(AP) — The shooting that left two dead and several injured in Halle, Germany, on Wednesday (Oct. 9) — when Jews celebrated Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for their faith — has shined a spotlight on the worldwide rise of anti-Semitic incidents. The attack in Germany, where investigators are pursuing anti-Semitic motives after the assailant reportedly shot at the door of a synagogue in an attempt to gain entry, drew swift condemnation from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and renewed calls from Jewish groups in the U.S. to step up cooperation in combating anti-Semitism. “We have been saying for several years that anti-Semitism is real, it’s resurgent, it’s lethal and it’s multisourced,” American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris said in an interview. Harris added that the attack in Halle, coming near the one-year anniversary of an anti-Semitic shooting that killed 11 worshippers at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, “should all be triggering alarm … [Read more...]
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What's right? 10 hours ago
What’s right about Venice Presbyterian Church?
Venice Presbyterian Church — Venice, Florida Venice Presbyterian Church is a happy place! VPC started the first Family Promise in town by inviting the national director to visit and speak. Families experiencing homelessness now stay for a week in a church facility where nice cots with mattresses are set up. They are served breakfast and a hot meal for supper prepared by volunteers. There are games and activities for the children and help with homework. Adults are given assistance in finding jobs and a place to live within their means. The… continue reading... -
Outpost Blog 3 days ago
Gratitude for women in ministry: Juanita and the lady preachers
Today, I sat in the critical care unit and held my friend Juanita’s hand as her family made decisions about whether to move her into hospice. She’ll turn 99 this year, and she has spent the measure of those years being the model of a Christian servant. The girls I grew up with in the church were clear and of one mind about this: We wanted to be Juanita when we grew up. She’s lived a life a joy, of service, of friendship, of laughter, of leadership. And she modeled… continue reading... -
Looking into the lectionary 3 days ago
18th Sunday after Pentecost — October 13, 2019
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19 Ordinary 28C; Proper 23 God traverses all manner of boundaries this week, debunking human codified standards of behavior, long-held assumptions and previous religious rules. Jill Duffield’s lectionary reflections are sent to the Outlook’s email list every Monday. The exiled Israelites are to look to the welfare of their captors. Jesus gets close to lepers, a Samaritan leper no less. Timothy is reminded of the wild word of God that goes where it wills. Every text the lectionary offers this Sunday pushes us… continue reading...
Parties in Stamford case had tried to expedite process in order to get a ruling on the merits of the case January 1, 1995 Uncategorized132 views The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission -- in sidestepping the question of exactly how deeply a session should be required to probe into the private life of a gay elder who has acknowledged being in a committed, life-long relationship but has declined to say whether he is sexually active -- has put the question off but has not put it to rest.- Ministering with the Earth January 1, 1998 Book Reviews117 views By Mary Elizabeth MooreChalice. 1998. 226 pp. Pb. $19.99. ISBN 0-8272-2323-4 Ministering with the Earth is a quiltwork, both the on-the-ground activity and Moore's book about so ministering. Moore, professor of theology and Christian education at Claremont School of Theology, is fond of the metaphor, suitably pastoral and feminist.
- Remembered Voice: Reclaiming the Legacy of 'Neo-Orthodoxy' January 1, 1998 Book Reviews114 views By Douglas John HallWJKP. 1998. 145 pp. Pb. $18. ISBN 0-664-25772-0 It was in this order. I first read Tillich's Dynamics of Faith. Riveting. Next came The Courage to Be. Gripping. Then I went back and read the first volume of the Systematic Theology. Things began to make sense. Next came Biblical Religion and the Search for Ultimate Reality. Positive.
What is the future of Stony Point Center? Mission Agency Board to consider $10.3 million proposal September 5, 2019 Outlook Reporting2 comments A group within the Presbyterian Mission Agency considering the future of Stony Point Center is recommending spending at least $10.3 million on capital improvements at Stony Point over the next decade, plus $300,000 over the next three years in additional staffing and another $75,000 in a capital campaign feasibility study.
The future of the Stony Point – a conference center just north of New York City – has been an enduring question for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in recent years, as Stony Point has not been financially ...
What might replace per capita? PC(USA) stated clerk urges consideration of new funding system October 2, 2019 Outlook Reporting1 comment J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is stressing the urgency of coming up with a new funding system for the denomination that ensures that the Office of the General Assembly has enough money to do the ecclesiastical work of the church.
There also is a call emerging to quickly pull together some sort of high level work group – either a per capita table of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, or some less formal configuration – to consider possible structural changes in the PC(USA), to work through financial issues and to ...
