Developing, Nurturing
& Supporting Leaders
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Chicago Pastor Named Woman of Faith
Three remarkable women have been named recipients of the
2008 Women of Faith Awards by the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). Recipients were approved by the council at its meeting on
February 15. The Rev.
Magdalena I. García is a member of
the Chicago Presbytery, where she has lived for more
than 35 years and was ordained in 1993 as a Presbyterian minister of Word and
Sacrament.
She is pastor of Ravenswood
Presbyterian Church, a multicultural and bilingual congregation in Chicago, which has two ministries
served by one pastor. The congregation offers language-specific worship
services and Bible studies.
The Women of Faith Awards were established in 1986 to honor
female members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) whose lives exemplify their
Christian commitment through witness, service and leadership. Read on...
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 A Word from the Synod Moderator
I am writing this after meeting with women of the church I attend who are members of what we call the "Federated Guild." (I am a member of a federated PC(USA) and American Baptist, U.S.A. church.)
The group meets monthly for lunch and a program, and this month they wished to learn about the synod and the role of a synod moderator. My becoming moderator of the Synod of Lincoln Trails is a big deal at our little local church; the congregation has been very supportive.
My discussions with people in our congregation drives home the point that the synod and the national church are ghostly entities for many "folks in the pew." Even the presbytery can be a bit nebulous for people who do not attend the assemblies.
While I hope to bring presbytery moderators together for discussions and training this year, it is my wish, also, that synod commissioners will take time to let our congregations know what we do at synod and presbytery meetings. We can help them understand the connectional nature of our church.
Peace in Christ,
Nate Rush
Moderator
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Messages from PC(USA) Officers
General Assembly Moderator Joan Gray and General Assembly Stated Clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick write monthly messages to the church at large. This month, Vice Moderator Robert E. Wilson fills in for Gray with a reflection on Black History Month. Kirkpatrick muses about the ministry of reconciliation.
Read Wilson's message
Read Kirkpatrick's message
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Presbyterian Communicators Network
Montreat PCN Conference Registration Now Open
Learn to upload multimedia to your website, create an online social network, develop a communicators network in your presbytery, or freshen up your writing skills. Listen to and talk with church experts on communicating in a Web 2.0 world and how to reach out to others that are beyond the four walls of your church. All this, and more, is what you can experience at the PCN regional conference being held at Montreat Conference Center April 30 to May 2.
Registration is now open. Check out all the information at the Presbyterian Communicators Network web page. Can't make it to Montreat? You'll have a chance again August 25 to 27 at Stronghold Camp and Conference Center, or October 29 to 31 at Menucha Camp and Conference Center.
Best Practices Photo Tip
The following best practice is shared by Helen Wolf, editor, Presbytery of New Covenant: "For each of our presbytery meetings, we ask the host church to provide a photographer for coverage of the day's events--not a professional, just a volunteer. It has been a wonderful experience to work with these volunteers who always have a love for their church and are part of the enthusiastic volunteers who host the presbytery meeting." Thanks Helen!
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Definitive Guidance Study Guide Now Available
The 217th General Assembly requested that the Office of Theology and Worship prepare a study guide for use with respect to the Policy Statements and Recommendations from the 1978 report "The Church and Homosexuality." The study guide is now available online. Click here.
The four-session study guide places the Policy Statement of 1978 in its historical and cultural context; studies the biblical and theological rationale for the church's decision not to ordain practicing homosexuals; allows exploration into the constitutional implications of the Statement and; gives an opportunity to assess the current practices of congregations within the denomination in light of the statement.
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Family Care Plan
The PC(USA)'s Office of Immigration Issues has created a special resource for use by congregations who regularly work with people whose immigration status is unknown. The purpose of the packet is to provide a plan to help if a member finds him or herself in a situation where they have been detained by law enforcement. Click here to visit the Office of Immigration Issues web page.
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