The Cross Examen: A Spirituality for Activists

Roger Gench Cascade Books, 144 pages Reviewed by Andrew Taylor-Troutman Roger Gench has written a lean book of spiritual substance. “The Cross..

Christian Ed for Children

Always God’s beloved — Christian ed at home

Sometimes, out of nowhere, life seems to thrust difficulties upon us. An injury. A snowstorm. A pandemic. The seemingly randomness of such..

Presbyterian News Service

Regarding ruling elders: Leaders pray

(OGA) Good leaders pray. For years I could not understand what the Apostle Paul meant when he told the believers in Thessalonica to..

Prayers for the moment

Prayer for Lent in a pandemic

From dust we came, to dust we will return. Dear God, it’s one thing to know that, another thing to live into..

Voices

Prognosis

This stark primordial dust fresh imposed between my eyes this February day fades swiftly and is gone, no necessity to rub or..

Outlook Reporting

Coordinating Table maps out plans for a unified budget for the PC(USA)

The Coordinating Table has begun to try to refine its vision and process, meaning: What are the steps it will take to..

Religion News Service

Celebrating Ash Wednesday in a pandemic? There’s an app for that

(RNS) — There are filters that blur “imperfections” in photos and filters that turn lawyers into cats on Zoom. Now there are..

Presbyterian News Service

Stated Clerk looks ahead to what’s in store for churches after COVID-19

LOUISVILLE (OGA) Depending on the source, the world’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic could be four months, six months or longer. Regardless of..

Voices

Tattoos for Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is always a big day for the Lyon College campus. It’s a day that our students look forward to for..

Outlook Features

35 really important things I learned from my friend Peter Steinke

Peter Steinke, the noted author, congregational systems consultant and professor, died unexpectedly at home on Monday, July 6, 2020. I learned of..

Weekly Liturgy

Order of worship — February 21, 2021

You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for..

Voices

Something I did not learn in seminary: Ashes

I did not grow up receiving ashes at the start of Lent. My first exposure to the blackened sign of the cross..

Outlook Features

Living in tension: Polarities in Presbyterian polity — Ordination and ministry

Ordination and ministry may seem like a strange tension — one not really “tense” at all. After all, isn’t “ministry” what those..

Outlook Reporting

Renovations may be coming to Presbyterian Center in preparation for General Assembly

The decision has been made: the 2022 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be a hybrid gathering, with in-person committee..

Voices

Building bridges, one challah at a time

Guest commentary by Beth Ricanati and Chris Carson A Christian and a Jew bake sacred bread together. They do so distanced; the..

Looking into the lectionary

Transfiguration of the Lord — February 14, 2021

Mark 9:2-9 In the Presbyterian liturgical year, Transfiguration Sunday marks the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. However, it is well worth noting..

Outlook Reporting

Changes may be coming to Presbyterian mission funding: Finances, budget discussed at A Corporation board meeting

The Presbyterian Foundation is considering making a change in the spending formula it uses to provide mission funding to the Presbyterian Mission..

Family Faith Formation

February 14 — Transfiguration Sunday: Family faith formation at home

Welcome Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy as a way to begin your time of learning..

Prayers for the moment

Ash Wednesday prayer for this pandemic year

Holy One, as we come before you on this day with our traditional repentance, we remember those sacred words, ash to ash..

Book Reviews

Knowing Christ Crucified: The Witness of African American Religious Experience

M. Shawn Copeland Orbis Books, 160 pages This book by a prominent womanist theologian could not be more timely for our present..

Benedictory

How to love people

You have to be with someone long enough. You have to see someone closely enough. You have to listen – not speak..

Outlook Horizons Studies

Horizons 7: Creation laments

“Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament” Lesson 7: Creation Laments Isaiah 24:4-6,8, 19; Romans 8:19-23 Plastic pollution in the oceans..