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Written by Leslie Scanlon, OUTLOOK national reporter
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Tuesday, 23 December 2008 17:41 |
It’s a tradition that many Presbyterian churches don’t follow – but one with a strong theological vision.
While many folks celebrate New Year’s Eve with champagne and parties, or an evening around the TV with a bowl of popcorn, some Christians choose to wave in the New Year at church.
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Written by Jack Haberer Editor
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Tuesday, 23 December 2008 17:39 |
So how was your 2008? On many fronts it looked bleak: the collapse of the financial markets, an often ugly political race that turned incendiary on religious issues, continuing conflicts among the world’s religions — including stepped up persecution of Christians in some mostly Muslim and Hindu countries.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) suffered, too.
Ordination standards battles heated up again as our top court handed down a ruling that precluded ordaining bodies from allowing behavioral scrupling of the fidelity-chastity requirement; then the San Jose General Assembly edited that ruling and canceled other existing constitutional interpretations and sent to the presbyteries another amendment for debate and vote.
A GA paper written to help heal rifts between our faith and those of the other monotheistic religions sent out confusing signals, stirring conflict among us. And the trickle of churches heading to other denominations continued, though each departure felt more like a tsunami to those near at hand, as accusations and recriminations shot back and forth.
The Stated Clerk announced to the GA that membership had slipped 2.64 percent to 2.2 million in the previous year. Those remaining did give a net increase of 1.5 percent.
We’ve enjoyed some exciting times, too.
Our own Davidson College made it all the way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA basketball’s Road to the Final Four. Its star guard, Stephen Curry, shares his faith openly.
The denomination’s commitment to mission took a giant leap forward as headquarters joined in covenant with dozens of organizations to partner in advancing a vision to be the missional church.
The GA tapped the energy and vision of an under-40 new church pastor, Bruce Reyes-Chow, to serve as moderator for a two-year term.
The assembly elected as Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons, a man with a passion for empowering elders and for promoting openness to all. Retiring stated clerk, Clifton Kirkpatrick continues his service as president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and announced plans to join the faculty of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
The commissioners also approved a proposal to increase PC(USA) mission co-workers worldwide, the first uptick in long-term workers in a generation.
We celebrated anniversaries of our reunions: 50 years since the reunion of the UPCNA to the PCUSA to form the UPC(USA) and 25 years since the reunion of the UPC(USA) to the PCUS.
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Written by J. Barrie Shepherd
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Tuesday, 23 December 2008 17:36 |
it's getting pretty late,
at the bottom of the driveways
the naked trees await,
the tinsel has been vacuumed
from the carpet and the chair,
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Written by Judith Sudilovsky
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Monday, 22 December 2008 20:27 |
BETHLEHEM (ENI) — Unemployment has shrunk to 23 percent and hotel capacity is often around 100 percent these days, so things are looking up for Bethlehem says the head of the city's chamber of commerce and industry board.
"While some may gasp at the mention of 23 percent unemployment, when we have witnessed 45 percent unemployment, 23 percent is an improvement," said Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairperson, Samir Hazboun, at a recent meeting with journalists.
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Written by Dick Staub, RNS
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Sunday, 21 December 2008 00:00 |
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c. 2007 Religion News Service Being a child of the 60s, my theology was shaped by those great British theologians, The Beatles, who announced good tidings of great joy: “All you need is love,” followed by “Love, love me do, you know I love you” and “She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah.” |
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Written by Bob Allen, Associated Baptist Press
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Thursday, 18 December 2008 17:35 |
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LEAWOOD, Kansas — A Baptist pastor thinks he has a solution to the dilemma about whether it's more appropriate to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" in secular settings like department stores. |
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Written by Winfield “Casey” Jones
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Thursday, 11 December 2008 17:40 |
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The coming of Christmas always presents us with a choice. Will we say “yes” and believe, or will we turn our backs and say “no.” May had this choice, you know. When the angel appeared to this teenage girl and told her God’s plan was for her to be the Mother of God’s Son, she was distressed, because she wasn’t married and she was a virgin. She was also concerned about the possible reaction of her fiancé, Joseph. |
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Written by The Presbyterian Outlook
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Wednesday, 10 December 2008 23:24 |
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An article, “Bethlehem --- The Christmas City”, tells the story of the Moravian beginnings of Bethlehem, Pa. “Our Christmas Prayer” poem (below) was recited each year at the town’s festivities: “Let the Forces of Light bring illumination to mankind. Let the Spirit of Peace be spread abroad. May men of goodwill everywhere meet in a spirit of cooperation. May forgiveness on the part of all men be the keynote at this time. Let power attend the efforts of the brothers of humanity. So let it be, and help us to do our part. We know, O Lord of Life and Lord, about the need. Touch our hearts anew with love that we too, may love and give. “ |
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Written by The Presbyterian Outlook
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Wednesday, 10 December 2008 23:21 |
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‘Tis a sign of the season: Brunswick, Ohio, cancelled its holiday lights display due to a lack of money. Snowflakes normally hung from the downtown light poles stayed in storage for possible use next year. |
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Written by Leslie Scanlon, OUTLOOK national reporter
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Wednesday, 10 December 2008 23:13 |
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Christmas is almost here — theologically a season of anticipation and then joy — many Americans are scared and worried. They’re afraid of losing their jobs, their homes, their life savings. And through this Advent season, many congregations have been trying to find ways to respond to the stunning and swift economic downturn, as it reverberates through the lives of parishioners and their communities. |
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