Category Archives: PC(USA)

PC(USA) digest of stories for July 20–26, 2016

Presbyterian World Mission provides update on South Sudan
Stories shared, help still needed

Two New Glory to God Resources Available
The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation recently added two new resources to the Glory to God hymnal collection.

Faith-based groups vow to create even more safe spaces for people living with HIV
World AIDS Conference draws commitment from international religious leaders

October conference seeks to address joys and challenges of aging
Two Presbyterian organizations for older adults, POAMN and ARMSS, to co-sponsor national event

Rice sends Triennium worshipers out with a resounding ‘gotta Go!’  
Powerful closing message charges young people to be agents of change

Presbyterian Youth Triennium worships under Friday night lights 
Outdoor celebration highlights advocacy work in the church

Triennium participants embark on advocacy walk around Purdue campus
Stations highlight ministries and activism opportunities

Triennium small group experience prepares young people to ‘go home’
Intentional effort gives students tools to take God on their journey

Heat and humidity can’t dampen Triennium spirit in Presbytery of Yukon delegation
High temperatures, travel distance, and even darkness all present challenges for youth from Alaska

Ridgill tells Triennium worshipers that God is F-U-N
‘God loves you and there ain’t a thing you can do about it.’

Recreation activities at Triennium keep youth ‘GO’-ing
More than fun and games, events animate a theology of connection

Pause Prayer Center a reflective oasis for Triennium participants
Youth find space to re-energize body and soul amid hectic schedule

Triennium Wednesday worship explores parable of the Good Samaritan
Brockman challenges attendees to ‘GO and do likewise’

2016 Youth Triennium opening worship calls youth to ‘go and see’
Young ‘shepherds’ encouraged to be attentive to God

J. Herbert Nelson looks back at six years in the Office of Public Witness
New stated clerk seeks to strengthen church’s role in social justice issues

PC(USA) Digest of stories for July 6–12, 2016

Pedal for Protein prepares for its third fundraiser to battle hunger
Bike tour to raise funds for California food pantries

SAFSF forum addresses race, class, gender and power in food system
14th annual event speaks to equity, agroecology, health, and climate in enhancing our collective future

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) asks for urgent prayers for those suffering violence in Juba, South Sudan
Longtime Presbyterian mission co-worker Leisa Wagstaff is currently “sheltering in place” as fighting escalates in Juba, South Sudan.

The invisible Presbyterian seminary
Mission co-workers teach and preach around the world

Spanish-speaking ministry invigorates Florida Presbyterian church
1001 New Worshiping Community says ‘God has thrust a vision upon us’

Church leaders seek peaceful solutions in the wake of a violent week across the country
Communities call for prayer and action

PC(USA) leadership responds to Dallas shootings, encourages people to “care for someone today”
Today we are in mourning. As we were still reeling from the distressing news out of Baton Rouge and the Twin Cities area, we watched helplessly as horror unfolded in Dallas.

Teacher’s calling eclipses the trauma of conflict
South Sudan Education and Peacebuilding Project transforms communities

New book celebrates 90-year legacy of Frederick Buechner
‘Buechner 101’ features essays by and tributes to writer, theologian and pastor

PC(USA) Stated Clerk speaks out on police killings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile
Once again the nation, and the African American community, in particular, is faced with two more high-profile killings of African American males.

Presbyterian Writers Guild announces new writing contest
Organization issues challenge to writers to craft parables for the contemporary Christian

Clean up continues following West Virginia flooding
State Presbyterian leaders prepare for long recovery effort

Prague ceremony marks the close of Jan Hus anniversary year
Ecumenical gathering concludes year-long celebration of Reformation heroes

PC(USA) Stated Clerk sends letter of support to church partners in Iraq
The grace of Christ be with you. We write out of our deep love for you to express our concern and assure you of our support in this painful time.

School for students with disabilities challenges social stigma in Beirut
‘The least of these’ lead the way at Blessed School

Tampa Bay Presbytery connects new worshiping communities and church revitalization
Training event sets spark among presbytery leaders

PC(USA) News for June 1–7, 2016

Guidebook app lets users navigate GA with the click of the finger
One-stop shopping best describes the 2016 Guidebook app for the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which kicks off June 18 in Portland, Oregon.

