education

Minute for Mission: Mr. Rogers Day

When I close my eyes, I can see Mr. Rogers changing his shoes, putting on his sweater and singing … “Won’t you be my neighbor?” Growing up in the early 1970s, “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” was one of several PBS shows my younger sister and I watched. And when I reflect now on over 30 years of educational ministry, it’s easy to see how he influenced me, whether through his gentle, direct, respectful voice or the use of puppets and music or his emphasis on neighborliness, inclusion and peacemaking.

Education can change the lives of children in Malawi

Loveness is a 9-year-old child in Malawi who has a new friend in mission co-worker the Rev. Cheryl Barnes. Barnes serves as an education facilitator for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), where she collaborates with the CCAP Education Department and the education departments of the five CCAP Synods — three in Malawi, one in Zambia and one in Zimbabwe — to improve the quality of primary school education in the many schools under the CCAP umbrella.

Training nurses in the Republic of Niger

In the Republic of Niger, there is roughly one nurse or nurse midwife for every 10,000 people, and the country is not alone in its need. By 2030, the World Health Organization estimates there will be a projected shortfall of 18 million health workers worldwide, mostly in low- and lower-middle income countries.

‘For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World’ selected as a top-10 book

Flyaway Books is proud to share that “For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World” by author Michael W. Waters and illustrator Keisha Morris was selected for In the Margins Book Awards’ “Top 10 Fiction Titles” 2021 List. The book is also included in the organization’s “Fiction Recommendation List for 2021.” 

Leading through strength of diversity

A self-described “proud South African,” Dr. Warren Chalklen had plenty to teach the 1,000 or so people attending last week’s online national gathering of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators about how diversity makes churches and organizations stronger.

Joanne Rogers, Fred Rogers’ widow, dies at 92

Joanne Rogers, who was married for more than 50 years to children’s television icon and Presbyterian pastor Fred Rogers, died Thursday in Pittsburgh. She was 92.

Christmas Joy Offering

Gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering, one of the PC(USA)’s four annual special offerings, helps people in financial need through grants and assistance.