anti-racism Archives

National Council of Churches culminates ‘Christian Unity Gathering’

Posted October 23rd, 2018

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, the nation’s oldest ecumenical body, concluded its annual “Christian Unity Gathering” last week in a spirit of celebration and hope. Leaders from across the Council’s 38 member communions came to College Park, Maryland, to join in conversation, worship and decision-making. The Christian Unity Gathering (CUG) continued the Council’s “A.C.T. Now to End Racism” campaign, begun with a mass rally on the National Mall last April.

College coffeehouse provides safe space for race conversation

Posted September 10th, 2018

When racially insensitive photos surfaced at Cal Poly University in the spring, Front Porch, a coffeehouse and 1001 worshiping community in San Luis Obispo, California, began engaging students — many of whom were disgusted by what they saw.

Presbyterian coffeehouse, worshiping community helps campus deal with racial incidents

Posted June 14th, 2018

When racially insensitive photos surfaced at Cal Poly University in April, Front Porch, a coffeehouse and 1001 worshiping community in San Luis Obispo, California, began to engage students — the majority of whom were disgusted by what they saw.

What the General Assembly may say about St. Louis

Posted June 12th, 2018

The city of St. Louis is the historic centerpiece of a highly accomplished cultural and economic region. At the same time, like most of the United States, it is divided along lines of race and class. How do Presbyterian congregations minister and do mission faithfully in light of these realities? What can our larger church learn from our sisters and brothers in St. Louis?

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to take part in anti-racism event in Washington

Posted April 2nd, 2018

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is partnering with the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. for a truth and racial justice initiative. A three-day gathering called “Unite to End Racism” will be held Tuesday through Thursday in Washington, D.C. The event marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Memphis.

Presbyterians ponder possibilities for the church of tomorrow

Posted March 15th, 2018

What could be “next” for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? Nearly 700 participants pondered that question at the recent NEXT Church 2018 gathering in Baltimore. The annual conference brings together PC(USA) members, pastors and those in affiliated ministries to envision what is “next” for the denomination. The theme for this year’s event was “The Desert in Bloom: Living, Dying and Rising in a Wilderness Church.”

A celebration of Black History Month

Posted March 2nd, 2018

“It’s good to gather to celebrate the diversity of our center and our church,” the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), said in his greetings to worshipers Wednesday at the Presbyterian Center’s chapel in honor of Black History Month.

Statement of former PC(USA) General Assembly Moderators on Charlottesville

Posted August 28th, 2017

We write to you as former Moderators of the General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor churches, as disciples of Jesus Christ committed to the Gospel’s witness and promise of reconciliation, and as agents of God’s transformative justice in the church and in the world.

Resources for congregations and pastors to stand against racism, white supremacy

Posted August 17th, 2017

Confession of Belhar, Facing Racism and other resources inspire Presbyterians to speak out during worship services against racist, neo-Nazi and white supremacist actions in Charlottesville.

Presbyterian Intercultural Network outlines steps to engage racism

Posted July 27th, 2017

In a room filled with individuals of many nationalities, the Presbyterian Intercultural Network (PIN) tackled the difficult subject of race relations in America. The Big Tent pre-conference “Coming to America: Some Here, Some Forced, Some Welcomed, Some — Not,” was sponsored by the Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and attended by a group of nearly 100 people.