This Quicksheet will offer suggestions for ways you might hold Holy Humor Worship with your congregation digitally any time you feel the need to laugh in the face of darkness and celebrate the joy of God’s abiding presence with us. These suggestions focus on fun, improv and group participation which is all intended to encourage joy and spontaneous worship. It is planned with zoom and other on-line platforms in mind. It is meant to be fully intergenerational and inclusive of all ages. You are encouraged to use the following ideas all in one worship service or as ideas to enhance …
Honest Patriotism addresses threats to the vital freedoms of the First and Fourteenth amendments to the U. S. Constitution due to changes in communications, media, and politics. It calls for measures of public accountability for truthfulness in the public square in all its forms: over public airwaves, through cyberspace, and through required public disclosure by government agencies, profit and nonprofit entities. Except for hate speech, freedom of speech is to be untrammeled, with widest possible access to information, protection of the press, publication of research, and public assembly rights. Respect for privacy of personal information from government or private surveillance …
This report, adopted by the 208th GA, provides a remarkable understanding of peacemaking and justice issues. Contains the report plus study guide.
Just and sustainable human development is the comprehensive enhancement of the quality of life for all, present and future; it necessarily involves the integration of economic, social, political, cultural, ecological, and spiritual dimensions of being. With this definition of "just and sustainable human development," this policy statement addresses international issues in the economic structure. It is based on a biblical theology and Christian assumption of the mutual responsibility and equality of human beings in God's sight, stating that equitable distribution of goods and ecological constraints put moral limits on economic activity for the sake of human well-being, future generations, and …
Men of the Church in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provides 13 bible studies to aid congregations in this area of ministry. Each study is inspired by a book of the Bible and includes seven sessions for open discussion.
How to Start a Prayer Group, including guidance for online gatherings.
An overall look at the work of the churches in relation to their advocacy for human rights observance suggests that they will undertake activities that promote respect for human rights based on both their faith as well as their commitment to the establishment and maintenance of a healthy and vibrant civil society. The Middle East Council of Churches has been promoting this view for over a decade, and is now in the process of implementing a project on 'the role of churches in human rights awareness and advocacy'. While this may not suit all contexts, it has generated positive reviews …
This year's report includes five categories of concern brought to the attention of the General Assembly Council (GAC), for the most part, by the partner churches around the world. They are civil, political, economic, social and cultural, and religious. The "Human Rights Update 2003?2004," however, should not be construed by the members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as the definitive statement of all the human rights violations received by the GAC during the course of the year. The 216th General Assembly (2004) encourages the members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to continue to pray and work to end all forms …
The role of the church at every level is to be at least part of the conscience of society. The basis for our daring to hold Amos' plumb line of justice is our understanding that the prophetic role is willing to challenge those in power, kings of Israel then, governments today. The Human Rights Update has always recognized the global scope of God's justice and honored all of the organizations and individuals who work to bring cruel practices to light and open prison doors. We see God's spirit leading and calling in the countless acts of conscience to which brief …
This report contains policies to curtail the on-going tragedy of human trafficking. It addresses not only sex trafficking and child trafficking, but labor trafficking and lesser known ways that persons can be bought and sold. It speaks of forced labor more than modern slavery, but both phrases point to a grim reality in many international supply chains for products from fish to fashion. It reviews laws, coalitions, different approaches to prostitution (including safe harbor laws for minors), codes of conduct for tourism, fair trade and worker-driven social responsibility, all in a globalizing market context. The human rights approach seeks to …