compassion peace and justice

International Peacemaker from Vietnam faces significant challenges

Building a church and its membership from the ground up is no small feat. Doing it in a country that persecutes members of your faith makes it doubly difficult. But the Rev. Manh Nguyen, pastor at the Evangelical Community Church in Hanoi, Vietnam, continues to grow his church despite a government that frowns upon religion in general, and Christians specifically.

Podcast hosted by PC(USA) co-workers debuts October 18

In the first episode of a new podcast “The Word on the Street,” hosted by thePresbyterian Mission Agency’s Charles Wiley and Alonzo Johnson, a Kentucky Hall of Fame Broadcaster recalled being in a person’s home during times of tragedy and being asked to pray for them.

PEC Conference concludes with renewed call to end Doctrine of Discovery

Attendees of the Presbyterians for Earth Care Conference have wrapped up a week of conversation and tears around the struggles of Native Americans and the continued environmental threat to the Columbia River Gorge along the Oregon/Washington state line.

Presbyterians for Earth Care meet with Native Americans in the northwest

It was partly cloudy and windy on Monday, as Be’sha Blondin, with the Yellowknife Tribe, led a “Fire and Water” ceremony along the river banks at Celilo Park. Joined by attendees of the Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) Conference, Be’sha sang to the east, west, north and south and along with the rest of the group, poured water and placed a piece of tobacco into the river.

Unbound publishes first issue after six-month hiatus

After a brief hiatus, Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice, published its first edition since the hire of new managing editor Henry Koenig Stone. The current installment: Defending the Common Good, covers diverse issues such as defending truth in media, sanctuary churches, human trafficking, an ecumenical call to good ecological stewardship, and the role of faith communities in resisting white supremacy.

Presbyterian ministries issue statement on 2018 refugee admissions

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) today, in conjunction with the Office of the Stated Clerk, issued a statement regarding reports the Trump Administration is considering reducing refugee admissions to 50,000 in 2018, the lowest level since passage of the Refugee Act of 1980.

International Peacemakers arrive in the U.S.

On the eve of International Day of Peace, 15 peacemakers from around the world arrived in the U.S. to begin their two-week visit. From now until October 16 the participants will scatter across the country speaking with churches, public and private schools, universities, women and men’s groups and much more. Organizers say this is the largest group to participate as International Peacemakers.

Hurricane Maria hits Puerto Rico

The Atlantic hurricane season is living up to its title as Hurricane Maria wreaks havoc on Puerto Rico today. The Category 4 storm came ashore this morning with winds of 155 mph, just two mph below Category 5 status.