“We have seen a vision for what can happen,” the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II told the Presbyterian Mission Agency board last week, “and we are beginning to live into that possibility.”

During a committee meeting of last week’s three-day gathering of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, Warren Lesane, vice chair of the PMAB and chair of the Committee on Mid Councils, asked committee members to introduce themselves in a unique way. Lesane said, “Give us your name, the name of your presbytery and tell us what your presbytery is doing to address the issue of poverty.”  Eradicating systemic poverty is one of the three goals of the Matthew 25 Invitation.

Narciso, Feliciano and Alberto had labored hard on a construction project in the hot Arizona sun for several days. Though the work was demanding, the promise of payday kept these day laborers going. They had cupboards to fill and bills to pay.

Eye-opening, rewarding, challenging. These are some of the words used to describe a Pennsylvania church’s recent trip to Baltimore. The youth group from State College Presbyterian Church in State College spent spring break working with community groups and other churches as part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Hands and Feet Initiative.

While unable to be everywhere at once, the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett — through the miracle of tape delay — came close on Monday, the first day of the Matthew 25 Invitation.

As the Israeli bombing of Gaza continues, the words of B'Tselem Director Hagai El Ad are ringing in the ears of the members of the PC(USA) delegation that visited Israel-Palestine two weeks ago — perpetual occupation and zero international consequences. He has taken that message to the United Nations General Assembly several times, most recently last fall, and delivered the same words to the delegation.

Monday marks the official kickoff of the Matthew 25 Invitation, a movement that calls Presbyterian congregations and mid councils to actively engage in the world around them so that, as the invitation’s now-active website says, “our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities.”