Children connecting with God

"There you go, God, here is some Play-Doh for you," a four-year-old announced, placing a blob of yellow Play-Doh on the table and then scooting an empty chair next to her own so that both touched. She continued to roll and mash the Play-Doh, every so often adding a bit more to the handful for God until her mom arrived. As she said goodbye to one of the adult leaders, she held up her hands closed tightly together and whispered, "All you have to do is hold your hands like this and God is with you. God likes coming to Sunday school with me and he's holding my hand now to go to church with me." Although resembling the imaginary friend of a young child, God truly existed in the heart and mind of this young child. A few years later in a kindergarten through fifth grade Sunday school group talking with the leader about fears, her connection with God gave her the confidence, despite being one of the youngest in the group, to share with the others, "I know God is always with me even if I can't see him and when I am afraid at night I just talk to God."

Voices

Be the Colleague

Consider the following familiar scenario. A pastor takes a new call in youth ministry. He begins enthusiastically, on fire to gather young people into Christ's fold. Youth ministry begins to flourish over the course of the next two years, and then suddenly he resigns. The youth are devastated. The congregation is at first bemused, then shrugs its collective shoulders, and re-gathers itself for another mission study, another search committee, and hopefully a better match. Perhaps the next associate pastor will last a little longer.

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Gradye Parsons nominated to be Stated Clerk

LOUISVILLE -- The Stated Clerk Nomination Committee has chosen Gradye Parsons, currently director of operations for the Office of the General Assembly, as its nominee to be the new stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The General Assembly, meeting in San Jose in June, will make the actual decision -- and it's likely that other candidates will step forward to challenge Parsons for the position.

But the nomination committee, in a news release issued April 3, announced that it had selected Parsons from among 14 candidates as the nominee it would recommend to the assembly -- with committee moderator Steve Grace saying in the news release that Parsons "brings a wonderful blend of experiences and creative leadership" to the position.

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Lindner leaves National Council of Churches after three decades of ecumenical service

NEW YORK -- Eileen W. Lindner, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister widely known as editor of the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches and as a tireless leader and chronicler of the ecumenical movement, has announced her departure from the National Council of Churches USA on May 15.

Lindner, former NCC deputy general secretary research and planning, has served as director of organizational development since a reorganization of the NCC on Jan. 1. "Fund raising is a crucial position for any non-profit organization and this has never been more true for the Council than it is now," Lindner said. "The role of fund raiser needs to be focused much more sharply than is possible in my current position."

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Ongoing work after mission consultation; Council to consider details April 23-25

What happened in Dallas in January seemed to be a turning point for many who were there: a coalescing of people from across the spectrum of Presbyterian life, joining together to sign a covenant promising to work together in support of international mission.

In the time since then, some of the groups those 64 people represent have endorsed the covenant -- groups such as Presbyterians for Renewal and Presbyterian Global Fellowship. And others who weren't at the Dallas consultation have also offered their support -- including the Presbytery of Central Washington of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

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“Ground-blessing” for Columbia Theological

Columbia Theological Seminary plans a "ground-blessing" at the site of a new $9.6 million student residence hall April 1, at 5 p.m., on the Decatur, Ga. campus. The "green" building is expected to be one of the first buildings to earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

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“Souper Bowl” scores record; Presbyterians top $1 million

LOUISVILLE -- Souper Bowl of Caring officials say Presbyterian churches collected more than $1 million in February's annual anti-hunger campaign.

As of March 5, organizers say, 2,356 Presbyterian churches nationwide had raised $1,001,523 -- and collections haven't been fully reported. The total marks the second straight year that Presbyterian collections broke the $1 million mark.

So far some 14,654 organizations and congregations from a variety of U.S. religious denominations have reported collecting a record $9.5 million, according to Souper Bowl officials.

Voices

What it means to be a Christian after George W. Bush

Early one Sunday morning in the spring of 2003, in the quiet hours before services would begin at the evangelical church where I worship in Charlottesville, Va., I opened files compiled by my research assistant and read the statements drafted by Christians around the world in opposition to the American invasion of Iraq.

Voices

Faithful public policy happens everywhere

It is very much a part of the Reformed faith to be muddling about in the public policy decision-making process. John Calvin himself wrote in the 20th chapter of the Fourth Book of the Institutes of Christian Religion, "Wherefore no man can doubt that civil authority is, in the sight of God, not only sacred and lawful, but the most sacred, and by far the most honorable, of all stations in mortal life." Scripture reminds us of the necessity to speak out on behalf of the poor, the hungry, and the vulnerable.

