dismantling structural racism Archives

‘Put us where you want us, and show us what to do’

Posted October 25th, 2019

A congregation without a building but with a proven record of innovation for serving the Rochester, New York, community — especially those living in the city’s margins — has accepted the Matthew 25 invitation.

Finding meaning in a difficult shared history

Posted October 3rd, 2019

I still visualize the words etched into a granite slab on a wall of Elmina, a stately castle on the coast of Ghana, constructed in 1482 by the Portuguese:

Living the Matthew 25 vision across the Atlantic

Posted August 27th, 2019

I participated in a World Mission global partner consultation this past winter in Nairobi, Kenya. The gathering was attended by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission co-workers serving in Africa and leaders and members of the various African churches and organizations with whom we partner in God’s mission. The purpose of the consultation was to hear about the work and witness of ministry on the African continent, and to gain insight for the development of the future strategy of World Mission.

It’s all in the timing

Posted June 20th, 2019

The right idea in the right place at the right time has led the Presbytery of Arkansas to say yes to the Matthew 25 invitation, one of the most recent mid councils to do so.

Loving people who have been in and out of prison makes ‘suffering Christ more real to us’

Posted June 17th, 2019

Nancy Wind, the leader of the new worshiping community Isaiah’s Table in Syracuse, New York, She recently partnered with the Matthew 25 Farm in Central New York. Its mission is to give away fresh vegetables and fruit to those in need in their neighborhood.

Matthew 25 invitation fits ‘like a hand in a glove’

Posted June 17th, 2019

When the Rev. Kirk Perucca of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Missouri, heard the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, speak about the agency’s new Matthew 25 invitation, he got excited.

‘Off to a great start’

Posted June 14th, 2019

As of Friday morning, 79 congregations, five presbyteries and one synod — Lakes and Prairies — had said yes to the Matthew 25 invitation, agreeing to become more actively engaged in the world by working on one or more of three focus areas: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.

Peacemakers will tell churches about Matthew 25 work around the world

Posted May 16th, 2019

We see headlines every day from nations around the world telling us about crisis and conflict — and stories of people living in and overcoming extraordinary circumstances.

The first to say yes

Posted May 16th, 2019

A small congregation has set its sights on making a big impact in its community. Earlier this year Olivet Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a church of about 65 members, became the first church to officially accept the Matthew 25 invitation from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Time to start building God’s realm

Posted April 1st, 2019

Monday marks the official kickoff of the Matthew 25 Invitation, a movement that calls Presbyterian congregations and mid councils to actively engage in the world around them so that, as the invitation’s now-active website says, “our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities.”