(PNS) On Monday, pastors and other leaders from dozens of churches were eager to share their most recent virtual worshiping experiences from the day before, and the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow was up to the task. The moderator of the 218th General Assembly is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto, Calif., which like hundreds of PC(USA) churches across the country used Zoom or another meeting or streaming platform to enable members and friends to worship from home Sunday while maintaining the social distancing required by the coronavirus pandemic. Reyes-Chow also used the Zoom platform to explain to the 100 or so people on Monday’s call how he and his flock made not-in-person worship somehow personable. For communion, for example, Reyes-Chow asked worshipers to bring a liquid and “something edible” to the virtual worship service. He prayed and said the words of institution, holding his own elements above his face. On cue, everyone broke their food item, dipping it in … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (PNS) — Both the 2020 Vital Congregations facilitator training and national gathering in Austin, scheduled for April 24-30, have been postponed. The Office of Vital Congregations in the Presbyterian Mission Agency is looking at the possibility of rescheduling the event in August 2020. Even though she is “truly sad,” Vital Congregations coordinator the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill said she knows this is the right and necessary decision for all participants involved, in the midst of the unfolding coronavirus pandemic. “In these times of uncertainty, we are watching carefully the situation in our presbyteries, throughout the country and world,” she said, “and praying for all of God’s people as we discern paths of vitality moving forward for the church.” Threadgill is in conversation with vendors and partners in Austin to try to work out dates for rescheduling the event as quickly as possible so that participants can make plans to gather in person. In the meantime, … [Read more...]

(PNS) Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has made the difficult decision to call for the closure of volunteer host sites and cancel volunteer trips through June. “At this time, the coronavirus continues to spread with more cases in more communities,” the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, director of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), wrote in an announcement of the decision, which was also signed by the Rev. Jim Kirk, Associate for Disaster Response (U.S.), and Eden Roberts, Mission Specialist II for Hosting and Volunteer Management. “The experts have been consistent with their guidance to limit travel and follow social distancing recommendations. As a way of being proactive, to limit the possibility of someone carrying the virus or contracting the virus, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has suspended all international and domestic travel indefinitely.” PDA, the announcement said, would follow suit. “Effective immediately we are strongly recommending that all PDA partner host … [Read more...]

(PNS) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness on Capitol Hill is calling for the United States Senate to quickly pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The bill, worked out between leaders in the House of Representatives and the White House, passed the House with bipartisan support early Saturday morning. “We need legislation that will protect the most vulnerable populations as the coronavirus pandemic takes hold,” the Action Alert from the Office of Public Witness (OPW) says. “This bill includes many of the protections that the Office of Public Witness alongside other faith and advocacy organizations are calling upon Congress to prioritize in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.” Those provisions include: Ensuring healthcare provider and employer support for people who are ill or have family members impacted, regardless of status. Focus assistance and economic stimulus efforts on low-income and vulnerable populations negatively … [Read more...]

(OGA) Contemplation, Contemplating, Contemplative. For some, these are words of comfort. A break from producing. Just the thought adds oxygen to the soul. For others, it delivers sheer panic. The terror of stillness. The unknown qualities of “just thinking.” Contemplation, however, is a stretchy act; able to be held and practiced by skeptics and fans — in a session room, by a ruling elder all alone, a young person, a family, whomever. To contemplate is to deeply consider. A spiritual director once offered, and demonstrated for a class focused on Christian spirituality, that a simple way to think about contemplation is to imagine holding a crystal vase, bowl, or sculpture, and then take five minutes to completely examine the piece being held. Look at it, feel it, turn it around and over and upside down. Look at how it interacts with objects in the background. See how light and less light might shift the item, produce color, warm it. A recent Valentine’s Day experience drove me to … [Read more...]

(PNS) Presbyterian seminaries are taking action to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and thinking through what the spread of the virus might mean for future events. Many universities and colleges across the nation have decided to have extended spring breaks and move all instruction following spring break to online only to help stop the spread of the virus. Every seminary has created groups or task forces to discuss what measures should be taken. And all campus leaders encourage thorough and frequent hand washing. Each seminary has stressed that the situation is rapidly changing, and students, faculty and staff should be watching their email for information as the virus spreads. As of Thursday, 42 states and the District of Columbia were reporting COVID-19 cases, with the total number of cases at 1,215. Figures are updated daily at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Online classes only Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey made the … [Read more...]