More than 20 representatives from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joined a 500-person-strong gathering of clergy and lay leaders at the Oceti Sakowin prayer camp yesterday, adding voices of solidarity to self-described “water protectors” at the site and taking part in a ceremony repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery.
Tackling complex societal issues is never an easy task, but thanks to the creative talents in Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), congregations have access to original films that can serve as “conversation starters” for their ministry and community.
The legal counsel of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has issued a set of guidelines for pastors, congregations and mid-councils during the election season. As tax exempt organizations, the guidelines prohibit PC(USA) entities from campaigning for or against a candidate but allows promotion of or lobbying for or against issues.
Family and friends of the Rev. Eugene “Freedom” Blackwell took to the streets of Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood for a freedom procession from the local high school to the House of Manna worshiping community where funeral services were held for Blackwell.
The Justice Department’s recent decision to end the use of private prisons is welcome news to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has argued against the use of these facilities for more than a dozen years. The department made the announcement after concluding private prisons were not as safe or effective as those run by the government.
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, the son, grandson and nephew of Presbyterian pastors, was overwhelmingly elected Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Friday. The action came from the 222nd General Assembly (2016) meeting June 18-25 in Portland, Oregon.
As the bus pulled away from the Oregon Convention Center on Sunday morning—headed across the Columbia River toward Vancouver, Washington—the church’s hospitality was already in high gear.
The Synod of Mid-America executive and stated clerk, Landon Whitsitt, has put his creative talents to work in a YouTube rap expounding on General Assembly culture.
The charge to the Social Justice Issues Committee is clear. It is to consider matters related to the concerns of the church in national affairs, national military matters and matters relating to righteousness and justice of persons/organizations.