies to rate class separation and transparency demands.
This isn’t a lecture. We’ll open with what your community has already heard or experienced and make space for the concerns that matter most to you.
We will close with a small group discussion about concrete next steps. Whether you’re facing a proposal now or want to prepare before developers arrive, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of the landscape and the leverage points available to rural communities.
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Stories of Faith in Action
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Each edition, we feature stories that show faith in action or inform about issues such as mental health, economics, and social issues, that impact our rural communities and congregations.
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Started in a Maine church, WindowDressers relies on volunteer groups to build insulating window inserts for winter. These “community builds” cut costs and strengthen neighborhood ties. Read the story.
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Be a Rural Assembly Site Partner!
Rural Assembly is seeking 30 local partners to host a community gathering during the week of July 23-30. Held in conjunction with our annual virtual broadcast, these local in-person gatherings are an opportunity to discuss what is happening in your community, and to hear from rural people across the country. This is a chance to activate connections inside and outside of your local area. Learn more on the Rural Assembly website.
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This project is supported by a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc., made through its Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative, a national effort to help churches in rural areas and small towns enhance the vitality of their ministries and strengthen the leadership of the pastors and lay leaders who guide them. The Center for Rural Strategies is one of 20 organizations from across the United States receiving grants through the initiative, including colleges and universities, denominational agencies, church networks, and parachurch organizations, among others.
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