Mission Yearbook

PHILIPPINES

Program provides hope for victims of sexual abuse Every Saturday in the Casa Esperanza shelter, Gail assists artist-trainer Onna in arts-based sessions for girls who have survived sexual abuse. On Sundays, Gail volunteers as an interpreter for those with hearing impairments during worship at the Little Children of the Philippines. Occasionally she performs in an advocacy play produced by Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts (YATTA) on the issue of teen pregnancy and adolescent reproductive health. She is also an officer in Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE) Teen Advocates.

Presbytery of the Palisades

Putting the Theos in Theater in Jersey City Claremont-Lafayette United Presbyterian Church in Jersey City, New Jersey, is united in many ways, beginning with the unification of two separate congregations many years ago. More recently, the congregation has discovered the unifying effect of drama in this predominantly African American community.

Presbytery of the Redwoods

Congregation embraces organic gardening to combat hunger The rolling, beautiful valleys of Marin County, California, provide the perfect backdrop for Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church. One look at this majestic landscape and it doesn’t take much to inspire people to protect and nurture it.

Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and Presbytery of New Hope

Company of New Pastors provides framework for ministry The transition from seminary to ordained ministry can be rough. All the hypotheticals and case studies of the classroom become real when you are in a session meeting or at a hospital bedside with people you are learning to love. Thank God we don’t have to make that transition alone!

Albany Presbytery

New worshiping community housed in gym promotes physical and spiritual wellness Michael Plank has put the cross into CrossFit. The bi-vocational and decidedly entrepreneurial pastor of Underwood Park CrossFit, a new worshiping community in Albany Presbytery, pursued his call to ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary while discovering a passion for physical fitness.

Presbytery of Des Moines

Training event designed to strengthen presbytery leadership for changing times As executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Elona Street-Stewart is increasingly aware of the changes swirling through the 16 presbyteries within her synod.

Pittsburgh Presbytery

Pittsburgh pastor shares passion for mission work Something wonderful happened a few months ago. Five young people ages 16–19 asked if I would help them realize a dream: “Pastor Dave, will you take us to Africa?”

Latin America and the Caribbean

Mission co-workers share God’s love through multifaceted ministries For PC(USA) mission co-workers in Latin America and the Caribbean, doing the work of the Lord can mean serving in many ways. A few examples:

Grace Presbytery

Young Adult Volunteer program provides fulfillment and challenges Melissa Rift is living in Colorado as a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program. Young adult volunteers like her explore God’s calling while living as part of a Christian community in YAV partner sites around the world. Rift, whose home church is Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, had been interested in the program for a long time, and her sister influenced her decision to apply for it.