Here’s my January 14 newsletter. To receive my latest articles, favorite religion reads and other updates in your inbox each Saturday, sign-up here.

Are you having fun yet?

That was the question surging through my mind this week as I adjusted to the pace of life on the local faith beat. I found out Monday afternoon that the Diocese of Salt Lake City would be getting a new bishop, so I spent the night searching for sources. Tuesday morning was a blur of reaching out to those people, writing a brief profile of Bishop Oscar Solis and live-tweeting my first press conference.

And I did have fun! It was a nice to flex my breaking news muscles. This week, I also celebrated the release of a long-term project (my latest religious freedom feature.)

Next week will bring its share of stress headaches and dirty coffee mugs, so I’m going to squeeze every last drop of fun from my three-day weekend. Enjoy yourselves!

FRESH OFF THE PRESS FROM ME

New bishop will bring humility, humor to the Diocese of Salt Lake City

Religious freedom advocates are divided over LGBT rights

TOP RELIGION READS

Grace enough: Andrew Garfield on the Ignatian journey that led him through ‘Silence,’ America

Buddha branding is everywhere — but what do Buddhists think? The Guardian

How an obscure U.S. policy effort could hurt American Muslims, The Washington Post

JUST FOR FUN

Thanks to some intriguing reviews, this show has surged to the top of my “must-watch list.” Review: ‘The Young Pope’ is beautiful and ridiculous, The New York Times