According to the Rev. Olivia Stewart, participating in the Christian Formation Symposium — a gathering of seasoned practitioners from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — was “awesome.”
“It made my heart really big,” she said. “I’m more excited now than I’ve been in a long time.”
Today, the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 69. This declaration outlines basic civil, political, cultural and economic rights to which all people are entitled. Though not a binding document, the declaration has provided a platform for the creation of over 60 human rights measures. These laws have helped protect many people, but there is still much work to be done to ensure the protection of all people’s human rights.
As an urban minister for more than 40 years, Bob Forsberg dedicated his willing hands, generous heart and sharp mind to serving people society had cast aside.
Recently, however, at age 91, the mental capacity that had served this Presbyterian minister so well began to fade. His memory loss became so debilitating that Forsberg, who had spent years focused on helping others, found himself in need of help.
Some Presbyterian leaders have said that they have found God in special places. For Puerto Rican Presbyterian leaders, El Guacio is one of those holy places.
During this first week of Advent — the start of a spiritual journey — congregations in Hudson River Presbytery can reflect on another spiritual journey they embarked on during another holy season this year.
Hundreds of individuals from the Kansas City, Missouri, metro area woke up one autumn morning and instead of putting on their Sunday best, they dressed in work clothes, boots and gloves; gathered rakes, scissors, knitting needles and casserole dishes; and drove to church to worship in a different way.
In a season marked by special dinners and other festive events, members of a New Jersey congregation are remembering a special commemoration of their own.
Earlier this year the Missions Committee at First Presbyterian Church of South Amboy held a potluck to honor former Police Chief LeRoy Kurtz and other New Jersey police officers. The committee surprised Kurtz with the help of his family and church members.
When Nora Leccese, who addresses domestic poverty and environmental issues for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness (OPW), first came to the office through the Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program, she expected to be there for only five months. But she immediately met people in the office and in the broader interfaith community who were willing to speak out on issues like racism, sexism and homophobia.
After World War II, denominational leaders felt called to promote unity. In 1943, they established World Community Day, a day set aside for ecumenical study and prayer. Many denominations were doing their own justice and peace work, but leadership determined that one day of joint study would strengthen unity among them.