Presbyterians to commemorate World Refugee Day at Portland General Assembly
Organizers say this year has special significance

New Book Asks Pastors to Rethink Their Role in Weddings
Kimberly Bracken Long offers foundational understanding of marriage for today’s church

PC(USA) mourns the loss of pastor, justice advocate Kelly Allen
The immigration and refugee advocacy community has lost a co-laborer in the field with the untimely death of the Reverend Kelly S. Allen on June 5.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium speaker highlight: Perryn Rice
Inspired 30 years ago at PYT, pastor returns to encourage attendees to ‘Go Into the World’

Hunger Action Advocate finds challenges and rewards in Oregon and beyond
Don Shaw sees hunger work filter into all ministries

New worshiping community pastor receives seminary debt assistance
A thankful Dana Vaughn encourages others to apply for PC(USA) loan forgiveness

Presbyterian Youth Triennium speaker spotlight: Alice Ridgill
Pastor and teacher to deliver message on ‘Teach Me the Way I Should Go’

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 11 Preview
Social Justice Issues Committee to confront wide range of recommendations, including changes to the future of social witness policy proposals

New worshiping community started by dwindling New York congregation creates hope
Neighborhood Esperanza brings together rich and poor in Manhattan neighborhood

As frustration mounts in Flint water crisis, Presbyterians respond
Residents have ‘a feeling that things were intentional, that we were lied to’

Kathy Lancaster, renowned advocate for social justice and peacemaking, dies at age 80
The Rev. Kathy Lancaster, (1935-2016), a teaching elder member of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery and a tireless advocate for social justice, died on Saturday, May 28, of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

News in the PC(USA) May 4-10th

James Hickson Lee dies at age 48
Prophetic pastor and intercultural ministry leader envisioned Christ’s church as new, diverse community

Support grows for national boycott of Wendy’s Restaurants
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) endorses the initiative

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 8 Preview
Middle East Issues Committee will consider divestment, two-state solution and child-detention

‘Partners for Just Trade’ organization celebrates tenth anniversary
Non-profit credits Presbyterian Hunger Program for its success

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 9 Preview
Immigration and Environmental Issues Committee will mull fossil fuel divestment

Jeanne Bishop wins Presbyterian Writers Guild’s Best First Book Award
Story of woman’s account of redemptive struggle to cope with sister’s murder

Rebuilding in Homs, life slowly returns in Syrian city devastated by civil war
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance visits displaced residents

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 5 Preview
Committee on Mid Councils considers eight overtures

Pittsburgh pastor shares passion for the work of mission
Sending, receiving and experiencing the lives of co-workers

Committee receives one challenge to its nominee for PC(USA) Stated Clerk
The Reverend David M. Baker is challenging the nomination of the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson for the office of Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 6 Preview
Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry takes up 14 overtures

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance meets with ecumenical partners in Lebanon
Ongoing civil war in Syria and impact on refugees top agenda

Office of Theology and Worship to host #TheoConvo Twitter chat May 17
Charles Wiley, author of ‘Polity Matters,’ to discuss call to faithfulness in the church

Report submitted to assembly on identity, purpose of PC(USA)
A vibrant family portrait of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has emerged from the recent church-wide conversation on the identity and purpose of the denomination, and God, Christ, love, and the world are among the most prominent subjects.

Presbyterian Polity, Program and Mission Educator Certification Course

Christian educators, teaching and ruling elders, and church members are sometimes not aware of the rich resources in the Book of Order, and the ability of polity to empower congregational ministry, faith formation, spiritual practices, and vocation as a mark of the God who sends the church into the world.

Exploring polity in the context of the General Assembly will provide participants a broad understanding of the structure, governance, and mission of the PC(USA) and a vibrant picture of the church at work on the important issues that shape life and faith. In addition, access to the exhibit hall will provide lively interaction with resource materials produced by the denomination and the people who actively engage the denomination in ministry and mission. Through participation in worship, observation of committee discernment, plenary debate, decision-making, and interaction with denominational leadership course participants will be immersed in the work of this council that brings the diverse church together as one representation of the body of Christ.

