Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Blogs

Swords Into Plowshares

Reflections from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations

Listening for the Still, Small Voice

Mosaic of Peace, Day 4 When I was quite young, (exactly how many years ago, I prefer not to share), my grandmother toured the Holy Land. I remember caressing the olive wood trinkets, looking through the pictures with her, and deciding that one day, I too would go to this holy place and walk where… Read more »

A Brief Flashback: Talking Trump in Tel Aviv

Mosaic of Peace, Day 3 Editor’s note: It is always interesting to get a snapshot of what people in other countries think of the United States and its politics. As we have stayed in Jerusalem, issues of displacement vs immigration have had a different tinge than in the United States. It is the Jewish people,… Read more »

Finding the Name of Peace

Mosaic of Peace 2018, Day 2 What is in a name? It depends on the name. Our identity, our history, our future, our value—all the pieces that help form the narrative of who we are.—are tied to names. When we name our children, when we name our friends, when we name the places most special… Read more »

Our Feet Are Standing Within Your Gates, O Jerusalem!

Mosaic of Peace 2018, Day 1 May 1, Jerusalem “What does it mean for us to be here, in Jerusalem?” It’s a question that has as many answers as the diverse peoples who inhabit or visit this many-faceted city. Our first full day in the Old City of Jerusalem falls on May 1st: May Day,… Read more »

Come and See!

Mosaic of Peace 2018, Day “0” To journey without being changed is to be a nomad. To change without journeying is to be a chameleon. To journey and be transformed is to be a pilgrim. –Mark Nepo April 30, Jerusalem—Today we came from many places, from many denominations and vocations, to join in building a… Read more »

Environmental Education in Action in Madagascar

Dan Turk shared with us today about the Environmental Education Program, a part of the Developmental Department of the FJKM church.  Dan described four main elements of the program: Student pastors at the Ivanto Seminary are trained in the garden, orchard and fruit tree nursery, part of the Seminary campus. In addition there are annual… Read more »

Protecting the Resources of Madagascar

We have been deeply impressed by the rich cultural heritage of the Malagasy people and the tremendous natural resources and the great biodiversity of this unique environment where 90% of the plants and animals on the island of Madagascar can be found nowhere else on earth. Sadly, the resources of this nation are at a… Read more »

A remote village in Madagascar and a bounty of blessings

We turned off the national road onto a deeply rutted dirt road that took us to the village of Mahatsinjo. The village, four miles away at the end of the road, had 25 homes, a Catholic Church, and a school. The district mayor and the vast majority of the town and children welcomed us. After… Read more »

Worshipping with the Malagasy People

On this Sunday I was touched by many messages of peacemaking. We arose once again this morning to the sounds of lemurs communicating, a wake up call by God’s wonderfully unique creation.  Our group divided into four teams and fanned out across the area to attend the worship services of four congregations:  Andasibe, Moramanga Fitiavana,… Read more »

Lemurs, Chameleons and Orchids, O My!

It was was a delightful and exciting Saturday exploring God’s unique and fascinating creation in the Madagascar rain forest. A group of 6 intrepid adventurers left at 6:30 am, well after the sun had risen and the lemurs had begun their “singing,” for what turned out to be a rather strenuous 6 hour hike into… Read more »