Last month, we highlighted an exciting opportunity—the Teaching the Bible Grant (a.k.a. TBG). If you’re involved with a Presbyterian Church (USA) affiliated secondary school, college, or university, this grant is something you should definitely consider. Hastings College is a great example of how this Teaching the Bible Grant can be used for meaningful work. Last year, they received the grant and have since hosted a variety of events for Presbyterian college students.

I firmly believe in pastoral care's unique and essential role, which is distinct from therapy sessions, preaching, and worship. My own faith journey has been deeply enriched by the pastoral care provided by PCUSA ministers, who supported me in various forms, alongside therapists, friends, and congregations. As pastors, it seems crucial that we embrace and carefully fulfill this distinct role of pastoral care, especially in communities where the congregation may be smaller but tightly knit.

🎓 Exciting opportunity alert! 🚀Presenting the "Teaching the Bible Grant"! 📖 If you're involved in coordinating programs at PCUSA-related colleges, universities, or secondary schools, this grant is tailor-made for you! ✨ Spread the good news and encourage your colleagues to apply, too! Don't miss out on this chance to make an impact. Apply now using the link Teaching the Bible Grant provided here! #TeachingTheBibleGrant #PCUSA 

The pandemic took a very interesting turn. The number of pastors began podcasting, YouTubing, Instagramming, TikTok-ing, and hosting webinars. [...] It’s hard to pick out which podcast to listen to, video to watch, or webinar to join. I am sharing these podcasts by Leah Ntuala, not because they are the most advanced forms, but because they represent the authentic voice of pastoral conversation about the daily experiences of pastors. Please note, “everyday” is not synonymous with average or common. We are still on a journey of defining what “everyday” entails, so let’s not rush to conclusions. I hope you can hear the authentic yet unique voices of pastors from them.

Celebrating Women’s History Month, ironically, I found some inspiration in the form of the theatre performance "Becoming a Man.” It is a story of a woman’s body transitioning to a man’s body, how it could entail complications in relationships, friendships, mental health, and physical health, and how it is a life-death decision that is complex with heavyweight yet with hopeful possibility for the liberation in the future only when you are true to yourself past and present. [...] Celebrating Women’s History Month with genuine heart, soul, and body, along with all communities’ history with uniqueness, I carefully raise these questions. Not to erase anybody’s identity, but to truly embrace who…

Today, as we kick off Black History Month, I want to bring attention to a significant initiative by PHS on their blog: the "African American Leaders" series, which was initiated in 2023. This project sheds light on the history of African American leaders in the PC(USA), depicting the everyday reality of these individuals within the denomination. While some are well-known figures, many are still to be recognized as extraordinary everyday heroes and saints in our church.