PC(USA) News

Are You Singing "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" This Sunday?

2011-09-02T13:02:00.000-04:00

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]

Presbyterians for Earth Care Ask if Earth is "Too Big to Fail"

2011-09-02T12:59:00.000-04:00

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]

Reports on Fellowship Gathering

2011-08-30T10:58:00.000-04:00

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

Fellowship Event to Begin Next Week

2011-08-20T10:34:00.000-04:00

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]

J. Herbert Nelson's Letter from Jail Released

2011-08-20T10:20:00.001-04:00

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]

Mexican Presbyterian Church Ends Relationship with PC(USA)

2011-08-20T10:15:00.002-04:00

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]

More Light Presbyterians Stand in Solidarity with Ghanaian LGBT Community

2011-08-14T10:43:00.000-04:00

In response to the Presbyterian Church of Ghana setting up counseling centers to help gays become heterosexual, More Light Presbyterians have joined a protest against the church. The official response from Executive Director Michael Adee expresses disappointment in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, calling its plan "not a Christian or medically helpful response to gay people" and a harmful action. [The Advocate]

Biggest and Best Giving Presbyteries Announced

2011-08-14T10:33:00.000-04:00

The GAMC posted lists of the Presbyteries which gave the most (by average per member and by total) in various categories. National Capitol Presbytery topped the list of biggest donors with $1.2 million in total giving last year, while Hanmi Presbytery achieved the most giving per member at $54.22/member. [PCUSA]

New Church Development Conference Hosted Last Week

2011-08-14T10:30:00.000-04:00

The Office of Church Growth and Evangelism hosted the 2011 New Church Development conference this past week at St. Pete Beach, Florida. The conference included presentations on Hispanic and Korean churches, brand new and postmodern church development, and practical missional techniques. Dan Kimball, one of the event's main speakers, concentrated on the critical importance of evangelism in a culture where evangelism is associated with "creepy Christians." [Twitter]

Decisions on Homosexual Ordination in PC(USA)

2011-08-03T21:01:00.001-04:00

Two important decisions (220-03 and 220-04) were reached yesterday by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission: the case of Scott Anderson and the case of Lisa Larges. In the case of Scott Anderson, the case was dismissed as moot because it cited G-6.0106b, which has now been removed from the Book of Order. In Lisa Larges' case, the onus lies now on the Synod to reexamine her based on the new 2.0104b. No new interpretations have been made on ordination standards as of yet. Predictably, there has been a positive response to this from That All May Freely Serve and the Covenant Network, and a negative response from The Layman. For a more detailed discussion of the polity behind these decisions, see this post. [PCUSA]

Stories from Haiti

2011-08-01T23:06:00.001-04:00

David Barnhart has begun a project that will allow Haitians affected by the earthquake to tell their stories. Equipped with Flip Cams, each reporter is given training in interviewing and storytelling. Projects will be shared on a GAMC website as they are completed. [PCUSA]

Presbyterians of Northwest Louisiana Renovate Local Museum

2011-07-29T08:10:00.000-04:00

The Presbyterian Churches of Shreveport and Plain Dealing, Louisiana are holding a joint Vacation Bible School program at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church which ends today. Their "Under Construction" curriculum for elementary and middle schoolers works in partnership with the Fuller Housing Center of Northwest Louisiana to renovate a local history museum in Allendale and collect supplies to be donated to the Fuller Housing Center. [ArkLaTex]

PC(USA) Office of Public Witness Director Arrested

2011-07-29T07:51:00.000-04:00

Twitter exploded yesterday as Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness, was arrested for civil disobedience in the Capitol yesterday. He was joined by the Executive Director for Faith and Public Life, Jennifer Butler, and the former president of the National Council of Churches, Michael Livingston. Nelson said: "Our denomination cannot stand idly by and watch while the mandate of the gospel to love our neighbors is violated in the halls of Congress." This comes after Nelson and Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons met with congressional leadership to plead the case of the poor and disadvantaged as the possibility of indiscriminate budget cuts looms. [PCUSA]

Book of Order Now Free

2011-07-26T08:50:00.001-04:00

After much complaining and threatening to bootleg, church leadership has given in and is now offering the Book of Order as a free pdf download. Apparently a credit card is still required for the download, but that will likely soon change. [Twitter]

Book of Order Controversy Continues

2011-07-21T20:29:00.001-04:00

Rumor has it that Gradye Parsons will be announcing a plan to offer the Book of Order as a PDF for free again, a change in position from yesterday's news that it would cost $10. Discussion has been happening all over the internet revolving around how free and "open source" our church should be. [Landonville]

PC(USA) Research: Majority of Presbyterians Do Mission

2011-07-21T20:21:00.000-04:00

PC(USA) Research Services completed an August 2010 survey set on compassion, peace, and justice. Their findings include that most Presbyterians are actively engaged over the course of the year in ministries of these areas, including Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self-Development of People, and many others. [PCUSA]

