Samuel Polanco is no stranger to the power of walls — especially their potential to exclude and keep people like him from being their best selves. But the 2022 graduate of the Menaul School — a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-related college preparatory school in Albuquerque, New Mexico — credits his educational experience as being instrumental in breaking down many barriers. Read more »
November 22, 2022
The PC(USA)’s Christmas Joy Offering eases financial needs
Samuel Polanco is no stranger to the power of walls — especially their potential to exclude and keep people like him from being their best selves. But the 2022 graduate of the Menaul School — a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-related college preparatory school in Albuquerque, New Mexico — credits his educational experience as being instrumental in breaking down many barriers. Read more »
God’s world is changing, says Presbyterian hymn writer the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, and her new hymns for Advent and Christmas are designed to, in her words, “help us to make sense of the places where faith and everyday life meet.” 
Using “people power” to create systemic change was the focus of a recent Presbyterian Hunger Program webinar on congregation-based community organizing, or CBCO. 
In response to a referral from the 224th General Assembly (2020) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) for the Presbyterian Mission Agency to develop theological resources for how the church has benefited at the expense of Native American peoples, a consultation was held with Native American leaders at Stony Point Center in New York Sept. 13-15. 
The Presbyterian School of Kabuga in Rwanda discovered that gardening helps primary school students to demonstrate greater responsibility at school and at home. It is a crucial part of teaching because it leads to creativity and innovation. It is a valuable life skill tool which can influence all aspects of life. 
While most organizations work tirelessly to break down silos, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bay City, Michigan, decided instead to build a few of their own.
All to the glory of God for the benefit of Presbyterian Mission, of course. 
How can we measure who is worshiping with us?
If your online worship uses Zoom, you can simply count the faces on your screen. But if you are streaming your worship to Facebook, YouTube or through your website, interpreting the metrics is trickier. 
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins and the Office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C. — together with National Capital Presbytery — recently hosted two women of faith who regaled a Zoom audience with stories of the decades they’ve spent advocating for and ministering to God’s people. 
When we gather with friends and family at Christmas, we celebrate the many gifts that we have both given and received. Looking toward the Star of Bethlehem, we give thanks for the blessings of the past year and anticipate a future filled with hope and possibility. We live in hope that the Christmas gift we offer is exactly what that special person has been hoping for. Yet for those of us celebrating Advent’s expectation, we know that the only perfect gift ever given is the one we receive in Jesus Christ. 
I still remember the furrowed brows of saints in my rural church when I suggested that rather than ask for donations to feed the children for an upcoming event, we should pay local food purveyors to cater the meal instead.