Voices

For all in high positions: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 and the 2008 campaign

I once worked with a congregation whose members were divided from one another over various issues. It was, more than anything, a power struggle. Both sides knew they were right. Neither side would agree to sit down with the other. One Sunday, an elder volunteered to offer the prayer after the sermon as was their custom. She then prayed that God would make the rest of the congregation come to realize her side was right.

Of course, we all know that elder was wrong. But how often do we pray for others, entreating God to change them so they will agree with us, not necessarily so they will agree with God? I imagine we have all done this on occasion. That is why it is so important to stress Paul's (or the author's) words in 1 Timothy 2:1, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone. Paul goes on to support this by saying that God wants all to be saved and that Christ died as a ransom for all. If we, as Christians, truly believe these statements of God's love and care, the way we pray for others must be transformed from our selfish motives into legitimate love and concern for the other person, whether that person is your granddaughter or Osama Bin Laden.

Voices

Faith and power

"I don't believe that change comes from the top down," Barack Obama has said throughout his presidential campaign. "It comes from the bottom up."

Voters are debating whether Obama has the experience necessary to be president, but he certainly has experience as a community organizer. In the mid-80s, he was hired by a small group of churches on the south side of Chicago to organize low-income people. He helped them to define their mutual interests, work together to change their communities, and improve their lives. He came to believe that real change comes "from the bottom up."

Voices

Can human rights survive?

Can human rights survive secularization? Nicholas Wolterstorff really wants to know, because he's not sure they can.

Wolterstorff, the Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology at Yale Divinity School recently presented a lecture at the National Church in Washington, D.C., to address this question. Sponsored by the Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington, his comments reflected research presented in his most recent book, Justice -- Rights and Wrongs (Princeton University Press).

Movie Reviews

Three views of life

Under The Same Moon/La Misma Luna: Carlitos (Adrian Alonso) is a nine-year-old boy living in Mexico with his grandmother. He's never met his Dad, and his Mom, Rosario (Kate del Castillo) left four years ago for Los Angeles, working as a maid and a dressmaker and whatever she can find, in order to save the money to bring her son to her. She calls him from the same pay phone every Sunday morning at 10 a.m., and tells him that when he misses her just to remember they are both under the same moon. When Carlitos finds that his grandmother has died in her sleep, he embarks on an unlikely odyssey to cross the border by himself and find his mother.

Editorials

Happy holidays

Happy holidays. Yes, the Christmas season is behind us. Easter, too. So, without all the Advent energy swirling around, let's talk about the "Merry Christmas controversy." Should we Christians be wishing strangers a merry Christmas next December? Should we be urging store clerks to say, "Merry Christmas" and not the maligned "Happy holidays"? Should we be expecting others to honor our Savior's birth as we do?

Of course, the underlying issue here is the matter of faith and culture. Is our culture basically a Christian one? Was our nation founded by believers like us and for believers like us?

Voices

Communications in a busy world

Not everyone processes information the same way. Few of us receive it the first time we see/hear it.

Some hear, some read words, some see images, others do best with word of mouth. No one method catches everyone.

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Kirkpatrick to serve as visiting professor at Louisville Seminary

LOUISVILLE -- Clifton Kirkpatrick has been appointed as visiting professor of ecumenical studies and global ministries at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary beginning next fall.

The announcement was made during the "Voices of the Church Dinner," held March 4 in conjunction with Louisville Seminary's annual Festival of Theology and Alum Reunion. Kirkpatrick was the guest speaker.

Kirkpatrick is currently stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) He is also president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and serves on the governing boards of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and the Council of Presidents, United States Chapter, of the World Conference on Religion and Peace.

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“Ground-blessing” for Columbia Theological

Columbia Theological Seminary plans a "ground-blessing" at the site of a new $9.6 million student residence hall April 1, at 5 p.m., on the Decatur, Ga. campus. The "green" building is expected to be one of the first buildings to earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

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A gathering of all “nations and tongues” planned April 10-13 in San Antonio

LOUISVILLE -- The need for the church to revitalize and strengthen its commitment to evangelism in a rapidly growing multicultural world will be the focus of the ninth annual Multicultural Conference of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in San Antonio, Texas.