New Book of Order PDF: $10

2011-07-20T18:01:00.000-04:00

There has been much furor over on Twitter about the $10 cost for the electronic (pdf) edition of the new Book of Order. The GA Junkie has a great piece of investigation on this topic and the negative response it has received from many. [GA Junkie]

BoP Dues Increase

2011-07-18T21:59:00.000-04:00

By 2013, medical dues for all those participating in the Board of Pensions medical plan will increase to 21%. This is a 1.5% hike at .75% per year, and "has nothing to do with domestic partner benefits but reflects healthcare costs and healthcare costs only." You can read more at the PC(USA) News website. [PCUSA]

Growth in the Midst of Recession

2011-07-18T07:07:00.000-04:00

Despite economic hardships, multiple Presbyterian churches are experiencing growth this summer. Covenant Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida has just finished constructing a new $10 million worship space that they hope will enhance the church's mission. Many in the congregation credit faith and prayer vigils as primary reasons for the success of the campaign. In Reading, Pennsylvania, a much smaller church is also seeing revitalization in the face of difficulty. With an average attendance of about 75, the five-year-old Christ Presbyterian Church is making a commitment to reach into the city of Reading instead of moving away. The congregation is only 75% white and is growing at a rapid pace, adding members of all ages. [Naples News] [Reading Eagle]

The Difficulties of One Gay Presbyterian Pastor

2011-07-06T22:28:00.000-04:00

Salon recently published a post by Brett Webb-Mitchell, a gay PC(USA) pastor who had been called as a interim pastor to First Presbyterian Church in Henderson, North Carolina. His blog post details the responses he experienced from the people of the town and his reactions to what he heard and read. His welcome was not particularly warm, giving him many difficulties during his time at the church, despite his belief that the people of the town are strong and good-hearted. [Salon]

Neema: Presbyterians Speaking Swahili

2011-07-06T22:23:00.000-04:00

Neema has recently become chartered as the first Swahili speaking congregation of the PC(USA). Founded by the Rev. Dr. David Nzioka, who came to Kansas City for further education, Neema is open to all Swahili-speaking immigrants to Kansas City. It began in Village Presbyterian Church, which nurtured Rev. Nzioka's house church ministry until it received national funding and eventually the official blessing of Heartland Presbytery. [Deep and Wide]

PC(USA) Sees Membership Loss in 2010

2011-07-06T22:08:00.001-04:00

In some unsurprising statistics, the PC(USA) has continued to decline in both membership and numbers of congregations. Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons noted that the most troubling losses occur in the "other" category for those who do not die or transfer but are no longer counted as members. Of course, there is some good news too. [Courier Journal]

Vienna Presbyterian Church Undergoes Investigation

2011-07-06T22:04:00.000-04:00

After an extensively reported sex abuse scandal, more facts are coming to light about how the Student Ministries Director managed to commit acts of sexual abuse with youth in the church. The investigation has caused the resignation of the church's Executive Director and has caused the church to take a deep look at its own practices that allowed the abuse to happen. In a report received by the church last Wednesday, it was noted that the church was not prepared to deal with sexual misconduct. Notably, it said:

It said:
The Church had no educational plan in place to deal with sexual abuse; "It is unfair to assume that untrained individuals should have been able to identify the abuse," Carter said.
Poor decision-making occurred, such as allowing De Vries to address the youth upon his resignation. "The congregational awareness of De Vries’ evil was minimized by vague official statements which contributed to uninformed, harmful speculation within the adult congregation, staff and youth," the report said.
VPC’s safety and security plan had not been implemented and purchased security technology was not in use.

As Vienna Presbyterian Church learns these important lessons, let's hope that more churches take note so that these mistakes don't have to happen again. [Vienna Patch]

Fires Affecting Presbyterian Churches

2011-07-06T21:57:00.000-04:00

As with all buildings, fires take their toll on Presbyterian Churches. First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, Virginia experienced significant damage in a fire last Saturday with an undisclosed cause. First Presbyterian Church in Boone, NC experienced a fire as well - in their new building set to open for worship this Sunday. The fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the new construction. There is Good News, however: churches rebuild. After a fire on July 10th, 2010, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Joliet, IL is officially reopening their sanctuary that was almost completely destroyed in that fire.

Big Tent Conference Underway

2011-07-01T14:59:00.000-04:00

The Big Tent Conference of 2011 is underway in Indianapolis, Indiana. The event began yesterday and continues through tomorrow. If you aren't able to participate in the conference personally, tweets are coming in by the second over on Twitter. Today's big events include an address by Serene Jones, the appearance of a new hymnal sampler, workshops after workshops after workshops, and new ways to do ministry springing up all over the place. The official attendance count is 1,715. [Big Tent]

Diversity Leadership Network Seeks New Registrants

2011-07-01T14:36:00.000-04:00

Among the myriad of things happening at Big Tent, the PC(USA) Diversity Leadership Network is registering job seekers to boost diversity in the PC(USA). Racial/Ethnic applicants are being encouraged to register at www.pcusa.org/diversity. [PCUSA]

