mission yearbook

From stand-alone churches to mixed economy ministries

“What does it feel like to be stuck?” asked the Rev. Sara Hayden, host of the “New Way” podcast, a production of the 1001 New Worshiping Communities (1001 NWC) movement. Her guest, Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall, deputy executive director for Vision and Innovation at the Presbyterian Mission Agency, gave both a theological answer and a personal anecdote. According to Schlosser-Hall, to be stuck is to be without confidence and faith, i.e., lacking in “con-fidelis.” Feeling stuck reminded him of driving a brown Ford Pinto station wagon in high school and having to navigate the North Dakota winters with only rear-wheel drive. Sometimes, one needs more to get unstuck and stop spinning one’s wheels than to exert more effort doing the same thing. Sometimes, one needs a group of people pushing from behind or sand to help with traction under one’s tires.

Reading Luke backwards and confronting the ‘bounds of empire’

The Gospel writer Luke set out to provide an “orderly account” of the life of Jesus. Yet reading the story backwards yields insights we can appreciate even more today, said the Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto in the second plenary address at the recent Stewardship Kaleidoscope. The annual conference was presented by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

PC(USA) ministries call for U.S. to fund vaccine support

The PC(USA) Africa Mission Networks and the Office of Public Witness (OPW), located in Washington, D.C., are collaborating to advocate for the U.S. government to support vaccination access for low-income countries through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Specifically, there are two new malaria vaccinations that have been approved for use by the World Health Organization (WHO) that have proven successful after decades of research.

New resources provided to support peace in the Philippines

While the Sept. 1 Day of Prayer for Just Peace in the Philippines has passed, a new set of resources and prayers is available to help congregations and individuals support peace year-round among Filipinos, and push for a resolution of the armed conflict on the island country in southeast Asia.

‘Let Justice Roll Down’

Presbyterians for Earth Care recently rolled out the first of nine monthly online sessions exploring “Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation,” the 2024–25 Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study. The leaders for the study, written by the Rev. Dr. Patricia K. Tull, Professor Emerita of Old Testament at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, are the Rev. M. Courtenay Willcox and the Rev. Lucy Youngblood.

A queer eye for worship

First, the people attending More Light Presbyterians’ recent workshop on constructing inclusive worship, “A Queer Eye for Worship,” talked about what meaningfully designed inclusive worship can look like. Then they got to work writing and experiencing a moving afternoon worship service — with only themselves in attendance — at Springdale Presbyterian Church in Louisville.

Portuguese Language Presbyterian Council gathers for unity and prayer

The Portuguese Language Presbyterian Council (PLPC) is a Presbyterian organization that supports Portuguese-speaking churches. Its work includes equipping and resourcing existing Portuguese-speaking worshiping communities, helping mid councils develop new worshiping communities and providing leadership training at regional and national church events.