(PNS) Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has worked in long-term recovery efforts following disasters for years. This includes scheduling volunteer work teams at recovery host sites who clean, rebuild or repair homes years after a disaster. In the past two years, PDA has scheduled 16,516 volunteers from 468 different churches, universities and organizations to stay at one of our many host sites. This model — aimed at meeting needs identified for the recovery phase — is extremely effective. However, there is an additional area of disaster response we are excited to develop: response hosting. While recovery host sites typically open six to 12 months after a disaster, response host sites could feasibly open within days. After large disasters, Eden Roberts, manager of the PDA National Call Center, takes scores of calls from people asking how they can assist those in distress. “After telling compassionate folks with a desire to help immediately after a big disaster that PDA … [Read more...]

(PNS) A woman who’s been instrumental in helping Presbyterians to understand systemic issues facing Puerto Rico and the effects of decades of colonialism and exploitation has been selected to receive the 2020 Peaceseeker Award. Michelle Muñiz-Vega, the disaster recovery coordinator in the Presbytery of San Juan, has been selected to receive the honor from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship (PPF), a network of peacemakers who engage with issues in the United States and abroad. PPF has given out the award each year for nearly 50 years to call attention to and celebrate Presbyterians who are making a significant contribution to peace, according to its announcement. Muñiz-Vega’s selection is a reflection of her outstanding leadership, according to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) staff members who know her. Muñiz-Vega is a former Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) site coordinator in Miami whose current position is funded by a grant from PDA. “I have seen her grow and develop into … [Read more...]

(PHS) Recently processed and now available for research at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia are the personal papers of two prominent African American leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Gayraud Wilmore and J. Oscar McCloud. Rev. Wilmore’s papers were brought to the Society by his son Jack and daughter-in-law Carmen in July 2019. Rev. McCloud began donating his papers to the Society in 1999 and also deposited the last few boxes in July. Since then, PHS has prepared both collections for researchers. After sorting and describing the collections, PHS created guides for J. Oscar McCloud’s papers and Gayraud Wilmore’s papers, both available online. The national archives of the PC(USA) also addressed any deterioration concerns by rehousing paper into acid-free folders, digitizing audiovisuals and ensuring that images are properly stored in photographic sleeves. Beyond preserving the materials, processing makes it easy for researchers to access the life … [Read more...]

(OGA) On January 18, a U.N. humanitarian facility in Ngala, Borno State, Nigeria, on the border with Cameroon, was violently attacked by nonstate armed groups. The aid workers there were providing assistance to more than 55,000 people facing famine conditions. Right now, we are living in a global context of increasing migration and displacement due to war and violent conflicts, as well as extreme hunger and famine. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) calls for renewed prayers for victims of global conflicts and for actions that will create a peaceful world where none are hungry. The PC(USA) has witnessed in our work and through our partnerships around the world that violent conflicts are exacerbating hunger and poverty. Frequently, armed groups attack or take by force farms, food stocks, and agricultural tools and equipment. Often, as a tactic of war, civilians are cut off from humanitarian assistance to create situations of starvation, which if on a large enough scale become … [Read more...]

(PNS) Katherine Johnson, a mathematician and a longtime Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruling elder who was an important contributor to NASA’s space program, died Monday at age 101, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced. She was 101. Johnson, a central figure in the book and movie version of “Hidden Figures,” was a longtime member of Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church in Newport News, Virginia. In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded her the Medal of Freedom when she was 97. Obama called her “a pioneer in American space history” and noted the award is presented to individuals “who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), said that Johnson “lived a life of courage that ought to be emulated by all of us who profess a faith in Jesus … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (PNS) — Carlton Johnson, an associate for Vital Congregations and a worship leader for the Black History Month service at the Presbyterian Center Wednesday, opened the service with a soulful rendition of the hymn “A Charge to Keep I Have.” The hymn served to remind worshipers that during the time of slavery, those enslaved were killed for knowing how to read — and therefore much of the communication had to be done through song. This service also presented the opportunity for the debut of the Presbyterian Center Choir, which started with an updated gospel version of an African American traditional hymn “I’m So Glad Trouble Don’t Last Always.” The choir offered songs that covered a panorama of music of formerly enslaved African people on this continent. The choir further showcased its skills with an a capella, “Sing Out, March On.” The speaker for the Black History celebration was Tiffany Walker. For the past five years, Walker has provided spiritual care as an … [Read more...]