Though we often hear only the dark and disturbing stories coming out of the Middle East, on February 26 there was an historic moment of celebration. The Presbyterian Church in Tripoli and the National Evangelical (Presbyterian) Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) ordained the Rev. Rola Sleiman as the first Arab woman to serve as a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
Min-Hee Kim was one of 12 young women sponsored by the Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries Young Women’s Leadership program who participated in the United Nations’ 61st CSW. Each year the ministry provides scholarships to young Presbyterian women from around the world to attend the event.
Troy Byrdsong and Alison Oglesby are two young women with big dreams and big hearts. The freshman and junior attend Wayne State University and are attending the United Nations 61st Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) as a part of the 12-person delegation of the Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Leslie Cox is a second year seminary student at Columbia Theological Seminary in the Masters of Divinity program. She is focusing her efforts in the area of advocacy and inclusion, and has started the blog loveles.co about “Queer Love Stories.”
In a room filled with women from around the world, participants attending the opening of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s parallel event at the 61st Commission on the Status of Women waited expectantly to hear what presenters had to say about gender discrimination within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Communities around the world have joined together today to celebrate International Women’s Day. In keeping with the celebration, individuals at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Center came together for a special service to “Celebrate the Gifts of Women.”
The 61st session of the Commission on the Status of Women will soon begin at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Commission will meet from March 13 – 24 and the Presbyterian Ministry to the United Nations will once again host a group of Presbyterians interested in following the work.
As Presbyterian World Mission celebrates its 180th anniversary this year, it’s worth noting that well over 200 years ago Presbyterian Women were organizing around mission, both domestically and internationally.
Sounds of the Black American National Anthem Lift Every Voice and Sing permeated the chapel at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Center as employees celebrated Black History Month during today’s chapel service.