To the pastors and congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),

At the start of this new year, we bring a special word of thanks and gratitude to each of you for your ongoing support and engagement in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

As the eternal rhythm of the liturgical calendar moves us once again into Ordinary Time, we give thanks to God for the stories we have just retold and heard together. Mary's song. The story of God-with-us. The revelation of God's promise and purpose to the nations of the world.

In these days after Epiphany - as the Holy Spirit calls us to tell the good news of Christ's saving love to all the earth - we remember, too, that because the usual order of the world is overturned in Christ Jesus, we are also called to do justice. And that's really good news. Justice and evangelism are partners, two sides of the same coin.

The newest issue of Presbyterians Today is dedicated to that very convergence, with inspiring stories of how God is creating a new church in and through us, and lifting up a movement that is gaining momentum, a vision of helping to birth 1,001 new worshiping communities in the next 10 years. Many of these will look different from what we expect. But remember: the usual order of the world is overturned in Christ Jesus!

In one of the feature stories, "Justice meets evangelism," Joseph Johnson, pastor of Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Dothan, Ala., says he remembers visiting his grandparents in strife-torn Birmingham in the 1960s and sensing a disconnect between the poverty and racial injustice on the streets and the messages he was hearing in churches.

"In our culture, we've separated justice and evangelism into two disciplines - one about saving souls, the other about filling bellies," he says. "But the way I read Scripture, people didn't follow Jesus just because he promised them eternal life, but because he promised them life today." Jesus gave people hope by breaking down social barriers, by healing and feeding them, Johnson says. "Evangelism should be an invitation to follow Jesus along this path."

As we head toward the 220th General Assembly (2012), we are encouraged. God's Spirit is on the move, bringing our diverse voices together as we work with each other in new ways for the upbuilding of Christ's church.

We enter this assembly year with a great sense of hope. Hope that we are eager to share with you. Be on the watch for more good-news messages as we journey toward Pittsburgh. And may your work as leaders - by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit - help to make 2012 an encouraging, upbuilding, unifying year for all of God's children.

Faithfully yours,

Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council
Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly