With last week's decision by the New York City Council to uphold the historic landmark designation of West-Park Presbyterian Church, church officials and congregants must once again address what to do with their deteriorating building.
"We are obviously disappointed with their decision," said the Rev. Robert Brashear, pastor of the 116-year-old church. "This battle is not over. We simply have to stop and reconsider our options. This fight is not just about West-Park Presbyterian. It raises a much broader question about the freedom of religion."
West-Park's congregation and its supporters have fought the landmark status for more than two decades. …
As of May 11, Presbyterians have given more than $9.57 million to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for its relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.
That money has been used for 15 food and water distribution sites, thousands of temporary shelters and more than 35,000 hygiene and baby kits, said the Rev. Jon Brown, director of Mission Interpretation. He presented the update to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly Mission Council during its May 13 meeting.
PDA continues to work with its ecumenical and international partners, including Church World Service, ACT Alliance, the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, the Medical Benevolence Foundation, Joining …
The Rev. Cynthia M. Campbell, president of McCormick Theological Seminary and the longest-serving president of the 10 seminaries associated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has announced her intention to retire from that position on or before Dec. 31, 2011.
Campbell, who became the first woman PC(USA) seminary president when she began her tenure at McCormick on Jan. 1, 1995, will assume the title of President Emerita when she concludes her service.
Announcing her retirement to the seminary’s board of trustees May 14, Campbell said, “It is with deep gratitude to God for the opportunity I have had to serve as …
The General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approved a strategic plan and budget which will lead CMP towards self-sustainability of English language resources. Congregational Ministries Publishing will continue to be an office of the GAMC under the program area of Theology, Worship and Education, but will now operate within a business model in which the sale of resources will cover expenses for English language material.
Starting in 2011, CMP will no longer receive unrestricted funds from the General Assembly Mission Council to cover any budget shortfalls. This move is not being taken lightly and …
Though less than 10 miles down the road from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS), the Presbyterian Center — home of the national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — was for Ted Sharp, a world away.
All of that changed in January when Sharp a first year Master of Divinity student at LPTS, enrolled in Leaders for a Connectional Church, a weeklong, for-credit course designed to give students an intensive introduction to the PC(USA)'s mission and ministry and to bring to life the reality of the connectional church.
"Before taking this course, I had only perceived the church at-large from …
The winning entries in a photo contest sponsored by Presbyterians Today will be published in the magazine’s upcoming June/July issue.
Those entering the contest were asked to submit photos inspired by the theme of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s 2010 General Assembly: "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38).
The top photos were chosen from a field of 38 submissions. The winning photographers:
Today, the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved budgets of $82,097,234 for 2011, and $80,550,613 for 2012. These are in contrast to a 2010 budget of about $93.8 million.
"Our role is changing from doing mission on behalf of the church to inspiring, equipping and connecting the church for mission and ministry," said Linda Valentine, GAMC executive director. "At the same time, God calls us to look at our resources honestly. We must be sure we live within our means to sustain ministry into the future."
A year-long strategic discernment initiative and budget realities were …
The General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) approved reorganization of the mission program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that its executive director, Linda Valentine, said "reflects healthy change that is adaptive to trends in the church and the world, and that is consistent with projected resources."
As part of the reorganization — which has been in development for 10 months — the GAMC approved General Assembly Mission Budgets that reduce spending by 12.2 percent in 2011 and an additional 2 percent in 2012. The cuts resulted in the net reduction of the staff at the Presbyterian Center here by 49 positions. …
The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has appointed the Rev. John G. McFayden as church relations executive.
McFayden, who over the last 30+ years has served congregations ranging from 50 to more than 1,700 members, was most recently pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, Ill., near Chicago.
In addition to his involvement in the Presbytery of Chicago, he has served on a variety of General Assembly committees and task forces, including the General Assembly Council, the General Assembly’s Special Offerings Task Force, and most recently, the "Six Agency Review Committee" that examined interrelationships between the …
Many Presbyterians will converge on Minneapolis for the 219th General Assembly (July 3-10), and the Committee on Local Arrangements aims to help make the experience run smoothly for all.
GA participants with special needs are encouraged to visit the special assistance booth near the registration area in the Minneapolis Convention Center.
The booth will offer plenty of resources, such as wheelchair repair information and contacts for medical, dental, pharmacy, grocery, pet care and optical services.
Accommodations for guests with special needs have been part of the planning process for this GA since the beginning. The Presbytery of the Twin …