Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Facing Racism: Stories and Resources for the Church

Presbyterians Today | October/November 2017

12-step programs agree that the first step to recovery is honest acceptance — admitting that we have a problem. Well, we have a problem: we are racists. Our attitudes and behaviors are often more subtle than overt, and perhaps more negligent or unseeing than intentional. Nonetheless, our racism is insidious, pervasive and incalculably cruel to people on the receiving end. This special and timely edition of Presbyterians Today contains a collection of stories and resources to help open our eyes and hopefully put us on the right track to start making things right.

Get to Know the Presbyterian Church

Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

God comes to us in free and undeserved favor in the person of Jesus Christ who lived, died, and rose for us that we might belong to God and serve Christ in the world. Following Jesus, Presbyterians are engaged in the world and in seeking thoughtful solutions to the challenges of our time.

Presbyterians affirm that God comes to us with grace and love in the person of Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose for us so that we might have eternal and abundant life in him. As Christ’s disciples, called to ministry in his name, we seek to continue his mission of teaching the truth, feeding the hungry, healing the broken, and welcoming strangers. God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, giving us the energy, intelligence, imagination, and love to be Christ’s faithful disciples in the world.

More than two million people call the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) their spiritual home. Worshiping in 10,000 Presbyterian congregations throughout the United States, they engage the communities in which they live and serve with God’s love.

» Learn about our history, theology, and mission works that spread the Gospel throughout the USA and worldwide.

Featured News & Announcements

Cindy Kohlmann huddles in prayer with one family ahead of their monthly appointment with ICE officials.

Sept. 13, 2017

‘…and bring along a plane ticket’

In Manchester, NH, immigrant Indonesian Presbyterians face potential deportation

It is the morning of 9/11 in 2017. The sun is up but the height of the Norris Cotton Federal Building, home of the regional office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), blocks the sunlight from reaching its Chestnut Street entrance. In the shade a steady breeze makes the 57-degree temperature feel especially chilly.

Yet, small groups of people have dutifully gathered again, uniting for an 8:30 a.m. vigil and “Jericho Walk” in the largest city of this state famous for its motto “Live Free or Die.”

Among the interfaith clergy who regularly lead the seven-lap “Jericho Walk” is the Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, the Resource Presbyter for the presbyteries of Boston and Northern New England. She has been deeply involved in the vigil project begun by Arnie Alpert, Co-Director of American Friends Service Committee.

View Latest News Español 한국어