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Wikiterian

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) may want to take note of a phenomenon occurring online.

At the manger bed

The church was beautifully adorned with poinsettias and greens, and the Advent wreath was fully lighted, including the candle in the center, which stands for Jesus.

The Word and the world

Editor's note: Bruce Gillette, co-pastor of Limestone Church in Wilmington, Del., wrote the following reflection upon hearing about the recent death of Frances Paschal Landers and on the Christian imperative to see and serve the world's most needful.

Forgiveness lesson for General Assembly

On April 21, 2010, facing the mayor of Rome and a room full of civic leaders, the press, and scholars, a series of former victims of horrific crimes came forward and testified that they had forgiven their tormentors.

Where is thy sting?

I  saw my father dead once. He was in his casket, but the undertaker had put the wrong face on him. In death Dad wore an odd smirk that I never saw in life.

I would be honored

Not long ago I was dashing from a lunch meeting in Lower Manhattan to the nearest subway station when two well-dressed young men approached me, both with side-locks and the broad-brimmed hats that some Orthodox Jewish men wear.

Outlier bride, outlier church

The wedding season is upon us! Given the large number of single female Ministers of Word and Sacrament, I am amazed that I am one of this year’s brides.

Calling out seminaries — for the called

My friend Peggie was in her 50s when she answered God’s call to ministry. She’s active in the local church, serves on the leadership team, preaches on occasion, and is naturally gifted in evangelism.

Four more years? 20 minutes with Linda Valentine

interview by Jack Haberer, OUTLOOK editor

Linda Valentine has been re-elected by the General Assembly Mission Council (subject to confirmation by the 219th General Assembly) to serve a second four-year term as executive director – the chief of staff to most of the denomination’s national and international staff. Editor Jack Haberer sat down with Linda Valentine to talk about her first term and to look ahead.

Teaching – and learning – as spiritual practice

Throughout much of the modern era, Christian educators, along with most modern people, assumed a linear process for Christian education starting with Biblical and theological scholars handing on their scholarship to teachers, who, in turn, effectively passed it on to students, who, ostensibly, learn and change their behavior.

When is enough time too much?

“We are the Church of Jesus Christ. When the powers of the world decide that they will conduct business as usual, and that business is contrary to the teachings of Christ and the will of God for humanity, then it is time for the church to end its complicity in this sinful behavior. If we do not, then we remain unrepentant.”

Iona and the community spirit

The year is 1948. The place, the holy island of Iona. The Rev. Dr. George MacLeod is sitting with a young man, John, who has spent time in a borstal for young offenders. Sensing that the young man is troubled, MacLeod invites him to write down any burden he has on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope, before receiving the laying on of hands.

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