Taking the exhortation in Isaiah 2 to beat swords into plowshares literally, the Violence in the USA Committee voted to endorse the Guns to Gardens movement; They also voted to endorse the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms’ gun relinquishment protocol and to educate congregations about this issue.
The Addressing Violence in the USA Committee spent the entire day reflecting on gun violence, the impact it has, and how individual Christians, churches, and the national denomination are called to respond, including potentially divesting from sporting goods stores and department stores that sell firearms.
On its first day, the committee named the relevance and importance of their work, passing three resolutions: one on polarization; another on bullying, harassment, and assault; and a third on democracy, voting rights, and electoral reform.
What does an average day look like for a committee in a hybrid General Assembly? As a second set of committees begin their work with pandemic precautions still in place, they are attempting to faithfully discern the will of the spirit in a participatory and transparent way utilizing technology and old-fashioned methods together
The Theology, Worship and Education Committee concluded its work by considering how to support soldiers and veterans through the creation of worship resources for military chaplains and pastors and by debating and voting on multiple changes to the Directory for Worship.
The Theology, Worship, and Education Committee considers a new confession, hears from the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation on book bans and anti-racism, and discusses Christian Education in churches.
With a docket of 19 resolutions to consider at General Assembly 225, the Theology, Worship, and Education Committee began diving into issues and discussions that will influence faith practices of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members.
Louisville waterfront parks host Funk Fest Juneteenth Celebration and Kentuckiana Pride as Presbyterians kick off their 225th General Assembly nearby. Clear ties bind these events with shared concerns.
The Juneteenth worship service wove together prayers, liturgies and songs in multiple languages from many voices to remind those gathered of the Christian call to racial justice and reconciliation. Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson preached a rousing sermon on the call story in Isaiah 6 that challenged those gathered to continue the prophetic work of their faith.
The 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church opened in the same way that the last 224 General Assemblies have begun, with worship.
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