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Mission Yearbook
Biblical storyteller says key to future church is return to scriptural stories
In a world that is less and less biblically literate—and where even many churchgoers are unfamiliar with Scripture—the Rev. Casey FitzGerald loves to tell the Bible’s story.
New worshiping community provides a multifaceted sanctuary
From the outside it’s a nondescript place—a small building surrounded by buildings that are home to Amazon and Microsoft workers.
The first thing people notice when walking into Union, a new worshiping community in Seattle’s Westlake district, is a community coffeehouse with “this sanctuary-like space,” says Renee Notkin, who co-pastors Union, along with husband James.
Congregation’s literacy program helps students succeed in school
Literacy skills, character strengths and a community that believes in success. Those are the three fundamental components behind the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program, a summer literacy initiative with a focus on children who need but cannot afford summer learning opportunities.
Hunger Action Advocate finds challenges and rewards in Oregon and beyond
For Don Shaw, there is no such thing as retirement. Although serving a congregation as a teaching elder, he has found work as a volunteer to be complex and different, but also rewarding and challenging.
Minute for Mission: Presbyterian Association of Musicians
My first experience with the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) came in the summer of 2000, when I traveled to the Montreat Conference Center to see my brother sing in a Friday evening concert at a PAM Worship and Music Conference. I haven’t missed a worship and music conference at Montreat since then. As I have grown as a musician and a person, the mission of PAM has supported me. My first position as a church musician came as a result of hanging out at Montreat while I was in high school with a group from another church.
Finding inspiration in a glass of milk
When my father was born in Qingdao, China, Grandmother had a hard time breast-feeding, and Dad was losing weight. So a message went to the missionaries to the south that the babies up north needed milk. Apparently all food that the American missionaries ate came from the U.S. because they did not know which food was safe and which was not. Food had to be ordered 18 months ahead of need because of shipping time. Obviously one does not anticipate the birth of a baby 18 months ahead.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance helps Texans recover from flooding
It has been roughly a year of endless flooding for parts of Texas, challenging volunteers in their cleanup efforts. The seriousness of the high water took on new meaning last month with the deadly flooding near Fort Hood that claimed the lives of nine soldiers. Swift flooding swept the soldiers’ 2 1/2-ton vehicle from a low-water crossing. Three soldiers were rescued.
Moving beyond the parish bias to celebrate ministry in all its forms
Earlier this year, I began telling people that when my parish ministry position ends next month, I’m planning to pursue work in faith-based advocacy and policy change in Washington, D.C. I’m always quick to add a reassurance that “it’s still ministry, just not in a church.”
Congregation seeks to reduce gun violence in the U.S. and to provide safe water in Malawi
The ancient biblical vision of turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks has stirred the modern-day imagination of Columbia Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia.
Minute for Mission: Metropolitan/Urban Ministry
“Hey, Mister, can I have one of those hot dogs? Are they free? Can I have more than one? Why are you giving all this food away? What’s your name? Can I help you cook?”
