How do hymns do theology? How much interpretive work is possible within the limits of poetic expression? How does any of this make for more compelling and memorable sermons?
The Rev. Dr. Catherine E. Williams, associate professor of Preaching and Worship and the director of Chapel Worship at Lancaster Theological Seminary, handled all those questions and more during a fascinating and engaging talk recently as part of the “Equipping Preachers” series offered most months by the Synod of the Covenant.
Pastors receiving training from the PC(USA)’s Transitional Ministry Education Consortium learn one thing from the get-go: All ministry is transitional ministry.
Speaking for the third time this year as part of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church’s McClendon Scholar in Residence Program, the Rev. Dr. Brian McLaren shared his thinking on what the world needs most from Christians today.
“What does it feel like to be stuck?” asked the Rev. Sara Hayden, host of the “New Way” podcast, a production of the 1001 New Worshiping Communities (1001 NWC) movement. Her guest, Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall, deputy executive director for Vision and Innovation at the Presbyterian Mission Agency, gave both a theological answer and a personal anecdote. According to Schlosser-Hall, to be stuck is to be without confidence and faith, i.e., lacking in “con-fidelis.” Feeling stuck reminded him of driving a brown Ford Pinto station wagon in high school and having to navigate the North Dakota winters with only rear-wheel drive. Sometimes, one needs more to get unstuck and stop spinning one’s wheels than to exert more effort doing the same thing. Sometimes, one needs a group of people pushing from behind or sand to help with traction under one’s tires.
The Gospel writer Luke set out to provide an “orderly account” of the life of Jesus. Yet reading the story backwards yields insights we can appreciate even more today, said the Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto in the second plenary address at the recent Stewardship Kaleidoscope. The annual conference was presented by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The PC(USA) Africa Mission Networks and the Office of Public Witness (OPW), located in Washington, D.C., are collaborating to advocate for the U.S. government to support vaccination access for low-income countries through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Specifically, there are two new malaria vaccinations that have been approved for use by the World Health Organization (WHO) that have proven successful after decades of research.
If establishing edible landscapes and climate resilient communities is the goal, Presbyterians for Earth Care recently provided at least some of the answers during an informative webinar. Watch the hourlong broadcast here.
While the Sept. 1 Day of Prayer for Just Peace in the Philippines has passed, a new set of resources and prayers is available to help congregations and individuals support peace year-round among Filipinos, and push for a resolution of the armed conflict on the island country in southeast Asia.
“Food Vision 2030: Food Justice is Racial Justice,” the draft document rolled out and explored during the recent People’s Summit on Food Systems and Urban Agriculture sponsored in part by the Presbyterian Hunger Program, maps out “strategies and organizing efforts necessary to create a truly just city and food system” in Louisville.
Presbyterians for Earth Care recently rolled out the first of nine monthly online sessions exploring “Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation,” the 2024–25 Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study. The leaders for the study, written by the Rev. Dr. Patricia K. Tull, Professor Emerita of Old Testament at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, are the Rev. M. Courtenay Willcox and the Rev. Lucy Youngblood.
