(PNS) While not the most widely known or celebrated holiday, Juneteenth is certainly one of the more significant holidays in the history of this nation. On June 17, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger, along with thousands of federal troops, rode into Galveston, Texas to establish martial law. Two days later, Granger announced that the Civil War had ended and slaves had been freed. Approximately 250,000 slaves living in Texas had no idea that President Abraham Lincoln had issued a proclamation nearly three years earlier stating that all slaves were free. On that day in Texas, June 19, Granger announced General Order #3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen … [Read more...]

Paul Fogg has been selected to be the next executive director of the Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center. (Contributed photo) (PNS) Paul Fogg’s next post in the Presbyterian camp and conference center world comes with a strong sense of call. Fogg is joining Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center on Sept. 30 as its new executive director. “I have never felt more called to a position prior to getting there,” Fogg said in a Presbyterian Foundation news release. “Absolutely every single roadblock that was in the way was removed.” He succeeds Debra Hepler, who retired from Ghost Ranch in February. Fogg is currently serving as the executive director and CEO of the Calvin Center, the camp and conference facility that was once owned by Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and still has a strong affiliation. He has worked at Calvin for 12 years, leading the center through its transition from a Presbytery-owned and operated facility to its own tax-exempt incorporated nonprofit … [Read more...]

(PNS) Organizers say nearly two million people have participated in protests in Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill. Even though Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam publicly apologized Saturday and suspended any action on the legislation, protests continued Sunday. Opposition leaders have pledged to keep protesting until the government withdraws the legislation completely. At issue is a proposed law that would allow the Hong Kong government to send persons charged with certain crimes to mainland China for prosecution. The ongoing conflict grew out of an incident over a Hong Kong citizen who is accused of murdering his girlfriend while in Taiwan. He came back to Hong Kong and there is no method to have him extradited to Taiwan since there is no agreement between the two nations. In response, the Hong Kong government proposed to amend its Fugitive Offenders Ordinance to allow extradition even to countries with which they have no legal agreement. Mission co-worker the … [Read more...]

(OGA) With both Father’s Day and World Refugee Day falling in the same week, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is taking the opportunity to draw attention to the plight of migrant families coming to the U.S. In two letters to members of Congress, the stated clerk is calling for stronger measures to protect and represent families seeking to start a new life. Referring to the recent deaths of migrant children who died in U.S. custody, Nelson says more should be done to protect those fleeing their homelands. “Life is precious but every day, in the name of border enforcement, we strip people of their intrinsic human value and dignity,” he said in one letter. “We place lives at risk. I write to you today to request that you defend immigration laws that protect life and improve them to protect more lives.” Nelson reaffirmed the PC(USA)’s commitment to resettling refugees for decades, adding that … [Read more...]

(OGA) According to a recent survey conducted by Lifeway Research, 94 percent of Protestant responders believe that teens and children are protected from abuse within their congregation and 93 percent of responders believe that adults are protected from abuse within their congregation. In a twist, 32 percent believe more pastors have abused teens and children than have been reported. I wonder if this could be reflective of the sentiment that “It cannot happen here. …” Or, is this a part of a general fear that, as reports of abuse within other denominations surface, our beloved denomination also has its own horrific stories? In either case, as ruling elders serving on the governing bodies of our congregations, we have the obligation and the ability to make changes that prevent or greatly reduce the chances of these unimaginable outcomes. The Book of Order now requires that all church councils implement child and youth protection policies to keep church events and communities safe for … [Read more...]

PHILADELPHIA (PHS) A familiar face with the Presbyterian Historical Society is stepping into a temporary leadership role. Nancy Taylor, who has led the Society’s archival and communications efforts for more than 10 years, has been named acting executive director by the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in consultation with the PHS Board of Directors. “Simply put, no one knows PHS collections, staff, and researchers better than Nancy,” said the Reverend Dr. George Abdo, PHS board chair, and Ernest R. Higginbotham, incoming PHS board chair, in a joint statement. “She will provide terrific leadership during this time of transition and help PHS continue to serve more Presbyterians, scholars, and students.” Taylor will fill the vacancy left by the Reverend Dr. Beth Hessel, who resigned to take a similar position with the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, a historic member library and architectural archives. “Thank … [Read more...]