God of our life, whose presence sustains us in every circumstance, in storm and distress, we welcome the restoring power of your love and compassion. We open our hearts in sorrow, gratitude, and hope: that those who have been spared nature’s fury as well as those whose lives are changed forever by ravages of wind and water may find solace, sustenance, and strength in the days of recovery and rebuilding that come. . . Read more »
August 26, 2017
Prayer in the midst of Hurricane Harvey
God of our life, whose presence sustains us in every circumstance, in storm and distress, we welcome the restoring power of your love and compassion. We open our hearts in sorrow, gratitude, and hope: that those who have been spared nature’s fury as well as those whose lives are changed forever by ravages of wind and water may find solace, sustenance, and strength in the days of recovery and rebuilding that come. . . Read more »
The staff at the Presbyterian Center gathered today during a lunchtime carnival for fellowship with one another and to celebrate their work on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) This was the first all-staff carnival since 2009. 
A group of Presbyterians from across the U.S. recently had a front row seat on the impact of corporate involvement on the environment and human rights in Central America. Approximately a dozen people took part in a two-week travel study seminar to Guatemala and Costa Rica learning about extractive mining, the impact on rivers and streams and the daily struggles of residents who must some times choose between good health and providing for their families. 
At “Living, Dying, Rising,” the national gathering for 1001 New Worshiping Communities (1001 NWC), they talked about death. Ninety minutes were devoted to the topic of dying during a worship and plenary session. 
The 2017 Peace & Global Witness Offering includes an opportunity for congregations and mid-councils to join a church-wide effort “to address and improve the worsening plight of the African-American male.” 
We are living in the “between” of the beginning and the end. Because of our tendency to want to control time — to want to know when things begin and end — life and ministry can be hard.
This was the essence of the opening sermon and plenary talk from the Rev. Juan J. Sarmiento at the recent national gathering for 1001 New Worshiping Communities (1001 NWC). 
Joanna Shelton was about 5 years old when her grandmother Evie Shelton began to talk to her about Japan. Evie was born in 1889 in Oakland, California, but at the age of 3 months traveled to Japan with her parents, Presbyterian missionaries Tom and Emma Alexander. Evie introduced her granddaughter to chopsticks and a few words of Japanese that she remembered. Shelton later learned details of her great-grandparents’ mission in Japan from a copy of Tom Alexander’s journal. As an agnostic, she considered the journal important to her as a historical and family document, not as an account of a faith journey. Years later that would change. 
According to Irene Neller, Fuller Theological Seminary’s vice president of communications, marketing and admissions, “Technology is causing a mass disruption in higher education.” She added that “Students’ learning preferences, the pace and the way they go about learning has radically changed.” 
Paola Schellenbaum is a trained cultural anthropologist in Italy and abroad. Her work includes research and training on intercultural education and integration. This fall, she will be one of 16 individuals who will visit Presbyterian churches, mid councils and other institutions as part of the International Peacemakers initiative, sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. 
In a video by Presbyterian Mission, Financial Aid for Service is drawing attention to its Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance (TLDA) program. TLDA offers $5,000 loans — with forgiveness for service — to qualifying pastors of churches with 150 or fewer members and to qualifying pastors of new worshiping communities.