The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) ― charged by the General Assembly to ensure that church investments align with the church’s social and environmental policies ― well knows the threats posed to Planet Earth by the continuing production and use of fossil fuels worldwide.

But the group is clearly troubled by the growing movement in the church ― and by organizations such as 350.org ― to summarily divest from fossil fuel companies without utilizing other corporate engagement strategies that have proved effective over more than 30 years of MRTI activities.

Patty Holt-Gerwitz, Villa Ridge, and her husband Dave aren’t members of First Presbyterian Church in Union, but at least once a month they volunteer here for the free community meal served on Tuesday nights.

Gay rights are colliding with religious rights in states like Arizona and Kansas as the national debate over gay marriage morphs into a fight over the dividing line between religious liberty and anti-gay discrimination.

Since retiring in 2009 after 16 years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the Rev. Mike Bullard has served the church through his involvement in disaster relief. He’s now on the National Response Team of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and chairs the Inland Northwest chapter of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD).

Thousands of people learned how to read and write thanks to the months-long efforts of Seventh-day Adventist Church, its church member volunteers in El Salvador and Hope for Humanity. 

Anibal Flores is standing barefoot in a tiny church, strumming a guitar. Outside, children play, sliding through puddles — the product of rains that flooded what was meant to be only a temporary home. 

Marjorie J. Thompson, the author of the best-selling book Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, takes a close look at our understanding of forgiveness in a new Lenten study.

Houston’s First Presbyterian Church will remain in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  At a congregation meeting Feb. 23, 64.5 percent of the present members voted in favor of transferring to ECO – A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. However, the votes fell 36 short of the two-thirds majority required to adopt the proposal. The actual vote was 1085 in favor, 596 opposed. 

Greetings once again from Kiev, where the violence of late last week has now passed, and a new era is dawning across Ukraine. Thanks be to God, it now seems that Ukraine has stepped back from the brink of civil war, and there is genuine hope for the future of the country.

The hellfire-and-brimstone preacher with a knack for stealing second, the master of the fadeaway, a mild-mannered Whiz Kid, and one lucky fan: with Spring Training in full swing, we bring you four stories of baseballing Presbyterians.