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About PC(USA)

In 2022, the Presbyterian Mission Agency recognized three intersectional priorities that will fully connect to the current Matthew 25 foci of dismantling structural racism, building congregational vitality, and eradicating systemic poverty. These three intersectional priorities are: climate change, militarism, and gender justice/heteropatriarchy.

“Intersectionality” is a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to describe “the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination combine, overlap or intersect, especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups.” In the same way, these “intersections” provide critical overlays for the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s foci (building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty).

These intersections were identified in the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s strategic visioning process as persistent and serious threats to the well-being of communities thrust to the margins. However, simply identifying them is not enough. Working with our ecumenical partners, we are committed to preserving and enhancing the future of humanity and indeed all Creation.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has long recognized our obligation to take actions as faithful stewards of God’s Creation to respond to climate change. The General Assembly actions in 1981, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 acknowledge the realities of global warming, its effect on the “least of these” and the need to reduce energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.

Climate change intersects with systemic poverty and structural racism. Climate change is a particularly acute threat for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia — the regions where most of the global poor are concentrated. It is estimated that 821 million people (1 in 9 of the world’s population) do not get enough to eat.

Through education, advocacy, training, and partnerships — and paying attention to the critical intersections with building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eliminating systemic poverty — we seek to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global average temperature to an increase of no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.

Worship

Learn

Relate

Act

Share

  • Become a Climate Ambassador! Take the free on-demand training on how to inspire others to take action on climate change that makes a difference. Go to: https://ecoamerica.litmos.com/self-signup/, enter in the code PCUSABTAmbassador21 to register then, check your email for the invitation to set up your profile and get started!
  • For multiple climate change resources. To connect to various staff on the climate roundtable, or for more climate resources on climate or to learn about Earth Care Congregations, contact Presbyterian Hunger Program’s Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns Jessica Maudlin at Jessica.maudlin@pcusa.org.

Though the United States is becoming an increasingly diverse country, we still live in a society dominated by white cisgender heterosexual males whose characteristic bias is unfavorable toward women, people of different genders, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The context of work for gender equity and freedom from heteropatriarchy is a human situation that extends beyond our nation. In all corners of the world, women experience injustice because they are women. LGBTQIA+ people experience injustice because of their gender and sexual identities. And gender nonbinary people experience injustice because they do not fit into the categories of male or female.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to working against gender-based discrimination and heteropatriarchy. The Book of Order states: “In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through baptism regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, disability, geography, or theological conviction. There is, therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person” (Book of Order, F-1.0403).

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LEARN
Use, share, and study new PC(USA) resources on LGBTQIA+ concerns:

Heteropatriarchy has life altering and in many ways fatal consequences. Read current articles to gain additional insight on its impact, either individually or in a small group and discuss ways the article has changed or challenged your thinking and any ways you might be able to respond:

RELATE

  • Relate to children and youth in your work for justice. Use the “Supporting Children in LGBTQIA+ Families Quicksheet”.
  • Read about Kin-dom Camps for youth.
  • Build relationships in your life that help to expand your notion of community so that it includes people from all walks of life, including LGBTQIA+ siblings.
  • Find a local chapter of PFLAG and join with them in creating a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
  • Consider hosting a booth at your local community PRIDE or other events, to show that your congregation stands with the community and offers a safe and welcoming space for all.

ACT

SHARE

The General Assembly has offered much language related to militarism over the years. In 2010, it initiated the Peace Discernment Process, which produced a number of papers, studies, and resources for congregations throughout the PC(USA). Other General Assemblies in 1980, 1982, 1998, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 weighed in on issues around militarism in the areas of peacemaking, human rights, drone warfare, divestment related to war and militarism, and ways to support our international partners in the disproportionate ill-effects of militarism on their local communities. The foundation for our concerns around policing and militarism in the United States is found in the PC(USA) policy paper on gun violence approved by the General Assembly in 2010.

Militarism is a term that is misunderstood by many, but refers to a “system of beliefs, political priorities and economic investments.” Militarism is often correlated with inordinate expenditures on weapons, undue influence by the defense establishment on setting national priorities, and the suppression of human need and legitimate protests of evils committed against underserved communities. The domestic impacts of militarism are often overlooked but can be seen in militarized police forces and the demonization of the “other” to justify denial of human rights to repressed peoples and inequality of treatment for marginalized populations.

We examine and confront militarism through the lens of the Christian faith from a variety of intersectional perspectives, including racism, poverty, climate change, and gender oppression. Recognizing the unique resource of specialized ministers serving and having served as chaplains in the uniformed services, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will invite their expertise alongside longtime international and domestic partners to engage in education, advocacy, and partnership within and beyond the PC(USA) to address the dangers and impacts of a militaristic mindset from a Christological perspective.

For current resources, visit this page.

Worship

Utilize sermon suggestions, hymns, and prayers from the Companion Guide to the Commitment to Peacemaking related to violence and global security (beginning on page 23).

Incorporate the Confession of 1967 into your worship. This confession (particularly section 9.45 b.) focuses on the theme of reconciliation and includes powerful words about the church’s responsibility to be an advocate for international cooperation and peace and to be a critic of unbridled nationalism.

Learn

Explore militarism from militarism from a variety of intersectional perspectives through the lens of the Christian faith in the “Connecting the Dots” Webinar Series, organized by the PCUSA’s Militarism Working Group.

Examine the Poor People’s Campaign state-by-state statistics and information about militarism and see the policies that amplify poverty, racism and environmental degradation in your state.

Attend a webinar or training from The Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity School, which educates the public about the ways we can enable the return to ordinary life of those who experience moral injury, such as our veterans.

Relate

Study the Curriculum for Peace Church Discernment to explore your personal and your congregation’s perspectives regarding nonviolence, war, and the place of the military in our society.  A Peace Church recognizes that war and militarism are inconsistent with the Gospel of Christ and Jesus’ example of nonviolence, and it confesses that the Christian Church has historically been complicit in the world’s violence. If moved, your congregation can declare itself a Peace Church in the PCUSA, using materials outlined in the curriculum and online.

Act

One way to stand against militarism in our society is to declare one’s self as a Conscientious Objector.  A conscientious objector is one who is opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.  Persons who are  selective objectors should keep a record of their beliefs and activities and should file a copy with the Stated Clerk in the Office of the General Assembly.  More information is available from the Office of the General Assembly. Churches can offer communities of support for Conscientious Objectors.

Take action in your community to prevent gun violence. Consider hosting a Guns to Gardens event to turn unwanted firearms into garden tools rather than returning them to the gun market. You can also contact your representative in the U.S. Congress and ask that they support: 1) Universal background checks and waiting periods for all gun purchases; and 2) A ban on semiautomatic assault weapons, armor piercing handgun ammunition, and .50 caliber sniper rifles.  More information can be found on the gun violence prevention webpage.

Share

If you’re in the US military and are interested in seeking discharge or reassignment as a Conscientious Objector, contact the Center on Conscience & War to seek help as you navigate the complex admin process.

Share about the Korea Peace Appeal and collect signatures to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Korea through a Korean-led peace process.