The world’s attention and concern is on a virus originating in China and spreading to other countries. Every day our news is filled with dramatic stories of this disaster and the efforts to contain it. Here at home we might pray for those affected and take some comfort in that the virus will not reach us and we are safe. The reality is a deadly virus is already in our community and potentially in our worship services.
The Vision 2020 Team has completed its Guiding Statement and has a handful of other recommendations in draft language for the 224th General Assembly to consider when it meets in Baltimore June 20-27.
On Inauguration Day in January 2017, progressive Republican and evangelical pastor Robb Ryerse listened to Rob Bell’s podcast, “RobCast.” Like many Americans that day, Ryerse felt powerless. Listening to “RobCast” that night, Ryerse found an unexpected calling. The guest was the founder of Brand New Congress, an organization that equips everyday Americans with resources and training to challenge entrenched incumbents from both parties. Ryerse felt hope again. He took the first steps to run for Congress in 2018, hoping that with other “ordinary citizens,” the country could change in a revolutionary way with a government by and for the people.
Three women working to disrupt systemic poverty were named recipients of the 2020 Women of Faith Awards Friday by the board of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) during its meeting in Baltimore.
Rather than tell Thursday’s joint meeting of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board about cultural humility, the Revs. Denise Anderson and Shanea Leonard showed those in attendance by inviting local voices to share their experiences.
The Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III turned to history and the cinema to open a conversation about congregational vitality on the first day of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board’s February meeting on Wednesday.
The Rev. Lindsay Harren-Lewis described for her colleagues on the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board Wednesday the messy and possibly catastrophic consequences that can occur while trying to reduce one’s carbon footprint.
For the time being, the Baltimore Convention Center — nearly 422,000 square feet of space and 50 meeting rooms in the heart of a thriving downtown — is mostly vacant. But beginning 128 days from Wednesday, thousands of Presbyterians will do their best to fill up the mammoth meeting facility.
Jane Adelle (Thompson) Mead, age 88, died peacefully Thursday with her husband of 67 years, her oldest son and her pastor by her side in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The Rev. Frank Clark Spencer, president of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has been granted a travel leave for March 11-May 8, 2020, announced the Rev. Dr. Fairfax F. Fair, chair of the agency’s Board of Directors.