The official theme of the April 10-13 event is "Gather All Nations and Tongues: Good News for All Congregations," inspired by the prophesy of Isaiah 66:18.

"We hope that Isaiah's prophesy will be a blessing and inspiration for our gathering as we seek to claim, celebrate, and live our calling as a multicultural church, preaching the good news to all with emphasis on spiritual growth, peace and justice," said Raafat Girgis, a conference planner and the PC(USA)'s associate for multicultural ministries.

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Service held for widow of former PSCE president

Beryl Elizabeth Birdsong Kraemer, 98, widow of Charles E.S. Kraemer, who was president of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union-PSCE), died March 1 in Charlotte, N.C. A memorial service was held March 19 at First Church in Charlotte.

Mrs. Kraemer grew up in Greenville, Texas, and received a teaching certificate from East Texas State Teacher's College in Commerce, Texas.

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N.J. Presbyterians host GA moderator candidates April 25

LOUISVILLE -- A group of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations in New Brunswick Presbytery is hosting a "meet and greet" event on April 25 at which all four candidates for moderator of the upcoming 218th General Assembly (2008) have agreed to attend.

The evening event, sponsored by a group calling itself the Central Jersey Moderator Candidate Host Committee, will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, N.J.

"It's wonderful that the members of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville and other area Presbyterians get a chance to meet the future leader of the PC(USA) General Assembly," said Jeffrey Vamos, pastor of the host church.

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Wilson College’s Orr Forum April 14 to explore being “publically religious”

In a diverse nation where many minority groups participate in a dominant society yet maintain their cultural differences, questions arise about how the faithful practice their religious beliefs. Should they keep their religion to themselves or shout it from the rooftops? These and other questions will be explored April 14 at the Wilson College 2008 Orr Forum on Religion. The theme of the forum is, "On Being Publicly Religious."

A daylong series of events is planned, culminating with the Orr Lecture at 7:30 p.m. in Laird Hall, when Nancy Ammerman will present "Religious Communities and the Good of the World." The lecture is free and open to the public. "I think Dr. Ammerman will make an argument, or at least suggest, that religious communities have a role to play in the common good. They have a contribution to make," says David True, chair of the Wilson College Department of Philosophy and Religion. "That doesn't mean that religions aren't capable of huge wrongs or can't be divisive. But many Americans find meaning in religious communities and traditions, and they find it in diverse ways. That's a big point for her -- that American religion contains a great deal of diversity and individuality."

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Carter named president Of Johnson C. Smith

(PNS) Johnson C. Smith University Board of Trustees has announced that Ronald L. Carter will become the university's 13th president on July 1. Carter will leave Coker College in Hartsville, SC, where he has served as provost and dean of faculty since 1997.

Voices

Military “March Madness” scores no slam dunk

The National Anthem's lyrics gained fresh meaning five years ago when the United States attacked and invaded Iraq. On TV we saw Baghdad aflame with bombs exploding and tracer bullets lighting the night sky. With apologies to Francis Scott Key for revising his lyrics, "The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was firmly planted in Baghdad." For maybe 100 years, say John McCain.

Why did our nation invade Iraq?

President George W. Bush, soon after occupying the White House, boldly announced he "had a clear vision of where I want to lead America." Sometimes he fumbled syntax and mispronounced words. The late arch-critic Molly Ivins, who rarely came to his rescue, told mocking pundits, "You can usually tell what he meant to say."

Voices

Presbyterian church ecumenical relations since its 1983 reunion

Introduction

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) experienced a reunion in 1983 of what are commonly referred to as the Northern and Southern Presbyterian churches. This article gives a brief account of what has happened in ecumenical relations in the PC(USA) since its reunion in Atlanta, Ga., June 1983.

The common designation of the previous churches as "southern" and "northern" is an inaccuracy. The northern Church, UPCUSA, was a national church with congregations and presbyteries spanning the USA territory. One can surmise that this designation began at the time of the separation of these churches in the 1860's over issues relating to the holding of Negro slaves, a subject of great interest, though this article is not intending to address it.

Voices

Christian sign language

In my current days of age, I have come to believe that there is another aspect of learning, and worshipping.

It is the presence of motion, and the use of the body in praise. I call this Christian sign language. Oh, you say, "This fellow is off on a Pentecostal kick!" Perhaps there is a suspicion brewing that I have sold out to ecclesiastical "rock and roll".

The Presbyterian Outlook

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