Opinion: In the wake of yet more anti-Black violence: We must “fight the freeze”
(RNS) — According to mental health professionals, when human beings encounter a threat we respond in one of three ways: fight, flight..
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REAC and ACWC Call to Action: Honoring the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor, and George Floyd
Honoring the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor, and George Floyd, the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee and the Advocacy Committee for Women’s..
Diane Moffett says Matthew 25 invitation, Vital Congregations can be a balm to a hurting world
LOUISVILLE (PNS) — The killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, recent attacks and ridicule of people of Asian descent during the..
1001 New Worshiping Communities leaders report released
LOUISVILLE – Worship in new worshiping communities (NWCs) continues to be nontraditional. This includes making meals central to the worship experience; avoiding..
Day of Pentecost — May 31, 2020
Numbers 11:24-30; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost Sunday They were all together in one place. Would that we could be, too...
PC(USA) releases 2019 statistical report
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has released its 2019 statistical report — showing a continuing decline in the number of Presbyterian congregations, ministers..
May 31: Pentecost edition — Family faith formation at home
Welcome Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy to begin your time of learning together. One: ..
United Methodists reschedule meeting — and decision on splitting — to 2021
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church has rescheduled its General Conference for Aug. 29-Sept. 7, 2021, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in..
The Last Pastor: Faithfully Steering a Closing Church
Gail Cafferata Westminster John Knox Press, 221 pages Reviewed by Melodie Long Using the analogy of sailing, Gail Cafferata navigates the waters..
Minnesota Council of Churches CEO statement on George Floyd
Minneapolis, MN (Press release) – Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches, issued this statement: The Scriptures..
Unity in diversity — Pentecost at home
This Sunday is Pentecost, the day we often refer to as “the church’s birthday” when teaching children about the liturgical calendar. While..
Prayers of the people for the Day of Pentecost (May 31, 2020)
Jill Duffield reads the prayers of the people she crafted for Pentecost Sunday. You are welcome to share this with your congregation..
PC(USA) agencies/entities complete Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Audit
LOUISVILLE (PNS) After three site visits, 17 focus groups, and several agency and entity-wide surveys, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has completed a Diversity,..
Eleven new worshiping communities, two presbyteries receive Mission Program Grants
LOUISVILLE — In its latest grant cycle, the Mission Development Resources Committee (MDRC) recently approved 11 Mission Program Grants to new worshiping..
2020 Pentecost echoes first century church gathering
JEFFERSONVILLE, Indiana (PNS) — “What a strange Pentecost this will be.” That’s a consistent refrain I’m hearing from my colleagues in churches..
What are we opening? What COVID-19 and the Great Ends are teaching the church
Guest commentary by Matthew J. Skolnik Whether your congregation is about to return to your church building with attentive safety measures or..
Plunged into the valley of the shadow: Ministering after trauma
A few years ago, in the midst of the war in Syria, some 50 pastors from across the Middle East made their..
Marie Mainard O’Connell to stand with Arthur Fullerton for GA co-moderators
A minister from Arkansas, Marie Mainard O’Connell, has announced that she will stand for co-moderator of the 2020 General Assembly with Arthur..
Stated Clerk offers advice on how to minister to churches during pandemic
LOUISVILLE (OGA) The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc across the world and the impact could last for years. However, despite its swift spread,..
Connecting during coronavirus
In seminary we often talked about being a “connectional church.” This means that none of us are an island — not pastors,..
A lonely, lonely virus
Drew Faust in the epilogue of her book, “This Republic of Suffering: Death and The American Civil War,” wrote: “Individuals found themselves..
Order of worship — Pentecost Sunday
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for..
Thanks pastor, you’re my hero
Lately I’ve seen a lot of Facebook posts written with the catchphrase “Nurses are heroes.” Nothing could be truer. There is something..
Keeping Hope Alive: Sermons and Speeches of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Edited by Grace Ji-Sun Kim Orbis Books, 256 pages Reviewed by Sterling Morse The offerings in “Keeping Hope Alive” remind me of..
More than $689,000 raised for small churches at risk of closure during COVID-19
RNS) — The coronavirus pandemic hit pastor Kato Hart’s Detroit storefront church hard. Finances dwindled to almost nothing. Rent and utility bills..
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