You might have noticed that more people are wearing orange lately. This is not a fashion trend but a movement that began in 2013 as a grief response by friends of a young victim of gun violence. It has grown into a national day, then weekend, then month (of June) to raise awareness about the horrific cost of gun violence. Towns and cities, schools and churches, individuals and clubs are urging us all to wear the bright color that hunters have long worn for safety. It is one small step in bending the moral arc of the universe toward justice. Read more »
May 29, 2024
Minute for Mission: National Gun Violence Awareness Day
You might have noticed that more people are wearing orange lately. This is not a fashion trend but a movement that began in 2013 as a grief response by friends of a young victim of gun violence. It has grown into a national day, then weekend, then month (of June) to raise awareness about the horrific cost of gun violence. Towns and cities, schools and churches, individuals and clubs are urging us all to wear the bright color that hunters have long worn for safety. It is one small step in bending the moral arc of the universe toward justice. Read more »
Given the opportunity to talk about the well-known and well-respected work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the Rev. Edwin González-Castillo did not hesitate when he took to the Between 2 Pulpits microphone recently. 
Asked during the most recent edition of “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast” to define “shareholder engagement,” Tim Smith had this succinct answer: It’s “investors taking seriously that they’re partial owners in companies.” 
The 53rd gathering of the National Council of Korean Presbyterian Churches that convened earlier this month felt more like a family reunion. 
During a recent webinar offered by Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC), available here, Avery Davis Lamb introduced participants to Plastic Jesus.
Lamb is co-executive director of a partner of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Creation Justice Ministries, which developed “Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Sinful World,” a prayer, education and worship resource that churches can use. He called his recent talk “From Plastic Pollution to Environmental Justice.” 
The work of Susan Krehbiel, associate for Migrant Accompaniment Ministries with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, is focused on people on the move. 
“Rediscovering Lost Treasure: Old Testament Resources for Christian Faith and Life” is the title the Rev. Dr. Dennis Olson gave to an online talk he delivered recently as part of the Synod of the Covenant’s “Equipping Preachers” series. Watch Olson’s talk encouraging preachers to engage Old Testament texts in their sermons — especially those passages that aren’t part of the lectionary — by clicking here. 
“When I encounter healthy congregations of any size, I meet ruling elders who understand that their call is not to be on a board of directors but to be spiritual leaders along with the minister,” reflected the Rev. Gradye Parsons, who served as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) from 2008 to 2016. “Spiritual leaders tend to want to learn how to be more effective and faithful.” 
The Chapel Service celebrating Mister Rogers Day drew out the inner child among the national staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as they celebrated the many gifts given by Fred Rogers, the innovative children’s television pioneer and Presbyterian pastor. Rogers was born on March 20, 1928, and Presbyterians celebrate Mister Rogers Day each year on his birthday. 
As in the first webinar that examined the effects of the settler-colonial experience on Palestinians, the PC(USA)’s Christian Zionism working group hosted a large audience of interested participants in its most recent in a series of webinars, titled “Nationalism and Christian Zionism.” More than 700 people registered for the Zoom-based event and more than 300 watched live. The Christian Zionism working group includes PC(USA) national staff, congregation members and grassroots Presbyterians connected to the Israel Palestine Mission Network (IPMN).