Category Archives: PC(USA)

Philippines Typhoon Haiyan

Philippines boy on cut off tree

PDA is responding to the Philippines in collaboration with our mission partner the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and fellow members of the ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance. An initial grant of $50,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds will help provide emergency food, water and other basic humanitarian needs to families affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan that struck the country on November 8.

Presbyterian Center celebrates publication of new hymnal

Pre-orders of Glory to God will be delivered by Oct. 10

October 2, 2013

Presbyterian News Service
Bethany Daily
LOUISVILLE

Employees at the Presbyterian Center here gathered this morning for worship and to celebrate the publishing of the new Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) hymnal, Glory to God.

At the beginning of the service, congregants sang the first two stanzas of “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” using the 1990 (blue) hymnal. Then, during an interlude, they processed to the front of the chapel and exchanged those hymnals for new ones. The remaining two stanzas of the hymn were sung from Glory to God.

“Music is important to the church, and this hymnal is going to be important to the church,” said the Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly.  More…

For a complete list of Glory to God content click here.

For more information about hymnal editions or events, or to order the hymnal, visit www.presbyterianhymnal.org.

A Call to Action from PC(USA)

The Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is urging people to personally engage Congress about Syria and to pray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hRT3x7w4zQk

Click here to read the Presbyterian News Service article by Bethany Daily

“PC(USA)’s Syrian partners urge dialogue, not military strikes.”

Mid-Council Commission Unanimously Recommends Fewer/Larger Synod Model

Collaborative model calls for synods, presbyteries to take lead in reducing number of synods to no more than eight.

Presbyterian News Service
Jerry L. Van Marter

DALLAS

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Mid-Council Commission voted tonight (September 10) to recommend to next summer’s 221st General Assembly that the number of regional Synods be reduced from 16 to “no more than eight” and that the existing synods and 173 presbyteries be assigned to determine “the most prudent boundary changes” to accomplish the reduction.

The vote was unanimous.

The commission was created by the 2012 General Assembly to revisit a proposal by a previous Mid-Council Commission that synods be eliminated as an “ecclesiastical entity” of the PC(USA). More…

Mosaic of Peace Conference in Israel/Palestine

April 28 – May 10, 2014

INFORMATION

mosaic of peace logoThis is a kairos moment for the church, a time of urgency and opportunity to hear and heed the call for peace coming from the Holy Land.  In faithful and hope-filled response, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s Mosaic of Peace conference invites Presbyterians to experience this remarkable and troubled region, encounter its diverse people, explore its rich history and complex current situation, and engage with those who seek its peace.

As participants in the conference, individuals will be:

INSPIRED by the stories of Christian peacemakers in the Holy Land, walk in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace and encounter contemporary Palestinians and Israelis;

EQUIPPED by engagement with Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders, experience contextual theology and study peacemaking practices within the framework of PCUSA policy;

CONNECTED with global and local partners to take meaningful action for a just and lasting peace in the region.

Application Process

Applications may be completed in two ways, either using an online form or by downloading and returning the completed form.  Applications will be accepted through October 1, 2013.  When applying online, please be sure to complete the entire application at one time.  Please note, applications cannot be saved and returned to at a later time.

Notification and Deposits

Notification and commitment packets will be made available by November 1, 2013.   Priority will be given to applicants who are first-time visitors to the Holy Land.  All applicants must be 18 years or older at time of travel.  A deposit of $250 will be due by December 1, 2013.

Regional Teams and Recent Seminary Graduate Team

Conference participants will be placed into regional teams.  There will also be one non-geographic team of young adults and recent seminary graduates. All teams will engage in preparation before the conference, meet as a group during the conference, and discuss what they have learned upon returning home.

Orientation

Participants will meet at a U.S. airport hub for an overnight orientation prior to departure for Tel Aviv.  We are currently working on identifying the best option for this orientation overnight.

Cost

The double-occupancy rate for the conference is $2,400.   This includes all conference expenses (including all meals, accommodations, programs, tips, tours, and on the ground transportation)  Airline travel is not included.  There are single occupancy spaces available for an additional charge.

Scholarships

Applicants are encouraged to contact their congregations and mid-councils (presbyteries and synods) for financial assistance through the Peacemaking Offering, which is shared at the local and regional level.  Congregations and mid-councils are being encouraged to utilize their Peacemaking Offering funds this year to support participants in the 2014 Mosaic of Peace Conference.

Accommodations

The current conference hotels include:

Jerusalem hotelJERUSALEM – Gloria Hotel of Old Jerusalem

 

 

Bethlehem cakeBETHLEHEM – Manager Square Hotel

 

 

The GalileeTHE GALILEE – Golden Crown Hotel in Nazareth

 

Airfare

Participants are responsible for domestic and international travel.  A choice of 2 or 3 possible airlines and itineraries will be made available to participants so that preferred airlines and mileage awards may be used.   Participants may use the airline of their choice to get to and from home from the U.S. airport hub.

For more information

http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/peacemaking/mosaic-peace/

Contact the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program at (800) 728-7228 x8700 or call directly to Carl Horton at (502) 569-5200 or Dayna Oliver at (502) 569-8700.

Let’s Get It Started

National Evangelism and Church Growth’s 2013 Conference

September 16-19, 2013
St. Pete Beach, Florida

1001 new worshiping communities | church renewal through new beginnings | disciple-making that transforms and strengthens existing congregations

For more information click here.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium Prepares for more than 5,000 Participants

Louisville

Paul Seebeck
Communications Ministry,
Evangelism & Church Growth

More than five thousand participants-5,241 as of July 9 and counting – will gather for this week’s 2013 Presbyterian Youth Triennium, held July 16-20 at Purdue University.

“What a great thing, some five thousand Presbyterian youth getting a week of immersion in the faith community and gospel,” says Evangelism Ministries coordinator Ray Jones, of which Ministries with Youth is a part. “Imagine the impact on the church of youth and adults together getting a sense of what it means to be a disciple and follower of Jesus.”

The Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Ministries with Youth is the program team responsible for planning and implementation of Triennium. They began planning for this event in May of 2011.

“We anticipated 4,200 participants, hoped for more, and are really pleased and amazed to have 5,200-plus!” says Gina Yeager-Buckley, associate for ministries with youth and Triennium director. More…