Native American Day is celebrated in recognition of the presence and contributions of Native Americans in our society and church today. It is recognized on the day of the fall equinox, in September, in conjunction with “harvest time” for many Native American tribes. For centuries it has been a time of celebration and preparation for winter. A corresponding celebration with Native leaders will take place Sept. 25 at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Burnout. Just reading the word is enough to cause the shoulders to droop, the body to want to curl up in a ball and find somewhere to rest. For many church leaders it can be an ever-present companion in the life and ministry of the congregation.
Do you ever wonder what is God calling you to do? The better question is, what is making you come alive? The needs in the world that God is calling us to address are all around us, but so are gifted children of God who are willing to respond.
The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, believes that God has intricately woven our lives together at this time in history so we may be part of the healing work of God’s Creation.
As stewards of God’s Creation amid myriad challenges — devastating fires, floods, droughts and storms — we are to continue to bring glory to God and be a blessing to God’s people, particularly people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor, she said.
In May, a denominational communications survey was launched to determine what the Church most wants and needs from Communications. Nearly 11,000 people responded to questions including “What is most useful about communications from the national offices?” and “What is most frustrating?” and “What denominational information would you like that you are not currently getting?” Some of their responses might surprise you.
September is a time of change. The leaves change colors as the weather cools. The days are shorter and the shadows longer. Summer breaks are over, and kids are settling back into a new school year. At church, Christian educators, pastors and volunteers are diligently preparing for another program year, which kicks off on a Sunday often referred to as Rally Day.
From Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, Christians around the world celebrate the Season of Creation. Some pray, some do hands-on projects, some advocate. It’s powerfully good work that’s urgently needed
During her nearly nine years as pastor of Washington Shores Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida, the Rev. Erika Rembert Smith has placed the Great Commission at the front and center of her vision for the congregation.
In his poem “In the Soul of the Serene Disciple” Trappist monk Thomas Merton flips the reader between two vantage points of a shared condition — one in which “poverty is a success” and one where it is “no achievement.” That poverty could be a success in any way is a difficult premise to accept. When we think of poverty, we think about a crushing system of social and economic deprivation that isolates and destroys lives. That is a reality for too many and a challenge that the church is called to help address. But the discipline of Christian poverty, in which a disciple might willingly give up a life of excess and extravagance in order to better focus on all that God provides, is another thing altogether.
In the minds of many Presbyterians, the concept of stewardship is forever linked to the church’s fall fundraising campaign to support the budget. This multi-week drive culminates in “Stewardship Sunday,” during which pledge cards are brought forward and prayers are offered that the money represented there will be enough. This process makes some people so uncomfortable that they confess to skipping church, claiming, “I don’t want to listen to talk about money for an entire month.”
