On being Presbyterian
It's the messy, holy work of community.
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Unless you change and become like children
A reflection on 2 King 5:1–14.
Immigration Committee asks assembly to assist asylum seekers by urging Presbyterians with legal and interpretation expertise to help
Still to come: should the PC(USA) call itself an accompaniment and sanctuary church?
Standing Rules Committee moves efficiently through its business
The committee discusses and votes on more than half the 31 items on its docket during its first day of meeting.
Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee advances Presbyterian-Episcopal dialogue
The group also presses the World Council of Churches to redouble efforts to support Palestinian Christians.
José R. Irizarry called as Austin Seminary’s Tenth President
The Austin Seminary Board of Trustees, at a called meeting on June 27, elected the Reverend Dr. José Ramon Irizarry as the Seminary’s next president.
More Light Presbyterians statement on SCOTUS abortion ruling
The board and staff of More Light Presbyterians join with the multitudes of people lamenting the decision of the Supreme Court to reject the precedent set by Roe v Wade, therefore allowing states to criminalize abortion and other forms of reproductive health care.
PC(USA) church leaders react to decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
Nelson, Moffett, other church leaders share sadness, anger, frustration
A toolkit for inclusion
"We hope to let every church know that you do not need to be exceptional; you don’t need a big budget or limitless volunteers. You just need to listen to people with disabilities."
Blessed Youth: Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness with Children and Teens
"(Y)outh empowerment is crucial. Young people want to talk with others – particularly their peers – about what they are going through, and they want to know how they can best support their friends with mental illness."
Order of worship — July 3, 2022
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
Immigration Sunday — Weekly Christian ed lesson
A Christian ed lesson for children.
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost — July 3, 2022
A Looking into the Lectionary reflection from Rev. Brian Christopher Coulter.
Sense of repentance grounds 11 resolutions passed by Race and Gender Justice Committee
Over three days, the Race and Gender Justice committee wrestled with the theological and practical implications of repentance and reparations as it considered 11 resolutions concerning historic harms committed against churches and communities due to racism and gender-based discrimination.
Emotions and polity details for the Heath, Safety, and Benefits Committee
On its last day, the committee discussed the Survivors of Sexual Misconduct Task Force report and recommendations at length.
Environmental Justice Committee affirms the strategy of selective divestment; does not support call for categorical divestment from fossil fuel companies
The committee acknowledges the urgency of global warming and urges churches and Presbyterians to work towards carbon neutrality.
COVID protocol plan is working, says General Assembly staff
Julia Henderson, the leader for General Assembly Planning and Business Management, shares an update from OGA.
Violence in the USA Committee concludes their work by endorsing the Guns to Gardens movement and advocating for removal of guns from domestic abusers
Taking the exhortation in Isaiah 2 to beat swords into plowshares literally, the Violence in the USA Committee voted to endorse the Guns to Gardens movement; They also voted to endorse the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms’ gun relinquishment protocol and to educate congregations about this issue.
The theology, ethics, and polity of the PC(USA) calls us to care about COVID-19
In the middle of the 225th General Assembly, how should we respond to COVID-19 in a way that prioritizes affirmation of being a Matthew 25 denomination?
Gun violence in the United States and how the church is called to respond
The Addressing Violence in the USA Committee spent the entire day reflecting on gun violence, the impact it has, and how individual Christians, churches, and the national denomination are called to respond, including potentially divesting from sporting goods stores and department stores that sell firearms.
Reproductive Justice prominent in the work of Health, Safety and Benefits Committee
On the day when SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade, the committee voted on the PC(USA)'s stance on reproductive justice — and family leave and mental health.
Assembly’s Environmental Justice Committee considers potential responses to climate change — both strategic and aspirational
Committee also approves, with some revisions, report on “investing in a Green Future”
Gathering Around Visions of Peace in a Violent World
The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship to host a Peace Breakfast for Dinner on July 3, honor Peaceseeker Award recipients.
Health, Safety, and Benefits Committee reacts to Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
“Teach us, O Lord, as we leave this place to be agents of formation — doing the things necessary in our areas to continue to love, to find new ways to serve women, to find new ways to serve families who are all wrapped up into this.”
My Body is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church
"[Amy] Kenny’s research, humor, approachable writing style and honesty make My Body is Not a Prayer Request a must-read for churches and faith communities who aspire to include the disabled community in their spaces, theology, language and day-to-day practices."
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