National unity calls by U.S. churches after Obama victory

(ENI) — U.S. religious leaders and denominations have issued calls for Americans to unite in support of Barack Obama, following his election as the first mixed-race president of the United States.

In a November 5 statement that captured the enormous pride that the election of Obama, who is the son of a Kenyan father and white mother from Kansas, has elicited among African Americans, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, a predominately black denomination, said Obama had won "one of the most historic elections in American history".

Mister Rogers-inspired effort provides winter clothes, evangelistic outreach

Inspired by the Rev. Fred (Mister) Rogers, the Presbyterian Media Mission (PMM) is once again teaming with Presbyterian churches, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and United Way in an effort to collect winter clothing for those in need.

Kenyan church leaders say Obama win is good for Africa

(ENI)--Kenyan church leaders have hailed the election of Senator Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America, saying it is a positive turn for Africa that can help steer good governance on the continent.

2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is available now

LOUISVILLE — One hundred seventeen years and counting.
 
The 2009 edition of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is hot off the press and, as usual, is flying off the shelves. “The print run is 40,000 and we usually distribute all of those,” Yearbook editor Billie Healy told the Presbyterian News Service in a Nov. 4 interview.

Founder of ‘Calvinism’ praised as ‘visionary’ at anniversary launch

(ENI)--John Calvin, known for his  role in the Protestant Reformation from Geneva during the 16th century, has been praised as one of the history's most astute theologians at a ceremony to launch a year of events to mark the 500th anniversary of his birth.

Chocolates mark 500 years of Calvin in a taste of “paradise”

(ENI) Swiss chocolatier Blaise Poyet believes he has captured the essence of the Protestant reformer Jean Calvin in special chocolate pralines he created to mark the 500th anniversary of the religious figure who made his mark on European history.

Christian aid groups fear catastrophe in Congo

(ENI)--Christian emergency response organizations have expressed alarm at a deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province and about brutalities innocent civilians are facing in a potential humanitarian catastrophe.

Churches deplore northeast India blasts that hit Baptist center

(ENI)--Churches in India have joined in widespread denunciation of a series of bomb blasts that killed at least 76 people and left more than 400 injured in Assam state, in north-east India, and that also damaged a Baptist center.

Played by John Malkovich, Gustav Briegleb was crusader against immorality, corruption

John Malkovich plays Presbyterian minister the Rev. Dr. Gustav Briegleb in Clint Eastwood’s new film “Changeling”.

The film tells the story of how in 1928 the minister came to the aid of Christine Collins, a mother who was wrongly imprisoned in a psychiatric ward because she insisted that the boy whom the police had returned to her was not her kidnapped nine-year-old son, Walter. (Ron Salfen’s OUTLOOK review of this film is also available on this Web site, under “Reviews.”)

Let the PUP Report work

Editor’s Note: Jack Haberer, current Outlook editor, was a member of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church. He accepted that assignment before coming to The Presbyterian Outlook.

Why not replace (or retain) G-6.0106b?

Ever since G-6.0106b was added to the Book of Order, I have been working with other Presbyterians to remove or replace it because — I am convinced — it is Biblically, theologically, and legally unsound. In June, the General Assembly placed before the church as Amendment 08-B a beautifully-crafted alternative. Grateful as I am to the framers from Boston Presbytery and the commissioners who recognized the value of their work, I do not think that it will benefit the church to act on this constitutional amendment this year.

Presbyterian Coalition: Cultural aliens in a modern Caesarea Philippi

Christians sensing they are almost aliens in their own cultures have a lot in common with the first century believers, according to Jim Edwards of Whitworth University, who taught a Bible study at the closing session of this year’s Presbyterian Coalition 11th Annual Gathering in Newport Beach, Calif., October 15.

Laura Mendenhall leaving Columbia Seminary presidency in summer 2009

DECATUR, GEORGIA — Laura Mendenhall announced Oct. 8 that she will conclude her tenure as president of Columbia Theological Seminary at the end of the 2008-2009 academic year.

GAC reflections: A way forward without resolving “up-or-down”

In the waning moments of the General Assembly Council meeting, Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly, floated an idea.

PC(USA) stated clerk denounces effigies depicting political candidates

Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has issued a statement condemning the hanging of effigies of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Louis H. Evans Jr. dies

Word has reached the OUTLOOK that Louis H. Evans, Jr., once pastor of Bel Air Church in Los Angeles, Calif., and National Church in Washington, D.C., died at home Oct. 28 in his sleep. His wife of more than 50 years, Colleen Townsend Evans, was with him. 

PC(USA) releases voting rights and election reform report

LOUISVILLE — Adding its voice to the widespread public concern for possible voter disenfranchisement, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy [www.pcusa.org/acswp] (ACSWP) Oct. 27 released a report entitled, “Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights, and Electoral Reform”.

Zimbabwe bishop says many churches have done nothing for people

(ENI) -- The leader of Zimbabwe's largest functioning alliance of Christians says the country's main grouping of traditional Protestant churches and the African and global umbrella church organizations with which it is affiliated have been notable for their silence on what is happening in his country.

Indian church leaders hail nun for speaking out about rape ordeal

(ENI)--Church leaders and activists have hailed as "courageous" the decision by a young Roman Catholic nun to publicly recount how she was raped by Hindu extremists in India's eastern Orissa state, and who has reiterated her demand for federal police to investigate the case.

The association joining Presbyterian colleges, universities

As the recently elected Chair of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU), I am pleased to tell you about the important work that the association is doing and to describe how having roots in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shapes and is expressed at my own institution, Wilson College.

Presbyterian News Service’s fate, denominational role under study

SNOWBIRD, UTAH — What role should the Presbyterian News Service play in the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)?

Faith/education connections in Presbyterian-related schools

What does it mean to be a Presbyterian-related college or university these days? On the one hand, we are told that our increasingly secular age has reduced such links to tepid “values” affirmations (call that The Dying of the Light syndrome). On the other, we are reassured that college students widely affirm their spiritual interest and that colleges with strong faith connections are increasingly popular (the God in the Quad factor).