Friends, There is growing and widespread concern in the wake of Alabama’s recent anti-abortion legislation, which, if implemented, will have the effect of almost total prohibition of any such procedure and remove from the pregnant woman and her attendant physician any choice in the matter whatsoever. As Presbyterians, we are part of a church that has wrestled with this issue for decades, guided by actions of our General Assemblies on the matter. Perhaps the most important action was taken by the 195th General Assembly (1983), which addressed abortion in the context of the plight of women who had limited access to medical care during pregnancy, or who did not feel they had the resources to raise a child. At the center of that approach was the effort to respond to the 1973 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court referred to as Roe v. Wade. It provided a legal framework to guide those trying to make responsible decisions regarding the possible termination of a pregnancy and it … [Read more...]

(OGA) The 19-year-old man accused of opening fire in a synagogue near San Diego sits in jail today, facing murder and attempted murder charges. Last Saturday, he is alleged to have walked into a Passover service at Chabad of Poway near San Diego, killing one member and wounding three others. The shooting is the latest in a growing list of violent attacks in connection with religious gatherings. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has denounced the shootings and is calling for an end to ethnic and religious violence. Statement: Once again “the principalities and powers of evil,” against which we are warned in Scripture, rear their ugly head, personified in individual acts of violence against those counted as “other.” We mourn the victims of the attack on Jewish sisters and brothers as they worshipped in the Chabad of Poway, near San Diego, California, and especially the killing of synagogue member, … [Read more...]

(OGA) The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is urging Colombia’s president to stand behind the peace accords signed by his predecessor. President Iván Duque has expressed concern over several items in legislation that would lead to peace with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. Duque has objected to several parts of the so-called Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). In a letter to Duque, Nelson described the PC(USA)’s commitment to the Presbyterian Church of Colombia that dates back to 1856. “In the last two decades, we have supported and accompanied the Presbyterian Church of Colombia in their task as peacemakers walking together with displaced and threatened communities,” Nelson writes. “Our primary concern is to continue to accompany the Colombian church in this task, because the voice of the vulnerable often is not heard by those in power and their needs are often … [Read more...]

(OGA) As the humanitarian and economic crisis worsens in Venezuela, the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is urging all Presbyterians to pray for a peaceful solution. In a letter to the church, Nelson said the people of Venezuela are facing shortages of food, medicine, and basic services in the midst of widespread corruption. “We call upon those in power in the country to seek a peaceful resolution to this struggle for leadership,” the letter reads. “We urge those from outside who are threatening intervention to desist from actions that can only make the Venezuelan tragedy worse and exacerbate what is already a regional crisis.” Nelson asks for prayers for the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela (IPV), a PC(USA) partner through the Venezuelan Mission Network and other ecumenical organizations. Read the full letter below: February 6, 2019 Sisters and Brothers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I urgently call … [Read more...]

Dear Sisters and Brothers, This week I invite you to join in prayer with our sisters and brothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  They face uncertainty about the national election set for December 23, which should culminate in Congo’s first peaceful transfer of power of the Head of State. The population sees many challenges to achieving elections that they consider credible: there is skepticism about the use of electronic voting machines, whilst much of the country does not have access to electricity; the destruction last week of 80% of the voting materials for Kinshasa by an arson fire at the heavily guarded voting materials depot; concern for the logistical hurdles to overcome due to inadequate infrastructure; reports of political violence, including killings; active militia attacks in Eastern Congo; and the not yet contained Ebola outbreaks in Eastern Congo. But the will of the Congo people is also strong, and many have great hope in God.  Let us join in faithful … [Read more...]

(OGA) The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has sent a letter to Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, speaking against his position on companies that participate in boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. The governor recently signed an executive order to ban the awarding of state contracts to companies that support the BDS movement. In the letter, Nelson says the executive order contains a number of misrepresentations and joins Kentucky with the Israeli government’s efforts to suppress criticism of its violation of Palestinian human rights. “Your resolution cuts directly at the heart of the historical commitment of Presbyterians that, as a matter of our faith, we are bound to ensure that the resources we have, including our financial resources, are used in ways that reflect our belief in the biblical mandate to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God,” the letter reads. Nelson provides some history of the … [Read more...]