Category Archives: PC(USA)
Presbyterian Hunger Program Grants
New Small Grants Program for PC(USA) Congregations Doing Faith-Based Initiatives to Transform the Food System
The Presbyterian Hunger Program is encouraged by the emergence of the many faith-based initiatives sprouting up around the country to bring resilience to our food system, and health to people and God’s Creation. These efforts often engage people of all ages, result in greater food security, give people decision-making power over their food, increase healthy eating, create jobs and local economic growth, support local family farmers, use land ecologically, raise awareness about local and global hunger and poverty, and encourage a view of food as sacred and as a right for all people. When done well, such initiatives are wonderful ways to build relationships, community and power. We are eager to support this work as one small way we can help build God’s vision of a New Heaven and New Earth.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Grants are for $100-$1,000 with a total of $20,000 available for the year. Turn-around for approved grants will be less than four weeks.
For more information and an application click here.
A Letter to President Obama from Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons
May 6, 2013
Office of the General Assembly
by Emily Enders Odom
Communications Coordinator
Louisville
On May 6, 2013, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, the Rev. Gradye Parsons, sent a letter to President Barack Obama expressing concern over the latest developments in Syria with regard to recent Israeli air attacks, and urging the international community not to exacerbate this tragedy.
The Stated Clerk cited actions of the 220th General Assembly (2012), which called for “a mediated process of cessation of violence by all perpetrators, including the Assad regime and armed opposition groups,” as well as for “all outside parties to cease all forms of intervention in Syria.”
Click here to read the full text of the letter.
Seminary News for April
Rejoice over the ways in which today’s ministers and lay leaders are being formed, as reported in this electronic newsletter from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Theological Education. This edition highlights how the denomination’s 10 seminaries and two related institutions equip leaders who reflect the diversity of congregational cultures and spiritual experiences.
Live into this season of renewal by making a commitment to seminary education with a gift to the Theological Education Fund. The TEF supports all of the denomination’s seminaries, and a gift of any amount will help.
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary will offer its Southeast Asian Lay Pastors Training May 27–31. The course introduces students to major themes in the Pentateuch. It also helps provide a general understanding of the social, political, and cultural situations that conditioned the theological message of the Pentateuch. Learn more
Columbia Theological Seminary will present Opening to the God of Your Life: Women’s Contemplative Retreat May 20–24. The retreat will explore the many names for God in Scripture. Participants will pray and play their way to a spacious place where God’s gracious Spirit can manifest in forms both ancient and new. Get details
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary’s Master of Arts in Missional Christianity is designed to equip women and men for competent leadership in missional ministry in congregations or other settings. This may take the form of ministers of outreach, urban ministry, new church development, youth ministry, or work with para-church organizations. Find out more (click cancel on the first screen.)
Registration is open for McCormick Theological Seminary’s Certificate in Executive Leadership program for 2013–2014. The program equips pastors and other key leaders of Christian institutions with the skills vital for effective leadership. The program emphasizes the development of adaptive and transformational skills and draws on contemporary leadership theory and practice. Find out more
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will offer the class Seeing with the Eyes of Faith: Visual Art as an Entry to Prayer Sept. 22–27. The class will explore the possibilities for opening our souls to God through paintings and photography, meditation with drawing, and attending to visual images evoked by literature. Learn more
Princeton Theological Seminary’s Black Theology and Leadership Institute will be held July 13–20. The continuing education event for clergy and laity will focus on training, worship, and fellowship. It is designed for those seeking to deepen their thinking and preaching by learning from preeminent scholars of theology and religion. Get details
Border Control: Mission Art at the Boundaries will be the topic discussed by Dr. Mia Mochizuki in a May 13 program at San Francisco Theological Seminary. The program is one in a series of workshops exploring the theme of borders. The workshops are part of the Muilenburg-Koenig History of Religion Seminar. Learn more
The Asian American Ministry Center at Union Presbyterian Seminary provides for the needs of Asian American students, alumni, and regional pastors in their ministry. Upcoming events include the Charlotte Area Asian American Pastors event September 30–October 2 and the Korean Lay Leadership Institute October 6–10. Get details
Auburn Theological Seminary’s 2013 Lives of Commitment Awards Benefit Breakfast will be held May 1. The 17th annual awards benefit honors bold women leaders and next-generation change makers who bridge religious divides, build community, and pursue justice. Find out more
The Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico will sponsor a trip to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan June 11–23. The lecturer will be Dr. Ediberto Lopez, a professor of New Testament and Greek at the seminary. Learn more
Students, alumni, and others in Louisville Seminary community making a difference
One only need peruse the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary website to see the significant ways in which its students, graduates, seminary leaders, and others in the institution’s community are being change agents in the broader world.
