“Pride is in its essence this uncontrolled joy, a light and a reflection of how the Holy Spirit works,” Ophelia Hu Kinney told “A Matter of Faith” podcast hosts the Rev. Lee Catoe and Simon Doong last week as part of the podcast’s Pride edition. “I think of Pride as a way that light shines on things that didn’t have a light shone on them before and blows on things where the wind hasn’t gone before.”

Although there won’t be a Women of Faith Breakfast during the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the tradition of giving out awards to extraordinary women continues in a different way, culminating with a virtual celebration this fall.

At past General Assemblies, items of business about the denomination’s bottom line have been decided on the last day of plenary.

This summer, with money matters having its own Financial Resources Committee (FIN), preliminary budget discussions are being held at the end of the staggered committee meetings, from June 30 to July 2.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Environmental Justice Committee will consider several approaches to protecting the planet, including selectively divesting from fossil fuels and reducing the church’s carbon footprint, during the 225th General Assembly later this month.

What is inclusion? How does it differ from diversity?

The Board of Trustees of Columbia Theological Seminary announces the appointment of Dr. Christine Roy Yoder as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. Yoder is currently the J. McDowell Richards Professor of Biblical Interpretation at the Decatur, Georgia, seminary.

At a moment when many doctoral programs in the humanities have been forced to cut back or shutter entirely, Princeton Seminary’s ambition for its PhD program is growing.

For the sheer volume of business before it — it has 31 items to consider — the Committee on the Standing Rules of the General Assembly will have to hit the ground running during its in-person work June 27-29 at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

One glance at the docket of the Race and Gender Justice Committee (RGJ) reveals the historic sweep and connection of its 10 scheduled items of business.

Beyond identifying past oppression and exploitation by the church of marginalized communities and individuals, the committee’s commissioners and delegates will look for ways to achieve restorative justice going forward.

Religion can be used for healing and uplift — and to oppress, marginalize and shame people.