For those working with 'division,'
Rada calls for 'reconcilers'
Heath Rada, moderator of the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), called on those working in churches or presbyteries where there are divisions to be "reconcilers." He wrote, "I was asked to share my thoughts concerning ways a person might serve in the role of 'reconciler' in a presbytery or church where there were divisions. The following were my comments: ... Pray first. Pray alone before you begin the conversation. Then offer to open the conversation in prayer. ... Listen and show respect. ... Don't take sides if you are in the role of reconciler." Rada's complete column can be found at "Reconciler."
Theology, Worship releases paper
on PC(USA) marriage, ordination
Following a longstanding tradition of speaking to issues in the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that touch the basic commitments that shape the church's shared denominational life, the Office of Theology and Worship has released a "white paper" entitled "Our Challenging Way: Faithfulness, Sex, Ordination and Marriage." The paper comes months after the 221st General Assembly took significant and controversial action on the church's understanding of Christian marriage. The complete announcement can be found at "Challenging Way."
Attorney hired to conduct independent investigation of '1001' controversy
A prominent Nashville, Tenn., attorney has been hired by the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board's executive committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized establishment of an independent corporation in southern California. The corporation was designed to benefit the 1001 New Worshiping Communities movement of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). George Crawford III, a PC(USA) ruling elder, and relevant partners of the Butler Snow law firm will conduct the investigation. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Investigation." Earlier this month The Presbyterian Outlook magazine published a story that noted an internal investigation found "four employees of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s national staff were involved in an unauthorized plan in which funds were channeled from the denomination to an outside entity." Last week, Linda Valentine, PMA executive director, posted her original report to the PMAB in October. She noted, "I summarized the events in a report that was then posted on our website." Valentine's response from last week can be found at "Regret and Hope."
World Mission News highlights
matching gift possibilities
The World Mission News, a newsletter of the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Office of World Mission, notes that a "group of our committed donors" has pledged to match all gifts, up to $75,000, sent for mission personnel support now through Dec. 31. "This means," the newsletter adds, "Your gift of $50 today will be matched with another $50 to provide $100 for Presbyterian World Mission. Or perhaps you can give $500, which will become $1,000 when matched." The complete newsletter is at "World Mission."
Presbyterian organizations
sponsor 'Giving Tuesday'
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the world will come together to give. Through the Presbyterian Mission Exchange - made up of the Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian Mission Agency and Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) - Presbyterians will have the opportunity to make donations to provide a gift to their church, presbytery, or other Presbyterian ministry or mission group. Details can be found at "Giving Tuesday."
'Great Co-Mission' column addresses
changes to 'Directory for Worship'
Marilyn Gamm of Milwaukee, chair of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, writes a monthly column titled "Great Co-Mission." For November, she addressed the proposed revision to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s proposed revision to its "Directory for Worship." Comment has been invited on the revision and she notes, "Comments will be reviewed and considered for incorporation into a further revision, expected to go to the 222nd General Assembly for inclusion in the "Book of Order," pending subsequent approval by the presbyteries." Her complete column can be found at "Great Co-Mission."
Kwong Abazia urges Presbyterians
to 'move through pain'
The days when divided and conflicted Presbyterians could gloss over or ignore their differences are over, General Assembly Vice-Moderator Larissa Kwong Abazia told more than 120 presbytery and synod leaders gathered in Louisville earlier this month for the annual Moderator's Conference. "This day we are called to move through the pain and suffering, to have the tough conversations, to face one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, and take the hard together." The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Difficult Times."
Young Adult Ministries Team expresses
gratitude to volunteers, donors
"We wanted to take a moment and express our gratitude to all who have volunteered with, prayed for, or donated to one of our ministries," writes the Young Adult Ministries Team of the Presbyterian Mission Agency in its What's Next, What's Now newsletter. "Focusing on God's grace, we respond in gratitude over the course of our entire lives. Gratitude doesn't just change us. It can change our communities and the world." The complete newsletter is at "Young Adult Ministries."
Contractor's backhoe raises
up vanguard of civil rights
"Give us Free! Give us Free! Give us Free!" At this point in her sanctifying of 193 early-19th century members and congregants of the Spring Street Presbyterian Church in New York, the Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, pastor at Middle Collegiate Church, paused in her invoking of the Amistad mutineer's cry at his trial, looked up into the ceiling of New York's First Presbyterian Church, then concluded: "Give us Free!" The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Give Us Free."
Human Rights Day takes place in December
Presbyterians will join the international community Dec. 10 to celebrate Human Rights Day, according to the Discipleship in the Global Community newsletter. The date marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The complete newsletter can be found at "Human Rights."