223rd general assembly 2018

Celebrating the gifts of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities

To fulfill a mandate from the 223rd General Assembly (2018), Presbyterian World Mission is asking present and past employees of World Mission to participate in a survey about any experiences they may have had or witnessed with regards to sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender identity or gender expression.

Fulfilling the General Assembly mandate to engage in full inclusion

To fulfill a mandate from the 223rd General Assembly (2018) on celebrating the gifts of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the Church, readers are invited to participate in a survey that will help the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) live into its decisions and stances by engaging in full inclusion through accepted practice, as well as the Church’s theology in its engagement with individuals and partners around the world.

Registration now open for the 2020 Intercultural Transformation Workshops

In an ongoing effort to create a more diverse and inclusive denomination, the Presbyterian Intercultural Network and the Presbyterian Mission Agency — in partnership with the presbyteries of Sacramento and Stockton and Charlotte — will host the 2020 Intercultural Transformation Workshops.

A somber hour during the Week of Action

Presbyterians paused during their Week of Action Thursday to take a more introspective and personal action: mourning the deaths of 183,000 Americans and more than 832,000 people around the world who have perished from COVID-19.

What, then, is the church?

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Special Committee on Racism, Truth, and Reconciliation continued its work Thursday by hearing from a Columbia Theological Seminary faculty member who’s studied the work of James Henley Thornwell, a Columbia Seminary professor during the mid-1800s who defended slavery in his essay, “What, then, is the church?”

A Corp Board takes care of business via Presidents Day teleconference

Meeting via teleconference on Presidents Day Monday, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation Board approved business items ranging from its business plan and the report it’ll make to the 224th General Assembly to protocols relating to the coronavirus — should the virus ever arrive at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Ky.

Nearing the finish line

The Moving Forward Implementation Commission worked most of the day Thursday on crafting the recommendations it will make to the 224th General Assembly, set for June 20-27 in Baltimore.

‘Reclaiming Jesus’ movement invites Presbyterians to rethink discipleship

A new downloadable resource from the Office of Theology & Worship provides analysis and theological reflection on the Reclaiming Jesus Statement.  Signed in 2018 by leaders of several denominations and organizations, the statement and ensuing movement calls on Christians in the United States to “reclaim Jesus” by focusing on what followers of Jesus are required to do.

‘Standing together in a world divided’

The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) and World Mission organized a gathering with ecumenical representatives from around the world last week in Bangkok, Thailand. The purpose was to have deeper conversations about worldwide crises such as climate, weakened democracy within nations and increasingly divisive practices among nations.