rev. shanea d. leonard Archives

PC(USA) highlights the power of protest

Posted July 24th, 2020

As protests against racism continued in Oregon and other parts of the country, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Public Witness held a webinar this week explaining the importance of challenging the status quo and making one’s voice heard through the ballot box.

‘That’s what we need to root out’

Posted July 16th, 2020

One moment emerged above all the others Wednesday during a “Vital Conversations” webinar hosted by the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Vital Congregations.

‘COVID at the Margins’ looks at the impact of the virus on the LGBTQIA+ community

Posted June 11th, 2020

The third in the series “COVID At The Margins,” a discussion series by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) created to shed light on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and what the church and people of faith can do to respond, highlighted the impact of the virus on the LGBTQIA+ community.

The hope of the church in the nasty here and now

Posted June 1st, 2020

More than 200 national staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and others joined hearts and minds virtually Monday to mourn police violence against people of color and call out white supremacy for what it is — sin.

LGBTQIA community susceptible to coronavirus in ways you may not have considered

Posted April 28th, 2020

In a matter of a few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world from what we once knew to something we hardly recognize. Most Americans are sheltering in place and practicing social distancing. Face masks and gloves have become part of one’s everyday attire. Across social media the #StayHomeStaySafe hashtag is trending more and more each day.

Black Lives (still) Matter

Posted September 9th, 2019

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with a colleague to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement and how it connects to the church. I am in no way an expert on the entirety of the Black Lives Matter movement. However, I have been a social justice faith abolitionist for many years and share a perspective that is grounded in my belief in Jesus and the practical side of the justice God calls forth.

Reproductive Justice probably isn’t what you think it is

Posted July 4th, 2019

Before she told the audience what Reproductive Justice is, the Rev. Shanea D. Leonard had to say what it isn’t. “Most people think that it’s all about abortion, but it’s not,” Leonard said at the top of a Tuesday afternoon webinar, presented by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness (OPW) in Washington, D.C. “It’s so much more than that, but it’s inclusive of that as well.

Make a joyful noise

Posted June 5th, 2019

To celebrate Intercultural Church Day, worshipers at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville Wednesday were invited to sing verses of well-known hymns — “How Great Thou Art” and “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!” among them — in English, Korean and Spanish, as well as in the “language closest to your heart.”

Live in the spirit of ‘Sankofa’

Posted February 20th, 2019

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.