West Plano Presbyterian Church — Plano, Texas Five years ago, the worship and formation ministry team at West Plano Presbyterian Church launched a re-imagining of Vacation Bible School. They gathered a planning team and designed an expeditionary, experiential camp for children ages 3 to entering fifth grade. Last summer, we welcomed 40 campers from the congregation and community for a three-day camp experience at no charge to participants. Each year, the planning team, working with pastor David Batchelder, develops a camp experience with a different focus. The theme for 2018 was “God’s Love, Our Hands,” emphasizing that God’s power acts through the community’s hands and that we are in solidarity with God. We incorporate music, Scripture, prayer, stories, mission, baking, gardening and crafts that help form kids’ faith. Young children, youth helpers and adult volunteers experience and learn together so that at the end of the camp, all have shared in the formation. – Jenny … [Read more...]

Presbytery of the James — Virginia Following the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Presbytery of the James (POJ) adopted a statement denouncing white supremacy, which reaffirmed the presbytery’s commitment to racial justice and healing. This led to the formation of a 10-member working group called “Dismantling Racism: Building Beloved Community.” That group has teamed up with Coming To the Table (a nonprofit organization promoting racial healing) and Joyful Feast (a new worshipping community in the presbytery) to offer monthly opportunities for cross-cultural meals and conversation. In January, the working group sponsored a retreat with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove to discuss his book, “Reconstructing the Gospel: Finding Freedom from Slaveholder Religion.” The retreat was attended by 47 church leaders from 14 congregations. Thanks to a grant from the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, the Dismantling Racism group will partner with eight churches this fall to pilot … [Read more...]

Seven years ago, after a year-long discernment process, a number of us started tutoring at a nearby public school. Within a year, First Presbyterian Church and Giffen Memorial Elementary School formed a partnership that extended past tutoring. We helped build playground equipment, repaired instruments and organized a special day that brought several authors and illustrators each spring to do small presentations and sign books that the children received for free. However, we always wanted to do more. About two years ago, we formed a not-for-profit, free, after-school tutoring program. The students come twice a week and each works with his or her own tutor on reading, writing and problem-solving skills for 90 minutes. The Wizard’s Wardrobe uses a creative atmosphere to encourage our students to take risks and let their imaginations soar. Our goal is that every 1st and 2nd grader who starts with us will be reading on grade level no later than third grade. – Debra Fagans, volunteer … [Read more...]

Highland Presbyterian Church — Maryville, Tennessee Highland Presbyterian, which was founded by Maryville College students 65 years ago, is a small church with an active youth program today. Recently, Highland’s youth baked and sold bread for an alternative market to raise funds for refugees and held a diaper drive for a local women’s shelter. Highland may be small in numbers, but we are big on service. We are thankful our youth are learning to show God’s love through acts of kindness. – Courtney Webb, member Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” with the Outlook by emailing it to [email protected] … [Read more...]

First Presbyterian Church — Donalsonville, Georgia Since 1898, Presbyterians in Donalsonville, Georgia, have been striving to be faithful to the great commandment and commission. Members visit in the county jail and communion is served there monthly. The congregation tutors students after school in the Friendship House of Jesus community ministry. A group of ladies meet two mornings a week to sew “Threads of Love,” and their creations from donated fabric are distributed locally, nationally an internationally. A mission trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, marked the church’s first international endeavor in 2017; and in 2018, 18 youth served for a week in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, in a Youthworks camp. The church is a regional drop-off site for Operation Christmas Child boxes. We host one of Flint River Presbytery’s Stop Hunger Now’s meal packing locations. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! – Raymond Guterman Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” with the Outlook by … [Read more...]