Presbyterian Mission Agency rev. larissa kwong abazia Archives

The PC(USA)’s ‘Trouble the Water’ docuseries to receive wider release

Posted January 23rd, 2024

“Trouble the Water,” a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) docuseries that encourages constructive conversations about race and racism, has been selected for wider distribution and is being knitted together into a full-length feature film that will be available for home viewing early this year.

The PC(USA)’s Christian Formation Collective sees the forest for the trees

Posted October 5th, 2023

“What does it look like for us to network?” the Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia, the designated strategic director of NEXT Church and vice moderator of the 221st General Assembly (2014), recently asked a room full of leaders representing five independent nonprofits that support Christian educators, youth workers, older adult ministry, college campus ministry, and camps and conference centers.

‘No water necessary. No waiting required’

Posted July 13th, 2023

Worship during the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference held at Montreat Conference Center continued with its pattern of seamless and beautiful liturgy and quality musicianship, the latter provided by Dr. Tony McNeill on piano and Eric Wall on organ.

A tug-of-war with the communion loaf

Posted July 13th, 2023

Children; brass, rhythm and string instruments; and communion all found their way into worship at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference.

Music supplied by children’s choirs sends the first wave of Worship & Music conferees home on a high note

Posted June 26th, 2023

With the final work by artist-in-residence Steve Prince and his students welcoming everyone gathered in Anderson Auditorium at Montreat Conference Center to “come unto me,” Friday’s worship at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference capped a week of thoughtful, prayerful, community-building worship that put glorious music by people of all ages front and center.

‘No water necessary. No waiting required’

Posted June 22nd, 2023

Worship during the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference being held this week at Montreat Conference Center continues with its pattern of seamless and beautiful liturgy and quality musicianship, the latter provided Thursday by Dr. Tony McNeill on piano and Eric Wall on organ.

A biblical story with ‘all the makings of a Marvel movie’

Posted June 21st, 2023

With a nod to the rain that’s pounded Montreat Conference Center since the start of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Music & Worship Conference, those gathered to worship Wednesday opened the service by singing “There Shall be Showers of Blessing” and “Rain Down.”

A tug-of-war with the communion loaf

Posted June 20th, 2023

Children; brass, rhythm and string instruments; and communion all found their way into worship Tuesday at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference.

‘Listen, you rebels; shall we bring water for you out of this rock?’

Posted June 19th, 2023

The 700 or so people attending the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference this week were welcomed to worship Monday by the pleasing sound of 13 people playing 26 handbells.

Presbyterian Association of Musicians makes a joyful noise during its Worship & Music Conference

Posted June 19th, 2023

“We’re so glad you’re here. We’ve been waiting for you for three years,” Karrie Rushing, co-director of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference, told the 700 or so people gathered for opening worship Sunday inside Anderson Auditorium at Montreat Conference Center.