Amidst a trilling of trumpets, a shower of stoles, and a grateful congregation’s affirming applause—interposed with the shedding of more than a few tears—Lisa Larges, a candidate for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 1986, was ordained as a teaching elder at the Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church.
From across the United States and the world, indigenous peoples and their allies have gathered at the Camp of the Sacred Stones, north of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation’s northern border. Members of the tribe took the initiative in this witness to protect their sacred sites and waters from environmental harm and to affirm tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
Monika Ruiz’s vocational aspirations paint a portrait of holistic Christian commitment. This college sophomore wants to serve as a nurse in international mission, but her dreams for the future don’t stop with taking care of physical needs. Monika would like to tend spiritual needs through pastoral ministry in a developing country. She is concerned about justice for neglected people and communities around the world, and she envisions starting an advocacy organization that works on their behalf.
Refusing to succumb to political upheaval, economic uncertainty or mass emigration, the Evangelical Theological Seminary at Matanzas, Cuba has remained open and focused on preparing the next generation of ecumenical leaders.
October 14, a large contingent of current and former students, faculty, staff and faith leaders celebrated 70 years of continuous operation at the seminary.
Healing has begun between Native Alaskan groups and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) following an apology issued by the Presbytery of Yukon at the meeting of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) October 22, 2016. Both native representatives and the presbytery acknowledge this significant gesture is the start of a long process to address the abuses of the past century, especially as they relate to the treatment of Native Alaskan children at church-affiliated boarding schools.
Stated Clerk supports justice and advocacy work at historic N.C. church, from Office of the General Assembly on Vimeo . Front-line justice and advocacy work like that being done at First United Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, is at the heart of many Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations. Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson, II, and Nora Leccese with the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness spent time on the ground in Charlotte, supporting and encouraging the ministry and mission of First United, a 150 -year-old church founded by former slaves.
Beyond the white sand beaches, palm trees and luxury oceanfront properties lies another Miami—in the lives of marginalized people who have arrived in this city full of promise and culture. Three Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are focusing their energies on residents of this other Miami, spending a year of service and learning in the community.
As wagons full of corn—not to mention truckloads of gravel and dirt—circle the United Church of Crawfordsville, Iowa, surely the harvest is nearing.
Or at least the church’s eagerly awaited harvest supper and auctioneer.
Pittsburgh church forges bond among faith, education and outreach
A family retreat for members of Crafton Heights United Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh opened up possibilities in inter-generational learning, deepening commitment to faith and attendees’ understanding of God’s relationship to humanity.
Having journeyed from a nonreligious upbringing to a seminary classroom, spending time on a park bench and at a fundamentalist university along the way, Chad Lawson arrived at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary as a self-described “spiritual nomad.”
