Category Archives: PC(USA)

Belhar Confession Workshop Rescheduled

This workshop has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 15, 2011.

This Workshop is Co-sponsored by McCormick Theological Seminary and the Synod of Lincoln Trails in support of presbyteries and congregations of the synod and beyond. The workshop will give particular attention to the social and theological implications of the Belhar Confession for the North American church today and the ecclesial implications of its proposed inclusion in the PCUSA Book of Confessions.

The workshop takes place: Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 9:30 – 3:00 (lunch provided)

Location: Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road, Elmhurst, Illinois

For more information, and to register, go to the registration page on the McCormick website.

The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS

AIDS Ribbon
In the United States, the face of HIV and AIDS has changed dramatically in the 30 years since the start of the pandemic.  Communities are living with increased rates of infection and more and more Americans are affected by HIV.

This video in six 3- minute segments explores “The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS,” telling the story of ministries of compassion and support as the church and our communities respond. The segment, “What People of Faith Need to Know about HIV/AIDS” offers a basic primer for the church living in an HIV Positive world.  By discussing the facts about HIV and AIDS, the video empowers the viewer to make faithful decisions and the church to take faithful actions, as well as helping to reduce the stigma attached to this devastating illness.

The Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), a Network of the Presbyterian Health, Education & Welfare Association (PHEWA), is available to assist a congregation in becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church.

You may view it or download it at the PCUSA/PAN homepage: http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/phewa/presbyterian-aids-network/

It will also be available as a DVD.

The Big Tent 2011

PC(USA) Big Tent 2011

PC(USA) Big Tent Will Be in Indianapolis June 30 – July 2, 2011

Plans Proceed for Denominational Gathering

At the first Big Tent, held in Atlanta in June 2009, 10 conferences of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met concurrently, allowing participants to attend workshops and meet people from different areas of the denomination. The 2011 event, held June 30-July 2 in Indianapolis, will do the same.

“You won’t get a chance to see as many parts of the church in one place as you will at Big Tent,” said Kerry Rice, manager of the General Assembly meeting service. Groups to be included in the 2011 event:

  • World Mission’s Mission Celebration
  • The Clergy Women’s Leadership Institute, hosted by Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women
  • The National Black Presbyterian Caucus,  part of the Racial Ethnic and Immigrants Convocation
  • Healthy Ministries Conference
  • Presbyterian Communicators Network Conference
  • National Multicultural Church Conference
  • Evangelism and Church Growth
  • National Elders Conference
  • Peacemaking Conference
  • Racial Ethnic and Immigrants Convocation

Read the entire article on the PC(USA) website.

Mission Crossroads News

Mission Network Contact List

The World Mission office has released a new Mission Network Contact list.  If you are interested in getting more connected with mission efforts in a particular country or region, please contact someone on the list in that area and ask them to send you some information.  They’d be glad to help.  You may also find information on the PC (USA) website: http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/global/.

Click here to view and download the list.

This Month on Mission Crossroads

This month on Mission Crossroads, we Pray the Way in our new podcast featuring Mary Nebelsick, mission co-worker in the Philippines since 2001; Marilyn Borst, Co-convener of the Syria-Lebanon Mission Network and Associate Director for Partnership Development of The Outreach Foundation.  Download the podcast at: http://www.missioncrossroads.org/podcast.htm

We also discuss issues of cross-cultural communication in our downloadable webinar – Bridge the Gap! Featuring Mark Wright, a PC (USA) Mission Co-Worker in Honduras, Stan Wythe, the Associate Director for the Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship, and Bruce Whearty, a former Co-worker in the South Pacific and Ethiopia and now working for Presbyterian World Mission. Download the webinar at: http://www.missioncrossroads.org/webinars.htm

Don’t forget to sign up for the Mission Crossroads interactive community, a social network for Presbyterian Mission Advocates and Leaders. Sign up for free and find out more at: http://missioncrossroads.ning.com/?xgi=3fgSd8j

A message from our YAV Office

The deadline to apply to serve with the Young Adult Volunteer program is January 20, 2011—only a few months away!  Young Adults will be placed in one of 16 sites—10 of which are in the U.S., and 6 of which are abroad.  Young Adult Volunteers serve for one year with the PC (USA), serving with either national or global partners.  Placements vary according to both the needs of the community where the YAV is placed, and the interests and skills of the Young Adult.  Each site focuses on the church’s unique response to the world’s needs, including Presbyterian World Mission’s 3 Critical Global Issues.  Young Adults also focus on vocational discernment and intentional community, both with other Young Adult Volunteers with whom they are placed, and with their new community, with whom they are placed for the year.  Sites and descriptions are listed at www.pcusa.org/yav.

