Church of the Covenant — Arlington, Virginia What’s right about Church of the Covenant? We’ve got rhythm. The church’s children’s drum ensemble and adult choir led worship together during our first-ever Kids Music Sunday on March 3. Our intergenerational worship leaders taught the congregation a special handshake to help pass the peace, added percussion to our hymns and performed a joint anthem together. And the music isn’t stopping anytime soon! We’re passionate about finding new ways to keep God’s rhythm together and to use that music to get to know our neighbors. Last year, that has looked like a community karaoke party, pumpkin caroling and making music with our weekly afterschool Christian education program. In the months ahead, we’ll keep the beat with a s’mores and campfire sing-a-long, a neighborhood arts worship service and a music and meditation hike. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by — and grab a drum. — Billy Kluttz, community music and arts … [Read more...]
Two faiths, one house of worship
Congregation Anshe Poale Zedek gathered for worship on a Saturday in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, as Jews have been gathering for thousands of years. The scroll of the Torah was removed from the ark at the front of the sanctuary. Worshippers touched the scroll with the fringe of their tallitot, then touched the fringe to their mouths, signifying their desire to have the words of the Lord on their lips. Cantor Jerry Berkowitz was assisted by two other worshippers, rolling the scroll to the day’s portion. Several worshippers gathered at the bimah and recited the ancient prayers, thanking םלועה ךלמ, “the king of the universe” for the gift of Torah, among other things. Jews around the world gathered in similar fashion and heard the Lord’s specifications for the construction of the tabernacle and temple as found in the Book of Exodus that day. Congregation Anshe Poale Zedek (APZ) has worshipped in Manitowoc for more than a century. For the last six months, this congregation has called First … [Read more...]
Speaking the truth in love: Engaging in fearless dialogues
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God,” Jesus taught the crowds during the Sermon on the Mount. But being a peacemaker often means engaging in controversial and difficult conversations that run the risk of confronting one’s own biases and prejudices as well as alienating others, no matter what side of the table one sits. In addition, pastors tend not to be confrontational by nature (and neither do congregations) until they are forced to confront such high-octane topics as racism, clergy sexual abuse, violence, church security, gun control, abortion, sexual identity, homosexuality, gay marriage, politics — you name it. What’s required is “a very particular set of skills,” to steal Liam Neeson’s line from the movie “Taken.” How can we be effective change agents in the world? “I don’t know how to change the world, but I can change the three feet around me,” says pastor Gregory Ellison II, recalling the words his aunt said to him years ago. It’s a … [Read more...]
Assembly names seminary professor moderator (60 years ago)
60 years ago — May 4, 1959 Following the address given by the retiring moderator, Philip F. Howerton, the 99th Presbyterian, U.S. General Assembly elected Ernest Trice Thompson, church history professor at Union Seminary in Virginia and co-editor of the Outlook, as the new moderator. … In a brief induction service, Dr. Howerton presented Dr. Thompson the gavel and a Celtic cross - one of three presented in 1949 by Harrison Ray Anderson of Chicago to the U.S., U.P and USA Assembly moderators with the expressed hope that the three crosses might some day be made into one. Two of them were welded together in Pittsburgh last year when the U.P and USA Assemblies united. …. [Thompson] said he comes from a family of ministers. His grandfather and his father were ministers and his son is a minister. … He called the assembly to a spirit of devotion and commitment, seeking the mind of Christ for the difficult assignments before it. From “Assembly names seminary professor moderator” by … [Read more...]
One Great Hour of Sharing
The One Great Hour of Sharing offering usually taken up around Easter is a huge success as a special offering. This year the needs from natural disasters have been heavy and Presbyterians are usually among the first to help and remain the longest. This offering is 70 years old. … [Read more...]
A Presbyterian Sunday school teacher from Montana …
A Presbyterian Sunday school teacher from Montana asked her class of 7-year-olds to tell something good that a public servant had done. One little girl spoke up, “I saw a fireman come down a ladder pregnant.” The teacher took her aside and asked, “Don’t you know what pregnant means?” The lass answered quickly, “Yes, it means carrying a child.” … [Read more...]
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