“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” — The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  “It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. [God] gives us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on Earth. It is an awesome opportunity.” — César Chávez (PNS) — The Hispanic/Latinx National Caucus of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) stands in strong solidarity with our African American siblings in the United States. While people of color of all persuasions have suffered and continue to suffer violence, ignominy and systemic discrimination, the history of violence against black people in this country remains the most egregious example of white privilege and supremacy, perpetuating the mortal national sins of slavery and Jim Crow laws. The murders of unarmed black people by the police in recent years … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (OGA) The recent deaths of three African Americans have once again raised concern about racial injustice across the country, including the cities where the deaths occurred. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), says there is work to be done. … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (PNS) — The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Law and order exists for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose, they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress.” Is the current unrest around the country and particularly in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Louisville, Kentucky, a result of decades of law and order failing in its purpose to establish justice? The deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd at the hands of police officers have set cities ablaze. The two incidents along with the murder of Ahmaud Arbery have rocked our nation. And it has one wondering if there will ever be justice for black people in America. The African American community is being devastated by a double pandemic. Not only are blacks dying at an alarmingly disproportionate rate from COVID-19, but for decades they have suffered from the pandemic of injustice and systemic and structural racism. The disparities in health … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (PNS) — The killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, recent attacks and ridicule of people of Asian descent during the pandemic and many other horrifying examples all point out why the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) must be a Matthew 25 church, even as the coronavirus still keeps many Christians from worshiping and doing ministry in person. “All that terror has laid bare what has always been there. It angers me,” the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, said Wednesday during a Vital Congregations Zoom conversation on being a Matthew 25 church during the pandemic. “If we will not face it, we certainly can’t fix it.” Extended April 1, 2019, the Matthew 25 invitation draws from Matthew 25:31-46, the Judgment of the Nations, which, according to the PC(USA)’s Matthew 25 website, “calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities.” It invites … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE – Worship in new worshiping communities (NWCs) continues to be nontraditional. This includes making meals central to the worship experience; avoiding traditional worship elements like organs, bulletins and sermons; and even worshiping on Sunday and in church sanctuaries. In a way, this is much like traditional churches are doing now during the pandemic. “These nontraditional approaches sometimes arise from necessity — like when NWCs have no or limited access to traditional spaces, times or props,” said Dr. Angie Andriot, research analyst with Research Services of the PC(USA). “Sometimes these approaches can also be calculated — like when NWCs are trying to create a safe space to heal from traumas, be they personal or church-related.” Andriot was reflecting on findings from interview research undertaken in October 2019 at a PC(USA) conference in Kansas City, Missouri, that drew NWC leaders from around the country. This research shows that some of the challenges that … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (PNS) After three site visits, 17 focus groups, and several agency and entity-wide surveys, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has completed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Audit as recommended by the 223rd General Assembly (2018). The audit, conducted by the Washington Consulting Group (WCG), included data from the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Inc., Administrative Services Group, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, Inc., and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. The WCG looked at staff perspectives on: Diversity, equity, and inclusion Level of comfort interacting with staff and leadership Experiences with discrimination, harassment, and intimidation Perceptions/experiences with the promotion process Perceptions of accessibility and challenges encountered by those who are differently abled. “The team performed a very thorough … [Read more...]