Bumper sticker theology August 20, 2019 Editorials1 comment The bumper sticker on the car in the Chick-Fil-A parking lot read: “Heaven has walls, hell has open borders.” Google tells me that sometimes the slogan is more specific, noting a gate and a strict immigration policy. Often a sentence at the end admonishes the reader: “Let that sink in.” Indeed, let all of this theology sink in. I am wary of any and all theology proffered on hats, mugs, memes and the like. In my experience, God’s will, character and plans do not lend themselves to being summed up in a sentence or two, especially ones we pen. If select and beloved biblical quotes don’t move us to ways of pea...
Yom Kippur shooting in Germany latest indication of increasing anti-Semitism
Presbyterian, Episcopal representatives convene third round of dialogues
GLENDALE, Ohio — Representatives from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and The Episcopal Church met this week at the Transfiguration Spirituality Center in Glendale, Ohio, to discuss mandates affirmed by both churches last year to talk about such issues as what would be needed to lead both denominations toward full reconciliation of ordered ministry. Other topics to be addressed over the next five years include discerning the meaning of membership in a shifting American religious context, analyzing ecclesiological identities and differences using historic and socioeconomic lenses, and working with the respective national offices of both churches to develop guidelines and resources for mutual ministries and missions, particularly in areas of collaboration for new worshiping communities and ecumenical congregations. This week, those involved in dialogue met with the pastoral leadership of the Indian Hill Church, a 72-year old federated Presbyterian and Episcopal congregation … [Read more...]
Equity and Inclusion: Moving the church forward
LOUISVILLE (OGA) The six agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and two entities (Presbyterian Women and A Corporation’s Administrative Services Group) were directed by the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to take the necessary steps to become racially just and equitable employers. This action reaffirmed our approach to be all-inclusive and to tear down any and all barriers that keep our siblings from the love of Christ. With the input of several leaders within our church, including the Diverse Voices Table, the agencies and entities unanimously agreed to pursue a race-centered audit, select a vendor, and finalize a budget and an aggressive timeline, so that we could report our findings to the 224th General Assembly (2020). There was focused discussion about disability and LGBTQIA+ inclusions, and some raised liability concerns around asking employees about disability and sexual identity in a focus group recruitment survey. All agencies, except the Board of Pensions, were … [Read more...]
DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, New Jersey, seeks a full-time, year-round Director of Children, Youth, and Families to organize and lead Christian educational and service programs for ages two through high school. Duties include Sunday morning and evening activities, overnight mission trips, annual confirmation class and Vacation Bible School. Desired characteristics include youth oriented, self-motivated, team player and people-person. Similar church-centered experience is required. For full details see firstprescranford.org website. First Presbyterian Church 11 Springfield Ave Cranford NJ 07016 Job Type: Full-time … [Read more...]
Living Waters for the World celebrates 1,000 clean water partnerships
OXFORD, Mississippi — When 58 mission volunteers representing 17 states and four countries gathered at Camp Hopewell for the 62nd session of Living Waters for the World’s (LWW’s) Clean Water U training, their end-of-week celebration took on a deeper significance. Special guests joined the students to celebrate a remarkable milestone for this 26-year ministry of the Synod of Living Waters — 1,000 clean water partnerships formed in communities throughout the world. “It’s a miracle,” says LWW founder Rev. Wil Howie. “When our first community water treatment system was installed in Mexico in 1996, we couldn’t have dreamed where the Lord would take us.” As water organizations go, Living Waters for the World is unique. The organization trains volunteers, mostly from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) churches, to form international water partnerships. Teams engage directly with communities and train them to purify contaminated water, providing health and hope to families they serve. When … [Read more...]
Gratitude for women in ministry: Juanita and the lady preachers
Today, I sat in the critical care unit and held my friend Juanita’s hand as her family made decisions about whether to move her into hospice. She’ll turn 99 this year, and she has spent the measure of those years being the model of a Christian servant. The girls I grew up with in the church were clear and of one mind about this: We wanted to be Juanita when we grew up. She’s lived a life a joy, of service, of friendship, of laughter, of leadership. And she modeled it all for those who watched her love her Lord and love the church in action. Juanita prayed for me throughout seminary. And when I was ordained – and Juanita was a young 93 – I knew, of course, that she would be there. But in true Juanita fashion, she declared that sitting in the pews would not be enough: “I want to serve.” And serve she did. She was the punch lady offering cool glasses of fruity, fizzy refreshment to guests on a hot July afternoon. We made sure she had a chair. I don’t think she used … [Read more...]
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