Kwong Abazia writes

of 'The Kindness of Strangers'

Larissa Kwong Abazia, vice moderator of the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is living through cancer treatment and writing about it at "Each New Day." She notes, "It was certainly unexpected to uncover that cancer has a way of bringing people together. When I was first diagnosed and even to this day, I have received gifts and messages from congregations, presbyteries, and individuals reminding me that I am in their thoughts and prayers. This has been one of the most powerful parts of this illness: the kindness of strangers to reach out in expressions of God's love even in the midst of challenges." Her complete column can be found at "Kindness of Strangers."

Moderator issues prayer for the PC(USA)

Writing last week, Heath Rada, moderator of the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), notes, "As Moderator, I am acutely aware of the amazing ways the Holy Spirit is working in the PC(USA). In many ways it is a joy to watch and observe. In other ways, I am bewildered and confused about what is happening and how to respond. Thus it is that I offer this prayer for our denomination. To God be the Glory." His prayer opens, "We in the PC(USA) stand at the intersection of sacred and secular. We watch as our world, our nation, and our church undergo such extraordinary change that we are breathless. We watch as we see unbelievable examples of hate followed by love, of inhumane acts followed by new reflections of faith, of pain soothed by compassion." Rada's complete comments and prayer can be found at "Intersection of Sacred and Secular."

PDA helps churches damaged, destroyed by fire

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, in collaboration with its ecumenical partners, is working to assist the churches recently damaged by fire. Over a two week period, seven churches with predominantly black membership burned in Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Ohio and Florida. Investigators speculate lightning may have been involved in a few, but arson has not been ruled out. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is still investigating. The multiple fires occurred after the June 17 shootings at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., where nine people died. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Church Fires."

Confederate flag remover

speaks with News Service

Bree Newsome, the Ignite NC activist who scaled the South Carolina State House flagpole to remove the Confederate flag, spoke to Presbyterian News Service July 11 prior to a surprise guest appearance at the Wild Goose Festival in Hot Springs, N.C. Driven to action by escalating violence against people of color and the June 17 murder of nine black parishioners at Charleston's Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, her June 27 act of civil disobedience galvanized a movement calling for the removal of the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Flag Remover."

Black Presbyterians, Presbyterian

World Mission sign historic covenant

At the National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) biennial convention in Charlotte, N.C., last week, Presbyterian World Mission and NBPC signed a historic covenant aimed at strengthening World Mission's recruitment among African-American Presbyterians for service as mission co-workers and Young Adult Volunteers around the world. "The 120-year legacy of African-American Presbyterians in global mission shows us that our church cannot be faithful to God without the insights and the active participation of African-American Presbyterians," said Hunter Farrell, director of World Mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The complete announcement can be found at "Historic Covenant."

UCC votes to divest from companies

in occupied territories

The nearly 1 million-member United Church of Christ voted overwhelmingly June 30 to divest from companies that profit from the Israeli occupation and to boycott products of Israeli companies based in the West Bank, a move that follows a divestment vote taken by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) last spring. The 508-124 vote of the UCC's General Synod marks a victory for a broad international movement that aims to pressure Israel into extracting itself from Palestinian lands by a strategy known as BDS -- Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. The complete Religion News Service story by Lauren Markoe can be found at "Divestment."

Ghost Ranch suffers extensive damage

from sudden, severe storm

A sudden storm passing through Abiquiu, N.M., July 7 producing raging and destructive waters that swept through the arroyos on Ghost Ranch's extensive property causing massive damage to the national education and retreat center of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Debra Hepler, executive director, said all guests and staff are accounted for and safe. "The staff worked as a tremendous team through the evening, moving people to higher ground, keeping the dining hall open to about 10 p.m., keeping the guests, especially the children, calm," Hepler said.The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Storm at Ghost Ranch."

Valentine writes thanks, farewell with gratitude

Writing in the current issue of Engage, a newsletter of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Linda Valentine, the agency's executive director, offers thanks and farewell with gratitude for the accomplishments of working together. She writes, "Since 2006, I have had a strong sense of call to serve as executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Recently, through prayer and discernment, I have determined that God is calling me to conclude my season of leadership and to move on in my life. ... I am exceedingly grateful to have ministered with talented, faithful and committed colleagues in the [PMA] and the other agencies and parts of the church." Her complete column can be found at "Thanks and Farewell."

PMA Board responds to defamation lawsuit

The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, through its Louisville-based lawyer, John Sheller of Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, issued a response June 25 to a defamation lawsuit filed against the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by the Rev. Roger Dermody. Dermody, former deputy executive director for mission, filed a defamation suit against the PC(USA) May 29 in Louisville's Jefferson Circuit Court. He was one of four PC(USA) employees placed on paid administrative leave Nov. 14 while an independent investigation was conducted regarding the establishment of an unauthorized nonprofit corporation. The PMAB announced June 1 that the four were no longer employed by the Mission Agency. Another of the four, the Rev. Eric Hoey, filed a suit similar to Dermody's on June 16. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Response."

Farrell concludes 3-part series on global initiatives

In this month's Mission Matters, Hunter Farrell, director of World Mission for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), concludes a three-part series on the critical global initiatives identified by Presbyterian World Mission and its partners. In this issue, he writes about the campaign to "Speak Up! Stop Sexual Violence," and asks, "What would it take to change the world?" The complete newsletter can be found at "Mission Matters."

Church leaders applaud decision

to reopen U.S. embassy in Cuba

President Obama's announcement last week of re-opening of embassies in each country is only the beginning of a long road to normalizing relations. The Obama administration has launched several initiatives in the past year aimed at improving relations between the two countries, including relaxing travel restrictions. "All Americans, whether North or South, can breathe a sigh of relief at this sign of healing. We Presbyterians can rejoice in the opening of the embassies as the fulfillment of nearly 50 years of prayers and policy," said Dean Lewis, executive secretary of the Presbyterian Cuba Connection in Medanales, N.M. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Restoring Relations."

PC(USA) stated clerk applauds

signing of U.S.-Iran nuclear accord

The Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), notes, "We applaud the signing of the accord reached between the United States and the government of Iran regarding use and control of nuclear energy, especially as that relates to the production of nuclear weapons. We fully understand the hurdles that remain in making these agreements a reality, given the role of the U.S. Congress and the leaders of the nation of Iran; nonetheless, we give thanks for the immense effort that has been invested ... " Parsons' complete statement can be found at "Accord."