1st Sunday of Christmas — December 29, 2019
Isaiah 63:7-9; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23 Christmas 1A The combination of appointed texts for this week scrambles praise for God’s wonderful deeds..
Latest Posts
Aubade
Who would give birth to the god of death? Not brought forth in light, as if from clouds, but squeezed tightly into..
The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations
Toni Morrison Alfred P. Knopf, 368 pages Reviewed by J. Stephen Rhodes Toni Morrison’s death leaves the United States bereft of a..
Christmas Day prayer: May we be alert
"Wherever we find ourselves this day, we plead for the wisdom to be alert, aware, awake to your inbreaking and the transformation it brings in us and in all creation," writes Jill Duffield.
Christmas Eve prayer: Tonight we abide, we rest
A Christmas Eve prayer by Jill Duffield.
Stated Clerk invites Presbyterians to 180 days of prayer, leading up to the 224th General Assembly (2020)
(OGA) Beginning today and culminating on the opening day of the 224th General Assembly (2020) in Baltimore, current and former leaders of..
Late Tidings
After more than eighty of such purple seasons, you might think there would be nothing left to look toward, get ready for...
PC(USA), A Corp, votes to expand size of board
The board of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation, has voted to ask the 2020 General Assembly to expand the board’s size..
Pastoral prayer for the country
Lord, we lament the state of our life together. We lament the rancor and the division. We lament our inability to listen..
Christianity Today editor argues morally compromised Trump should be removed from office
(RNS) — Mark Galli, the editor-in-chief of the influential evangelical magazine Christianity Today, says that President Donald Trump should be removed from..
The God of life and new life
Guest commentary by Aaron Neff I sat at the bedside of a longtime member of my congregation, who was not very responsive,..
4th Sunday of Advent — December 22, 2019
Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-17; Matthew 1:18-25 Advent 4A Signs and angels mingle with kings and carpenters this week, demonstrating yet again God’s..
Winter books: Briefly noted
Dare to Lead Brené Brown Random House, 320 pages Brené Brown continues to apply her principles of vulnerability, shame and courage in..
Waiting for Jesus
I am supposed to be waiting for Jesus. That’s what I tell people for four weeks every November and December. “Stand guard...
Meet Presbyterian Outlook Foundation board member: Millie Snyder
Millie is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and was raised in the Moravian Church. She graduated from Davidson College with honors in psychology..
Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude
Ross Gay University of Pittsburgh Press, 112 pages I was a young pastor when a mentor said simply, “Read poetry.” Many years..
The digital pulpit: A nationwide analysis of online sermons
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Pew) – Many surveys have asked Americans about their religious affiliations, beliefs and practices, including what religious group they belong..
Presbyterian scholar selected to lead Eden Theological Seminary
ST. LOUIS —The Board of Trustees of Eden Theological Seminary announced last week the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause as..
River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey
Sister Helen Prejean Random House, 320 pages Reviewed by Roy Howard with Candy Markman and Terry Horgan One of the most remarkable..
Special committee nears a vote on report on PC(USA) financial sustainability
A special committee considering financial sustainability in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is expected to recommend the possibility of some sort of structural..
Regarding Ruling Elders: Holy stories
(OGA) There are innumerable quotes, pieces of advice, and catch phrases related to hearing and knowing someone else’s story. The one that..
Reading as spiritual practice
When my first-grader began school this fall, I was reminded again and again during those first weeks of the school year of..
New worshiping community in Olympia Presbytery creates a sanctuary for God’s beloved exiles
(PNS) In prison, the Rev. Lane Brubaker has never once felt scared or nervous. In fact, she’s experienced more joy and laughter there..
Stated Clerk talks social justice issues with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio
(OGA) More than 8.6 million people call New York City home. It is the most populous city in the U.S. Even with..
Expanding the narrative on the PC(USA)’s gender and leadership study
LOUISVILLE (PNS) — A 2016 study conducted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Research Services, “Gender and Leadership in the PC(USA)” identified two..
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