Special Offerings

New president pledges a season of renewal at Presbyterian Pan American School

As a rush of fresh-faced students filed into the Presbyterian Pan American School’s Harte Student Center, Dr. Joey King beamed with pride. And rightfully so. The new president of the small, PC(USA)-related college-preparatory school located in the Texas Coastal Bend some 90 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, has exciting plans to flourish PPAS’s most valuable resource, its students.

Sowing the seeds of peace

The local laundromat in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, was Linda’s chapel. It was where she first shared a prayer concern that had been weighing heavily on her mind — and on her family’s heart — to say nothing of their budget. At the time, Linda was dealing with stage 4 cancer. “Since I got sick, my washer and dryer can’t handle the volume of blankets and bedding,” she confessed to the pastor and volunteers from the Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro. “And the expense of doing my laundry would have been difficult to handle without your help.” The help that had become a lifeline for Linda and other families — for whom the escalating cost of health care was threatening to drive them even deeper into poverty — was the church’s “Fresh Start: Loads of Love” laundry outreach program.

Seeking reconciliation on the road

While traveling across the American Southwest last spring, Kathy Mitchell was caught by surprise.   Not as much by the many vistas that were new to her — although they were, of course, breathtaking — as by the stories of her fellow travelers.

Ministering to migrants on the brink of despair

The plight of the thousands of migrants in her native El Salvador keeps Carmen Elena Díaz awake at night. “Knowing their experiences, their stories, and in ministering to the migrant people, my life has been transformed,” said Díaz. “Their stories mark you, transform you, sensitize you. They make you realize what a hard and difficult subject this is.”

PC(USA)-related Menaul School receives six Ukrainian refugees

Menaul School, in cooperation with two global non-profit agencies, Spiritual Orphans Network (SON) and This Child Here, announced last month that the school has received six Ukrainian students as part of ongoing war relief efforts.  

Pennsylvania church offers community a ‘Fresh Start’

The local laundromat was Linda’s chapel. It was where she first shared a prayer concern that had been weighing heavily on her mind — and on her family’s heart — to say nothing of their budget. At the time, Linda was dealing with stage 4 cancer.

Back-to-school Q&A with the Rev. Hannah Scanlon, chaplain of the Menaul School

Because “back-to-school” is a familiar rite of passage for students, families, faculty and staff at college, university and school campuses the world over, the Presbyterian News Service conducted email interviews with the chaplains at the PC(USA)’s Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color to ask them some key questions as the new academic year gets into full swing.

A DREAAM come true

Driven to Reach Excellence & Academic Achievement for Males (DREAAM) is excited to report on a recent international experience that was aimed at enhancing excellence in achievement, engagement, and behavioral and mental health among boys and young men ages 3–24 years old.

Stillman College’s Presbyterian roots run deep

From the majestic magnolias that grace Stillman College’s 105-acre campus and the school’s striking seal, to the plentiful purple hull peas, pole beans and cucumbers that thrive in its community garden, the entire campus is alive with new growth.

Preparing young minds and hearts for lives of Christian leadership

Gentle Gulf breezes set the array of colorful flags from many nations high aloft at the Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS), where they heralded a sea change at the small, college-preparatory school located some 90 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.