Five years ago, many Egyptians came to the U.S. during the time of the Arab Spring and Muslim Brotherhood rule. They harbored a desire to worship in the language of their heart, Arabic, which they describe as “the language of heaven.”
I am a Korean-American Presbyterian, but that does not define all I am.” Those were the opening lines of my seminary application essays, ordination process paperwork and grant applications. The lines came at a turning point after serving as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in Egypt in 2003. Those applications helped me re-evaluate my 20-something years of life, and I sensed the stirrings of ministry that might look more multicultural than the boundaries of my familiar upbringing.
One day, while taking a break from studying in the Duke Divinity School library, I got into a conversation that would change the course of my family’s life. As I talked with a stranger, I learned that he was the only person in the world with a PhD in New Testament (my field also) who could speak the language of the country where he was training Christians for ministry. This really struck me.
New words are added to the dictionary on a regular basis. Oftentimes these are words we hear but are not quite sure of their meaning.
“Intersectionality” is one of those words.
As coordinator of the office of Financial Aid for Service at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which awards more than $1 million annually to students pursuing degrees, Laura Bryan takes joy in what she does.
The word “epiphany” (from the Greek epiphaneia or theophaneia) means “appearance” or “manifestation” of God, and has roots in the word for sunrise or dawn. In our lives of faith, some epiphanies are dramatic and send our lives down a different path. Others are subtler, even commonplace, and influence how we see ourselves and the world. Either way, whether God whispers to us or knocks us for a loop, we are in for a change.
The word “epiphany” (from the Greek epiphaneia or theophaneia) means “appearance” or “manifestation” of God, and has roots in the word for sunrise or dawn. In our lives of faith, some epiphanies are dramatic and send our lives down a different path. Others are subtler, even commonplace, and influence how we see ourselves and the world. Either way, whether God whispers to us or knocks us for a loop, we are in for a change.
What is a small, isolated Presbyterian church to do if it can’t afford to hire an ordained pastor? As that dilemma becomes more common, several Midwestern presbyteries and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies are collaborating on coursework to train elders for greater responsibilities.
Presbyterians throughout the denomination are remembering with admiration the life and service of the Rev. Charles Leo Stanford Jr. Stanford died Dec. 18, after nearly 60 years of ministry with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He was 83.
“Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. …
