(PHS) The Presbyterian Historical Society is pleased to have awarded seven Heritage Preservation Grants to PC(USA) congregations in 2021. The winners come from six states: Harvest Community Church (Madera, California) Chapel by the Sea (Pacific Beach, Washington) First Presbyterian Church (Iola, Kansas) Central Presbyterian Church (Nevada, Iowa) Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church (Kettering, Ohio) Covenant-First Presbyterian Church (Cincinnati, Ohio) Old Tennent Presbyterian Church (Tennent, New Jersey) The Heritage Preservation Grant program was established in 2001, PHS's 150th anniversary. Sustained by donations to the PHS annual fund, each in-kind grant provides $500 toward digitizing a congregation's vital records, including session minutes and church registers. Churches with fewer than 200 members that are at least 50 years old may apply. Since 2001, PHS has awarded 74 grants to congregations; this year's seven grants is a record for one year. This work is one way … [Read more...]
Black and Asian Christian leaders discuss role of church in fighting racism
CHICAGO (RNS) — In the summer of 2020, as the death of George Floyd shined a spotlight on racism and violence against Black Americans, the Asian American Christian Collaborative marched for Black lives. Months later, leaders of the Black and Asian American churches involved in that march began to plan a second event uniting their communities against racism. In the midst of planning the event, Black & Asian Christians United Against Racism, organizers learned that eight people were shot and killed in spas in the Atlanta area, including six women of Asian descent, and the spotlight turned on the recent explosion of violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders amid scapegoating for the COVID-19 pandemic. “In the wake of the surging violence against Asian Americans … and as the Derek Chauvin trial is taking place in the murder of George Floyd, an event like this is needed more now than ever,” said Pastor Raymond Chang, president of the Asian American Christian … [Read more...]
Thoughts from the Stated Clerk for those choosing a life in ministry
LOUISVILLE (OGA) Pray for what you need, but don’t be surprised when the answer comes. These are words of advice from the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Nelson recently shared his advice for seminarians preparing for a life in ministry. by Rick Jones and Randy Hobson, Office of the General Assembly … [Read more...]
From listening to action, from reconciliation to repair: The work of the PC(USA) Special Committee on Racism, Truth and Reconciliation
When it comes to responding to racism, Presbyterians love to talk and study. They proclaim the need for boldness and change — but often it ends there. That’s what the Special Committee on Racism, Truth and Reconciliation – created by the 2016 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – has come to recognize, and hopes to help the 2022 General Assembly to understand. The committee started with its mandate “to listen to the voices of those who have been long silenced” regarding institutional racism and oppression within the church, said Byron Wade, a minister who serves as general presbyter of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina and is co-moderator of the committee, along with Marta Pumroy, a ruling elder and teacher from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. What committee members heard, when they convened listening sessions, was frustration from people of color not necessarily of having no voice, but of repeatedly calling for justice and action and not being heeded by the … [Read more...]
Presbyterian leaders consider implicit bias, marginalized communities in committee meeting
The Coordinating Committee of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board is recommending that the board hire a consultant to do training at the board’s October meeting to help board members and the Presbyterian Mission Agency staff “address implicit biases and microaggressions.” In part, that recommendation is coming out of concern over continuing violence against Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) people and other examples of racial injustice, and out of the findings that diversity and equity consultant Marian R. Vasser presented in 2020 about power and privilege dynamics in the board’s own gatherings. Michelle Hwang, representing the board’s Power and Privilege Task Force, presented the recommendation to the board’s Coordinating Committee in a Zoom meeting April 1 that the board contract with Rosetta Lee, a consultant and trainer from the Seattle Girl’s School, to provide training on unconscious bias and navigating microaggressions. “Until we have the time to reflect on … [Read more...]
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary names Asa J. Lee as president
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Board of Directors voted to appoint the Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee as the next president of the Seminary. Dr. Lee currently serves at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., as vice president for campus administration, associate dean for community life, and director of African American studies. “We are excited and blessed to have Dr. Asa Lee joining the Seminary as its president at this point in our 227-year history,” said James Gockley, the Seminary’s Board chair. “With a strong faculty and a dedicated staff, we have all the key elements needed to achieve our mission of preparing our growing and broadening student body for ministry in the way of Jesus. Add to that Dr. Lee’s vision for the future of theological education and his skills in pastoral leadership and spiritual formation, and the Seminary is well positioned to continue serving across our various ecclesial families.” Eliza Smith Brown, who chaired the search committee, added, … [Read more...]
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