During Wednesday’s online Chapel Service, the Rev. Carlton Johnson helped the PC(USA)’s national staff to celebrate Juneteenth a few days early with a thoughtful and provocative take on Matthew 20:1-16, the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard.

Shortly after his election as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, launched an initiative that has defined much of his seven years in office. The idea behind the Hands and Feet initiative was to strengthen local and national mission efforts of the denomination by encouraging partnerships and mission involvement within the cities hosting General Assembly.

In late June 1903, the “Philadelphia Press” published an article about a Scotch-Irish family known popularly as the “Fighting McCooks.” The reasoning for this article was twofold: it shared about the death of General Alexander McDowell McCook on June 12, as well as the centennial anniversary of the town of Lisbon, Ohio, the family’s birthplace.

On a June Saturday in Concord, New Hampshire, a young couple with a baby in a car seat drove up to the Wesley United Methodist Church to safely surrender a handgun. Why? “New baby!”

Peace Presbyterian Church has had the Rev. Wayne Steele’s number since 2000. It’s 4210. And don’t ever forget it.

Three of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s strongest voices for empowering young adults to advocate for change that’s important to them took to the airwaves last week to discuss the free Young Adult Advocacy Conference set for Oct. 20-22 at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

The 9th International CURE Conference was held this year in Nairobi, the capital of the East African country of Kenya. From May 1-5, 95 delegates from 28 countries and 12 African nations came together under the banner of Pan Africa CURE to further their agenda of human rights and prison reform efforts in the Unites States and the African continent as well as other countries throughout the world.

The Office of Christian Formation’s webinar on Thursday designed to explore some at-home resources that families can use this summer also included time for Christian educators to share their challenges and triumphs as churches and worshiping communities emerge from the pandemic.

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, will conclude seven years as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at the end of June. Nelson’s rise to become the first person of color to serve as the top ecclesial officer of the denomination was historic, but one that he says could not have been possible without the support and sacrifices made by his wife, the Rev. Gail Porter Nelson.

In the first of a four-part series, the Nelsons share their call to ministry and a partnership that has solidified their commitment to God and each other. 

The Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have appointed members to the Task Force to Explore the Theology and Practice of Ordination. This work will include looking at commissioned ruling elders, church structure, membership, accountability and chartering. The group will also make recommendations for needed changes to the 226th General Assembly when it meets next year.