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A Ministry of Hope in Malawi

One year ago, Dr. Kenneth Root, a member of Valley Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, AZ who is a physician specializing in neurology..

GAC renews emphasis on traditional evangelism

(PNS) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s General Assembly Council (GAC) adopted a new emphasis on traditional evangelism at its meeting in Louisville March 14-16.

Led by newly-called Deputy Executive Director for Mission Tom Taylor, the Council's Evangelism and Witness Goal Area Committee adopted the following goal for 2007-2008: "We are called to invite all people to faith, repentance, and the abundant life of God in Jesus Christ, to encourage congregations in joyfully sharing the Gospel, and through the power of the Holy Spirit to grow in membership and discipleship."

One of its two objectives under the goal is to equip Presbyterians to reach out to "those with no active church affiliation."

Presbytery task force publishes recommendations for disaffiliating Montreat Church

MONTREAT, N.C. -- A task force of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina has recommended that the Montreat Church be divided into two congregations, one to remain in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the other to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  The recommendation comes as an initial response to a vote of the congregation, taken on January 21, to disaffiliate from the PC(USA) and affiliate with the EPC.  The congregation's vote was 311 to 27.

The task force report will be considered at a special meeting of the presbytery to be held on the Montreat Conference Center campus on April 25. 

Stated Clerk Commends the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and McDonald’s Corporation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stated Clerk Commends the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and McDonald's Corporation on Forging an Historic Agreement to Advance Farmworkers' Human Rights

On behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) I commend the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the McDonald's Corporation, and McDonald's suppliers on the historic agreement that they have forged to improve wages and guarantee human rights for farmworkers harvesting tomatoes in the fields of Florida. The farmworkers have carried forward their campaign for fair food with integrity and dedication and the McDonald's Corporation has taken a leadership role in moving the fast-food industry toward more just way of doing business. The Presbyterian Church is particularly grateful for the role that the Carter Center has played in fostering dialogue among the parties that led to this significant agreement.

N.Y. church pledges $1 million for fellowship program through MIJHH

Madison Avenue Church in New York, N.Y., is pledging $1 million to Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to endow new a Global Ministry Fellowship program

The gift will establish the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church Global Ministry Fellowship, a permanent, endowed fund to provide outstanding recent seminary graduates with an immersion experience in the dynamics of the Christian Church in the "Global South." According to the church's newly adopted policy document, the Global Ministry Fellowship will "help ensure that the emerging leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) understand the dynamics and opportunities for ministry and partnership in a globalized context."

Ottati accepts post at Davidson College

Douglas F. Ottati, the M.E. Pemberton Professor of Theology and a member of the faculty at Union Theological Seminary-PSCE in Richmond, Va., for nearly 30 years, is going to Davidson College in a newly endowed chair in religion.

Beginning in the fall of 2007, Ottati will occupy the new Craig Family Distinguished Professorship in Reformed Theology and Justice Ministry.

"It was not an easy decision to make, but it's exciting," said Ottati. "It comes at a classic time of life when my two children have left the house, and I have an opportunity to do something different. Part of it is as simple as a guy being an auto mechanic for 30 years who gets a chance to work on another machine."

Ottati added that another incentive was to work within a broader scope of academic disciplines. "Seminaries like Union-PSCE have as a strength their focus on the clerical education of ministers," he said. "But at the same time that focus is their significant limitation. Seminaries don't have arts and sciences departments, so it's more difficult to study in the context of other disciplines. Coming to Davidson gives me a chance to have those conversations."

Hartford Seminary online seminar April 23 — April 27

Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Conn., is offering an online course April 23-27 reporting findings from the latest national survey of U.S. congregations and the implications of these findings for church leaders.

The Faith Communities Today 2005 national survey of congregations will be discussed as it focused on growth, conflict management, interfaith relations, engaging youth and young adults, and stewardship.

Leading the discussion will be David Roozen, professor of religion and society at Hartford Seminary and director of its Hartford Institute for Religion Research.

Advance registration is required; there is a fee of $50. For further information, contact the seminary at www.hartsem.edu/events/events.htm.

Hearts & Hands financial, mission situation reported

LOUISVILLE -- About six months ago, the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands fundraising campaign was in trouble -- finding some success at getting donations for international mission and new church development, but not having enough money on hand to continue to pay its staff through 2007.

