The power of divine play at Sophia’s Theme Park
Concerned with reports of increasing numbers of pastors experiencing burnout and depression due to exhaustion during the COVID-19 pandemic, McCormick Theological Seminary..
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Study: Social hostility to religion declines, but government restrictions rise
(RNS) — A global analysis of government restrictions toward religion finds that the number of countries with “high” or “very high” levels..
On day of remembrance, churches confront their role in Indigenous boarding schools
CHICAGO (RNS) — Worshippers at a prayer service for truth and reconciliation late last month at St. Benedict Catholic Parish in Chicago’s..
Rural chaplains support communities facing hate groups, isolation and labor shortages
(RNS) — On any given day, the Rev. Bob Klingler, a rural chaplain in Northwestern Pennsylvania, might be cleaning a flooded basement,..
Where Serra statues once stood, a chance to honor California’s Indigenous people
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Since protesters began toppling statues of Father Junipero Serra up and down California last summer, Catholic Church leaders..
A brief guide to the Southern Baptist meltdown over sexual abuse
(RNS) — Sometime in the next few days, members of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee will meet for the third time..
Order of worship — October 10, 2021
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for..
19th Sunday after Pentecost — October 3, 2021
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Ordinary 19B; Proper 22 Thanks to this week's guest writer! Shelli Latham is pastor at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church..
Unfettered: Imagining a Childlike Faith beyond the Baggage of Western Culture
Mandy Smith Brazos Press, 224 pages Western culture, Mandy Smith says, is obsessed with productivity and is uncomfortable with human limitations. The..
Loving the Little Ones — Weekly Christian ed lesson
Children have more agency and greater influence today than any other period in human history. Yet, they still remain vulnerable. They depend..
Stated Clerk calls for Presbyterians to pray, lament and act for Haiti
(PNS) — Last week, the world watched in horror as migrants were rounded up in Texas by U.S. border agents on horseback..
Gen Z is keeping the faith. Just don’t expect to see them at worship.
(RNS) — At 18, Sam still identifies himself as a Catholic. But if it partly defines him, it doesn’t limit him. “I..
Southern Baptists, at impasse, postpone vote on sex abuse probe for a week
(RNS) — After a contentious five-hour meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 28), the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee called for a further week..
Canada’s First Nations await ‘concrete actions’ as bishops apologize for boarding schools
(RNS) — Canada’s 90 Roman Catholic bishops have “unequivocally” apologized for that church’s role in the Indian Residential School system that about..
Worldbuilding
Growing up as an only child on a remote Tennessee cattle farm, my summers were spent largely within the confines of my..
The dance of good deeds
The medieval mystic, Meister Eckhart, claimed, “God laughs and plays in good deeds.” Laughter and play call strong and specific images to..
Pandemic-related expenses push up costs for 2022 General Assembly
The COVID-19 pandemic is throwing some possible curve balls at the budget for the 2022 General Assembly with costs expected to be..
Connecticut churches offer potential model for resettling Afghan evacuees
(RNS) — Amid the political polarization that afflicts just about every issue before the American public, one happy exception is the overwhelming bipartisan..
Brief questionnaire seeks information from church educators
(PNS) LOUISVILLE — The Office of the General Assembly (OGA) wants to hear from all who are currently serving, have served, or have..
Playing is sacred
Growing up at the Jersey Shore, my favorite arcade game on the boardwalk was skee ball. Even as an adult I can’t..
Tech watch: Facebook Live
Until recently, using Facebook Live for worship had the limitation of only allowing one live video presenter. Facebook has recently added the..
The creative spirit of play in congregational life
My introduction to play happened during a season of exhaustion. As the solo pastor of one church and session moderator of five..
Presbyterians discuss how pandemic might change plans for 2022 General Assembly — and whether a vaccination requirement is needed
Vaccinations may be required to attend committee meetings of the 2022 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – although that decision..
Vaccination and faithfulness in a time of pandemic
(OGA) — The theological commitments of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) compel us to support vaccination against COVID-19 for all people except those..
Five clergy speak about their unexpected callings
(RNS) — Traditionally, clergy operate at their community’s center. The faithful can find their leader in the shared location where they gather..
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