Trans/missions will continue to feature ideas, issues and trends that are worth reporting, along with multi-media storytelling aids and best practices. We'll also explore how the arts address religion and spirituality; the possibilities for citizen journalism; the need for alternative narratives; and the changing news landscape.

In other words, we'll keep asking the "so what" questions:

•    What are the best stories that show how religion intersects with politics, science, education, entertainment, sports, medicine and international relations (for starters)?
•    When does a spiritual "Aha!" moment turn into a trend?
•    How can multi-media platforms enhance storytelling on complicated ethical issues?
•    Why do the entertainment media keep religion hidden in plain sight?
•    Which print and online re/sources can fill in the gaps in our knowledge about spirituality, ethics and religion?
•    Who are America's real "heroes"?

Here's the bottom line: Religion is national and international news. Viewed institutionally (is the Vatican still a geopolitical player?); individually (are Americans becoming more religiously tolerant?); politically (what's the on-the-ground impact of the Taliban, Hamas or the Religious Right?) or culturally (why is the headscarf accepted in the U.S. but not in France?)—people's beliefs and corresponding behaviors affect everything from war and peace to weddings and funerals.

In the months ahead, Trans/Missions will continue to provide smart and engaging commentary on what's covered, what's not and how to read religion between the lines. Case in point: this weekend  washingtonpost.com ran my story  on religion, medicine and feisty journalism. Check out readers' comments on faith and medicine for insights into the controversies about the H1N1 vaccine that is being disseminated nationally this week. NPR's story touched on some of the fears surrounding the new vaccine, but there's more history—and religion—to the story than Morning Edition reported.

Diane Winston