Mission Yearbook

Actions and decisions matter

The narrator of Geraldine Brooks’ novel “Caleb’s Crossing” asks, “Who are we, really? Are our fates written in full by God before we draw our first breath? Do we make ourselves, by the choices we ourselves make?”

Gracie finds her gift, and so do we

The educator and author who for 15 years has brought Presbyterians the adventures of Gracie the fish recently revealed to a Between Two Pulpits audience the secret to keeping her underwater tales current: Take an annual trip to the local aquarium.

Embracing life’s twists and turns

As a spiritual director, I’m often asked about my own spiritual practices. Meditation tops my list. There’s something about the intimacy of personal time spent with the ultimate divine presence that sustains me. While there are many forms of meditation, there’s none quite like meditating as I walk a labyrinth.

‘I believe God is holding us accountable for this’

Health-care inequities that sicken and kill people of color undermine communities. Reducing those inequities will require working together to improve health-care quality, accessibility and affordability for everyone.

Virginia congregation living out its vows to the first sextuplets baptized in the PC(USA)

Certain stories are unforgettable. Like this one, which was first told by the Rev. Mary Kay Collins at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, in 2018. Before baptizing the sextuplets of Adeboye and Ajibola Taiwo, she spoke of the couple’s longing to have children. Introducing their story, she asked, “Is anything too wonderful, too great, too difficult or too tough for God?”

Honing a church’s mission

Three years ago, if you were to ask Austin, Texas, residents what they knew about Hope Presbyterian Church, chances are they would have remarked on the beautiful roses on the property. Not much would have been said about its mission — until now.

Seeing with our hearts

One early spring morning, I gazed upon my property that I had lovingly named “Old Stone Well Farm.” It was far from being a farm, but in my heart, I treasured its potential and held tightly to what I have come to call its “still-to-comes.”

Minute for Mission: Season of Prayer and Reflection in the Korean Peninsula begins

Today, June 25, marks 72 years since the Korean War broke out. Throughout that June, skirmishes along the division border led to North Korean forces crossing the border en masse on the 25th. Most U.S. Americans believe the war then ended in 1953; however, only an armistice agreement was signed at that time. This means outright fighting in the war has paused, but the state-of-war itself has continued for 72 years.

A hymn to help voice prayers for peace

The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, a Presbyterian hymn-writer who has penned new lyrics to more than 400 hymns, has published her most recent hymn, “We Pray for Peace” to Finlandia, the tune for the hymn “Be Still, My Soul” and “This is My Song.”