John J. Wood has been named the director of administrative services for the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), filling a new position that was created as part of the society’s restructuring that began last fall.
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) staff are working to respond to the massive earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan March 10, killing unknown numbers of people and sending tsunami waves across the Pacific.
The PC(USA) has nine mission co-workers in various cities across Japan. By mid-day March 11 staff in Presbyterian World Mission had received word from four that they were safe. None of the mission workers are based close to the northern coastal city of Sendai, which has taken the brunt of the impact.
Denominational leaders have issued a call to prayer. The Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk; Elder Cynthia Bolbach, moderator of the 219th General Assembly; and Elder Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council are urging Presbyterians to pray for all those affected by the disaster — victims and their families, aid workers, faith communities and leaders.
“The magnitude of this kind of tragedy is difficult to grasp. Yet, our faith leads us to affirm that in even greater measure is the presence of God in the midst of the devastation,” states the call.
World Mission staff have also contacted all of the PC(USA)’s partner churches and organizations in Japan.
“As a hart longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God” (Ps. 42:1).
There is still time to register for Ecumenical Advocacy Days, an annual event that calls Christians to Washington to advocate around a central issue through worship, education and lobbying.
If there was ever a country that understands floods, it is the Netherlands, where one-quarter of the land is below sea level, and it is there that a modern Noah is constructing an ark.
They were moved when the first Muslim elected to Congress shed tears for a Muslim who died trying to save others on 9/11. They were irked by accusations from House members and annoyed when fellow Muslims maligned their faith.
Kathryn Howard’s greatest role model is someone she has never met.
Along with other national religious leaders, the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has added his name to a March 7 letter urging President Obama to take bold steps toward achieving a just and lasting peace in Israel/Palestine.
Anne Hallum, an elder at First Presbyterian Church in DeLand, Fla., and a political science professor at Stetson University, has been named one of Cable News Network’s “CNN Heroes.”
The leader of the largest Protestant group in Madagascar has appealed for support over “harassment” of church leaders after the government accused the group of running an illegal radio station in one of its orphanages.