The YAV program is currently offering scholarships for young adults who are highly qualified and called to mission service, and who otherwise may not consider the program for financial reasons.  The scholarship money is also available for those who are currently under-represented in the YAV program, especially people of color.  The YAV program hopes to better represent the PC (USA) as a whole by encouraging a diverse group of young adults to apply for the program.  For more information about scholarships, contact Shannon Langley, coordinator for the Young Adult and National Volunteer Office (Shannon.Langley@pcusa.org).

The YAV program focuses on transformation — transformation of the young adults who serve, the communities where they serve, congregations which support them, and the PC (USA) as a whole. “The Young Adult Volunteer Program of the PC (USA) completely changed my life,” says Mamie Broadhurst, who is currently serving with her husband, Richard Williams, as a mission co-worker in Colombia.  “My year [as a YAV in Guatemala] was one in which I truly saw what it meant to be part of an international family of Christians and in which I deepened my understanding of social justice as an outpouring of the beliefs I held about God and about Christ’s ministry.  I went from being the girl who left church at college only to visit on rare occasions, to someone who was more deeply connected to the church and willing to bear with it through good times and through bad because of the experience I had under its wings in Guatemala.”

PC(USA) Offers Internship for Public Witness

The Office of Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recently unveiled its internship for Public Witness, a new program designed for the formation of servant leaders in public policy ministry. People who participate in the internship program will enjoy exposure to a wide range of formative experiences.

The office is also seeking to partner with local churches that will share with them the benefits and responsibilities of providing opportunities for servant leadership. In such an arrangement, interns will serve in both ministries and both the church and the office will work with the intern to develop learning goals and responsibilities. Churches may also choose to sponsor an intern of their choice.

Interested applicants may download the complete description here. Churches, colleges, universities and seminaries interested in exploring this relationship may contact Leslie Woods by email or phone at (202) 543-1126.

Presbyterian Women Notes

Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Ohio Valley (PWPOV) exist to be the connectional link between the women of the churches in our presbytery and the larger church.

We are looking for Presbyterian women in the congregation who want to help connect with women in the presbytery. This involves a commitment of time and energy. Interested in being a connector?  Contact Pat, Beth, or Bevin.

Future Gathering Opportunities:

Synod: June 24-26, 2011 “Celebrate the Spirit,” was chosen as the theme. The focus will be on spiritual development. Dr. Robin Chaddock will be the keynote speaker and there will be workshops on servanthood, being God’s messengers, taking care of the body, and meditation. The Geneva Center in Rochester, IN will host this gathering.

Churchwide: 2012 in Orlando, Florida! Save the date – July 18-22, 2012
Experience the worship of a lifetime with 4,000 of the best women you will ever meet! Save your money now. For promotional materials contact PW: www.gamc.pcusa.org/pw

Your presbytery coordinating team will provide some scholarship opportunities.
Contact Beth:  beth.snyder@pcusa.org 812-523-4441

FACEBOOK – be our friend – link to Presbyterian Women in Presbytery of Ohio Valley
Questions: contact Bevin:  bevin.kasey15@gmail.com 812-498-7807

The Rev. Dave Crittenden selected to head GAMC Stewardship Ministry

Long-term Synod Leader Brings Broad Experience to the Role

OCTOBER 4, 2010
Louisville, KY
(The original article is here.)

The Rev. David Crittenden, of Indianapolis, Ind., has been chosen to lead a new stewardship ministry for the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC).

The GAMC stewardship ministry will focus on inspiring, equipping, and connecting Presbyterians to faithful financial giving as an act of Christian discipleship with a particular focus on leadership development.

Crittenden will work with elected and staff leadership to help the GAMC adapt in the changing climate of religious funding, and to engage and support the whole church in strengthening stewardship.

Crittenden has served on the staff of the Synod of Lincoln Trails for the past sixteen years — the past ten years as co-executive. Among his responsibilities for the synod, Crittenden has manager and executive of the synod’s investment and loan program, supervisor of financial activities and staff, synod representative to denominational mission funding gatherings and national consultations, and consultant to congregations in the area of stewardship and financial discipleship. Prior to his service with the synod, Crittenden served as pastor for fifteen years in Indiana and Illinois, and five years as an associate pastor in Nebraska.

Karen L. Schmidt, deputy executive director for communications and funds development, said, “The GAMC is working hard to strengthen our partnerships with middle governing bodies. One of the top priorities for middle governing body leaders in a recent survey of denominational priorities is stewardship. I can imagine no better person for this role than Dave Crittenden, who is in frequent demand as one of the leading middle governing body experts on the topic.”

“I have received five calls during my 36 years of ordained ministry; four of them specifically emphasized stewardship and financial discipleship,” said Crittenden. “It is this area where my experience and passion meet. I am eagerly looking forward to following Christ’s call, and my passion, in this new work with presbyteries, synods and the General Assembly Mission Council.”

Crittenden will begin service with the GAMC on January 3, 2011.