LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, released this statement Wednesday about the deep pain and anger that’s led to demonstrations and violence in cities across the county since the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police: “My soul is troubled. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging, killing over 106,000 people in this country and disproportionately impacting communities of color, and with the slayings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and just this week David McAtee, my cup runneth over with despair. “Most of you know the stories that have caused so much unrest in our nation and around the world. White vigilantes killed Ahmaud Arbery while he was jogging in Glynn County, Georgia. Breonna Taylor was gunned down by undercover Louisville police officers who entered her home in the wee hours of the morning with a no-knock warrant. George Floyd, handcuffed with his face to the … [Read more...]

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (PNS) — As plans were being made for the 224th General Assembly in Baltimore, a synergy was forming with another event down the interstate in Washington D.C.: The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival was preparing to hold its Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington during the GA’s opening days, giving folks a chance to shuttle down to the like-minded event. Then the pandemic hit. Along with General Assembly, the COVID-19 crisis has also forced the Poor People’s Campaign event online. That actually makes it even more accessible to Presbyterians, who will see church leadership involved in the assembly. The event is now just a few clicks away, and taking place on Saturday, June 20, which will not be an active day for the online General Assembly. “Presbyterians are engaged in the Poor People’s Campaign and the synergy it is creating,” said the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness … [Read more...]

  The National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is grieved and angered along with our African American sisters and brothers because of the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others. As a Middle Eastern community, we stand in solidarity with all people of color seeking justice through actions, not just words and promises. It is time for all communities to unite not only in prayer, but also in tangible ways that support, protect, uplift and advocate for those who have been suffering from systemic racism, injustice, oppression and discrimination throughout the entire history of this country. We reject all forms of dehumanization, discrimination and violence against people who are created in the image of God. We affirm the inherent value of all human beings and their right to the breath of life given to us by God. The NMEPC urges lawmakers and the leaders of the United States to take practical steps towards … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (OGA) The 224th General Assembly (2020) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will have a number of firsts later this month. Everything connected to the shortened assembly will be online, including Bible study. Earlier this year, the Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the PC(USA) selected James Elisha Taneti and Mary Florence Taneti as Bible study leaders. At the time, no one knew how the COVID-19 virus would drastically change everything about the assembly. “When thinking about the possibility of a digital General Assembly, Cindy and I felt strongly that, like the worship experiences, the opportunity for Bible study should be offered as part of the official assembly activities. As Presbyterians, we value the study of scripture as a vital spiritual practice as we engage in the words that speak to and nurture our spirits and lives,” said Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, Co-Moderator of the 223rd General Assembly along with the Rev. Cindy … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (PNS) — The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on communities of color across the country. And while black and brown people are adversely affected in times of health and economic crisis because of decades of systemic racism and poverty, they remain resilient in their ability to forge ahead despite structural obstacles. The Rev. Rosa Miranda, Associate for the Hispanic/Latino-a Intercultural Congregational Support office of Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, says around the  first week of April she needed to hear how the Hispanic-Latina-o Presbyterian faith communities and leaders were doing and what impact the stay-at-home orders were having on Hispanic-Latino-a churches and communities. Miranda received many responses. “Their responses went from, ‘We are in a desperate situation to provide for families that have lost jobs,’ ‘Parents are skipping meals so their children can be fed,’ to, ‘Our session has designated a few thousand … [Read more...]