Hunger Action is much more than one program or committee in the ministry of First Presbyterian Church in Alton, Illinois. 

As the Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper introduced Tuesday’s plenary speaker at the 1001 New Worshiping Communities and Vital Congregations national gathering, she spoke about serving churches on a divided line.

Thirteen of the 85 or so people who will be attending the national conference of the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network beginning Wednesday at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary got a jumpstart Tuesday by participating in a day-long Small Church Think Tank.

삭개오는 성경에서 성격 평가로 나쁜 점수를 받습니다. 그는 세금 징수원인 세리장입니다. 실제로, 그는 본문이 명시하는 대로 세금 징수원들 사이에서 책임자에 속합니다. 이는 본질적으로 사람들의 돈을 받는 것뿐만 아니라 사람들의 돈을 받는 다른 사람들을 지배하는 “기피해야 하는 관료”로 해석됩니다. 삭개오는 여리고에서 인기 있고 사랑받는 이웃이나 시민이 아닙니다. 삭개오가 망설이지 않고 나무에서 내려와 예수님을 그의 집으로 맞이함은 성경의 내용으로 놀라움 이였습니다.

Cuando se revisa la personalidad de los personajes en la Biblia, Zaqueo tiene una mala reputación. Es recaudador de impuestos. En realidad, él es un gobernante entre los recaudadores de impuestos como lo dice el pasaje. Lo que se traduce esencialmente en "burócrata despreciado" que no solo toma el dinero de la gente, sino que manda a las otras personas que también toman ese dinero. Zaqueo no es un vecino o ciudadano popular, amado y buscado en Jericó. Entonces, es toda una sorpresa bíblica cuando, sin dudarlo un momento, Zaqueo sale del árbol y recibe a Jesús en su hogar.

The national gathering for 1001 New Worshiping Communities and Vital Congregations opened on Monday with a welcome reception in the Century Ballroom of the Westin Hotel. At Perspectives: The Church … Then … Now …Beyond, those engaged in starting new worshiping communities and working to transform existing congregations will worship and learn together from a pair of keynote speakers, the Rev. Dr. Gregory Ellison and the Rev. Becca Stevens.

“‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him” (Lk. 19:5–6).

Zacchaeus gets a bad rap in the biblical character personality review. He’s a tax collector. Actually, he is a ruler among the tax collectors as the passage offers. Which essentially translates into “despised bureaucrat” who not only takes the peoples’ money but bosses the other people who also take the peoples’ money. Zacchaeus is not a popular, beloved, sought-after neighbor or citizen in Jericho. So, it’s quite the biblical surprise when, without a moment of hesitation, Zacchaeus pops down out of the tree and welcomes Jesus into his home.

Do you find yourself wishing political leaders would speak more respectfully to one another as they share their perspectives on important issues?

Since 2012, Giving Tuesday has reminded people that the holiday season is more than a time for receiving gifts. Held on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and “Cyber Monday,” Giving Tuesday reaffirms the joy of giving during a season of celebration.

Traditionally, on the second Monday of October the United States celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. However, on Monday many communities across the nation celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day rather than Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples Day is part of a growing movement to end the celebration of the Italian explorer and rather honor and recognize Indigenous people, the original occupants of the Americas.