Get to know CPJ ministries during #GivingTuesday

Virtual celebration will feature PDA, PHP and other ministries

by Darla Carter | Presbyterian New Service

Staff members from Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries participated in a Justice Rally and March in August in downtown Louisville during the Presbyterian Week of Action, which emphasized the value of Black lives. (Photo by Rich Copley)

LOUISVILLE — The work of the Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries will be among those highlighted during #GivingTuesday, a 12-hour virtual celebration of the collective power of Presbyterian generosity.

A combination of recorded spots and live conversations will help viewers get to know the ministries and some of their partners during the Dec. 1 telethon, which will feature Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, and many others.

CPJ ministries engage with Presbyterians and partners in the United States and across the globe to end poverty and hunger, restore communities impacted by disaster, promote peace and transform cultures of violence, and promote solidarity with Creation and people who are marginalized or discriminated against.

Susan Krehbiel

“As we look toward the Christmas holiday as a time for rest and celebration, we know that war and the causes of forced displacement take no holiday,” said Susan Krehbiel, Associate for Refugees and Asylum for PDA. “Your financial support provides the most basic needs to people uprooted by natural disasters or violence and brings them hope.”

CPJ has connected with and provided support for others during a particularly difficult year in which church members, community partners and the world at large have been challenged physically, mentally and spiritually.

“This year has been a record-setting year, though not in a good way,” said the Rev. Jim Kirk, PDA Associate for National Disaster Response. “There have been a record number of tropical systems, a record number of acres burned by wildfires— all while we are living through a worldwide pandemic.”

The #GivingTuesday event will begin with 9 a.m. Eastern Time worship, followed by a segment with the Presbyterian Mental Health Ministry at 9:40 a.m. The grassroots Presbyterian Mental Health Network will provide mental health breaks periodically through the day.

At 10:05 a.m., the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program will share an excerpt from the interviews and discussions that were featured during its International Peacemaker Virtual Symposium.

Unbound’s “Starry Black Night: A Womanist Advent Devotional” will be featured at 1:50 p.m.

Later, Sue Rheem of the UN Ministry and the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins of the Office of Public Witness will do a segment on the work of their ministries at 3:40 p.m. They will combine international and national threads related to poverty and racism and direct Presbyterians to resources from their offices.

At 4:50 p.m. Jennifer Evans and Rebecca Barnes from the Presbyterian Hunger Program will welcome viewers to explore the impact that PHP — and gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing — have had on communities combating root causes of hunger and poverty. They will share photos, videos, infographics and stories to demonstrate the breadth of work that PHP does, as well as the resources it provides to Presbyterians and communities around the world.

the Rev. Rebecca Barnes

“The Presbyterian Hunger Program has strong, authentic and trusted relationships with communities living with poverty and hunger in the U.S. and around the world,” said PHP Coordinator Rebecca Barnes. “So when you give to PHP you know that your donation is truly going to help alleviate suffering in a genuine way with real people we know and relate to. Your generosity creates important opportunities in dozens of communities for more and better food access, for solidarity campaigns with the issues they prioritize, and creates livable environments for all.”

During a live conversation at 11:10 a.m., the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People will introduce viewers to the Urban Farmers to Entrepreneurs project. The group was awarded a grant through the Presbytery of the Western Reserve SDOP Committee. The project relates to food insecurity and the generation of income for farmers.

At 12:25 p.m., PDA will share recent updates and stories involving its various ministry areas. It will be highlighting the refugee ministry, national and international work, as well as the Story Productions ministry.

“PDA is grateful for whatever support churches and individuals can offer,” Krehbiel said.

To learn more about what CPJ will be doing on #GivingTuesday, go here to find the full schedule, which also includes other Presbyterian Mission Agency ministries, such as World Mission. The telethon will be livestreamed at pcusa.org/givingtuesday and on the PC(USA) Facebook page.