Presbyterian Mission Agency ellen smith Archives

What does Lithuania have to teach us about war?

Posted February 29th, 2024

A small country on the Baltic Sea with lessons to teach about the travails and tragedies of war will be the focus of a travel study seminar hosted by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program this fall.

New resource from the PC(USA)’s Peacemaking Program and World Mission encourages congregations toward solidarity with Ukraine

Posted November 7th, 2023

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program within the Presbyterian Mission Agency is collaborating with World Mission and global partners to develop a new resource focused on solidarity with Ukraine. The resource is called “A Sowing of Peace in Ukraine” and will feature multiple installments released individually.

On the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day, Presbyterians pray and lament the awful aftermath of the Russian invasion

Posted August 23rd, 2023

On Wednesday during Chapel service, about 50 members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) national staff prayed for and lamented Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which occurred 546 days ago, and the resulting warfare. Thursday is Ukrainian Independence Day, when the nation celebrates its independence from the former Soviet Union, which dates back to 1991.

Mission co-worker delivers a compassionate update during Synod School on Ukrainian refugee work

Posted August 1st, 2023

Ellen Smith, World Mission’s regional liaison for Central and Eastern Europe, led a packed and thought-provoking mini-course last week during Synod School on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s mission in Ukraine.

Activist from Poland to serve as International Peacemaker

Posted June 1st, 2023

An activist who provides humanitarian assistance to people in crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border will be an International Peacemaker this year.

PC(USA) delegation to make solidarity trip to Eastern Europe

Posted January 20th, 2023

A Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) delegation will travel to Eastern Europe this month in a show of solidarity with people in and near Ukraine as the war with Russia continues to create death, destruction and displacement.

‘The sensitivity of the people I met for these refugees was just really impressive’

Posted July 19th, 2022

Ellen Smith, World Mission’s regional liaison for Eastern Europe, recently returned from a visit with partners in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland to see firsthand how they are coping with the enormous task of caring for refugees fleeing Ukraine and how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can accompany them.

‘The sensitivity of the people I met for these refugees was just really impressive’

Posted April 18th, 2022

Ellen Smith, World Mission’s regional liaison for Eastern Europe, has just returned from a visit with partners in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland to see first-hand how they are coping with the enormous task of caring for refugees fleeing Ukraine and how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can accompany them.

In three weeks, Presbyterians have donated nearly $1 million toward humanitarian relief in Ukraine

Posted March 23rd, 2022

In the three weeks or so since the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) issued an appeal for help, Presbyterians have donated nearly $1 million in response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

‘There is a weight and a sadness that is as deep as I’ve ever felt’

Posted March 4th, 2022

Mission co-worker the Rev. Jessica Derise has arrived in the United States after having safely departed Moscow earlier this week. But she left something important behind — a piece of her heart.