Take, for example, Bruce Berry, who earned a master of divinity degree in 1972. “I am called to administrative ministries, even in retirement. Louisville Seminary prepared me for my life’s work by providing a variety of field placements that enabled me to see how not-for-profits functioned or didn’t function.” Continue reading…
Johnson C. Smith takes spiritual journey with students, preparing them for God’s call
Taking the journey of seminary education at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, which ultimately leads to service to the church and the world, is very much done in concert with the administration, faculty, and staff of the seminary and consortium to which the institution belongs.
“The heartbeat of the staff of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary . . . is our understanding of the call and passion of our students,” Leslie Essien, the seminary’s development officer, said in a video on the seminary website. “We also understand that this call and passion is what we are here to support.” Continue reading…
Big Tent Registration is Now Open
Update 6/13/2013:
The Mission Council of the Presbytery of Ohio Valley encourages pastors and other congregational leaders to attend the Big Tent, and will reimburse the cost of registration, up to $295 per person. All minister members of presbytery, as well as church members or church staff who have been endorsed by their sessions, are eligible for this scholarship. To receive your reimbursement, please register online and forward your email confirmation to the presbytery office. Those who register by regular post may mail a copy of their completed forms to the presbytery office.
August 1-3, 2013, in Louisville
Discover a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that is more exciting, more faithful, and more diverse than you have ever imagined. Big Tent will inspire you and make you proud to be a Presbyterian. The event will be celebratory, diverse, and participatory, with intergenerational activities.
Under one roof, the 2013 Big Tent will combine 10 national Presbyterian conferences and a single theme: “Placing God’s First Things First” (Matt. 6:33–34). It will take place August 1–3 at the Kentucky International Convention Center and nearby hotels in downtown Louisville.
Registration is Now Open
- Register as a participant in the Big Tent
- Register for one of the pre- or post- conferences
- Register a child/youth for one of the Big Tent children and youth programs.
- Purchase a ticket for Big Tent dinners (Thursday and/or Friday) or for the National Black Presbyterian Caucus Conference luncheon or dinner
If you cannot register on-line, you may complete a registration form and mail or fax it to the G.A. Meeting Service. (PDF)
For the event schedule and more information, go to The Big Tent page of the PC(USA) website.
Young Adult Volunteer Program
Want to put your faith in action?
Want to grow as a leader in Christian service?
Want to see the world while serving God and those in need?
The YAV Program might be just for you…
a year of service for a lifetime of change
The Young Adult Volunteer program is a one year service opportunity for young adults from 19 to 30 years. YAVs live together in Christian community, deepening and developing their faith while serving in communities of need. The YAV program has sites around the United States and around the world, and YAVs serve for one academic year, August – July.
Volunteers are placed in community agencies or local churches, with jobs depending on the needs of partners and the skills of the Young Adult Volunteer. YAVs tackle some of the hardest problems in the world – poverty, violence and reconciliation, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ – while living and reflecting with other volunteers on the meaning and motivation of their Christian faith.
Each YAV experience is different – but all YAVs will participate in a mutual discernment process to be a part of the program, receive national and on-site orientation, work closely with mentors and companions during service, participate in vocational discernment activities, and integrate the whole experience at a end-of-term conference. All YAVs receive health insurance and student loan repayment is available for qualified applicants. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), you and your supporting congregation and presbytery, and some placement agencies share funding of this program. All volunteers are required to raise some of their financial support – this year the requirements for fundraising have been cut in half – to $3,000 for national service and $4,000 for international service. A limited number of scholarships are also available each year.
For more information, see the Presbyterian Mission Agency website.
New Daily Prayer app from PC(USA)
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) launches first smart phone application
OCTOBER 31, 2012 | LOUISVILLE
Presbyterian Mission Agency
PAUL SEEBECK
Associate, Mission Communications
On this Reformation Day, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) launches its first smart phone application—an iPhone/iPad app for daily prayer.
Daily Prayer PC(USA) provides brief services for daily prayer based on the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, including psalms for the day, readings from the daily lectionary, and prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
At this time, the app provides liturgies for morning and evening prayer, automatically selecting the appropriate service and lectionary readings based on the time and date settings of your iPhone or iPad. Future versions will include midday prayer and prayer at the close of day.
Features include
• a calendar tool, allowing you to find psalms, readings, and prayers for other dates;
• the clock icon, which enables you to select morning or evening prayer, overriding the current time of day;
• an “advanced features” menu that lets you toggle on/off various options and select between two versions of the Lord’s Prayer; and
• a brief tutorial, providing information about the practice of daily prayer and instruction on using the app.
The price for the app is $2.99. Proceeds will be used for the development of additional electronic resources for prayer and study. You can find the app here or by searching the iTunes App Store for “PC(USA) daily prayer.”
For more information, you may also visit the daily prayer website or sign up for the newsletter. Stay tuned for updates, including an Android version of the app.
“Our hope is that God will bless, preserve, and keep us in the practice of daily prayer through this app,” says David Gambrell, associate for Worship for Presbyterian Mission Agency. “How appropriate on Reformation Day that we offer the church a new way to engage an ancient practice of faith.”