Wow, is it really summer already??? The staff has been hard at work these last several months in overhauling our financial accounting systems, streamlining the operations of our teams and committees, and resourcing our pastors and ministries in challenges both unique and shared. We are excited about hosting another dynamic September education month, as well as our years long-awaited picnic…
In Deuteronomy 24:19-21, the law makes special provision for crops overlooked by harvesters to be left in the fields where they are. Farmers are instructed not to harvest all the way to the edges of their land, so that people who had no crops could find something to eat without having to steal. This provision helps the people of God…
Why are mental health awareness and mental health care important? While 14k die in the US from hunger each year, approximately 8 million die from mental health variances yearly, but this is not something we talk about. 67 percent of the homeless have mental health variances; if we can help stabilize people before they lose their homes, we are preventing homelessness instead…
May Mental Health Awareness Blogs brought to you by Light 4 the Darkness The Uninvited Guest just appears–entitled, bossy and ever so critical. They follow me incessantly, like flies on dung, and know just what to say to keep me isolated: “It’s warm here in bed and you can’t make things worse from here. You’ll have to contrive a smile…
On March 28-31, Ryan Landino, Liz Kanerva, and Joy Myers all attended a pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama. They are so grateful for the opportunity to have experiences like this where they can be enriched in our work together! What was this experience, and who went with you? Liz: “Last year, a group of PC(USA) Mid Council leaders caught the vision…
Have fun serving God while in fellowship with Church friends! Overnight or One-Day Mission Trip for Youth (going into 6th grade through graduating seniors). Do you love campfires and smores or just want to put your hands and heart to good use for your neighbors? The Presbyterian Church of Washington is hosting a Youth Mission Trip to Bethels Hills in…
Yesterday, I was horrified to hear the news of yet another mass shooting, this time approximately two blocks from the national offices of the Presbyterian Church (USA), where our colleagues’ work was put on hold while they locked down their building and gathered to pray. We received messages on social media from our friends marking themselves safe from gun violence.…
”And suddenly there was a great earthquake…” (the rolling of the stone from the tomb, Matthew 28:2) “I have seen the Lord!’ (Mary Magdalene to the disciples, John 20:18) “Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’” (Matthew 28:9) “Reach out your hand and put it in my side!” (Jesus to Thomas, John 20:27) Jesus “breathed on them and said to…
Since arriving here as your presbytery leader, learning your sacred stories, who you are, and the circumstances that have shaped you, I continue to hear about the 2018 trip that several of you took to Montgomery, Alabama to visit the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and National Memorial for Peace and Justice. I myself can testify to the…
You know that feeling when your heart is really full and you feel you were a part of something amazing and you don’t completely know why and you try to put words to it because you want to share it? This article is that. Last week, six of us from the Commission on Ministry and Committee on Preparation for Ministry…