office of public witness Archives

Presbyterians to host symposium on LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers

Posted September 5th, 2017

First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York is hosting a two-day symposium on the challenges facing LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers. The church, working alongside several ministries within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will host the gathering entitled “Love Welcome,” October 20-21.

Presbyterians convene Educate a Child Round Table

Posted August 31st, 2017

A group of Presbyterian educators and ministers gathered this week at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary to look at how to engage the larger church on the issue of education. The newly-formed Educate a Child Round Table met for the first time to organize and determine first steps. Participants came from across the country including California, New York, Tennessee and Michigan.

Office of Public Witness calls on Presbyterians to participate in fall event in Washington

Posted August 1st, 2017

The Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Public Witness is calling on Presbyterians across the denomination to come to Washington D.C. this fall to speak out on the proposed federal budget. Church members, presbyteries and synods are being asked to gather on September 12 for a budget briefing, press conference and a visit to congressional offices.

African-American clergy speak out against proposed federal budget and health care plan

Posted July 19th, 2017

An estimated 40 to 50 African American clergy gathered on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to speak out against what they call “the immoral” budget proposed by President Donald Trump as well as the “unjust” health bill that currently hangs in limbo. The group of ministers, including the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness, spoke at a news conference before heading to various senate and congressional offices.

President gets failing grade from African American clergy

Posted May 16th, 2017

African American clergy gathered in Washington, D.C. today saying they are concerned about the political, racial, ethnic, economic and academic climate in America. The group held a news conference outside of the United Methodist Building, urging the new administration to take a second look at its policies and actions towards African Americans and other minority groups.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days rallies churches to become more active

Posted April 24th, 2017

Every spring, you can count on two things happening in Washington, D.C., the blooming of cherry blossoms and the gathering of denominations for Ecumenical Advocacy Weekend. More than 200 members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joined other denominations for a weekend of worship, workshops and activism, a few short blocks from the Pentagon.

Registration for Compassion, Peace and Justice Training Day reaches record number

Posted April 10th, 2017

Every year, an average of 200 Presbyterians gather in Washington, D.C. for Advocacy Training Weekend as an opportunity to worship, attend workshops and fellowship with other Presbyterians and Christian denominations. But this year’s attendance for Compassion, Peace and Justice Training Day is hitting record levels and people are still signing up with less than two weeks to go.

Presbyterian Church leaders react to executive order on clean power

Posted April 5th, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to revive the coal industry and closely scrutinize the previous administration’s Clean Power Act is being met with strong opposition among leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). While the president promises the action will create jobs, many say the executive order, signed last week, will set the country back years in environmental progress.

PC(USA) ministries join forces to raise awareness of South Sudan famine, unrest

Posted March 30th, 2017

Several ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have issued alerts and provided information on their activities in response to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 1.61 million people are internally displaced and another 751,000 people have escaped into neighboring countries, including Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, since conflict broke out in 2013.

PC(USA) Office of Public Witness takes part in Washington rally at EPA headquarters

Posted March 16th, 2017

Hundreds of people braved cold and windy conditions in Washington, D.C. to participate in an “Emergency Lunchtime Rally” at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday. A number of organizations, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness, took part in the rally.