The course begins at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, June 18, and concludes at noon on Wednesday, June 22. The instructor is Joyce MacKichan Walker. Advance registration is required—select the Educator Certification Course component as you register; the $320 fee includes the course fee and the GA registration fee.

For more information, contact Debbie Hough, chocdce@derrypres.org

PC(USA) News for April 13-19

Explore the stories that have been making news this week in the PC(USA):

Presbyterian Study Grant allows Princeton seminarians to explore call to ministry
PC(USA) financial aid program frees Dexter and Liz Kearny from anxiety of student debt

Ecumenical Advocacy Days policy plenary defines messages for advocates
Expanding voting rights, explaining Trans Pacific Partnership top agenda

More than 200 Presbyterians take part in CPJ Training Day
Conference theme addresses ‘Racism, Class and Power

Congregational Ministries Publishing debuts new online catalog
Congregational Ministries Publishing has gone digital.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance mobilizing to assist the people of Japan and Ecuador
Information is still coming in about the devastating effects of the earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is organizing a response to help sustain life and restore hope in the coming days.

Compassion, Peace and Justice Training Day opens in Washington
Panel discussion takes up racism, class and power

PC(USA) seminary news
A compilation of news from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other seminaries

J. Herbert Nelson testifies before Senate committee
Addresses role of environmental policy on access to energy and economic opportunity

Regarding ruling elders: called as partners in Christ’s service
When I became a ruling elder, I recall the constitutional questions for ordination and installation that really resonated with me were those that speak to being partners in Christ’s service

Mid-Kentucky Presbytery aids PDA program via local service initiative
Essential hygiene kits assembled with help from congregations

Washburn named interim editor of Presbyterians Today
PC(USA) pastor and long-time PT contributor brings passion for communications

PC(USA) Mosaic of Peace conference visits Israel and Palestine
Group asked to accompany region’s Christians in their suffering and hope

Congregational Ministries Publishing taps Malinda Spencer
Experienced church educator called to promote and interpret PC(USA) curriculum

California PC(USA) church opens arms to Syrian congregation
Partnership welcomes ‘brothers and sisters’ in faith into community

From resiliency to water issues, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance discusses challenges
National Response Team annual meeting concludes after full agenda

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responds to Southeast coastal flooding

From the Presbyterian Mission Agency:

On either side of the river is the tree of life . . . and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:2)

The Southeast coast is experiencing severe and unprecedented flooding. At its height, more than 400 roads, 150 bridges and two major interstates (I-20 and I-95) were closed, isolating the communities that were most in need of comfort and assistance. South Carolina has borne the brunt of the devastation, enduring what has been described as a 1,000-year flood, and for some, more is still to come.

While South Carolina is the area most recently experiencing severe flooding, other parts of the country, including Texas, are still struggling to recover from massive floods that impacted multiple counties and left numerous Presbyterian churches damaged. As the rains finally subside in South Carolina and essential aid begins to arrive, we pray for a community of healing and hope for all those in the midst of this adversity.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is walking alongside impacted mid councils to bring God’s hope and healing to all affected by flooding. Gifts from One Great Hour of Sharing are helping Presbyterian congregations as they reach out to their affected communities to provide emergency provisions like water, food and other supplies to neighbors in need. Members of the PDA National Response Team have been helping with assessments, connecting with long-term recovery groups and serving as a present witness of the larger church during this difficult time.

You can join in the response and encourage those in need by standing in the “GAP”—Give. Act. Pray.

Give
Financial support for relief efforts can be designated to DR000191 to help address the needs of those impacted by the flooding. Gifts can be made online, by phone at 800-872-3283 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST), or by check; mail to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Act

Pray
Pray for families impacted by flooding through loss of property and livelihood; for first responders and all others who put themselves in harm’s way to care for those impacted; that communities will work together and build stronger relationships and connections; for God’s sustaining grace through it all.

For more information, visit www.presbyterianmission.org/pda.

Presbyterian Mission Agency, an agency of the Presbyterian Church
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202
800-728-7228 | 502-569-5000
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