Church Raises Money for Stained Glass Windows

2011-06-29T20:30:00.000-04:00

Potwin Presbyterian Church has stained glass windows that are in dire need of repair. The estimated cost to fix their 38 windows is $100,000. Interestingly, it seems that much of their fundraising efforts will come from someone who is not a member of their congregation: Helen Crow, who lives down the street. As she puts it: "If I watched the lead fall out of these windows, I would think I'm committing a sin." [Topeka Capital-Journal]

Presbyterian Have Their Work Cut Out For Them

2011-06-29T20:22:00.000-04:00

Roger Dermondy, Deputy Executive Director for Mission, gave a difficult challenge to the General Assembly Mission Council, and they have accepted. The challenge is to add 1,001 new congregations by 2021 - over 100 new congregations each year. Many have pledged to add numbers of congregations: second generation Koreans, the Fellowship, and the Covenant Network have all been engaged as a part of this push. Also, we can expect this goal to be a big push at this weekend's Big Tent conference in Indianapolis. [PCUSA]

Youth Served by Churches Working Together

2011-06-29T20:13:00.000-04:00

Covenant Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, California is one of eight area churches working together in the Long Beach Youth Alliance. The Alliance, announced formally today, offers both after-school and summer programming to engage area youth and provide positive experiences. In addition, some churches also offer classes on religion, though the programming in general is non-denominational. [Gazettes.com]

Summary of 10-A Statistics

2011-06-29T20:10:00.000-04:00

The GA Junkie has posted an in-depth analysis of the votes on 10-A as they compare to 08-B and what that means for how the vote happened. There's a lot of information there, but the gist seems to be that voting changed due to larger numbers of yes votes being present - a "get out the vote" effect. Rumor has it that more analysis is yet to come...[GA Junkie]

"We Are Presbyterian" Project Launches

2011-06-24T22:11:00.000-04:00

Although slightly scaled back, the "We Are Presbyterian" project has posted 16 videos which answer five questions about being Presbyterian. Originally planned as an Internet conference, the project has taken a turn from being event-oriented towards a more resource-oriented approach. You can view the videos on YouTube here, or watch them at the project's website. [We Are Presbyterian]

Presbyterian Housing at UW-Madison to Retain Tax-Exempt Status

2011-06-24T22:06:00.000-04:00

Following up on this previous post, Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin will veto part of the state's budget that would require Presbyterian housing on campus to pay taxes. This allows the current tax-exempt status of the religious housing to remain in effect, funding not only the housing but outreach and ministry as well. The veto is expected to occur on Sunday. [Wisconsin State Journal]

Presbyterian Church Transformed into Light of Hope

2011-06-23T21:40:00.000-04:00

Memorial Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, PA is selling its building to the Light of Hope ministry. Instead of being home to one congregation, the building will now house multiple congregations worshiping at different times. In addition, social services will be provided in the office space in the building. The most recent occupants of the Memorial Presbyterian building, the Resurrection Chapel congregation, have joined with Lancaster's First Presbyterian Church. [Lancaster Online]

First Presbyterian of San Diego Reaches Out with Jazz

2011-06-21T21:54:00.000-04:00

San Diego's First Presbyterian Church will be hosting a jazz concert on July 16th featuring local jazz artists as a way to connect with the community and support the arts. This event might be considered a prelude to weekly jazz services that will then begin in September on Wednesdays, incorporating jazz into worship itself. [PRWeb]

Alan Wisdom on Remaining in the PC(USA)

2011-06-21T21:51:00.000-04:00

Alan Wisdom has posted an article discussing the options for Presbyterians who disagree with the latest decision on amendment 10-A. Notably, he writes that the Institute for Religion and Democracy, though disagreeing with the latest decision, still believes it has much to offer the PC(USA), though individuals may have a different "personal calculus." [IRD]

WCC Hosts Conference on Middle East

2011-06-17T23:27:00.000-04:00

From June 20th-22nd, the World Council of Churches, of which the PC(USA) is a part, will host a conference in Volos, Greece. This conference will address Christianity in the Middle East, which has been declining in recent years. This will likely be followed by another conference on the topic in 2012. For more information on the PC(USA)'s involvement in the Middle East, look here. [PCUSA]

Union Seminary Researches New Media

2011-06-17T23:08:00.000-04:00

Union Theological Seminary has created a new website dubbed "New Media Project." The website will explore social media and other forms of digital communication and technology and how these can aid ministry. Of course, you can follow the project on Facebook or Twitter. [PCUSA]

Union Presbyterian Church Worships Through Service

2011-06-15T16:58:00.000-04:00

Union Presbyterian Church has an interesting way of spending their "5th Sundays." Each time a month has 5 Sundays, the congregation participates in Service Worship Sunday, where multiple teams spread out around the city to work on various service projects. On May 29th, 5 teams spent 2-5 hours on Sunday morning singing in a senior community, doing yard work, preparing food, and packing care boxes for chaplains in Afghanistan to distribute. Each service begins with community breakfast and a short commissioning service before everyone leaves for their sites. While Union Presbyterian was featured in this news story, other churches in San Jose Presbytery (including West Valley and First Presbyterian of San Jose) also participate in this same type of program. [Los Altos Town Crier]

