Presbyterian Mission Agency activism Archives

Community organizer and activist gets a lift from like-minded Presbyterians

Posted May 31st, 2024

Emma Lockridge, who five years ago told the PC(USA)’s Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment how living near a refinery had disastrously impacted her and her neighbors, updated her story — made even more compelling by her photographs — this week during the most recent episode of “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast.”

Crafting for a cause

Posted May 9th, 2022

A Georgia church practices “craftivism,” a ministry that combines arts and crafts with social activism against gun violence.

Showing ‘what advocacy is’ keeps Presbyterians coming back to Washington event

Posted April 8th, 2019

Susan Orr came to her first Ecumenical Advocacy Days in 2013, and the past several years, she’s been loading up the van with friends and colleagues in April to make the eight-hour drive from Rochester, New York, to Washington, D.C.

New York farm committed to ending racism and injustice in food system

Posted March 23rd, 2018

Everyone, regardless of race or background, should be able to eat healthily. That’s a guiding philosophy of Soul Fire Farm, a farm in New York state with a goal to feed people living in “food apartheid” neighborhoods, a term used to describe areas with little or no access to fresh, healthy food. The Presbyterian Hunger Program was one of the first supporters of the farm, which was started in 2011. “We grow our food and get it to those who need it most through a weekly doorstep delivery of vegetables and eggs. It goes to people who live in neighborhoods with no access to fresh, healthy food,” said Leah Penniman, co-founder and co-director of the farm. “People pay for food on a sliding scale, depending on their income. We work with many refugee families who receive a fully subsidized food share.”

Presbyterian youth embrace environmental justice and activism

Posted October 25th, 2016

If this summer’s Presbyterian Youth Triennium is any indication, more young people are showing an overwhelming interest in critical topics that intersect faith and social justice, such as environmental racism. The summer gathering at Purdue University drew nearly 5,000 young people for a week of worship, fellowship and a chance to learn and engage on issues of great importance to the church as a whole. For many of the presenters on key advocacy issues, the turnout and interaction were more than they expected.

Mission Responsibility Through Investment gets new name and new lead staff

Posted October 24th, 2016

The office of Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) has a new name and lead staff person. Rob Fohr, who has been serving in an interim capacity, has accepted the call to take the permanent position, replacing Bill Somplatsky-Jarman, who retired earlier this year.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium worships under Friday night lights

Posted July 23rd, 2016

Nearly 5,000 students, volunteers and staff gathered under the lights of the Slayter Center outdoor amphitheater on the Purdue University campus Friday evening for worship as one of the final events of the 2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium.