Presbyterian World Mission asks for your prayers today and in the coming weeks for the people of Mozambique as the country experiences increasing conflicts.
When Quantisha (Tisha) Mason told her mother she wanted to experience South Korea for a year as a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) she responded, “I don’t support you in this.” But worries over escalating tensions between South and North Korea and a desire to have her daughter near her as she explored post-college options were overcome by Tisha's resolve.
News from the theological schools related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
We write as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) concludes a week-long SNAP / Food Stamp Challenge in which we, the church’s national leaders, as well as hundreds of Presbyterians, chose to live on an average SNAP benefit, which nationally is about $30 per person per week. This practice is intended to raise awareness within our community about the dire food insecurity of many of our neighbors. We realize, of course, that our engaging in this Challenge is a symbolic gesture, but we also believe that it has meaning and capacity for building awareness of the very real need in our communities. We further recognize that our own reactions to living on SNAP benefit levels for a week – both psychological and physiological – cannot begin to approach the experience of a family that is relying for sustenance on these inadequate, and yet essential benefits.
The United Methodist Church was not on trial at a recently concluded courtroom hearing outside of Philadelphia. But the denomination’s ambivalence over homosexuality took center stage.
When the Rev. Lynn Hargrove came to Houston’s St. Giles Presbyterian Church in 2008 as a stated supply pastor, the church was depressed and inward-looking. But it continued to run a food pantry that had been serving people who were homeless for the past 25 years. Church members had formed relationships with some of the regular visitors to the pantry, and one day in 2011, the pantry’s manager suggested opening St. Giles’ doors to provide a warm place to sleep on cold winter nights.
A new interactive, online Advent calendar for kids offers fun activities to do as a family or Sunday school class this Advent season.
On Nov. 18 the members of Arlington Presbyterian Church agreed by a vote of 34 to 19 to move forward with part of their newly discerned vision — redeveloping their property in partnership with Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) to build new worship space and church offices, a childcare center, retail consistent with their ministry, and affordable housing.
Five nationally known and experienced ecumenical leaders have been installed as officers of the newly reorganized National Council of Churches (NCC).
During the week of Nov. 17-23, more than 300 Presbyterians nationwide registered for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s SNAP Food Stamp Challenge. One of those who “accepted” the challenge was Linda Valentine, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Valentine kept a journal of her experience through the week and agreed to a request from Presbyterian News Service to publish it.