The basic problem was that most donors were restricting their gifts -- offering money for specific causes, but not providing funds to pay the operating costs of the campaign.

Christians arrested as war protest draws thousands

Peace marchers gather at a barricade in Lafayette Park across from the White Housesinging and waving their candles and flashlights. They called for the end of the war in Iraq, observing the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war.

Their action was part of the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq demonstration planned to protest the war on its fourth anniversary. Several thousand Christians also worshipped in the National Cathedral, and marched to the White House.

Ufford-Chase said Saturday morning that a final number was not yet available, but dozens of Presbyterians were among those arrested and charged with failure to obey a lawful order. Marchers were told they could not stop while passing by the White House and participants wanted to pause and pray.

GAC names new staff, re-elects officers at March meeting

LOUISVILLE -- Most Presbyterians don't sit around thinking about how the top levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are organized. But just understand this:

·         The reorganization of the denomination's national staff is continuing with the recent announcement of a key appointment in communications and funds development.

·         The General Assembly Council, which met March 14-16 in Louisville, is itself in the midst of a major reconfiguration: becoming smaller and reorganizing its committee structure. Past evaluations showed that members thought the council was too big and lacked vision, and that its work felt disconnected from the concerns of congregations and presbyteries.

·         Linda Valentine, who was named the council's executive director in June 2006, spoke of how she hopes the new alignments will allow the council to focus more on big issues and less on day-to-day administrative matters. Valentine spoke of the need for "adaptive thinking, generative thinking, strategic thinking" in the PC(USA).

GAC passes resolution for prayer, diplomacy in U.S.-Iran relations

LOUISVILLE -- Responding to a request from the Evangelical Church of Iran, the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) passed a resolution March 16 asking U.S. political leaders to initiate "direct diplomatic dialogue with leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, so that by all means, a military confrontation would be avoided" involving Iran.

Major summer events slated for ministers, elders

The ministers get a Sabbath. The elders get a conference. Regardless of the label, the summer of 2007 promises each group an opportunity for enrichment and renewal. 

In this second "off year" between General Assemblies, the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly has decided to double-up the offerings that were provided in the first off year, 2005. A pastors' conference held that year at the Snowbird Resort near Salt Lake City, Utah, drew more than 600 participants. The success of that event has inspired the scheduling of a second installment of the pastors' event -- to be held at Snowbird on June 28-July 1 -- and to planning an elder's conference to be held in Nashville, Tenn. August 29-31.

Skilled volunteers needed for Katrina rebuilding effort

The Presbytery of South Louisiana's Project Homecoming effort is in immediate need of licensed electricians, plumbers, and HVAC tradespersons who would be willing to volunteer in New Orleans to prepare houses with these trades. These volunteers will work under the license of a local tradesperson, in order to meet the necessary code requirements in New Orleans.  Project Homecoming will absorb the cost of the permitting and inspection process, according to presbytery sources.

In addition, Project Homecoming is recruiting volunteers who have skills in carpentry, drywall, roofing, cabinetry, flooring, window & door installation as it works toward its goal of returning 300 families to their homes in the Greater New Orleans area this year.

All volunteers coming to New Orleans can increase their effectiveness by preparing ahead, the presbytery points out.  Ways include: 1) Mission teams recruiting several skilled people to come with them; 2) Unskilled volunteers can take "do it yourself" workshops offered by building supply stores to develop their skills; workers ca participate in a local Habitat for Humanity project to prepare for a mission trip to New Orleans.

Those interested in volunteering, in organizing a mission trip, or in need of more information should contact:  Project Homecoming, Presbytery of South Louisiana, 3700 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70122.  Phone: 504-942-0444.  E-mail: [email protected].

Responding pastorally to troubled churches

Used by permission

The Office of the General Assembly is grateful for presbyteries that are faithfully seeking to engage Presbyterians who are troubled by General Assembly actions. We recognize the enormous commitment presbyteries and staffs have made to reach out to these brothers and sisters in Christ and attempt to address their pain and distress. We are aware that several presbyteries have developed sensitive policies to guide them in engaging with sessions and congregations who feel estrangement with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Presbyteries of New Covenant and Wabash Valley consulted with our offices in developing such policies and we commend such models to presbyteries.