First Presbyterian of Huntington, WV Hosts Volunteers

2011-06-15T07:21:00.000-04:00

First Presbyterian Church of Huntington, WV hosted a number of volunteers last week as part of their "Wayne County Work Camp." One group came from Trinity Lutheran Church in Washington Island, Wisconsin to work on a Habitat for Humanity house, staying at First Presbyterian during their visit. The Wayne County Work Camp is a collaborative project designed to give youth a hands-on summer experience serving those in need. [Herald Dispatch]

Providence Presbytery Approves 10-A

2011-06-13T17:52:00.000-04:00

Providence Presbytery has approved amendment 10-A in a change of vote from 2008. They became the 97th Presbytery to support the amendment, and only one Presbytery remains to vote on 10-A, Kiskiminetas Presbytery. Dakota Presbytery is the only other remaining Presbytery not to have voted on 10-A, and they have no plans to hold a vote. [Shuck and Jive]

Prayer for Sudan

2011-06-11T00:27:00.000-04:00

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program posted a deep and inspiring prayer for Sudan today. This is in response to a number of events, most directly a press release by the U.N. that describes civilian deaths and displacement, calling for an end to indiscriminate violence alongside a White House statement condemning the attacks. [Swords into Plowshares]

Moderator of Middle Governing Bodies Commission Interviewed

2011-06-11T00:24:00.000-04:00

Rev. Tod Bolsinger, the moderator of the Middle Governing Bodies commission, was interviewed by the Presbyterian News Service about the work of the committee. One big analogy that comes up: doing church as a "dance floor" with people stepping on each other's toes, trying to figure out where the edges are, and moving together with trust. [PCUSA]

Presbytery of Central Nebraska Offers Internet Protection to Churches

2011-06-08T22:15:00.000-04:00

Individual churches have not always been quick to jump on the Internet/computer bandwagon, and when they do, security can be forgotten or out of date. The Presbytery of Central Nebraska is creatively working to correct that by being a "host site" for antivirus/malware protection, which means that they set aside computing power to analyze Internet traffic for problems. This allows them to offer this protection to their churches at a discounted rate - and for free to the first two churches in the Presbytery that sign up! [Presbytery of Central Nebraska]

Summer Conferences Begin at Montreat

2011-06-08T22:10:00.000-04:00

This week is the first week of Montreat's Summer Conferences, beginning with a Youth Conference. In addition to the Youth Conferences for high school students, Montreat will also offer Middle School and Older Adult conferences as well as conferences on Worship and Music, Christian Life, Adaptive Leadership, Christian Education, the Board of Pensions, and Interim Pastors. [Montreat]

PC(USA) Religious Housing Faces Challenges

2011-06-07T22:24:00.000-04:00

The Presbyterian Student Center Foundation (Pres House) of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is facing daunting economic and political problems. As the only religious housing on campus, Pres House provides 250 beds and uses the proceeds from rent to do ministry and mission work. Although granted tax-exempt status in 2009, it now faces a change in legislation to remove that status, requiring additional taxes of about $200,000 per year to be paid. [PCUSA]

New Form of Government Passes; Resources Available

2011-06-07T22:17:00.001-04:00

Trinity Presbytery has cast the 87th "yes" vote needed to pass nFOG. As noted by the Presbyterian News Service, this is the first complete overhaul of the FOG since reunion in 1983. For seminary students taking the polity exam, this means no change in studying until January 2012, when the first exam based on nFOG will be given. The text of nFOG is posted on the nFOG website along with an FAQ and essays about the document. Also posted there is a document outlining key differences from the current FOG. The nFOG blog also has a great deal of information available, including a discussion arguing against many of the recent concerns over establishing a quorum under the new rules. Finally, the national leadership has released a letter concerning the pending official approval of nFOG. [PCUSA]

nFog One Vote from Passing, Belhar Fails

2011-06-06T22:00:00.001-04:00

With 86 affirmative votes, the New Form of Government is only one vote away from reaching the required 87 needed to pass. Both The Layman and Reclaim Biblical Teaching put the count at 85 and San Juan has just cast the 86th affirmative vote. No word yet on where and when the next vote will come. The remaining major amendment, the Belhar Confession, has reached the required number of "no" votes (58) need to defeat the amendment, with Palo Duro presbytery casting the deciding vote on Saturday. [Twitter]

Santa Barbara Presbytery Proposes Committees of Correspondence

2011-06-06T21:35:00.000-04:00

Santa Barbara Presbytery, in the wake of the recent majority reached in favor of Amendment 10-A, has proposed a new structure for presbyteries opposed to the amendment. The proposal includes the creation of committees that will reach out to other congregations and presbyteries opposed to 10-A to consider ways to respond to the decision. Their first official meeting is planned for August 27th, one day after the Fellowship of Presbyterians plans to meet [Presbyterian Outlook]

