Presbyterian Mission Agency rev. ashley detar birt Archives

The PC(USA)’s Advocacy Committee for LGBTQIA+ Equity recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility

Posted March 28th, 2024

In response to a recent General Assembly mandate, the Advocacy Committee for LGBTQIA+ Equity is at work assisting the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in providing full expression to the rich diversity of its membership as described in the Book of Order.

‘We have to shift the narrative to something that resembles Jesus’

Posted April 30th, 2022

Amid a rash of recent legislation “intended to criminalize the existence, presence and stories” of people in the transgender and LGBTQIA+ communities, a four-member panel convened on Saturday discussed, as host Adrian White said, “how we can create space and come together to have a conversation about what we can do in response.”

Bringing about God’s Jubilee in a hurting world

Posted December 20th, 2021

Rick Ufford-Chase, a ruling elder and the Moderator of the 216th General Assembly (2004), and the Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt, who last spring co-founded, along with Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and the Presbytery of Utica, co-founded the Center for Jubilee Practice, appeared last week on A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast. The two talked about their work studying, among other things, how churches might facilitate conversations around reparations in light of the wealth gap between Indigenous and African American families and white families in the U.S.

A resilient woman who refuses to be dismissed, even by Jesus

Posted August 25th, 2021

If you’re looking for a biblical definition of resilience, you’d do well to turn to the story of the Syrophoenician woman’s faith as recorded in Mark 7:24-30. “Sir,” the woman tells Jesus in the story’s pivotal moment, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Week of Action LGBTQIA+ day includes homage to Mister Rogers

Posted August 10th, 2021

On Wednesday, Aug. 25, the Presbyterian Week of Action will turn its attention to the LGBTQIA+ community with events including a children’s story time and a poetry and story slam.

Black Women and Girls Task Force lifts up LGBTQIA issues

Posted June 25th, 2021

A panel discussion hosted by the Disparities Experienced by Black Women and Girls Task Force was nearing a close Thursday when the Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt asked panelists how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) could better support queer and trans Black women and girls.

Pastor, former GA Moderator announce the founding of the Center for Jubilee Practice

Posted June 4th, 2021

The Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt and Ruling Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the 216th General Assembly (2004) and the former co-director of Stony Point Center are pleased to announce the founding of the Center for Jubilee Practice with the Presbytery of Utica and Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary.

Challenging the ‘idolatry’ of the nuclear family

Posted May 20th, 2021

The first time the Rev. Lee Catoe heard the term “queer,” it was in the saying “queer as a $2 bill.” Sometimes it simply referred to something that was just odd, but other times it was referring to someone in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Disparities Experienced by Black Women and Girls Task Force holds first conversation on issues of concern

Posted March 4th, 2021

In a candid and perhaps long overdue online conversation, members of the Disparities Experienced by Black Women and Girls Task Force presented “Telling Our Stories,” which provided a look at the major concerns of Black women and girls as outlined in its report to the 224th General Assembly (2020), which has been referred to the 225th General Assembly (2024).

Webinar explores PC(USA) efforts to dismantle structural racism

Posted August 25th, 2020

Part 3 of the Awakening to Structural Racism online conversation Monday dealt with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) efforts to dismantle structural racism and white supremacy — even when those efforts are placed on hold during the most recent General Assembly, held online and without the usual committee work because of the pandemic.