National Dog Day 2021: Meet Petey the Beagle, associate pastor and greeter
GREEN TREE, Pa. (RNS) — Aug. 26 was National Dog Day, a holiday designated since 2004 to celebrate dogs and encourage adoption...
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PDA national response director sees impact of climate change in flash floods, wildfires
(PNS) On Tuesday, The New York Times ran the headline “Two Americas: One Parched, One Soaked” over a map that showed a..
What right about First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua?
First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua — Whitehall, Pennsylvania The way this congregation has pulled together during the pandemic has truly been an..
Called to pray for Afghanistan
Guest commentary by Larry Toney If you’ve been watching the news from Afghanistan, you may have experienced the same anguish I have...
14th Sunday after Pentecost — August 29, 2021
James 1:17-27 Pentecost 14B; Proper 17 One of my favorite group activities focuses on active listening. I split the group into pairs..
Achievements behind, challenge ahead: Board talks PC(USA) building renovations and COVID-19 pandemic
In 2018, the General Assembly reconfigured the board that governs the corporate activities of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation — basically,..
Live as God’s people — Family faith formation: Aug. 29, 2021
Welcome Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy to begin your time of learning together. One: ..
Prayer for Chloe in Checkout Line #3
You are all frontline heroes, from red-eyed stockers to baggers. Still, I make a place in my heart those working the register...
Love Mercy: The Twelve Steps of Forgiveness
Samuel Wells Canterbury Press, 112 pages This is the second book of reflections on the prophet Micah’s famous enduring call to “do..
How to help Afghans arriving in the US after fleeing the Taliban
(RNS) — As the United States planned its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, faith-based refugee resettlement organizations led calls for the evacuation of..
Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandates vaccine for clergy
(RNS) — The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandated Monday (Aug. 23) that all clergy and staff in the diocese..
Books as doorways to other worlds
Books have always been an important part of my life. My innate obsession with books has blossomed into a deep appreciation for..
Catastrophic flooding in Addis Ababa kills eight at seminary
(PNS) Urgent prayers are requested for Mekane Yesus Seminary (MSY) in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa. The seminary is operated by the..
The rule of love — Christian ed lesson
That’s not fair! This is a refrain heard many times by parents of young children. Our youngest disciples tend to like clear-cut..
“Northern Lights” & “Better Than Brunch”
Northern Lights: Resurrecting Church in the North of England Jason Byassee Cascade Books, 184 pages Better Than Brunch: Missional Churches in Cascadia Jason Byassee..
Reading as a listening exercise
I was asked recently what I read for inspiration and information. I had to admit to this person that my reading, especially..
Tech watch: TechSoup
What’s the first thing you should do to get your church ready to engage technology in ministry? Get a TechSoup account! As..
Nadia Bolz-Weber installed as ELCA’s first pastor of public witness
(RNS) — The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber was installed this weekend as the first pastor of public witness for the largest Lutheran denomination..
What fiction has taught me about the story of God
My first memory of a storybook includes the Fisher-Price record player, an illustrated version of “Snow White,” a tone to turn the..
Children and church in 2021
This is a picture of my daughter playing in August 2021. Some things are the same from a few years ago. She..
Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges
John Swinton Eerdmans, 245 pages As a therapist, not a week goes by that I don’t see the burden of shame outlined..
Prayer for summer sabbath
God of mercy, our need is great. The pandemic has left us tired, anxious and uncertain. We have stretched beyond our limits..
Order of worship — August 29, 2021
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for..
As vulnerable Afghans flee Kabul, US faith groups prepare to aid them
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In early August, as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah reported to Fort Lee, an Army post..
PC(USA) ministries call for admission and welcome of Afghan refugees
(PNS) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness is calling on the U.S. Congress and the White House to expedite admission..
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