The Governance Task Force of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is seeking input from agency committee and ministry partners that receive representatives from the PMAB. Citing the current board size, budget limitations and time demands for board members, the Governance Task Force believes the existing deployment model is “not sustainable.” Read more »
November 17, 2016
PMAB Task Force seeks advice on members’ external committee commitments
The Governance Task Force of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is seeking input from agency committee and ministry partners that receive representatives from the PMAB. Citing the current board size, budget limitations and time demands for board members, the Governance Task Force believes the existing deployment model is “not sustainable.” Read more »
The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) announced today the addition of Albuquerque as a new site for its 2017-18 program year. Partnered with the Presbytery of Santa Fe, the site has been two years in development and will be the only new YAV site added in 2017-18. 
They may have been traveling for days or even weeks, but asylum seekers hoping to start new lives in the U.S. are finding a bright spot in their long and difficult journey. A Catholic church in McAllen, Texas provides a rest stop for the weary travelers, giving them a place to rest, eat and fellowship with volunteers who have come to help. 
Reconciliation is at the heart of Christian faith. It is arguably the most radical and transforming work done by God and practiced in our own lives. In 2 Corinthians 5:19 the apostle Paul teaches us that through Christ, God was “reconciling the world to himself” and calls us to a ministry of reconciliation with each other. But what does reconciliation mean? Does it mean we forgive and forget? Or convince others that we are right? 
Amidst a trilling of trumpets, a shower of stoles, and a grateful congregation’s affirming applause—interposed with the shedding of more than a few tears—Lisa Larges, a candidate for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 1986, was ordained as a teaching elder at the Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church. 
From across the United States and the world, indigenous peoples and their allies have gathered at the Camp of the Sacred Stones, north of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation’s northern border. Members of the tribe took the initiative in this witness to protect their sacred sites and waters from environmental harm and to affirm tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. 
Monika Ruiz’s vocational aspirations paint a portrait of holistic Christian commitment. This college sophomore wants to serve as a nurse in international mission, but her dreams for the future don’t stop with taking care of physical needs. Monika would like to tend spiritual needs through pastoral ministry in a developing country. She is concerned about justice for neglected people and communities around the world, and she envisions starting an advocacy organization that works on their behalf. 
Refusing to succumb to political upheaval, economic uncertainty or mass emigration, the Evangelical Theological Seminary at Matanzas, Cuba has remained open and focused on preparing the next generation of ecumenical leaders.
October 14, a large contingent of current and former students, faculty, staff and faith leaders celebrated 70 years of continuous operation at the seminary. 
Healing has begun between Native Alaskan groups and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) following an apology issued by the Presbytery of Yukon at the meeting of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) October 22, 2016. Both native representatives and the presbytery acknowledge this significant gesture is the start of a long process to address the abuses of the past century, especially as they relate to the treatment of Native Alaskan children at church-affiliated boarding schools. 
The day following an unprecedented election of this nation’s 45th president, many were left wondering about the state of cultural diversity and immigrants in the U.S. To help the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) move past cultural differences, 22 coaches from across the country met in Louisville, November 9-11, 2016, for Racial Ethnic & New Immigrant coaches training.