When a disaster hits a community, more is shaken than can be seen. In addition to broken buildings and shattered streets, damage is done to a community’s spirit.

That’s where psychosocial recovery comes in.

“Psychosocial work helps people in a community find their own leadership within that community,” said Randy Ackley, coordinator of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, at a May 12 meeting of psychosocial workers here.

A big part of the work is finding people within an affected community who can identify and address the needs of that community. By caring for themselves, community members can empower themselves and address …

Learning what it means to be neighbors — next door and around the world — is the theme of the 2009 Peacemaking Conference, scheduled for June 11–13, in Atlanta.

The peacemaking gathering is one of 10 conferences meeting jointly as part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s first-ever Big Tent event.

“Participants in the Peacemaking Conference will be invited to envision ways to work for peace and seek justice as they follow Jesus in all the neighborhoods of their lives,” says Mark Koenig, coordinator of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

“Jesus teaches us that being neighbors is not a matter …

To report or to promote?

That is the question the Presbyterian News Service (PNS) is currently facing. What, exactly, is the difference between denominational journalism and public relations? A task force of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly Council is debating that issue as it considers the future of the denomination’s official news agency.

The task force, appointed by GAC chair Carol Adcock of Fort Worth, TX, earlier this spring, met for the first time May 11 via telephone conference call to study the role and future of PNS. Task force members shared their opinions and concerns on this matter …