Daily Archives: May 12, 2016

News in the PC(USA) May 4-10th

James Hickson Lee dies at age 48
Prophetic pastor and intercultural ministry leader envisioned Christ’s church as new, diverse community

Support grows for national boycott of Wendy’s Restaurants
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) endorses the initiative

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 8 Preview
Middle East Issues Committee will consider divestment, two-state solution and child-detention

‘Partners for Just Trade’ organization celebrates tenth anniversary
Non-profit credits Presbyterian Hunger Program for its success

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 9 Preview
Immigration and Environmental Issues Committee will mull fossil fuel divestment

Jeanne Bishop wins Presbyterian Writers Guild’s Best First Book Award
Story of woman’s account of redemptive struggle to cope with sister’s murder

Rebuilding in Homs, life slowly returns in Syrian city devastated by civil war
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance visits displaced residents

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 5 Preview
Committee on Mid Councils considers eight overtures

Pittsburgh pastor shares passion for the work of mission
Sending, receiving and experiencing the lives of co-workers

Committee receives one challenge to its nominee for PC(USA) Stated Clerk
The Reverend David M. Baker is challenging the nomination of the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson for the office of Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

PC(USA) General Assembly Committee 6 Preview
Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry takes up 14 overtures

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance meets with ecumenical partners in Lebanon
Ongoing civil war in Syria and impact on refugees top agenda

Office of Theology and Worship to host #TheoConvo Twitter chat May 17
Charles Wiley, author of ‘Polity Matters,’ to discuss call to faithfulness in the church

Report submitted to assembly on identity, purpose of PC(USA)
A vibrant family portrait of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has emerged from the recent church-wide conversation on the identity and purpose of the denomination, and God, Christ, love, and the world are among the most prominent subjects.

Presbyterian Polity, Program and Mission Educator Certification Course

Christian educators, teaching and ruling elders, and church members are sometimes not aware of the rich resources in the Book of Order, and the ability of polity to empower congregational ministry, faith formation, spiritual practices, and vocation as a mark of the God who sends the church into the world.

Exploring polity in the context of the General Assembly will provide participants a broad understanding of the structure, governance, and mission of the PC(USA) and a vibrant picture of the church at work on the important issues that shape life and faith. In addition, access to the exhibit hall will provide lively interaction with resource materials produced by the denomination and the people who actively engage the denomination in ministry and mission. Through participation in worship, observation of committee discernment, plenary debate, decision-making, and interaction with denominational leadership course participants will be immersed in the work of this council that brings the diverse church together as one representation of the body of Christ.

The course begins at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, June 18, and concludes at noon on Wednesday, June 22. The instructor is Joyce MacKichan Walker. Advance registration is required—select the Educator Certification Course component as you register; the $320 fee includes the course fee and the GA registration fee.

For more information, contact Debbie Hough, chocdce@derrypres.org