The founding of Stillman College toward the end of the 19th century was an act of courage and faith. It was not, however, an action taken without consideration and debate. Stillman College is a historically black liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). During the month of February, residents of the U.S. and Canada celebrate Black History Month.
In a rousing call to worship with African drums and “Fanga,” a traditional dance and rhythm of welcome in various West African cultures, employees and guests celebrated Black History Month during the Wednesday morning worship service at the Presbyterian Center.
African-Americans have played a pivotal role in American church history. Many may be familiar with Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, the founders of what is now known as the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was established in Philadelphia in 1792. Less known but equally as important to the Presbyterian denomination was the Rev. John Gloucester, who founded the First African Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1807.
Wow! And what about the Philistines? And are there others who need to be subdued? Tongue-twisting passages like these are the bane of lay readers and a source of fascination for many who heard these wondrous lists of names read on a Sunday morning. They are, of course, a rendering of the ethnic diversity of the world the Hebrews marched into under Joshua and are a “list of enemies” who stood between the children of Israel and the Promised Land.
Nearly 1,000 college-aged students and their UKirk pastors and leaders began the new year together at the annual College Conference held last month at the Montreat Conference Center in Monreat, N.C.
The Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon “would have been appalled” by the heartfelt and spirited salute she received Saturday by about 80 people gathered at Second Presbyterian Church in Louisville, according to the Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown.
Davidson College, a Presbyterian-affiliated college north of Charlotte, N.C., will host Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch on March 13 as part of its Symposium on Reformed Christianity and Social Ethics.
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, Isaiah confidently tells readers in the 61st chapter of the book that bears his name, because God has anointed the prophet to bring good news to the oppressed, release of the prisoners and comfort to all who mourn.
While about 85 percent of the congregations within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are predominately white, more than half of Presbyterians recently surveyed said they’re not opposed to worshiping in a congregation where most of the members aren’t of the same racial and ethnic background as they are.
