Category Archives: PC(USA)

AIDS Ministry Conference – Scholarships available!

Greetings!

I’m writing to invite you to attend an exciting event later this fall – “Creating AIDS Competent Churches and Church Leaders: Remembrance, Repentance, Responsibility” at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 2012.

At the direction of the 219th General Assembly (2010), the Office of Public Witness (OPW) is partnering with the Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) to promote “Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church: Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action” policy.  We learned earlier this year that Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary (JCSTS – the PC(USA) constituent seminary in ITC in Atlanta) is launching a new academic certificate program on “Creating AIDS Competent Churches and Church Leaders.”  They are launching the introduction of this new certificate program at this conference Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2012, in Atlanta.

PC(USA) Office of Public Witness

In the OPW, we were so excited about this that we reached out to partner with JCSTS. Check out our blog postinviting you to participate. In addition to contributing to part of the program, we have decided to offer partial scholarships to the general public, with a particular focus on seminary students
Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Director for Public Witness, and I  will join Margaret Aymer Oget, Randall Bailey, Mark Lomax, Guy Pujol, Beverly Wallace, Teresa Fry-Brown, Laurie Robins, and Troy Sanders as speakers at the conference. The Office of Public Witness is proud to join with Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian AIDS Network in promoting this exciting new movement in the life of the church.and folks already engaged in HIV/AIDS ministry.

If you are already engaged in this ministry, come to share best practices and fellowship with your colleagues in ministry. If you are new to this kind of outreach, come to learn from the veterans in the field.  If you are considering enrolling in the new academic certificate program, you’ve got to be there! Our partial scholarships will cover conference registration and hotel accommodation.  If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please fill out the application. Applications from the general public will be considered based on interest, need, and merit.  If you would like to register directly, you can register online.

I am asking you to do two things:

1.      Attend the conference! Make plans to be there.

2.      Share the word about this conference and our partial scholarships with others who might be interested in brushing off old skills or building new ones around HIV/AIDS ministry.  A sample Facebook post is included below.

Important links:

Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary – look under “Featured News”

Conference brochure

OPW Save-the-Date flyer

Scholarship application

I hope to see you in Atlanta in November!

Sample Facebook post:

What does it meant to be a “HIV/AIDS Competent Church”?  Join others as we explore “Creating AIDS Competent Churches and Church Leaders”.  Johnson C. Smith Seminary is holding a conference on just that – Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 2012, in Atlanta, GA.  The PC(USA) Office of Public Witness is offering partial scholarships, so visit OPW’s blog for conference links, a scholarship flyer, and the scholarship application.http://officeofpublicwitness.blogspot.com/2012/08/want-to-learn-more-about-hivaids.html

Blessings,

Leslie

Leslie G. Woods
Representative for Domestic Poverty & Environmental Issues
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Office of Public Witness
(202) 543-1126

220th General Assembly

The following is a pastoral letter from the new Moderator and Vice Moderator of the 220th General Assembly, as well as Gradye Parsons and Linda Valentine regarding the 220th GA. Please share it with your congregations as you find it helpful to do so.

The letter is also online at the PC(USA) site.

July 7, 2012

To congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Earlier today, the 220th General Assembly (2012) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adjourned after a week of worship and work as the highest council of the denomination. Just under 900 elected commissioners and advisory delegates from every presbytery came from north, south, east, and west to discern together the mind of Christ for the PC(USA).

This assembly’s theme, “walking, running, soaring into hope” (Isaiah 40:31) was a fitting description of the assembly in many ways. At one level, the commissioners worked tirelessly—meeting literally well into the early morning hours today to complete their work—and doing so with much energy and passion. At a deeper level, the deliberations and discernment of this assembly reflect a church that is endeavoring to know how to demonstrate faithfully and effectively the gospel of Jesus Christ in the 21st century.

Some of the highlights:

Worship – The assembly paused daily in the midst of its business, in the same space, to worship. Each of the preachers used the same text, Mark 2:1-12, chosen by outgoing GA Moderator, Cindy Bolbach. Commissioners and advisory delegates prayed and sang often, using selections from the upcoming new hymnal from the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Glory to God, which the assembly voted to commend to the church (available in 2013; www.presbyterianhymnal.org).

