“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). If ever there were a living example of the Romans 7 dilemma, it is parading before us daily on the campaign trail. Two great men, both aspiring to be the 44th president of the United States, are behaving in ways that flat-out contradict so much of what they have promoted throughout their careers.
(RNS) NEW YORK — Here in America’s financial capital, Sunday (Sept. 14) was normal in most respects. Streets were filled with shoppers, parks with strollers and picnickers, and homes with people watching the Jets lose and the Giants win. But our always-on communications brought a steady stream of sobering news from emergency talks on Wall Street.
This fall, before the election, presbyteries will be encouraged to set up task forces on immigration — so Presbyterians can be ready to respond the next time a push is made for comprehensive immigration reform. Whether the Republicans or the Democrats win in November, the demography of the country is changing. People are streaming into the United States from all corners of the globe, and the implications of immigration for public policy and for communities and congregations are tremendous.
“We’re narrowing our list of priorities,” a church leader said the other day.
Editor’s Note: This report on hurricane damage in Texas reflects information “on the ground” in the days right after the disaster.
It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going … ” Hebrews 11:8-10 (Good News Bible)
When Wisdom and Laughter Meet: Stories on the Work and Worship of the Church, by Jim Atwood. Trafford, 2008. Pb., 106 pp. $13.50.
LOUISVILLE — Janet Edwards, a Presbyterian minister in Pittsburgh, was found not guilty Thursday (Oct. 2) following a trial on charges that she violated Scripture and the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) when she presided at the marriage of two women.
SNOWBIRD, UTAH – In response to the crisis in the nation’s financial markets, Presbyterian leaders are preparing to send out a pastoral letter by e-mail pointing out resources available from the General Assembly on economic issues.
SNOWBIRD, UTAH — The $40 million Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands campaign has proved a learning experience for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — exciting in some ways, frustrating in others, said Tom Gillespie, a former president of Princeton Theological Seminary and honorary chairman of the campaign.
Bangalore, India — (ENI) Christian and Hindu leaders who took part in their first dialogue meeting in India's southern state of Kerala are hopeful that the gathering will lead to greater understanding, against the background of anti-Christian violence in parts of the country.
SNOWBIRD, UTAH — Laura Mendenhall, president of Columbia Theological Seminary, told the General Assembly Council’s Vocation Committee Oct. 1 that the quality and commitment of the students coming to seminary today gives her hope for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
SNOWBIRD, UTAH – The news is full of the nation’s economic crisis – and for many congregations and Presbyterian families, there is a lot to be concerned about. What will happen to endowments, investments, retirement funds – or to job stability and the price of gasoline, food and heating fuel, with the approaching winter?
SNOWBIRD, UTAH – The General Assembly Council has voted to create a new five-member task force to evaluate the role of the Presbyterian News Service – including whether the News Service should have editorial freedom, and how it should be funded.
SNOWBIRD, UT — In their first gathering since the 218th General Assembly in San Jose, CA, middle governing body leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) received denominational updates and pondered strategies for leading their organizations calmly and courageously during a time of change.
SNOWBIRD, UTAH – While initial reports were that most Presbyterian churches in Texas and Louisiana had escaped serious damage from Hurricane Ike, the damage now appears much more severe than first thought – and donations for the relief work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance have been slow in coming.
SNOWBIRD, UT — “We are living in a time during which things change so rapidly that we are always behind the eight-ball,” Peter Steinke told the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 2008 Polity Conference on Church Leadership During Anxious Times.
SNOWBIRD, UTAH – They’ve used a dizzying array of images here to describe the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), of ships tossed on a rough sea, of Frodo seeking the right path in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, of Jason Bourne having amnesia about his own identity in The Bourne Identity.
SNOWBIRD, UTAH – Among Presbyterians, the word “missional” is as popular these days as “awesome” is for teenagers.
SNOWBIRD, UTAH – Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Council, voiced excitement about ways the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is trying new means of connecting with Presbyterians and sharing stories about work being done at the grassroots.
SNOWBIRD, UTAH – What role should the Presbyterian News Service play in the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)?
APPRECIATION TO MANY
Church Financial Campaign Service honors the ministry of the pastors and congregations with which we have had the privilege of working. Thank you.
October: Pastor Appreciation Month. Just the kind of thing Hallmark would invent to sell more cards.
Albert G. “Pete” Peery, pastor of First Church in Asheville, N.C., has been named 16th president of the Montreat (N.C.) Conference Center, a mission center of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He will assume responsibilities at the conference center on November 1.
Now it’s time for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to consider the question: Should the controversial requirement that those being ordained practice fidelity if they’re married or chastity if they’re single be dropped from the denomination’s constitution?
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