Presbyterians in the Midst of Violence and Adversity

2011-06-06T21:21:00.000-04:00

The Presbyterian News Service posted a great story about First Presbyterian in Macomb, Illinois. The story begins with a partnership formed between the church and residents of a suddenly closing trailer park. One of the residents who partnered with the church was attacked with a knife on the way to church, and was saved due to a quick response from the church and the local hospital. [PCUSA]

Presbyterian Planning Calendar Available Online

2011-06-05T00:18:00.000-04:00

The Presbyterian Planning calendar is available in beta format as an electronic resource. This means you can import it into your Outlook, iCal, or Google calendar (or any other calendar). I've added this to my own Google calendar, and you can view the HTML version here, or add it to your own Google calendar by opening Google calendar and typing "pcusanews@gmail.com" in the box under "Other Calendars" on the sidebar. View the PC(USA) website for more details. [PCUSA]

Middle Governing Body Commission Meets

2011-06-03T23:50:00.000-04:00

The Middle Governing Body Commission has been tasked with reporting on the nature of the church in the 21st century. As they prepare to present at the 220th General Assembly at their meeting, recommendations are being made and discussed around several key issues. In addition to the story from the Presbyterian News Service, be sure to read the Outlook's article on this as well. [PCUSA]

Inclusion Sunday Approaches

2011-06-03T23:45:00.000-04:00

Disability Inclusion Sunday is June 26th, and the national office has put together a few resources for celebrating this occasion. The resources come from Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC). Resources include worship and theology materials, a paper on disability inclusion, and a powerpoint presentation among other things. [PDC]

Former Stated Clerk Receives Angioplasty

2011-06-02T22:17:00.000-04:00

According to Twitter, former Stated Clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick received an angioplasty today. Although the procedure is likely now over, prayers are of course still appreciated. [Twitter]

Presbyterian in 140 Characters or Less

2011-06-01T22:13:00.000-04:00

As part of his work on the Middle Governing Bodies Commission, John Vest has posed this question: "What does it mean to be Presbyterian?" Originally posted on Twitter, his responses came in the form of tweets. You can read some of the responses at his blog. [John Vest]

Company of New Pastors Provides Needed Support

2011-06-01T22:11:00.000-04:00

The PC(USA) News Service relates a story shared by Rev. Anne Apple, who participated in a group that became the Company of New Pastors. This group provides support for people seeking a call and those who have newly found one, focusing on prayer and study. You can read more about the program here. [PCUSA]

We Are Presbyterian Deadline Approaching

2011-06-01T22:07:00.000-04:00

Bruce Reyes-Chow's "We Are Presbyterian" project (original post here) aims to share voices of Presbyterians who are not often heard at traditional conferences. The deadline for submitting an 8-minute video answering a few questions about your relationship to the PC(USA) is June 15th, and the "conference" will be held all day on June 22nd. You can read more on Twitter or Bruce's blog. [PCUSA]

Church Members Fast for Fair Trade

2011-05-31T22:21:00.000-04:00

Church members in the U.S. and Colombia will fast from June 5th-12th in protest of the impending trade agreement between the United States and Colombia. The Colombian Presbyterian Church has issued a statement that does not oppose free trade agreements in general, but opposes this trade because it and the PC(USA) believe that, in this instance, free trade is not fair trade. [PCUSA]

New Jersey Church Closes Doors After Death of Pastor

2011-05-31T22:19:00.000-04:00

Bethany Presbyterian Church of Chambersburg, New Jersey will close its doors after just over 125 years. The congregation dwindled from its peak of almost 1500 worshipers to a congregation of just over a dozen. When Rev. Alice Bijjani died in November, much of the church's administrative tasks were left without people to accomplish them. Community members are raising support to keep the building after the church closes. [NJ.com]

Layman Runs Conservative Print Ads, One Censored

2011-05-30T18:42:00.000-04:00

The Layman has put out multiple print ads condemning the recent decision to pass amendment 10-A. The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and the Houston Chronicle all ran their ad, but the Minneapolis Star Tribune asked them to remove two lines. This has prompted a response both from The Layman and from the Christian Post. You can view the original ad here(pdf). [The Layman]

Two Hit by Car in Presbyterian Parking Lot

2011-05-30T11:45:00.000-04:00

Someone lost control of his car on Sunday morning in the parking lot of Vienna Presbyterian Church. The driver lost control as he backed out of his parking lot, hitting a car which pushed another car into two people walking across the parking lot. They sustained minor injuries. [WJLA]

Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church Fined $4,000 for Improper Pruning

2011-05-28T22:36:00.000-04:00

In one of the stranger church struggles for this denomination, Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church now faces fines for improperly pruning their trees: $100 per branch, for a total of $4,000. The ordinance affects only public property, and was put into place to prevent trees from growing improperly and causing problems. The fine will be lifted if the trees are replaced. [Charlotte Observer]

