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Peace & Justice

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Teams in West Virginia

The floodwaters are receding in West Virginia and families have begun the massive task of cleaning up following last week’s record flooding in parts of the state. As many as 23 people are known to have died in the flooding, while hundreds of homes and businesses have been damaged or completely destroyed.

General Assembly attendees visit Oregon Food Bank

While commissioners and advisory delegates worked hard in committees, 14 observers and mid-council staff attending the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) meeting in Portland, Oregon worked to end hunger at the Oregon Food Bank Monday night. Joining two dozen other volunteers, the group repacked more than seven tons of carrots from 50-pound bags to more user-friendly sacks.

Presbyterian group gets close look at environmental threats facing Oregon

Approximately 25 environmentally-focused Presbyterians took a half a day away from General Assembly business for a bus trip along the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday. Nestled between the Oregon/Washington State border, this vast waterway is a salmon spawning ground. But pollution and the threat of new corporate development is placing the region in a state of concern.

Presbyterian Peacemaking Program hosts gun violence prevention discussion at General Assembly

The statistics surrounding gun violence deaths in the United States are staggering. According to the PEW Research Center, more than 30,000 people are killed by firearms each year in this country. More than 30 are shot and murdered each day and half of them are between the ages of 18 and 35. Homicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds and the primary cause of death among African Americans of that age group.

California church start up finds purpose in giving back

A year and a half ago, ten people gathered in Jeanie Shaw’s living room in Sacramento, California to worship. Before long, they moved to her backyard. This past Easter, more than 100 people gathered at Eventide Community to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and three adult baptisms.

MRTI recommends focused engagement with companies

The 222nd General Assembly will hear a recommendation to continue engagement with fossil fuel companies on climate change when it meets in the coming weeks. The committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) is making the recommendation following lengthy discussions with companies and filing shareholder resolutions, saying progress is being made.

Texas struggles to recover from constant flooding

It has been a year of endless flooding for parts of Texas, keeping volunteers from making headway in clean up efforts. The last three months have been described by state and federal authorities as the wettest in Texas history.

Presbyterians to commemorate World Refugee Day at Portland General Assembly

Presbyterians attending the 222nd General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, will have an opportunity to recognize refugees seeking to start a new life. Monday, June 20th is World Refugee Day, established by the United Nations to recognize the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide, forced to leave their homes because of persecution, conflict and war.