The Presbyterian Association of Musician offers ideas for congregations as they navigate the return to public worship and seek to bridge online and in-person gatherings. These suggestions may need to be adapted for a particular context of ministry. They should be undertaken only insofar as local resources and current conditions allow. Read more »
September 28, 2020
Church music and COVID-19
The Presbyterian Association of Musician offers ideas for congregations as they navigate the return to public worship and seek to bridge online and in-person gatherings. These suggestions may need to be adapted for a particular context of ministry. They should be undertaken only insofar as local resources and current conditions allow. Read more »
In a truly altruistic act of kindness and unity, the National Korean Caucus of Presbyterian Churches (NCKPC) has demonstrated what a connectional church looks like.
The Rev. Byeongho Choi, Moderator of the NCKPC and pastor of Bethany Korean Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia, said, “As moderator I called a meeting to ask the caucus how we could help the small churches during this very difficult time of the COVID-19 virus.” 
Pastoral leaders in the Presbytery of Transylvania are loving their neighbors by wearing their masks, and they are encouraging others to do likewise. 
Yearning to break free from a life hindered by addiction, Lori Flick walked into Columbia Presbyterian Church in south-central Pennsylvania almost seven years ago and found a place of refuge.
“I think a lot of people were like ‘Who is this girl?’” she said. “I was skinny as heck. I looked like I was ready to rob the place,” but “I just got to know everyone. They gave me hope. They gave me Jesus. They gave me my self-worth when I didn’t have it.” 
This year’s global pandemic canceled conferences all across the globe, but the most creative and inventive groups figured out ways to turn those gatherings virtual. 
The desire to gather around common prayers, shared music and the communion table brought several Presbyterian Mission Agency ministries together to create a Worldwide Worship Kit, launched in time for World Communion Sunday, October 4. 
“We are here holding up the life of Breonna Taylor, one who gave her life not intentionally, but a life that will be remembered for the movement she has now created,” the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II said during a vigil Sunday honoring the woman killed in her apartment March 13 at the hands of Louisville police. 
A nearly hour-long plenary to cap the second week of the Intercultural Transformation Workshops focused on the pain and trauma clergy and lay people alike have been carrying for the past six months during the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice, including the killings of African Americans at the hands of police and Wednesday’s grand jury decision on the role of police in the killing of Breonna Taylor of Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13 in her apartment. 
Three digital conferences in October from Theology, Formation & Evangelism and its ministry partners will provide renewal opportunities for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders and congregational members as they seek to live out the gospel during this time of pandemic, chaos and disruption. 
The first-ever International Peacemaker Virtual Symposium will provide a rare opportunity to hear from 16 outstanding individuals who had transformative experiences while being hosted in the United States by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).