Blogs
Through the Bible, the cornerstone of our faith, we know the stories of God's efforts to communicate with creation and of creation's response. God communicates through rainbows and burning bush, through earthquakes and fire, and through the still small voice. We pray that God will speak through us as we tell new stories of the faith, life and mission found in Christ's church.
Recent Posts
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What I Have Been Through Is Not Who I Am from Swords into plowshares
May 24, 2013 by Mark Koenig
by Brendan Welsh
Carol Smolenski, executive director of ECPAT-USA, spoke to yesterday’s seminar group from the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, NJ about her organization's work to protect American children from sexual trafficking. In her organization’s film What I Have Been Through Is Not Who I Am we meet Katrina, a young woman who was coerced out of her job as an Atlanta restaurant hostess when she was 17 by a patron who, unbeknownst to her, was intent on making money off of her through the sex trade. The man gained Katrina’s trust not only by paying ...
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Only a glimpse from Swords into plowshares
May 24, 2013 by Mark Koenig
by Marissa Costello
I was inspired today by three speakers whose presentations all related to one atrocity: human trafficking and forced labor. Ryan Smith, Presbyterian representative to the United Nations, Kevin Cassidy, Senior for the International Labour Organization, and Carol Smolenski, executive director of ECPAT-USA, each spoke to a seminar group from the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, New Jersey. I was inspired by each speaker’s passion to change the world one life at a time, which just left me in pure awe. Let me tell you a bit about one presentation.
Mr. Cassidy presented a PowerPoint that incorporated pictures ...
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Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church follows Jesus into the public arena from Swords into plowshares
May 24, 2013 by Mark Koenig
Why do followers of Jesus work in the public arena - that part of our life where communities and countries and corporations and the nations of the world make policies that shape our common life? What theological principles and Biblical stories call us to and sustain us in such ministry?
How do we witness and work in the public arena?
On Saturday, May 18, I had the privilege to explore these and related questions with an intergenerational group from Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church in Kensington, Maryland.
Certified Educator Jan Moody, Pastor, the Rev. Kirby Lawrence Hill, and Director of Music John ...
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Education and Indigenous Youth: Melanesians and Quechuas from Swords into plowshares
May 24, 2013 by Mark Koenig
by Brendan Welsh
The Twelfth Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is currently meeting at the United Nations. On May 22, I had the pleasure of attending the event on Education and Indigenous Youth, organized by the Permanent Missions of Australia and Ecuador. Mr. Joseph Elu, a Chairperson of the TSRA (a branch of the Australian government that serves the Melanesian indigenous population of the Torres Strait), spoke about what his office does to promote education amongst the indigenous youth on the islands. “People say Australia is a first world country but our indigenous people are very behind ...
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Revised Plan for Expanding Exam Opportunities from Prep 4 Min
May 23, 2013 by Tim Cargal
Today the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates (PCC) announced modifications to its plan for increasing the opportunities provided to candidates for ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to take the standard ordination examinations. I have provided the full text of the PCC's announcement below, but first let me highlight the following points:
- There will be NO changes in the administration of the exams for August 2013 and January 2014. The online exam process for taking exams will be exactly as it was for the past year.
- The plan announced in 2011 for moving toward "flexible" exam dates ...
All PC(USA) Blogs
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20/20 Vision: Growing our offerings to grow Christ's witness
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A more expansive view: Encounters with Presbyterians and our seminaries
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Better Together: Collective impact for God’s mission
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Comings and Goings: Watching God on the Move
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Eco-Journey: Learning, sharing, advocating with PC(USA) Environmental Ministries
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Faith: Thinking. Praying. Living.
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Food and Faith: Food and Faith
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Here I am: Thoughts from around the campfire
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In Spirit and Truth: …expanding horizons of representation and participation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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Moderator: Moderator of the General Assembly
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Prep 4 Min: The Land that I will show you...
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Presbyterians by the numbers: Insights from Research Services
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Real Lasting Life: ... for a time as this
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Reclaiming The Gospel: Conversations on faith by Eric Hoey
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Satisfying the Hunger: A blog written by the ministry staff of Evangelism & Church Growth
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Seminary Enrollment: What's Happening in the Church?
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Stated Clerk's Column: Reflections, stories, and thoughts by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA)
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Swords into plowshares: Reflections from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations
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Through the Waters: navigating the baptismal call of discipleship with youth and young adults
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Together with Children: Praying, learning, acting, speaking out
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The Presbyterian Leader: An Online Resource Center for Presbyterian Leaders
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Beyond the Ordinary: Insights into U.S. Congregational Life