The psychological counseling service—the first “hotline” service of its kind in Cuba—was inspired by the Reverend Dr. Héctor Méndez, longtime pastor of First Presbyterian Church who recently retired. Based on similar hotline services in the U.S., First Church’s service now draws callers from all over the island in addition to walk-in clients here in the nation’s capital. All services are free. Not allowed by the Cuban government to advertise, word of the hotline service spreads entirely by word-of-mouth.
The wildfires raging in parts of California are being described by some state officials as among the most destructive in the state’s history. More than 100,000 acres have been charred by the flames, including over 1,300 structures, mostly homes.
Quickly, kids! We need to get going or we’ll miss the service! This was my plea one Easter morning as I ushered my children out the door to make it to church. My husband and I served in different churches, and worshiping together was impossible. However, on this morning he was the guest preacher at a church that had a different worship schedule from ours. We were thrilled. Our family could celebrate together.
Las congregaciones presbiterianas en los EE. UU. podrán conocer los retos y éxitos de la labor de la iglesia en Venezuela este otoño a través de la visita de la moderadora del Sínodo de la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Venezuela en septiembre. La Reverenda Zulema García es pastora del Presbiterio Occidental de la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Venezuela. Además de servir como pastora durante 13 años, García también es la moderadora del sínodo.
Presbyterian congregations in the U.S. will be able to learn about the struggles and successes of church work in Venezuela this fall when the moderator of the Synod, Presbyterian Church of Venezuela visits in September. The Rev. Zulema Garcia is a pastor of the Western Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela.
Libby McAliley served for 23 years as a Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS) missionary in the Belgian Congo. She completed a Masters of Christian Education in 1959 and received a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1973. That same year, McAliley became the first woman in South Carolina to be ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.
Which version of Jesus do we settle for? A wise philosopher? A meek and mild but constant caregiver? A macho conqueror? A divine butler? It’s challenging to resist the impulse to settle for a Jesus who does not fully represent the Lord and Savior presented in the New Testament. Challenging, of course, but not new. Looking at John 6:35, 41–51, we see Jesus’ followers missing the boat as they long to settle for a miraculous baker rather than the Bread of Life.