The Presbyterian Hymnal Project is kicking off its "Many Voices, One Song" initiative this Sunday. On selected dates over the next year, all churches are invited to sing a common hymn tied to the liturgical calendar. This Sunday's hymn is "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." The next scheduled date is October 30th, Reformation Sunday - the hymn, unsurprisingly, is "A Mighty Fortress is our God." [PCUSA]

The 2011 Presbyterians for Earth Care Conference has been underway since Wednesday and is scheduled to end tomorrow. The theme of the conference is "God's Earth: Too Big to Fail? An Eco-Justice Conversation Among Faith, Science and Culture." The conference includes presentations by ministers, theologians, and scientists investigating the interactions between Christianity and environmentalism. You can learn more about the presenters here. [PEC]

After last week's gathering of the Fellowship of Presbyterians, speculation and excitement abound. one of the highlights of the event was the address by Dr. Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Seminary, who urged attendees to consider taking a special vow much as Catholic orders of the past. The FOP will meet again January 12-14 to create a new Reformed body for churches who want to leave the PC(USA), though the organization as a whole desires continued connection to the denomination.
The following is a list of reports about the conference.

PC(USA) News Service (1)
PC(USA) News Service (2)
PC(USA) News Service (3)
Presbyterian Outlook
Fellowship of Presbyterians
Pastor James Miller
Twitter

As the newly renamed "Fellowship of Presbyterians" looks forward to its first conference this coming Thursday, speculation abounds concerning the effects and significance of this event. Paul Detterman of the Fellowship writes that four tiers will be available depending on the significance of the support for gay and lesbian ordination in a particular Presbytery, from tier 1 with no support to tier 4 with full and unchanging support. At the conference, each tier will engage in different meetings and strategies to change their Presbyteries or separate from them. The GA Junkie writes that this is likely to be the largest gathering of Presbyterians this year - not just in the PC(USA), but around the world. Only a PC(USA) General Assembly would be larger than the expected gathering of 1900 people. Despite the large crowd no votes will occur; only discussion, worship, and development. You can follow all of it with the official Twitter account or by using the hashtag #MN2011, or by following them on Facebook. [Presbyterian Outlook]

On July 28th, J. Herbert Nelson, the director of the PC(USA)'s Office of Public Witness, was arrested for civil disobedience as he knelt in prayer in the Capital Rotunda. He and others protested the way budget decisions were being made, as they placed disproportionate burdens on the most vulnerable in society. He writes, "As religious leaders, we cannot stand idly by and watch while the mandate of our gospel – to love our neighbors – is trampled by a selfish few. I do recognize the potential fallout from this action and I am trusting God to do abundantly more for this situation through me and the others who are making this sacrifice than we can do ourselves." [Office of Public Witness]

The Presbyterian Outlook is reporting that the Mexican Presbyterian Church voted decisively yesterday to end its relationship with the PC(USA), citing theological differences including the ordination of women and the ordination of gays and lesbians. Also, the church voted to require the PC(USA) to reverse its decision on ordaining gays and lesbians before it considers restoring the relationship. [Presbyterian Outlook]