Community – Those who have experienced a General Assembly speak overwhelmingly of the sense of connectedness that develops over the course of the assembly, and this one was no exception. Group meals, committee work, mission tours, exhibit hall, and more provided opportunities to make new friends and reconnect with those for whom an assembly is a “family reunion.” You can get a sense of that community through the photo and video gallery and more at www.pcusa.org/ga220. The community extended beyond Pittsburgh, as well—thousands gathered in this country and around the world through social media to watch the proceedings (www.twitter.com/search/ga220).

Business – The assembly addressed roughly 800 items of business in the form of overtures, reports, commissioner resolutions and more. We commend to you PC-biz (www.pc-biz.org), the online site where you can read about each item of business. Some topics that were before the assembly are likely to draw media attention—perhaps they already have where you live. We want to highlight some of them, sharing with you the actions taken by the assembly:

  • Definition of marriage – The assembly chose not to change the current definition of marriage that is in the PC(USA) constitution, namely, that marriage is a civil contract “between a man and a woman.” Rather, through its action to approve a two-year study, the assembly is inviting the entire church to engage in serious, deliberate conversation on this issue.
  • Middle East – The assembly chose not to divest from three companies participating in “non-peaceful pursuits” in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. Rather, the assembly voted “to pursue a positive and creative course of action with respect to the current Palestinian/Israeli conflict,” and to “devise a plan of active engagement and projects that will support collaboration among Christians, Jews, and Muslims.” The assembly also approved a boycott on “all Israeli products coming from the occupied Palestinian territories.”
  • 1001 Movement – The assembly overwhelming supported a movement to create 1001 worshiping communities (www.onethousandone.org). Those communities of faith will perhaps look much different from traditional congregations, but those that are already underway—in coffee shops, shopping malls, even on bicycles—are changing the world and the church for the sake of the gospel.

Commissioners and advisory delegates wrestled passionately together in heart, mind, and prayer, yet did so respectfully and graciously. Rarely were votes taken that had a wider margin than 60%-40%. On marriage and the Middle East issues, the voting results were extremely close. More than once, commissioners rose with requests to reconsider items already approved.

Obviously, we are working through difficult issues that do not get easily resolved by one or two votes, or even within one or two years. Nevertheless, we stand firmly in the conviction and hope that God is present with us – behind, before, and beside us.

Each assembly committee opened its meeting with prayer and reflection on Paul’s encouragement to the church in Ephesus: “…making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:3). This is our prayer, as well.

We pray that every effort will be made to continue conversation at every level of the church—from congregations to presbyteries to synods to the General Assembly—encouraging and engaging one another, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

May the good and faithful work begun in Pittsburgh continue, remembering that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

 

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our peace,

The Rev. Neal D. Presa
Moderator, 220th General Assembly

The Rev. Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

The Rev. Tom Trinidad
Vice Moderator, 220th General Assembly

Elder Linda Bryant Valentine
Executive Director, Presbyterian Mission Agency
(formerly General Assembly Mission Council)

PCUSA Collegiate Ministry Locator

The Office of Collegiate Ministries is revising and updating the PCUSA Collegiate Ministry Locator. Pastors, educators, parents, and prospective students will be able to use this Locator to easily find and be in touch with a collegiate ministry near their college or university.

If you already have an established campus ministry, you will want to have it listed on the Campus Ministry Locator which is maintained by PACHEM.

The Locator can be viewed at http://www.pachem.org/index.php/find-a-ministry Once a representative sample of ministries are listed it will be linked from www.pcusa.org

In order to have your ministry listed on the PCUSA Campus Ministry Locator the following criteria must be met:

I. The ministry shows a welcoming presence and an active ministry specifically for college students.

  • Has a web site with directions and basic ministry information.
  • Demonstrates a public college ministry on the web site by
  • Specifically mentioning college students or campus ministry.
  • Having a name and contact person for college ministry (staff, lay person, student leader).
  • Showing evidence of at least one program for college students.

