The Honorable Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20230 Dear Secretary Pompeo, The announcement from the current U.S. Administration that there is no such thing as “occupied territories” in Israel is abhorrent as well as foolish. It suggests that there is no such thing as a centuries-old Palestinian community that is entitled to live securely on the land on which they have lived for generations. It violates the fundamental right of people to own, tend, and hold their land, and forbids encroachment and occupation by other hostile entities. This decision is a direct violation of internationally recognized agreements. It questions political wisdom and demonstrates no regard for the Palestinian people and their civil and political rights. The pandering to current Israeli leadership carries the foolish assumption that such violations of Palestinian rights will generate political support in the United Stated in … [Read more...]

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (PNS) — Over 160 years ago, Presbyterians established their first churches in Colombia. All these years later, the Presbyterian Church of Colombia is still doing important and impactful work. Presbyterian Foundation leaders recently visited Colombia to better understand the country, its history of violence and conflict, and what support is needed today as the PC(USA) continues to work with this valued partner in God’s mission. The IPC has three presbyteries, and the Foundation visited each. Presbyterian World Mission has two mission co-workers serving in Colombia, both living in Barranquilla on Colombia’s northern coast: the Rev. Sarah Henken, who  is engaged in peace and reconciliation work with the IPC, and the Rev. Dr. Céesar Carhuachín, who teaches at the Reformed University. Henken also coordinates the Colombia site of the Young Adult Volunteer program. Two new YAVs arrived in Colombia at the end of August to begin a year of service with ministries of the … [Read more...]

During a recent presbytery training event, ruling elders from various churches were working in three small groups discussing the roles and responsibilities of session. One of the groups raised a hand with a question, “We were just discussing this and wondered what it meant when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order says, ‘... and exercising pastoral care among the congregation in order that the Sacraments may be received as a means of grace, and the congregation may live in the unity represented in the Sacraments’ (G-3.0201b). Does this mean that we just need to make sure that Communion gets served to those who are homebound?” As the discussion continued, many of the ruling elders began to point to roles and responsibilities that were not as familiar, those that seemed to be categorized in strange places, and those that seemed to mean more than they had understood before. Section G-3.0201 reminds us that sessions are responsible for “governing the congregation and guiding … [Read more...]

(OGA) Sometimes you must go to great lengths to connect with other people. Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, Co-Moderator of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), affirmed that recently when she took part in a weekend retreat in Kentucky, leading Bible study and mustering up the courage to do a little ziplining. Cintrón-Olivieri was the guest of Western Kentucky, Transylvania, and Mid-Kentucky presbyteries for a joint youth gathering. Nestled in the secluded Cedar Ridge Camp on the outskirts of Louisville, the 75 youth and adult leaders focused on the theme “See and Being Seen” with Psalm 121 as the scripture reference. “Vilmarie led the youth through a series of reflections on how we see ourselves, how do others see us? How does God see us? Those sorts of questions,” said the Reverend Doodle Harris, associate pastor of Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville. “Young people live in this selfie culture of ‘let me put my best self out … [Read more...]