For three-quarters of a century now, the United Nations, through its member states, has made significant changes in the lives of individuals across the world. What began on October 24, 1945, “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to [hu]mankind,” [this is quote from preamble to the UN Charter] continues to this day. But what makes this special to me, is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been there from the beginning, stressing the importance of an international community committed to preserving peace, maintaining international law, promoting economic and social development, and adapting to changing conditions. If there has ever been a need for the United Nations in our world, now is that time.
Congregations are invited to make use of a prerecorded worship service based on the Matthew 25 vision, which will be available by November 22.
As we prepare during for Christ’s coming, we should walk unafraid in the darkness with hope that Jesus will shine brightly on us.
Churches small and large and everything in between can celebrate Advent, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day even during a pandemic, so long as they’re willing to innovate — and perhaps simplify.
On behalf of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Mission Development Resources Committee (MDRC) has approved Mission Program Grants to 21 new worshiping communities. The “1001” communities receiving grants are listed below, followed by the presbytery and synod they belong to and a brief description of their mission and ministry:
The Rev. Dr. Charles Lattimore Howard was two-thirds of the way through the Presbyterian Historical Society’s webinar on Black theology and mass movements when he got a question that took him back to graduate school.
In February, the Rev. Elmarie Parker left her home in Beirut, Lebanon, to attend meetings in the U.S. She was not able to return until August 20. The Lebanon she returned to was very different than the one she left.
Six years ago, Hilda Ramírez arrived in the United States with her seven-year-old son, Ivan, after fleeing Guatemala. She spent a year in a Texas detention center, where she led women on a hunger strike. Four years ago, she and her son were offered Sanctuary at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, where they remain even as they face deportation and fines in the tens of thousands of dollars.
During this stewardship season in the midst of a pandemic and racial unrest, we should pray for God’s guidance in making our pledges for 2021.
Middleburg Presbyterian Church, a small community church southwest of Jacksonville in Clay County, Florida, participates in a feeding program called Operation Backpack. The outreach program works with the guidance counselor at a nearby elementary school. The counselor identifies the children and families who will receive a backpack filled with healthy child-friendly food.