In an online conversation Nov. 5, mid council leaders spoke of the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic and racism are presenting to Presbyterian churches — and of the innovation and creativity they see emerging in the response. Here are some questions more than 300 presbytery and synod leaders discussed during the annual Mid Council Leaders Gathering, held virtually via Zoom. What are the greatest negative impacts of COVID-19 on churches? “Folks are kind of figuring out how to do it as they go along, Sunday to Sunday,” said Donnie Woods, general presbyter for Charleston Atlantic Presbytery. Some of the stressors: figuring out technology, providing pastoral care at a distance, dealing with parishioners who are “yearning to be together in the old way in the sanctuary.” For pastors, “fatigue is a big thing,” said Susan McGhee, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Ohio Valley.  Some congregations have started to meet in person, some with congregational singing, “even though we … [Read more...]

CHICAGO – On the final day of the Mid Council Leaders Gathering, top leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offered a sense of vision; data on race and gender in the denomination; and, on World Communion Sunday, a sense of what God seeks in a divided time. Presbyterian Mission Agency. Diane Givens Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, spoke first Oct. 7, thanking these presbytery and synod leaders for “being agents of healing. Thank you for your hands and feet that respond to disasters and floods and rain,” helping people in need all over the world. “Thank you for speaking up and speaking out” against racism and violence. Moffett described mission as the way people of faith present Christ to the world, “love with skin on it.” She called on Presbyterians to “put flesh and blood” on the 25thchapter of Matthew’s Gospel. “We want to be a church of action.” That’s a challenge. “The political climate right now is at an all-time … [Read more...]

CHICAGO – When word reached the Mid Council Leaders Gathering that the Senate had confirmed Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, these Presbyterians stopped to pray. J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), acknowledged, “Today will be a hard day for many, while others will be rejoicing.” He spoke of a divided nation and the need for enduring faith. “We need you, Jesus,” Nelson prayed. He asked for hope, for the sense that even in difficult times, “the Lord is speaking.” When news of the controversial Senate vote on Kavanaugh was delivered, these synod and presbytery leaders – who are meeting Oct. 5-7 at a hotel in Chicago – were in the midst of providing feedback on the 2018 General Assembly. Generally, evaluations from commissioners were overwhelmingly positive, said Tom Hay, director of assembly operations. During the assembly, Presbyterians marched through downtown St. Louis to deliver funds from an offering that would … [Read more...]