II. The ministry is accountable to some entity / council of the PCUSA [session, presbytery, synod.  There may be multiple lines of accountability, such as an ecumenical ministry, but one of the lines must be an entity of the PCUSA.]

III. The ministry has procedures in place for annual review of the Locator information.

Once these criteria have been met, then you can register your ministry by becoming a Ministry Member of PACHEM. Once approved, you will be ready to tailor your Locator information and to participate in the resource sharing of the PACHEM community.

For questions about PACHEM, email us atprovost@pachem.org or call Adrian McMullen, Associate for Collegiate Ministries, PC(USA) at (800) 728-7228, x5639.

2012 Evangelism and Church Growth Conference

‘What Are You Waiting For?’ (Acts 1:10-11)

“…why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky?…”

EVANGELISM AND CHURCH GROWTH’S 2012 CONFERENCE
JULY 29 – AUGUST 2, 2012 at ST. PETE BEACH, FLORIDA

Register now

2012 Evangelism and Church Growth Conference Registration Book

Download

INFLUENCE CULTURE. LIVE OUT YOUR MISSION. DEVELOP DISCIPLES. GROW SPIRITUALLY. 

What Are You Waiting For? www.ecg2012.comThe 2012 Evangelism and Church Growth Conference will be held July 30th – August 2nd, 2012 in St. Pete Beach, Fla. Five of the ministries of the Evangelism and Church Growth area will host their individual conferences, while sharing group meals, worship, and plenary speakers with the other conferences.

 The five conferences include:

  • Youth Worker Conference:  Participants in the Youth Worker Conference will explore the work of youth ministry by examining the call to love, as lived and issued, by Jesus.  Mark Yaconelli will provide small group presentations and exercises, including spiritual direction, prayer, and meditation time.  Come and enjoy this retreat within a conference.  (NO TRACK OR ELECTIVE SELECTION REQUIRED) Download a flier
  • Collegiate Ministries Conference:  This conference will provide a comprehensive look at how all congregations, no matter their size or location, can be actively involved in ministry on campus and to college students.  You will examine transitions in and out of college, how congregations can fit into the culture surrounding campuses, how to start and sustain a college ministry, and how to understand and reach emerging adults.  Come share best practices and ideas, and engage with members of the National Collegiate Ministries Task Force.  (NO TRACK OR ELECTIVE SELECTION REQUIRED) Download a flier
  • Church Transformation Conference:  This conference is for people working to grow the vitality and ministry capacity of congregations, or those supporting them.  Need inspiration?   Hope?  Tools?  New Ideas?  You will find it here.  For this conference you will rotate through five workshops, but there is no need to pick; you will experience them all!   (NO TRACK OR ELECTIVE SELECTION REQUIRED) Download a flier
  • Evangelism Conference:  Participants will choose one of three tracks to follow for the entire conference.  Tracks selections include Faith Sharing, Disciple Making Church, or Joining God in the Neighborhood.  Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to choose two electives during the conference.   (REQUIRES TRACK AND ELECTIVE SELECTION) Download a flier
  • New Church Development Conference:  This conference will offer a variety of tracks and electives to provide tools and information for church planters and their leaders.  Participants will choose one track and follow it throughout the conference and will also have the opportunity to gather around topics of interest with electives.  There will also be “Rapid Fire” sessions which will provide the opportunity for you to hear multiple, brief presentations which will be followed by stimulating round table conversations.  Great ideas are coming your way with this conference!  (REQUIRES TRACK AND ELECTIVE SELECTION) Download a flier

There is a discounted fee if three or more people from the same presbytery or church register for the same conference.  So gather your friends for what promises to be an educational, inspirational, Spirit-filled conference! (Early bird registration rate, $250)

Download the “What Are You Waiting For” Registration book.