Covenant Network Names New Interim Director

2011-05-28T22:33:00.000-04:00

Rev. Nancy Enderle has been named the Interim Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, most famously known in recent history for its support of amendment 10-A. She will replace Pam Byers, a founding Executive Director. [Covenant Network]

Three Congregations Leave Presbytery of Cincinnati

2011-05-28T22:29:00.000-04:00

The Layman reports that three Ohio congregations have voted to leave the PC(USA), citing the recent passing of Amendment 10-A as primary motivation. Other issues also contributed to the decision, which reportedly does not involve a condemnation of Presbyterianism, only misgivings about the direction of the PC(USA). [The Layman]

The Deaths of Two Distinguished Presbyterians

2011-05-27T23:00:00.000-04:00

In addition to Youngil Cho, two more Presbyterian leaders have died this week. Rev. William Lytle, Moderator the 1978 UPCUSA General Assembly, died today at 87 years old. Rev. Walter Soboleff, one of the Presbyterian Church's first ordained Alaska natives, died Sunday at 102. [PCUSA]

Presbyterians Participate in Arizona "Migrant Trail"

2011-05-27T22:54:00.000-04:00

A 75 mile walk to raise awareness about human rights issues associated with border crossing will begin on Monday, May 30th at Sásabe, Sonora in Mexico, with carpools departing from Southside Presbyterian Church. Numerous other Presbyterian churches have gotten involved with supporting this effort as well. [Tuscon Citizen]

Presbyterians Look Towards Joplin

2011-05-26T22:43:00.000-04:00

After devastating tornadoes hit the region, Presbyterians have begun sending money, supplies, and prayers to the people affected by these disasters. National leaders have released devotional resources and directed Presbyterians to donate through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The Layman has also posted an account of the events as seen through the eyes of a New Church Development pastor in Joplin. [PCUSA]

PC(USA) Leader Youngil Cho Dies

2011-05-26T22:40:00.000-04:00

A prominent leader of the Presbyterian church in many capacities, Elder Dr. Youngil Cho died last Sunday in North Carolina. Among other things, he served on the General Assembly Council and on the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic's Permanent Judicial Commission. [PCUSA]

Presbyterian Responses to Bin Laden's Death

2011-05-26T22:36:00.000-04:00

Alan Wisdom has posted a summary of the PC(USA) response to the killing of Osama Bin Laden over at the Layman website. He compares the PC(USA) reaction to the seemingly mainstream response of gratitude or even celebration, asking whether the leadership of the denomination is out of touch with the larger body. [The Layman]

Wage Troubles at Presbyterian Associated Nursing Home

2011-05-25T21:34:00.000-04:00

Workers at Broomall Presbyterian Village in Broomall, PA went on strike today in response to unfair bargaining tactics, seeking higher wages and fair treatment from their parent company, Presby's Inspired Life. Although not directly linked to the PC(USA), many note the apparent difference in values between the stances taken by the General Assembly for workers' rights and the alleged actions of Presby's Inspired Life. Wages paid to the non-managerial staff are lower than at other non-union facilities owned by the company. [Delaware County News Network]

Presbyterians Love Their Coffee

2011-05-25T21:20:00.000-04:00

Benjamin Schellack, a student a Princeton Seminary, has taken a leave of absence to start a coffee company. He started O.Q. Coffee, which sources and roasts coffee, and sees it as part of his calling. You can read the rest of this story on the PC(USA) News website, and check out this story about Bare Bulb Coffee while you're at it. [PCUSA]

10-A Official Vote Count Sits on the Edge

2011-05-25T08:05:00.000-04:00

The PC(USA) official vote counts are behind what is being reported out in the world on 10-A. With the latest update from Monday, the official vote stands at 86-68, with just one more vote needed for official acknowledgment that 10-A has passed. While many have focused solely on 10-A, votes on nFog and the Belhar confession have also been advancing. The current vote on nFog, which requires the same 87 vote majority as 10-A, is 77-72. The vote on Belhar, which requires a 116 vote majority to pass (or 57 votes to fail), is 73-47. [PCUSA]

Two More Presbyteries Approve 10-A

2011-05-24T20:51:00.000-04:00

Both the Presbytery of Western New York and Missouri Union Presbytery have voted to approve amendment 10-A. For Missouri Union, this represents a change in vote from 08-B. The tally is now 96-70. [Covenant Network]

Hunger Grant Deadline Approaching

2011-05-24T20:19:00.000-04:00

Each year, the Presbyterian Hunger Program gives out grants to fight hunger. The focus is now shifting from feeding programs to efforts that change the systemic issues causing hunger. (Teaching people to fish instead of giving them fish, etc.) Applications are due on June 30th, and grants will be given out for the year 2012. You can find applications to fill out electronically and email in online. [Presbyterian Hunger Program]

