Blog Post by Dr. Rance Thomas, Ruling Elder Member of John Knox Presbyterian Church Public Witness and DRAWP Once again, we are witnessing an outbreak of gun violence in our region – both mass and individual shootings. We have seen too much of this in recent months, and it is only increasing. In the past, shootings typically took place in large…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Isaac Wanyoike Pastor of Pendo Presbyterian and BJC Triage Chaplain The nation of Kenya is a combination of four two tribes all with different dialects. In each community, there are still cultural and language differences. Though I and my wife are from the same tribe, we have differences in our pronunciation not to mention cultural…
Blog Post by Rev. Liz Kanerva Associate Presbytery Leader I’m a huge fan of TikTok’s. I’m struck by how this short-form video platform has taken off to include not only the fun dances my 16-year-old incessantly performs in the kitchen but how it is being used so creatively by pastors in their ministries. One creator, in particular, the Rev. Cliff…
Guest Blog by Carol Gruber Ruling Elder and Clerk of Session First Presbyterian of Union, Missouri Faithful church attendees, occasional visitors, families, singles, seniors, middle-aged, teenagers, and young children come to worship the creator, sustainer, encourager, forever present, lover of our souls. Many of those who come to our church may not know about the two special rooms on the…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Alan Meyers Honorably Retired Look in your church library and see if you can find a book called The Bible Speaks to You, by Robert McAfee Brown. It was part of our denomination’s Christian education materials when I was in my first year of high school. (Yes, I am an old dude. I’m talking about…
Blog Post by Ruling Elder Sharon Cardwell St. Mark Presbyterian Church Last night at our Deacons meeting we talked about doing something uncomfortable, like praying for the first time in front of a group. One of our members turned to Philippians 4:6-7 for inspiration–it states: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Jay Kanerva Specialized Ministry – Chaplain Luke 6:20-31 In the summer of 1994, a tremendous heatwave hit Chicago, contributing to the deaths of many inner-city residents. The homeless, the poor, and the elderly were the most significantly affected. I was serving as a student chaplain at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and one of my coverage areas…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Aline Russel Member of Public Witness Team There is something very compelling about the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II when he speaks. I first became aware of him when the news reported the “Moral Mondays” he was leading in North Carolina, and then I heard him live at Ecumenical Advocacy Days in D.C. He…
Blog Post by Rev. Bill Vincent First Presbyterian Church of Union and Pacific Presbyterian Church, Missouri I find myself torn…about the return to normal. I understand the yearning to get back together, see each other, and enjoy fellowship in one another’s physical presence. I understand the need for an easing of the economic stress and pressure brought on by the…
Guest Blog by Elder Nigel Holloway Member of Public Witness Member of Trinity Presbyterian Church “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” Second letter of Paul to the Corinthians 9:8 One of the most important messages of Christ is…