Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Blogs

Swords Into Plowshares

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

Education empowers women: impacting the Commission on the Status of Women

Given the long and strong commitment to education within the Reformed tradition, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s focus during the 60th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women was the importance of education for women and girls to sustainable development. The church raised this concern in our written statement to the Commission before its meeting…. Read more »

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) oral statement at 60th Session of UN Commission on the Status of Women

For the second year in a row, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was selected to make an oral statement to the Commission on the Status of Women. The church’s statement focused on the importance of education linked to sustainable development. Ryan Smith, Presbyterian representative at the UN, read the statement on behalf of the church, which is… Read more »

Holocaust Remembrance Day 2016

The  United States Holocaust Memorial Museum reminds us that “the internationally recognized date for Holocaust Remembrance Day corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar. It marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. In Hebrew, Holocaust Remembrance Day is called Yom Hashoah. This year Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed on May 5, 2016…. Read more »

Naming the Need for Education

By Addie Domske Today I participated in worship for the Commission on the Status of Women, along with other women here with the Presbyterian Church (USA). I was fortunate enough to write part of the liturgy for our short worship time, found below. (It is partially inspired by a Presbyterian women’s history month liturgy.) May we all name what… Read more »

Breaking Cycles of Poverty through Education

An emphasis on education, and on free public education, has been a hallmark of churches that stand in the Reformed tradition since the days of John Calvin. The Presbyterian parallel event at the 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women focused on the role of education in breaking cycles of… Read more »

There can be no business as usual

by The Rev. Anna George Traynham This morning, UN Under-Secretary General and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka addressed the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). One line has been ringing around the assembly halls since it left her lips: “There can be no business as usual.” She was speaking in reference to the… Read more »

All people have voices

All people have voices.The task of advocacy has nothing to do with giving voice to the voiceless, becauseall people have voices.Some people have voices we choose not to hear.Some people have voices we ignore.Some people have voices we force to the margins.Some people have voices we oppress, repress, suppress.Some people have voices we have silenced,… Read more »

Follow the 60th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Over thirty Presbyterians, including fourteen young adults, will attend the 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women from March 14-25, 2016 in New York. The Presbyterian presence is made possible because the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is an accredited non-governmental organization with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council. The Presbyterian… Read more »