Congregation to use Walton Award for Building Construction

2011-05-24T20:14:00.000-04:00

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church won a 2011 Walton Award, which grants $50,000 to New Church Developments. Chapel in the Pines has 120 members, participates in an ecumenical food pantry, and contributes to Habitat for Humanity. The church already has 12 acres of land and plans to build an environmentally-friendly timber-frame building with the grant money. [PCUSA]

First Presbyterian of Santa Ana Transforms Local School

2011-05-23T21:44:00.000-04:00

Elder Betty Thompson learned the value of asking a mission partner what they need, instead of assuming she already knew. When she asked Wilson Elementary School what it needed, the answer was books. Setting a goal of donating 720, she received over 5,000 from around the presbytery. In the second year of the program, they provided dictionaries to the students, and the local neighborhood association promised to double any funds raised. [PCUSA]

Palm Desert Community Presbyterian to Establish Elementary School

2011-05-23T21:40:00.000-04:00

After the closing of St. Margaret's Episcopal School, teachers and parents expressed concern about the gap that would be left in their community. Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church agreed last Tuesday to establish a new school in the existing building, employing teachers that currently work at the Episcopal School. The parent's group is providing much of the initial financial support. [Palm Desert Patch]

Presbyterians Respond to Tornado in Joplin, MO

2011-05-23T21:36:00.000-04:00

The death toll is rising after a deadly set of tornadoes in Joplin, MO. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is already rallying support for the entire region affected by the storms, though no substantial updates have yet been given on the extent of involvement. PDA is asking for supplemental gifts to be made here. [PCUSA]

First Presbyterian of Covington, GA Beautifies Neighborhood

2011-05-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

The local food pantry in Covington, GA had just been demolished. Knowing that the site was an eyesore, First Presbyterian Church decided to take action. Through donated materials, money, and time, church members and others turned the vacant lot into a park. A mural covers a wall, and picnic tables invite the entire community to enjoy the new space. [Rockdale Citizen]

Reusing Ties to Help Our Neighbors

2011-05-20T23:48:00.000-04:00

Atlanta's Central Presbyterian Church participates in an outreach ministry called the Central Outreach and Advocacy Center, which has given birth to a creative new ministry. Ties that Matter employs low-income women to make bags as well as pillows, blankets, handbags, and hats out of old ties that are often donated by people around the region. This for-profit venture now helps to fund other outreach opportunities. [PCUSA]

PC(USA) Considers Same Gender Partner Benefits

2011-05-20T23:45:00.000-04:00

This past month, the Board of Pensions conducted two sets of hearings on the possibility of benefits for same-gender couples. The hearings sought comments of church members and officials, but the three hours each meeting allotted for comments was not filled. The 219th General Assembly approved a resolution to fund same-gender partner benefits with a 1% dues increase. [PCUSA]

Seminary News

2011-05-19T23:44:00.000-04:00

The Presbyterian News Service just released a new edition of "Seminary News." Notable items include the new performing arts center at Dubuque Theological Seminary and San Francisco Seminary's accreditation as a CPE Center. The post also includes updates on Louisville Seminary, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Johnson C. Smith Seminary, and Union Presbyterian Seminary. [PCUSA]

The End Times and a Presbyterian Response

2011-05-19T23:41:00.000-04:00

Louisville Seminary professor Susan Garrett was interviewed on a local TV station about the upcoming rapture. Unsurprisingly, she's not buying it:

This group is the latest in a long line of groups down through the centuries who have claimed to be able to predict when the rapture and judgment and the end of the world would come.

Of course, she does have a plan B, just in case. But it's more important to focus on today and live in hope.
[WAVE3]

10-A Update: 2 Yes, 1 No

2011-05-19T23:23:00.000-04:00

Three Presbyteries voted on 10-A today. Both Sheppards and Lapsley and Homestead Presbyteries voted yes (with 28 and 17 vote margins, respectively), while Los Ranchos Presbytery voted no with an 80 vote margin. The national count is now 94-71. The next to vote is San Juan Presbytery on Saturday. [Covenant Network]

PC(USA) Prepares for Presbyterian Heritage Sunday

2011-05-18T22:46:00.000-04:00

Every year, the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia prepares resources for Presbyterian Heritage Sunday. This year's bulletin cover features Adelaide Woodard, a female doctor serving the Presbyterian Church's North India mission in the first half of the 20th century. Retiring in 1936, she was often referred to as the "Great Lady Doctor." [PCUSA]

Three More Yes Votes on 10-A

2011-05-18T10:36:00.000-04:00

Charlotte, New York City, and Des Moines Presbyteries all voted yes yesterday on Amendment 10-A. None of these votes represent a switch from two years ago, and the national count is now 92-67. [Covenant Network]

McCormick Offers Certificate in Environmental Ministry

2011-05-18T00:16:00.000-04:00

McCormick Seminary is planning to offer an eight-day certificate course in Environmental Ministry and Leadership. The course aims to enable pastors and other religious leaders to incorporate eco-justice into their programs, and will be taught in two four-day sessions. [Eco-Journey]

