LOUISVILLE (PNS) — Food Week of Action is an annual celebration of God’s Creation and the many people around the world who grow the food we eat. But as the 2019 celebration approaches Oct. 13-20, Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) Associate for National Hunger Concerns Andrew Kang Bartlett says that some of the issues it will focus on are “a matter of life and death.” “We have four countries experiencing extreme famine,” Kang Bartlett says. “People are dying of climate change. This Food Week of Action takes place at a time when lives are on the line.” As the week goes on, the focus will be on practical ways groups and individuals can address the pressing issues of the day. This year, Kang Bartlett says the week is focused on three large themes: The climate crisis Famine Food justice and sovereignty And keeping with the theme of threes, the Hunger Program is drawing attention to a trio of specific actions: Contributing to PHP’s Famine Fund, which is … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (PNS) — Knowing that the membership and leadership of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) is nearly 100 percent white — and that its organization didn’t reflect the diversity of God’s beloved community — APCE formed a task force this year to look at white privilege, racist systems and oppressive practices inherent in its structures. That task force met with APCE’s Coordinating Council, which includes representation from all the ministry teams in the organization and denominational leaders, during its fall meeting at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. During the meeting representatives participated in a Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training workshop. Entitled “An Introduction to Systemic Racism,” the training was made possible through a partnership with the Office of Christian Formation and the recently-formed Christian Formation Collective, to which APCE belongs. “We partnered with this training because we felt it reflected … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (OGA) How do churches connect with their neighbors? What barriers do they need to break in order to establish that relationship? Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission was selected by Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and the Reverend Cindy Kohlmann, Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly (2018), to inspire churches to become strong community partners. In the continuing video series on the book, Co-Author Rob Mueller talks with people who have seen firsthand how being a neighborhood church can change lives. Click here for more information about the book and other videos. by Rick Jones, Office of the General Assembly … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (OGA) At a time of political and racial divisions in the United States, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is urging Americans to look beyond labels and find ways to connect. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, says people should be looking for the heart of individuals. In a continuing series of interviews, Nelson shares his thoughts on building unity in a country divided. by Rick Jones, Office of the General Assembly … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE (OGA) With the 224th General Assembly (2020) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approximately eight months away, the Stated Clerk Nominating Committee has begun the process of seeking a nominee for the office. “The committee is proud to begin the prayerful and Spirit led process of listening and discernment as we search for the person God is preparing to serve as the Stated Clerk for the next four years,” said Ruling Elder Wilson Kennedy, committee moderator. “We are searching for a dynamic leader who will do the hard work of leading the PC(USA) into God’s future with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.” Per Standing Rules of the General Assembly, the Stated Clerk is elected every four years and applications are available to all ruling elders and ministers of the Word and Sacrament. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, will be completing his first term next June and is eligible to seek additional terms in office. “We will accept applications until 180 … [Read more...]

(OGA) When the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, was elected Stated Clerk of the Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), one of his first acts was to create the Hands and Feet initiative. The idea was to work with organizations in the cities that would host the next General Assembly to address community needs such as hunger and poverty. For the past year, the focus has been in Baltimore, host of the 224th General Assembly (2020), with special emphasis on The Center, a mission initiative of the Presbytery of Baltimore. The nonprofit organization hosts mission teams from across the country to engage in community services with other churches and nonprofits in the Baltimore area. As part of the church’s commitment to The Center, two fellowships were established in 2018. Melva Lowry and Olivia Thomas have been working with Center staff to expand programs and work with visiting churches. “The Hands and Feet initiative helped us branch beyond … [Read more...]