Growing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) church cross-culturally will take partnership between the national offices and middle governing bodies, the Discipleship committee of the General Assembly Mission Council learned March 31.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) communicators won 18 awards in the 2011 Religion Communicators Council’s (RCC) DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards competition, including four as “Best of Class.”

The Presbyterian winners came from Creative Services, Mission Resources, Presbyterians Today and HORIZONS magazines and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Ecumenical News International (ENInews) announces that Solange De Santis has been appointed editor of the ecumenical news service on a one-year contract from March 2011 to March 2012.

It was billed as the first-ever congressional hearing on the civil rights of American Muslims. But it played more like an Act II than a premiere.

Frequently in our church ministry, members and staff come into contact with people who have problems that go beyond their capacity to respond with caring and effectiveness. It is always our desire to respond to those who need our help with the utmost compassion, but on occasion we are faced with situations that are beyond our personal expertise.  The Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) provides the link between presbyteries, congregations, ministers and others with specialized, professional expertise at no cost to those asking for assistance.   For more than 50 years, the PHEWA umbrella of networks has helped congregations and the church at large learn how to offer an inclusive welcome.   They provide assistance in developing strategies for effective responses to a wide variety of needs encountered in the practice of ministry, both in the congregation and in the surrounding community.