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Community during coronavirus — August 24, 2020

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As the pandemic continues and communities of faith discern how to worship and serve in a variety of contexts, this issue examines the meaning and role of music, singing and corporate worship. While the work of racial justice and reconciliation is ongoing, many are wrestling with the economic fallout from COVID-19. In this issue, you will read and learn about efforts to address both of these issues. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader    Your place at the table Coming to the Table in Richmond, Virginia, invites people to develop friendships that span the racial divide. Food insecurity during COVID-19 Faith communities are responding to those experiencing hunger with love and groceries. On returning to our places of worship  What can this season of separation – of exile, even – teach congregations? Yearning to sing, yearning to breathe In this time when congregations cannot sing together, the songs remain in hearts and memories. … [Read more...]

Tagged With: COVID19

The 224th GA — August 3, 2020

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What happened at the historic virtual 224th General Assembly? While votes were taken and business was completed, what did not happen and how the meeting was conducted may prove to be more noteworthy. This issue details some key moments and important take-aways from the assembly.  Find all of our GA coverage at pres-outlook.org/GA224. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader The inherent problem of whiteness in our polity Jill Duffield considers: Does PC(USA) polity work well in the current faced-paced world? New GA co-moderators Elona Street-Stewart and Gregory Bentley were elected on the first ballot. Per capita  GA approved a small increase to per capita for the next two years. GA affirms Black lives matter The assembly approved a resolution pledging to confront and dismantle systemic racism. The unfolding of an assembly This GA invited an examination of privilege, power and procedure. What are the lessons from the 224th GA? The Committee on the Office … [Read more...]

Tagged With: GA224

Summer reading — July 13, 2020

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What are you reading this summer? What books will expand your outlook, make you question your assumptions and push you into needed conversations? We asked some folks to tell us what they are reading and reviewed new titles. We pray our reading shapes our discipleship and moves us to act in ways that glorify God. Let us know what you are reading and what you are learning as a result! Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader Summer reading Roy Howard asked a number of Presbyterians: What are you reading? Here are a number of titles you may want to add to your summer reading list. Book reviews Reviews of “I Am Not Your Enemy,” “Ministry with the Forgotten” and “Transforming.” not/me  Poetry by Igmara Sanchez Prunier A vital congregation A congregation viewed as a system is radically different from the typical institutional view. … [Read more...]

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Welcome to GA — June 22, 2020

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God is doing a new thing. We trust this promise as we gather for the first time as a virtual General Assembly. What is going to be the "critical and core" business taken up by the 224th GA? And what about the GA that wasn't? Join us as we enter a new place – cyberspace – and seek to discern the Spirit at work in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader The GA that wasn’t Leslie Scanlon considers the assembly planned for Baltimore and the components that will be missed. PC(USA) budgets The revised budgets headed to GA reflect the impact of COVID-19 on church finances.  Leslie Scanlon reports. Youth Rising  Young entrepreneurs from Baltimore will be introduced during a pre-assembly event. Leslie Scanlon reports. Board of Pensions A new minister’s package and additional choices have been added to the Benefits Plan. … [Read more...]

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Faith & technology — June 1, 2020

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How do we use technology to help form our faith? This question is not new, but with the reality of social distancing that came with COVID-19, its urgency cannot be denied. Given the tools at our disposal from livestreaming worship to teaching Bible studies via Zoom, what are best practices for harnessing them to teach the tenets of faith, cultivate community and shape us for service? This issue invites us to wrestle with these questions in real time as we continue to seek ways to be and do church in the 21st century. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader A theological approach to using technology in faith formation It is the responsibility of the church to consider which tools can provide the greatest potential for reaching out and growing disciples. Youth faith formation in a digital age The goal of good resources isn’t to make church look flashy, but they can help build relationships with God and one another. What do we do when we “do this”?  Joseph Small … [Read more...]

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Binding up the brokenhearted — May 18, 2020

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As churches continue to navigate the repercussions of this pandemic, grief and trauma are inescapable. Everyone is impacted one way or another by a crisis of this magnitude. Well before the virus made its painful presence known, we planned an issue dedicated to ministering with those experiencing grief and trauma. You hold that issue in your hands. We pray it will be helpful to you and to those you serve — especially now. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader Ministering after trauma When a community faces a disaster, the church has the opportunity to be a resurrection presence during the long healing process. Grief support ministries The church is increasingly called upon minister to those facing traumatic grief. Naming trauma Trauma can be a matter of life and death for the people of God — and it needs to be part of our dialogues. General Assembly goes virtual For the first time, GA will convene online with an abbreviated agenda. Leslie Scanlon … [Read more...]

Tagged With: grief

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