Presbyterian churches across the denomination will turn their attention to people and communities in need this spring. April 8 is Self-Development of People (SDOP) Sunday, an opportunity for congregations to focus on the work to help disadvantaged people and low-income community groups.
The Rev. Jan Edmiston, Co-Moderator of the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), presented the mini-plenary Genuine Hospitality: From Serving the Poor to Dismantling Poverty at the 2018 Association of Presbyterian Church Educators conference on Friday morning.
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister Jake Medcalf refuses to believe the denomination should just go quietly into the night. “If we’re going to survive,” he says, “we have to trust God has more for us than Sunday morning worship and go make an impact in the neighborhood where we are.”
Members of a General Assembly 222 (2016) special committee created to study the Reformed Perspective of Christian Education in the 21st century led a discussion asking APCE attendees what they would like them to know as they address these questions.
Speaking to attendees at the 2018 gathering of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE), the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), assumed the role of cheerleader for educators during today’s opening worship service.
Leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are remembering an anniversary this week, but not one they are happy with. On January 27, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting all refugee admissions and temporarily barring people from seven countries that are predominantly Muslim.
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) begins its annual gathering here today under the theme of “Deep & Wide: Boundless Hospitality.” The four-day event features worship services — two with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Stated Clerk the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II preaching — along with forums, interactive plenary sessions, a spirituality center and more than 75 workshops.
When David Gambrell found out he was to be honored by Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary as a distinguished alum on January 31, he quipped, “I guess I’m going to have to get a haircut.” Notoriously self-effacing, the Presbyterian Mission Agency worship associate is one of two alumni who will receive the annual award this year, given to those who have distinguished themselves by their service to the church or seminary.
First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen, New Jersey is seeking the release of an Indonesian Christian member, picked up last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Roby Sanger was dropping his daughter off at middle school when the agents approached and took him into custody. He now faces deportation.
Presbyterian News Service is continuing the tradition begun about 15 years ago in Presbyterians Today of selecting the year’s top 10 films. The list is different from those appearing in secular journals because the primary criteria are spiritual and moral/ethical values, not artistic ones.
