News archive
Georgia churches advocate for housing and health care
“I always see people in our congregations eager to do some kind of service with our neighbors. Their first thought is often that that’s meeting a basic need, some sort of hands-on giving someone food or drink or clothing or shelter,” said the Rev. Rebekah LeMon, senior pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. “But we have to ask ourselves, as people of faith, why our systems don’t allow everyone to have food, clothing, shelter and welcome.” For the past six years, LeMon has served on the board of Presbyterians for a Better Georgia (PBG). “Advocacy is the way we try to create systemic change that would better support all of our neighbors.”
Posted at April 25, 2024 12:35 p.m. in presbyterians for a better georgia , presbytery of greater atlanta , rev. aisha brooks-johnson , rev. david lewicki , rev. rebekah lemon
Faith to overcome
In 2014, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Associate for Story Ministry, David Barnhart, met Lisa Horne, Director of Community Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Flint, working on what would become the award-winning documentary, “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City.”
Posted at April 25, 2024 6 a.m. in 10-year anniversary of the flint water crisis , david barnhart , first presbyterian church of flint , flint: the poisoning of an american city , lisa horne , presbyterian disaster assistance
Is your church the right place to heal from religious trauma?
The church can’t afford to become irritated, blasé or condescending about church trauma. As the phrase indicates, this phenomenon is the result of harms perpetrated in and by the church. We need to take religious trauma very, very seriously.
Posted at April 25, 2024 5:55 a.m. in harbor online community , presbyterians today , religious trauma , rev. jon mathieu
Deadline to host an International Peacemaker is fast approaching
There’s no time like the present to apply to host an International Peacemaker. The deadline, May 1, is just a few days away, though late applications still will be reviewed if space remains on peacemakers’ calendars.
Posted at April 24, 2024 1:45 p.m. in 2024 international peacemakers , amy lewis , frances namoumou , maina talia , mía umaña , presbyterian peacemaking program , rev. angie wuysang , rev. carl horton , rev. marielis barreto-hernández
Inter-American Human Rights Court delivers long-awaited justice for the people of La Oroya, Peru
On March 22, the Inter-American Human Rights Court found the State of Peru responsible for violating the rights of residents of the Andean town of La Oroya, who had been exposed to decades of toxic emissions from a metallurgical complex located in the heart of the town.
Posted at April 24, 2024 10:07 a.m. in environmental degradation , inter-american human rights court , la oroya peru , peru joining hands network , presbyterian hunger program , presbytery of giddings-lovejoy , red uniendo manos peru , rev. ellie stock , rev. jed koball , yolanda zurita
250 churches in Northeast India burnt down
Tomas (not his real name) is a church minister in Manipur, Northeast India. He had teary eyes when he recalled what happened on May 3, 2023. “I have never seen such violence in my lifetime,” he said. “They systematically ransacked our places. That first night, they burnt down a church nearby. The sky turned red by flames.” A few months later, it was reported that 250 churches of different denominations had been burnt. For several weeks, the manhunt continued. Over 100 people died. The trauma is unimaginable, especially among women and children.
Posted at April 24, 2024 6 a.m. in church-burning , hery ramambasoa , meiteis people , mission crossroads , northeast india council of churches , world communion of reformed churches , world council of churches , world mission
Presbybop leader and pastor Bill Carter brings his deep appreciation for jazz to the ‘A Matter of Faith’ podcast
Pastor, jazz pianist and prolific author Bill Carter says if there’s a line between sacred and secular, “it’s a dotted line.”
Posted at April 23, 2024 2:05 p.m. in a matter of faith: a presby podcast , rev. lee catoe , simon doong , the rev. bill carter , thriving on a riff: jazz and the spiritual life
National Faith + Climate Forum gathers more than 20 denominations and faith communities
Held last week, the National Faith + Climate Forum assembled an unprecedented gathering of faith community members committed to build thriving congregations through care for Creation with faith-driven action.
Posted at April 23, 2024 10:25 a.m. in blessed tomorrow , climate ambassador , national faith + climate forum , one home one future
Older Adult Ministry Week/Month begins May 5
The first full week of May is a time for churches to celebrate older adults in their congregations and the vibrant ministry in which they are involved. In addition to having its planning guide updated annually, the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN) recently launched multiple webpages of resources and videos designed to guide and enrich ministry with older adults.
Posted at April 23, 2024 6 a.m. in expressions of older adult ministry , office of christian formation , older adult month , presbyterian older adult ministry network , rev. dr. charles tinsley , rev. dr. mary anona stoops , rev. dr. sarah erickson , rev. joyce mackichan walker
Going green by going solar
Fifty-three years after its first observance, Earth Day is an annual reminder that what we do to the Earth matters. It matters to humanity, and it matters to God. Being an Earth Care Congregation brings a sense of joy that exudes to anyone you speak to who serves their respective congregation in this capacity.
Posted at April 22, 2024 8:11 a.m. in earth care congregation , katie carter , mission responsibility through investment , simon doong , university presbyterian church san antonio