WASHINGTON, D.C. (PNS)  “A budget is a values document. AMEN! A budget is a moral document. AMEN! A federal budget is a spiritual document. AMEN!” So responded clergy members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Tuesday in front of the U.S. Capitol. The denomination’s Office of Public Witness (OPW) hosted a day of advocacy on September 12, interceding on behalf of a “Faithful Budget” as highly contentious budget negotiations continue on the Hill. OPW live-streamed a press release (archived video here), in which Presbyterian clergy vocally and repeatedly articulated that the federal budget has a moral valence. OPW Director the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins began by emphasizing the president’s proposed 2018 budget increased military spending by $54 billion while cutting social programs by the same, stating, “the budget is a moral document and reflects our values – and therefore our values are with the poor.” Although advocating for a major role of government in society, speakers also … [Read more...]

CHICAGO (PNS) After changing its annual meeting location from Houston to Chicago due to the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, members of the Cuba Partners Network found themselves listening to reports from their Cuban friends recounting Hurricane Irma’s slow, spinning assault on their beloved Cuba on Sept. 8. The first category 5 hurricane to make landfall in Cuba since 1924 – and one of the most powerful ever recorded in the Atlantic – Hurricane Irma left significant damage and widespread flooding across central and northern Cuba before turning north toward Florida and other U.S. southeastern states. The Rev. Marielys Cabrera of the Central Presbytery in Cuba described collapsed roofs and broken doors on church buildings, manses and the homes of church members and neighbors. She spoke of extensive damage to water tanks, windows and community kitchens. At CANIP, a 35-acre national camp and conference center for the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba (IPRC), … [Read more...]

(PNS) Hurricane Irma may be gone, but the aftermath of its path across Florida is still being felt by residents, businesses and churches. FLAPDAN (Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network) held a conference call with the state’s six presbyteries and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on Wednesday to get a general assessment of the needs in each area. “There has been a lot of road blockage, including parts of I-75. There may be additional problems as rivers begin to rise, limiting the ability to move supplies coming into the state,” said Kathy Broyard, FLAPDAN director. “There is plenty of gas, but the supply trucks can’t get in. It’s a matter of getting the fuel delivered to stations across the state.” Florida’s six presbyteries (Tropical Florida, Peace River, Tampa Bay, Central Florida, St. Augustine and Presbytery of Florida) reported downed trees, power lines, some water damage and lack of phone service through out. “The people in our area appear to be more … [Read more...]