(OGA) As the humanitarian and economic crisis worsens in Venezuela, the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is urging all Presbyterians to pray for a peaceful solution. In a letter to the church, Nelson said the people of Venezuela are facing shortages of food, medicine, and basic services in the midst of widespread corruption. “We call upon those in power in the country to seek a peaceful resolution to this struggle for leadership,” the letter reads. “We urge those from outside who are threatening intervention to desist from actions that can only make the Venezuelan tragedy worse and exacerbate what is already a regional crisis.” Nelson asks for prayers for the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela (IPV), a PC(USA) partner through the Venezuelan Mission Network and other ecumenical organizations. Read the full letter below: February 6, 2019 Sisters and Brothers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I urgently call … [Read more...]

(PNS) More than 126,000 miles traveled in the last two-and-a-half years. During the second day of meetings for the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), provided an update on his visits across the greater church. Nelson says he’s spent a great deal of time on the road, meeting with congregations, mid councils, and synods to gauge where the church is in the new century. “We are in places where churches are trying to repair, some who are disjointed due to fall out in the denomination, struggling with issues we are facing. People are trying to figure out what to do and where to go,” he said. “But many churches have found creative ways to work and move forward and we have the responsibility to ensure leaders are equipped to do ministry.” Nelson briefed COGA on his recent trip to Colombia and shared concerns about the challenges people are facing there and in other … [Read more...]

(PNS) During Presbyterian World Mission’s recent global partner consultation for Asia and the Pacific in Thailand, more than 50 representatives came together for two days to discuss the effectiveness of current partner relationships, what it means to be partners in God’s mission today, where God is calling us to put our energy and what resources are needed to move forward. The meeting in Chiang Mai was the third of four international global partner consultations, followed in the spring and summer with three domestic meetings with U.S. partners. The information gathering process is in preparation for World Mission’s strategic planning process. After opening prayer and a Matthew 25 Bible study by Dr. Havilah Dharamraj, academic dean of the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, the group heard two very different presentations about reading the signs of the times in Asia and the Pacific. Both presentations addressed the impact of empires on the church and on God’s … [Read more...]

What do we do that no one else does? Are we living up to our mandate as we understand it now? These are some of the questions that the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) took up in its first day of meetings this week at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston. After a brief welcome and opening prayer, the committee jumped into discussion around its work and role, including how COGA can be an instrument of transformation and change in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Scott Lumsden, executive presbyter with Seattle Presbytery, led the three-hour discussion, basing the conversation on Acts 9:1–19 and the interaction between Saul and Ananias, as Saul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus. “We all have a little Saul and Ananias in us and we’re working together,” he said. “The issues are different for each of us, but we have to figure out our roles together. We need each other’s perspectives and the insights from others, including insights from the … [Read more...]

(PNS) The 700 or so people set to gather in Galveston, Texas this week for the annual event of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators can dip their toes not only into the Gulf of Mexico, but into the swirling, often competing demands on faith formation in a world where traditional Christian education venues like Sunday school don’t necessarily meet people where they’re at. Guests speaking Monday during the Facebook Live event “Coffee with the Clerk” told the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), that the annual event — which attracts educators from four other denominations — seeks to disseminate ideas to clergy and lay educators alike. “A huge challenge is that our families are so busy,” said Anne Wilson, who together with Priscilla Andre-Colton is an event co-chair. “They are forced to make changes and be flexible, and the church needs to learn to be flexible too. It’s wonderful to have a conference where (professional) … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (PNS) The Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon “would have been appalled” by the heartfelt and spirited salute she received Saturday by about 80 people gathered at Second Presbyterian Church in Louisville, according to the Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown. “She didn’t seek accolades,” said the Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta in what was equal parts sermon and stirring tribute to her friend and mentor. “She just did the work.” Cannon, a groundbreaking scholar who helped found the Center for Womanist Leadership at Union Presbyterian Seminary, died last August at age 68. To honor her legacy, the Presbyterian Mission Agency has created a scholarship fund to support Presbyterian women of color, clergywomen, college women and other women with opportunities for leadership and spiritual development as well as mission opportunities in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon   A favorite … [Read more...]