San Francisco Seminary Elects New President

2011-05-17T09:21:00.000-04:00

Rev. Dr. James L. McDonald has been elected to be the 11th president of San Francisco Theological Seminary. He served with Bread for the World for 13 years as managing director and acting president. He graduated from Princeton University, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and from American University with a Ph.D in International Relations. [SFTS]

New Hymnal Marketing Manager

2011-05-16T22:44:00.000-04:00

Rev. Meg Flannagan will be joining the PC(USA) new hymnal effort starting next month. She has a Bachelor's in music from Furman University and a Master of Divinity from Colombia Seminary. She will serve as the hymnal marketing manager. [PCUSA]

Unconference 2011 Underway

2011-05-16T22:40:00.000-04:00

The 2011 Unconference began today, encouraging discussion and reflection across a variety of denominations about the church and its future. Multiple PC(USA) notables will be in attendance, and you can follow the action here, here and here, and you can learn more about the Unconference here and here. [Unconference]

New Hymnal Sampler to be Used at Big Tent

2011-05-14T21:31:00.000-04:00

A selection of new hymns from the upcoming new PC(USA) hymnal will be used at the Big Tent conference this summer. The sampler will include mostly selections that are not in the current hymnal, though of course the new hymnal itself will retain many of the songs from the 1990 "The Presbyterian Hymnal: Songs, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs." [Presbyterian Hymnal Project]

Boise Presbytery Passes 10-A

2011-05-14T17:05:00.000-04:00

Boise Presbytery has approved 10-A with a vote of 37-27. This represents a shift from 08-B, when the amendment was disapproved with a 9 vote margin. [Covenant Network]

Deerfield Presbyterian to Unveil Veterans' Monument

2011-05-14T08:04:00.000-04:00

Deerfield Presbyterian Church in Deerfield, New Jersey will unveil a monument on Sunday dedicated to military veterans and active military personnel. $48,000 was raised from local sources as well as donors without any connection to the church. The monument will honor not only soldiers from the church itself, but from the surrounding community as well. Although yet unveiled, it will be the height of an average U.S. adult male with a human-like silhouette and a design called the "sword of sacrifice," which will appear both like a cross and a sword. [NJ.com]

The PC(USA) Coffeeshop

2011-05-13T20:11:00.000-04:00

In Warner Robins, GA, an incredibly creative new church development is percolating. Bare Bulb Coffee looks more like a coffeeshop than a church, but Rev. Nikki Collins MacMillan says "this might be what church looks like." The Presbyterian News Service has the full report. [PCUSA]

Presbyterian Hunger Program Rejects Free Trade Agreement

2011-05-13T19:32:00.000-04:00

The Presbyterian Hunger Program has issued an alert about the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. This coincides with proceedings for agreements with Korea and Panama. According to the statement, the PC(USA) is taking action because "land rights...are consistently undermined" and because the church "opposes multinational actions and trade agreements" that elevate corporate rights over government and individual rights. [Eco-Journey]

PC(USA) Moderators Support 10A

2011-05-13T19:31:00.000-04:00

25 former moderators of the PC(USA) General Assembly have released a letter supporting the recent passage of 10A. The list includes moderators from as early as 1976 and as late as 2009. [Covenant Network]

Reflections on Korean Language Presbyteries

2011-05-11T21:36:00.000-04:00

As Amendment 10-A passes, Kevin Park reflects on a motion that failed before the end of General Assembly: the creation of a 5th Korean language presbytery. The motion was defeated on the grounds that the leadership of women and second generation pastors is not valued highly in these presbyteries, and that there tends to be little accountability outside of the presbytery. This was a thought-provoking occurrence, and continues to be so. You can read an introductory post here. [Thinking Praying Living]

10-A Reaction Roundup, Moderator's Response

2011-05-11T21:30:00.000-04:00

Abbie Watters posted a great collection of responses to the unofficial passing of Amendment 10-A yesterday. Notable among these resources is the video response from Cynthia Bolbach, General Assembly Moderator, posted below. [Abbie Watters]

First Presbyterian in Asheville Receives Green Award

2011-05-11T21:13:00.000-04:00

The Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry has awarded the Greener Pastor Climate Fellowship Award to First Presbyterian Church in Asheville. The award provides an energy audit, support for seeking grants, and education for congregants. [Eco-Journey]

Twin Cities is 87th Presbytery to Pass 10-A, 205-56

2011-05-10T20:07:00.001-04:00

The web is humming with tweets about Twin Cities Presbytery, which just passed 10-A. The threshold has now unofficially been reached for amendment 10-A to pass. For info on what this means, check out the posts here, here, and here. [Twitter]

A Secular Summary of the 10-A Vote

2011-05-10T15:24:00.000-04:00

The Wall Street Journal just published an article summarizing the events surrounding today's votes on 10-A, placing them in the context of the PC(USA) and other denominations. [Wall Street Journal]