The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) office of World Mission received a letter late yesterday from the Rev. Fadi Dagher, general secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, urging continued prayers, peacemaking efforts and resistance to the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS.

In the wake of Nov. 13 terror attacks that shocked and traumatized a city, a nation, and the world, Presbyterians across the U.S. stand in solidarity, pain, and prayer with the people of Paris and those affected by terror attacks in Beirut and Baghdad earlier in the week. 

Pope Francis raised the specter of a World War III “in pieces,” Muslims issued statements of condemnation, while evangelical Christians in America debated whether to speak of a “war with Islam.” These were some of the responses by religious leaders around the world on Saturday (Nov. 14) to the series of attacks overnight in Paris, which left more than 120 people dead.

First Presbyterian Church의 이사회가 열리는 중간에, 교회 자금을 투자하는 것과 관련하여 동의가 이루어짐에 따라 대화가 활기를 띄게 되었다고 가정해 보자. 그들이 계속 진행해 나가려 준비하는 가운데, 자기들이 어떻게 그러한 결정을 내리고 행동을 취할 수 있는지에 대해 새로운 이사가 질문을 한다. 이사장인 Rusty McDonnell은 이사회는 당회의 허락이나 자문이 필요하지 않으며, 돈을 투자하는 것에 대한 계획을 세우는 것은 이사회의 일부분이라고 말하면서 그 새로운 이사를 안심시키려 한다.

Digamos que en medio de una reunión de la Junta de Síndicos de la Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana, la conversación se ha “energizado” al grupo llegar a un acuerdo acerca de la inversión de los fondos de la iglesia. Mientras se preparan para seguir adelante, un síndico recién nombrado le pregunta cómo el grupo puede proceder y tomar acción sobre la decisión.  Rusty McDonnell, presidente de la junta, asegura al nuevo miembro que los síndicos no necesitan aprobación o acudir al consejo/consistorio y pueden hacer un plan para la inversión de los fondos como parte de esta reunión. ¡Interesante Desarrollo!

Ann Graham and Christy D’Ambrosio have deeply impacted the lives of more than 100 youth through their volunteer efforts for the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. As registrars for their respective presbyteries, both are passionate about sending as many kids as possible to Triennium because of what they see as its ripple effect teenagers lives.

<한국어> <Espaňol> Let’s say that in the midst of a meeting of First Presbyterian Church’s board of trustees, the conversation has become “energized” as the group comes to an agreement about investing church funds. As they prepare to move forward, a new trustee asks how the group can proceed and take action on the decision. Rusty McDonnell, president of the board, assures the new member that the trustees do not need approval or counsel with the session and can make a plan for the investment of the monies as a part of this meeting. Interesting development!

모든 상황 속에서, 전개되고 있는 폭력 속에서, 그리고 테러와 상실 이후에 우리를 붙들어 주시는 자비의 하나님, 우리를 붙들어 주시는 당신의 사랑과 긍휼을 구합니다. 이렇게 두렵고 위험하고 분열이 일어나는 속에서도, 우리는 모든 열방과 족속과 나라들이 평화로이 함께 거하는 당신의 평화의 나라가 어떤 식으로든지 여전히 가능하다는 것을 믿기 원합니다. 

The Rev. Dr. Laurie Ann Kraus, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance coordinator for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) issued a call to prayer Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, following the terror attacks in Paris. Kraus also acknowledged the wave of terror attacks leveled against other locations around the world in the prayer, specifically noting last week’s attacks in Beirut and Baghdad.

Saludos desde Taipéi, donde la Iglesia Presbiteriana en Taiwán está celebrando su 150vo aniversario. En nuestras grandes reuniones hemos adorado, cantado y bailado juntos. Miles de personas de todas partes del país han viajado para participar en las celebraciones de la herencia, así como también en la promesa de este cuerpo de Cristo.

¿Qué es lo que he aprendido? ¡Es mucho! Déjeme mencionarle dos cosas.

La primera es que la tolerancia de la iglesia hacia las personas que tienen diferentes creencias a ellos es grande, y siento que el amor unificador de Cristo es más grande que cualquier diferencia social …