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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.

Braille and audio versions of The Present Word now available

Dear Partner in Educational Ministry:   I want to take this opportunity to thank you for using The Present Word adult Bible..

Presbyterians to Open “Project Homecoming” Recovery Center in Gentilly

New Orleans, LA -- On the heels of Easter celebrations, the Presbytery of South Louisiana will open a disaster recovery center in New Orleans.  The center is located in the education building of Gentilly Church.

"Project Homecoming" will serve those who are struggling financially to return home, giving priority for assistance to those who are low-income, uninsured, underinsured, disabled, and elderly. The plan is to assist at least 300 people with rebuilding their homes and their lives by the end of 2007. Volunteer groups, hosted by eight Presbyterian churches in the greater New Orleans area, will provide the labor to rebuild homes. 

Project Homecoming is the rebuilding initiative of the Presbytery of South Louisiana in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. 

Catholic Charities Katrina Aid Today Case Managers will be on site to provide long-term case management to clients. KAT helps clients design and implement their own individual recovery plan and connects them to available resources in the community.

A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, to celebrate the opening of this new disaster recovery center, is planned Tuesday at 12:00 noon. On hand for the dedication will be Susan Ryan, coordinator of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Alan Cutter, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of South Louisiana; and representatives of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. 

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony, as well as an open house from 11:00am - 2:00pm that day. 

No world peace if no peace among religions, says theologian Kueng

Bogota 4 April (ENI-ALC)--If there is not peace among religions, there will be no peace in the world, Swiss-born theologian Hans Kueng has noted during an address during a week of ethics and world peace in the capital city of Colombia. 

'The great religions have the conditions necessary to mobilise people to support a planetary ethic: defining moral objectives, proposing instructions and criteria for action, motivating human beings both rationally and emotionally, so that the moral norms may be lived out in practice,' said Kueng. 

Braille and audio versions of The Present Word now available

Dear Partner in Educational Ministry:   I want to take this opportunity to thank you for using The Present Word adult Bible..