Presbyterian Mission Agency Presbyterian News Service Archives

Presbyterian News Service to take a break for the remainder of 2023

Posted December 15th, 2023

Notwithstanding a few exceptions, Presbyterian News Service will be on hiatus beginning Monday, Dec. 18. We will resume publication on pcusa.org and presbyterianmission.org on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

¿Quiere una mejor experiencia web para la IP (EE. UU.)?

Posted July 31st, 2023

Se le está dando al pueblo presbiteriano la oportunidad de opinar sobre el desarrollo de un nuevo sitio web de la Iglesia Presbiteriana (EE. Se ha comenzado a trabajar en el nuevo proyecto que incorporará el trabajo de la Oficina de la Asamblea General, la Agencia de Misión Presbiteriana y la Sociedad Histórica Presbiteriana, así como otros sitios ministeriales.

Want a better PC(USA) web experience?

Posted July 31st, 2023

Presbyterians are being given an opportunity to have a say in the development of a new Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) website. Work has begun on the new project that will incorporate the work of the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Mission Agency and Presbyterian Historical Society, as well as other ministry sites.

Presbyterian News Service takes a two-week break to welcome the Christ child and the new year

Posted December 16th, 2022

Friday, Dec. 16 marks the Presbyterian News Service’s final day of scheduled publication for 2022. To date it’s been our pleasure and great privilege to help bring readers 1,277 stories of interest to members and friends of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and beyond.

History-making president of Columbia Theological Seminary shares a fresh vision for a seminary that’s nearly two centuries old

Posted October 19th, 2022

When the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo was elected to be the 11th president of Columbia Theological Seminary, history was made. Aloyo, who has been at the helm for nearly three months now, is the first person of color to lead the seminary.

Presbyterian generosity, pandemic continue to impact A Corp finances

Posted August 26th, 2022

Ian Hall, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer, had mostly good news for the A Corp Board Friday while presenting a financial report comparing June 30, 2022, to June 30, 2021.

Laying down tracks for technology investments

Posted August 25th, 2022

Meeting in person for the first time since the pandemic began nearly 2½ years ago, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation Board heard a report Thursday on the denomination’s technology needs.

Back to school means back to missions

Posted August 19th, 2022

It’s back to school time, and for parents that means helping children sharpen their pencils and charge their laptops in preparation for the first day. For children it means adapting to new morning routines and getting back to a studying and test-taking rhythm. And for pastors, it’s that wonderful time of year to bless school backpacks. While blessing backpacks is popular in big and small churches, it is only the start to what congregations can — and should — be doing to engage more deeply with local schools. According to Dr. Irvin Scott, a faculty member of Harvard Graduate School of Education, backpack blessings have grown over the years because they provide a relatively hassle-free, easy-to-execute outreach to families. “It’s a good first step,” said Scott, with emphasis on “first.”

Reformation Lessons and Carols

Posted August 19th, 2022

On Reformation Sunday, observed the last Sunday in October, Presbyterians are reminded of their Reformed heritage, hearing once again how in 1517 Martin Luther nailed to the cathedral door in Wittenberg, Germany, his Ninety-five Theses. Some pastors might use this Sunday, which is Oct. 30 this year, to reenact Luther’s bold move, while others might choose to open worship with Luther’s majestic “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Still others will weave in the Reformation mantra “reformed and always reforming” into the sermon, prayers or benediction. Last fall, though, the Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett took the celebration of Reformation Sunday a step further. The pastor of Crescent Springs Presbyterian Church in Crescent Springs, Kentucky, created a service to educate today’s “reformers” of the legacy of following a God who is always creating something new.

Sanctuaries under construction

Posted August 19th, 2022

The rooms we occupy — those places where breath is taken, words are spoken and memories are made — are often taken for granted. They have four walls and a ceiling, reflecting the personality of the occupant or the traditions of an organization. But can rooms be more?