Keeping track of church statistics for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been Kris Valerius’ job for many years and she’s become quite good at it. In this week’s OGA In Focus, Valerius shares how talking numbers can lead to good conversation with Presbyterians across the denomination.
Any self-respecting Christian seminary will teach its students that the Jesus sheep and goat story in Matthew 25 is a mandate to care for the less fortunate in society, including those in prison.
“Miracles and Strangers: Responding to the Spread of Anti-Trans Theology” is the title of the 2023 Presler Lecture presented by Dr. Joy Ladin beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern Time Sept. 13 for both an on-campus watch party at the Winn Center at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary or via Zoom. Registration for either event is required and can be made here.
Around 180 people registered for last week’s Presbyterians for Earth Care webinar “The Climate Crisis: Where are we in 2023?” Dr. Colin Evans, a post-doctoral research associate at the Northeast Regional Climate Change Center at Cornell University, spoke and answered questions afterward. Watch the webinar, hosted the Rev. Bruce Gillette, Moderator of PEC, by going here.
When the Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis talks about her first year as Co-Moderator of the 225th General Assembly—leading plenaries in Louisville alongside the Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace, traveling the nation and world as a denominational ambassador, talking with Presbyterians at congregations, mid councils and seminaries—she is generous with her reflections and quick to connect big ideas with the many people she has met.
She answers questions over Zoom with pastoral care even for the interviewer, asking questions back, floating possible directions for conversation: “What would you like to talk about next?” “I have some more time…Can you keep talking?”
A recent visit by family and supporters to an Indonesian prison sparked renewed optimism that Mary Jane Veloso, a domestic worker and trafficking victim who at one time faced a death sentence may eventually secure her release.
Once the American Film Institute came out with its list of the 100 most memorable heroes and villains, the Rev. Mark Bedford did AFI one better: He paired the top good and bad guys and gals Hollywood has to offer with scriptural passages to promote lively discussions during his “Good vs. Evil 2: The Sequel!” class held last month during Synod School.
Born more than 600 years ago and burned at the stake for heresy at age 19, Joan of Arc still had a lot to teach a roomful of Synod School students last month — especially with guidance from Dr. Scott Stanfield, Emeritus Professor of English at Nebraska Wesleyan University and a longtime Synod School participant.
A mother of two who’s active in the Reformed Calvinist Church of El Salvador (IRCES) will serve as an International Peacemaker next month for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
A recent coup orchestrated by Niger’s military has prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) advisory to the West African country and order the departure of non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members. The department is willing to assist other U.S. citizens who desire to depart the country. Expected to be included in the evacuation is PC(USA) mission co-worker Jim McGill, who has served in Niger for the past several years. McGill boarded a State Department charter flight earlier today and will be flown to a yet to be determined location.