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Texas kids to get a front row seat to persons living on fixed incomes

It’s one thing to see or read about the struggles of people living in poverty, stretching every nickel or dime. It’s another to get a true sense of what the daily struggle is like. The First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, Texas will be giving young people a small dose of what many low-income residents in their community deal with when it hosts a camp later this month for students in fourth through eighth grades.

A fragile peace agreement was signed in South Sudan last week

Last Wednesday rival factions in South Sudan signed a peace agreement to end the country’s devastating civil war. The world is holding its breath. Sharon Kandel, Presbyterian World Mission regional liaison for South Sudan, along with her husband Lynn, who have been living in the war-torn country as mission co-workers for more than four years, are praying fervently for a lasting peace.

International Peacemaker from South Sudan working toward unity in homeland

Founded in 2011, South Sudan is the world’s youngest country. But infighting amongst its two most populous tribal groups — friction which dates back to the 19th century — has plunged the country into civil war and forced many of its young citizens to become soldiers instead of doctors, teachers, or farmers. The Rev. Michael Muot Put, from the Nuer tribal community, is working to educate communities about the importance of peace among different ethnic groups and provide a platform based on peace and unity.

From church conflict to church building

It’s a far cry from 2014 in the Presbytery of Nevada. This past year 12 of its 21 congregations experienced numerical, and spiritual, growth. Just a few year ago, churches were leaving the presbytery and the remaining congregations were resistant to paying per capita.

A night of ‘trepidation and enlightenment’

The director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness recently found out what life is like behind bars. The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, along with other clergy, was arrested earlier this month while praying outside the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. 

International Peacemaker from Madagascar manages programs for 5 million-member denomination

Madagascar, which sits off the southeast coast of Africa, is the fourth largest island in the world. More than 90 percent of its flora and fauna are found nowhere else on Earth, including more than 8,000 plant species. Yet for all its natural resource richness Madagascar is among the world’s least developed countries according to the UN.

Houghton, Michigan residents show resilience in recent flooding

Residents of Houghton, Michigan are still cleaning up from the impact of heavy rains and floods over a week ago. The National Weather Service reports more than six inches of rain fell June 16-17, sending rivers and streams over their banks and causing significant damage to several main roads in and out of town.

Faith leaders speak out against Supreme Court decision on travel ban

Calling it a ‘stain on our country’s moral conscience,’ faith leaders are speaking out on the Supreme Court decision upholding President Donald Trump’s travel limit into the U.S from several countries. The ruling restricts entry for travelers coming from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea as well as some travelers from Venezuela.

Westminster Presbyterian Church pledges matching gifts for South Sudan Education and Peacebuilding Project

Two years after South Sudan gained independence in 2011, civil war erupted in 2013. The conflict has displaced more than 5 million people, leading to massive human suffering and widespread famine. As part of its response, the 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) passed a comprehensive overture that provides a robust platform for the denomination’s Office of Public Witness to advocate for an end to this war.