Minute for Mission: Presbyterian Heritage Sunday

May 21, 2023

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Over 14,000 Presbyterians gathered at the World Congress Center in Atlanta the evening of June 10, 1983, to hear the Declaration of Reunion and celebrate communion. After 122 years of separation, the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS) and United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA) came together again in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

General Assembly Moderators James Costen (UPCUSA) and John Anderson (PCUS) brought the two churches together into one denomination during the Reunion proceedings. The service opened with a 30-minute processional of commissioners and representatives from each presbytery, carrying banners and bringing communion chalices and bread for the service. Other groups of Presbyterians around the country gathered in their local congregations to take communion and celebrate reunion. After the PCUS and UPCUSA General Assemblies passed the formal resolutions approving reunion, Presbyterians poured into the streets of Atlanta to celebrate the historic event. Carrying banners, singing, and joining hands, they marched the mile from the World Congress Center to City Hall where Mayor Andrew Young greeted the crowd.

As is the case in any major decision, there was dissent, but there was also a spirit of compromise and a desire to move forward in unity.

Heritage Sunday is a day of celebration set aside by the General Assembly of the PC(USA). To celebrate and learn more about the history of Presbyterianism in America, visit history.pcusa.org/hs.

McKenna Britton, Communications Associate, Presbyterian Historical Society

Today's Focus: Presbyterian Heritage Sunday

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Nikki Collins, Coordinator, 1001 New Worshiping Communities, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Paula Cooper, Mission co-worker serving in Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray

God of mercy and grace, your church seeks ways to work in unity for justice and peace. Guide us as we open ourselves to your Son’s call, and strengthen us in community, one with another, united as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Amen.