Featured speakers include:

Len Sweet
Highly influential in social media, best-selling author

Linnea Nilsen Capshaw
Empowering leaders discern and live out mission

Jo Saxton
Helping churches live into a discipling and missional way of being

Mark Yaconelli
Exploring ground breaking spiritual direction and practice in Youth Ministry

Reformation Day 2011

Office of the General Assembly
by Sharon Youngs
Communications Coordinator 

Louisville – To the congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):

The church affirms Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei, that is, “The church reformed, always to be reformed according to the Word of God” in the power of the Spirit. (Book of Order, F-2.02)

Presbyterian roots go back – way back – nearly 500 years to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation when, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther, John Calvin, and other leaders of that movement would be astounded today to see the fruits of their faith-filled, courageous witness: The gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed in word and deed in and through worshiping communities around the world that seek to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and confront injustice in its many forms.

We celebrate our reformed heritage and continually draw nourishment from these deep roots, especially during this present time of dramatic change within and beyond the church. Change generates both excitement and anxiety, possibility and perplexity. Where is God leading us? What is out there on the horizon?

Looking extensively to the past, however, or gazing anxiously to the future can lead to missing what is happening in our midst now. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah: “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isa. 43:19).

Today, in our time, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is in the midst of another reformation. God is creating a new church in and through us. Signs of it and responses to it are plentiful:

  • New worshiping communities are springing up, many of them looking different from traditional congregations.
  • We have a new Form of Government that provides more flexibility for congregations to do mission more effectively in their particular contexts.
  • Special committees and groups across the entire church are envisioning new possibilities for the church in the 21st century, possibilities that reflect a growing multicultural reality and the need to adjust our structure from a corporate, top-down approach to one that enhances even further the work of congregations and presbyteries.

It is both an exciting and unsettling time in the life of the PC(USA). We suspect that Calvin felt similar pangs of anticipation and anxiety when he was in the midst of another season of dramatic change in the life of the church. Yet Calvin’s strong faith in a steadfast and sovereign God is evident in his hymn, “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art.” One of the stanzas reads:

Thou art the life, by which alone we live,
And all our substance and our strength receive;
Sustain us by Thy faith and by Thy power,
And give us strength in every trying hour.

As we celebrate and give thanks for the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, we also celebrate and give thanks for the mission and ministry of the PC(USA) in this time of another great reformation. Like Calvin and his colleagues, may we respond in unity with eagerness, faithfulness, wisdom, and joy:

Our hope is in no other, save in thee
Our faith is built upon thy promise free
Lord, give us peace and make us calm and sure
That in thy strength we evermore endure.

To God be the glory!

Cindy Bolbach
Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010)

Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

Linda Valentine
Executive Director, General Assembly Mission Council

Landon Whitsitt
Vice Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010)

Christian Leaders Say Yes to Palestine U.N. Membership

International Law, Basic Fairness at Stake, Say PC(USA)’s Parsons, Others

Presbyterian News Service, LOUISVILLE

Leaders of four denominations, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons, have issued a statement backing the Palestinian Authority’s bid for membership in the United Nations.

U.N. membership for the Palestinians is deserved, the four leaders say, “not only on the basis of international law and basic fairness … but to preserve a multi-religious holy land that includes Christian Palestinians.

In addition to Parsons, the statement was signed by the Rev. Geoffrey Black of the United Church of Christ, the Rev. Sharon Watkins of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Jim Winkler of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society.

Read the full text of the statement, given to Presbyterian News Service on Oct. 24

via Presbyterian Church U.S.A. – News & Announcements – Christian leaders say yes to Palestine U.N. membership.

A Special Hour About Africa with Nancy Collins

UPDATE: This Event has been cancelled.

Tuesday, October 25, 7:00 in the Laws Room at First Presbyterian, Columbus.

Nancy, a Presbyterian Mission Consultant, will share about her work and converse with us about new directions for Presbyterian World Mission. Nancy Collins is regional liaison for East Africa. She facilitates PC(USA) relationships with partner churches and institutions in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia. She also provides support for PC(USA) mission personnel and is a resource for U.S. congregations who are in a relationship with one of our partners in the region. Nancy’s special focus is on the evangelism, leadership development and church-growth work.

Dessert will be provided.

Friends from other congregations are certainly welcome!