Katherine Johnson, a mathematician and a longtime Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruling elder who was an important contributor to NASA’s space program, died Monday at age 101, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced. She was 101. Read more »
February 24, 2020
Presbyterian mathematician, Medal of Freedom winner Katherine Johnson dies at age 101
Katherine Johnson, a mathematician and a longtime Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruling elder who was an important contributor to NASA’s space program, died Monday at age 101, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced. She was 101. Read more »
Alexis Presseau Maloof, who teaches English at a private Islamic school, is an engaged member of the United Presbyterian Church of Peoria in Peoria, Ill. Currently she is serving as a ruling elder in her church and was the co-chair of the Pastor Nominating Committee for a new pastor that just recently wrapped up. Maloof has also been a member of her congregation’s Missions Committee, taught adult education and led a racial justice book club discussion on Debby Irving’s book, “Waking Up White.” 
A formal apology by the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy to African Americans for what the presbytery calls “the sin of slavery and its legacy” occurred this month following a “Journey of Reconciliation” last fall to two institutions in Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to telling the stories of enslaved black people and those terrorized by lynching and humiliated by Jim Crow. 
An array of Lenten resources designed to help congregations, mid councils and individuals mark Jesus’ journey to the cross and, just days later, his victory over the grave, have been gathered into one place on the website of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 
Like the other committees, teams and commissions created by the 223rd General Assembly, the Special Committee on Financial Sustainability and Per Capita Review completed its report this week in time to meet Friday’s deadline. 
World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement that is celebrated in more than 170 countries and led by Christian women who welcome all to join in prayer and action for peace and justice. The day’s motto is “informed prayer and prayerful action.” World Day of Prayer is celebrated on the first Friday in March; this year, that is today, March 6. 
The indomitable spirit of the Haitian people will be lifted up this spring as a delegation from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) takes a nine-day trip to the island nation, along with interested members of the public. 
Spelman College, in partnership with Columbia Theological Seminary, will host the Beyoncé Mass at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 2, in Sisters Chapel, 440 Westview Dr. SW in Atlanta. 
It’s a universal theme among mission co-workers that they often learn more from the people in the cultures they serve than they could ever hope to give. That’s exactly the lesson mission co-workers Richard and Debbie Welch, serving in Guatemala, learned from their longtime partner in ministry, Julian. 
The Rev. Bertram Johnson has joined Union Theological Seminary in New York City as a new interfaith minister and will be training and mentoring a newly-forming student peer spiritual care team this semester. He began his work last month.