More Light Presbyterians National Conference: Stories and questions

LOUISVILLE (Outlook) Now that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has said “yes” – yes to ordaining gays and lesbians in relationships and to..

Looking into the lectionary

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Proper 20 – September 20, 2015

Proverbs 31:10-31; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 I am having a psychological conundrum around this week’s texts. There is Proverbs 31, that ode..

Voices

Refugees in Germany: A pastor’s eye-witness account

Guest commentary by Anitra Kitts We were on our way to a scenic bike ride south of Munich last Sunday when something..

Book Reviews

There’s A Woman in the Pulpit: Christian Clergywomen Share Their Hard Days, Holy Moments & the Healing Power of Humor

edited by Martha Spong Skylight Paths Publishing, Woodstock, Vt. 215 pages REVIEWED BY LISA LÓPEZ What’s it like being a woman in..

Voices

The promotion of social righteousness

Our church is approaching the end of a sermon series exploring the “Great Ends of the Church” as articulated by the United..

News from other sources

Louisville Seminary Black Church Studies Consultation celebrates Grawemeyer Awards 30th anniversary

LOUISVILLE – In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Grawemeyer Awards, and in collaboration with the Black Church Studies program of Louisville..

Religion News Service

The quotable Pope Francis: He has a way with words

(RNS) With his simple, thoughtful and often pithy comments, Pope Francis is showing himself to be among the most quotable popes. A..

Outlook Horizons Studies

What is grace? (Horizons 2)

Horizons Bible Study 2015-2016 Come to the Waters Lesson 2 – Matthew 3:13-17 Fran and Shawn have brought the delicate baptismal gown..

Multichannel Church Report

Pathways to participation

The final stage of an effective membership recruitment process happens when the constituent actually affiliates with your congregation. For some that will..

He/She Said

Keith Gunter

"Our purpose is not to make our ministry supreme. Or our church supreme. It is to make Christ supreme." - Keith Gunter,..

Presbyterians in Action

Trinity Presbyterian Church in Topeka, Kansas

Trinity Presbyterian Church in Topeka, Kansas, meets with several local churches at the end of the summer for a “backpack bash.” They..

In This Corner

A small lad in Idaho…

A small lad in Idaho asked his father, “If God is way up there in heaven, should I pray a little louder?..

News from other sources

Refugee and asylum-seeker crisis reaches critical proportions: Opinion piece from head of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Over the past weeks, hearts have both ached and felt relief from images of the refugee crisis in Europe. The photo of..

Deaths

Deceased (from the Sept. 14, 2015 issue)

Dan C. Armstrong Sr., 90, March 28, Gate City, Va. Wade P. Huie Jr., 91, May 30, Atlanta

Honorably retired

Honorably retired (from the Sept. 14, 2015 issue)

Kim Louis Alten, from pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Sigourney, Iowa Barbara Z. Barnes, from pastor, Oxford Presbyterian Church, Oxford, Ohio J. Mark..

Transitions

Transitions (from the Sept. 14, 2015 issue)

John Y. Todd III, to interim pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, S.C.

Ordinations

Ordinations (from the Sept. 14, 2015 issue)

Kari Olson, to pastor, Hope of Christ Presbyterian Church, Summit Hill, Pa., by Seattle Presbytery

Benedictory

Creating a place for the least of these

by Paul Roberts BLACK LIVES MATTER IS AN AFFIRMATION OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE RESILIENCE..

Presbyterian News Service

Regarding ruling elders: calling young people to serve

LOUISVILLE (PNS) The Scriptures are full of the stories of young people, called by God, to be leaders. And not just class presidents..

Presbyterian News Service

Compassion fatigue: Recognizing the signs of personal stress in the wake of disaster

LOUISVILLE (PNS) Heavy snow, flooding, wildfires, earthquakes and tornadoes. Depending on where you live, chances are you have experienced one of these over..

Outlook Features

PC(USA) seminary boards confront modern challenges

When the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) catalogs its institutional strengths — its polity, its considerable financial reserves, its many sturdy congregations — the..