racism Archives

Here’s how Presbyterians can preach about racism

Posted March 14th, 2023

The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Helsel recently helped preachers in and around the Synod of the Covenant to think through preaching about racism in an era of critical race theory bans.

The new language of love

Posted July 19th, 2022

The pain from hurtful words can result in issues of self-esteem, or it may cause one to make wrong life choices. Words spoken to intentionally cause pain to another — or unintentionally — can chip away at the life God envisions for all.

‘The past is in front of us’

Posted June 22nd, 2022

A rainstorm exposed a Virginia church’s brick wall built by slaves, and the church is repenting of its past and seeking to make amends.

Presbyteries say: Anti-Racism training no longer optional

Posted May 11th, 2022

Mandatory or strongly encouraged anti-racism training is becoming more prevalent in Presbyterian mid councils through the U.S.

Understanding Black protest

Posted May 6th, 2022

A new book chronicles how Black resistance and protest in the U.S. has led to growing awareness that human rights are due to all people.

Living with the mind of Christ

Posted April 26th, 2022

It’s funny how things that you experienced as a young person — that didn’t seem so important at the time — pop up in your later years and remind you of the kind of person you are called to be. So it is that this passage from Paul’s advice to the Philippian Christians has come flooding back to me as I was reflecting on the terrible conflict that continues to poison our society, both in our country and around the world.

Racism impacts refugees of color in Ukraine

Posted March 31st, 2022

It’s been a little more than a month since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine on the morning of Feb. 24.

Where do we look for security?

Posted March 25th, 2022

The Rev. Deborah Lee asked participants in a recent webinar to close their eyes and think about what it feels like to be secure. “What were the things that brought about a presence of calm and peace and soothing — a relaxed, not vigilant nervous system?” Lee said, bringing viewers out of the exercise. “The absence of the threat of physical harm, the absence of hunger, the absence of worry, the absence of debt, the absence of fear.

Facing the ‘unpretty things’ about our country’s history

Posted March 24th, 2022

Less than a mile apart in Princeton, New Jersey, Nassau Presbyterian Church and Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church have a long history as PC(USA) congregations in this historic community.

A climate scientist’s case for hope and healing

Posted February 25th, 2022

Climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe says the most important thing we can do to fight climate change is to talk about it. That’s precisely what she did during a McClendon Scholar Program offered by New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Nearly 400 people listened in.