Swords into plowshares
About this blog
Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Recent posts
Categories
Archives
Posts with tag: pcusa
March 25, 2014Step up to support reconciliation
Get involved in the effort to end violence against women. Find out how to get connected and informed about how together, we can make a difference.
- Posted at 1:51 p.m.
- Permalink
November 1, 2013
Unity is an Action
Unity is an action, not a settled state that we achieve and can rest on. Unity is a participation thing, not something external to us. Unity is waiting to be lived today, not something settled in the past. It is a painful time across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) . . .
- Posted at 10:27 a.m.
- Permalink
July 2, 2013
Does your Ministry Transform Young Adults?
Coming "home" is as important a right of passage as being sent. When our youth get "sent" out into the world, where are they coming "home" to? This edition features 3 young adults who are coming 'home' to Stony Point after a transformative experience.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
June 28, 2013
Anniversaries abound and histories surround us
I’m feeling especially grateful these days. This week I received a colorful package from California. Inside was a book, 40th History of the Ethnic Concerns Committee, a great gift from Joan Alston, a colleague in the Synod of the Pacific. T
he cover is a beautiful rendering of the two sides of the 
hand-carved doors to the chapel here in the Presbyterian Center where I serve. More than once this week, I’ve given in to the temptation to peruse a few of its pages and in it I’ve learned so much more about the deep history of …
- Posted at 12:00 a.m.
- Permalink
February 20, 2013
Who ARE Those Counselors??
What it means to be "Millennial." A great conversation about the "next" generation.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
February 6, 2013
The Time Has Come!
On January 24, 2013, Leon Panetta, Defense Secretary made an astounding announcement that will change the course of history for women in the military announcing the elimination of ground combat exclusion and suggesting a plan to move forward to eliminate all gender based barriers. The announcement, in my opinion, is a wake-up signal to the church and calls the church to also re-examine it's stance on women in ministry.
Ironically, this announcement came between the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday celebration and the beginning of Black History Month. What a more appropriate time to raise the issue considering the …
- Posted at 3:28 p.m.
- Permalink
January 30, 2013
Hospitality as Peacemaking and Non-violence
Hospitality is truly a form of non-violence and peacemaking. Hosting storm victims has transformed their, and my understanding of what it is to have places of hospitality available.
- Posted at 3:35 p.m.
- Permalink
January 15, 2013
Called to Spread Peace
With school and other mass shootings becoming more mainstream and less shocking, and with a nation debating gun ownership in a way we have not in a generation - how are we, as a people of faith, called to respond?
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
January 2, 2013
Epiphany: a time for insight and revelation
As the horizon of human knowledge expands many traditions and words take on new meanings.
Initially, the Epiphany (gr. epiphaneia - "manifestation") was a festival that was celebrated twelve days after Christmas in order to remember the birth of our Lord, his baptism in the Jordan River and the manifestation of his glory in the celebrations of the wedding at Cana.
Die Reise der Heiligen Drei Konige (fragment) by Sasseta Giovanni (1432-1436), currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA.
When in the fourth century, the Greek Church adopted the Roman date for celebrating …
- Posted at 12:04 p.m.
- Permalink
December 3, 2012
Religious Knowledge for Your Community Available January 2013
RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE
FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
Available January 2013
- Posted at 3:23 p.m.
- Permalink
October 9, 2012
Unity, Justice, and Witness
These were the questions of earlier generations, and they are also our questions today. In time, ecumenical Christians came to believe that “we belong together,” and that unity, justice, and witness are streams of the same river...- Posted at 11:13 a.m.
- Permalink
October 6, 2012
Afternoon Breakout Sessions of Dallas II
A listing of the breakout session conversations, when they are happening, and in what room, during the Dallas II Mission Consultation.- Posted at 11:52 a.m.
- Permalink
October 5, 2012
The Need to Know God's Love
"My great-great-grandfather was on the Council of Elders in his village, and when they saw the missionaries coming, they said, 'Those people do not look like us. They are ghosts. We should kill them!'"
Standing before a gathered group of Presbyterians and global partners, brought together by the common desire to discuss not just mission but the ability to do so more effectively, Cyprian Guchiendo tells of the historic roots of the Church in Kenya. Long before the Presbyterian Church of East Africa existed, there were two Christian groups there to do mission - The GMS (Gospel Missionary Society), and …
- Posted at 7:52 p.m.
- Permalink
October 5, 2012
Dallas II Kicks-Off!
The time has finally arrived, and with only minor travel hiccups, 200+ Presbyterians, global partners, and mission personnel have gathered together in Dallas for the second Mission Consultation. At the first one, those who had gathered together discussed what mission priorities the PC(USA) should focus on, coming up with the three Critical Global Issues. Now, the goal is to come together, to join our voices, spirits and experiences, and discern concrete strategies which will enable us all to more effectively reach out in mission and proclamation.
Hunter Farrell called us together, reminding us of the rich tradition of history the …
- Posted at 3:01 p.m.
- Permalink
October 3, 2012
Better Together? Indeed We Are!
Seeing the crisis of contaminated water, Living Waters for the World jumped off into the deep end. One of our earliest discoveries was ‘clean water is medicine.’ We’ve seen what happens when a community is empowered, taking charge of their own clean water needs, then one of the ‘root causes’ of poverty begins to loosen its grip.- Posted at 10:53 a.m.
- Permalink
October 3, 2012
Follow Along from Home!
Detailed instructions for how you can follow all the action & conversation of the Dallas II Mission Consultation from the comfort of your home or office!- Posted at 9:43 a.m.
- Permalink
October 1, 2012
Pastors Ministering In the Midst of Poverty
There is great potential for growth in the church in Congo. Training and empowering pastors to minister well to their people in this environment of significant material poverty is a challenge.- Posted at 10:41 a.m.
- Permalink
September 27, 2012
Violence and Reconciliation
You see, the three themes, or Critical Global Issues, of Presbyterian World Mission are not really so very distinct or discrete. They are more like a braided strand which often makes them that much more difficult to untangle and follow...- Posted at 10:14 a.m.
- Permalink
September 24, 2012
What Good Is A New House?
Presbyterians from our Presbytery show up for a week at a time to walk alongside, offer our support, and get to know the family who is receiving the new home.- Posted at 10:02 a.m.
- Permalink
September 20, 2012
An Invitation to Multicultural Study
The PC(USA) has been doing mission for 175 years. One of our core learnings has been that it's God's mission, not ours; God's Church, not ours.- Posted at 9:36 a.m.
- Permalink
September 18, 2012
Learnings from Others Failures
Can we learn how to live and thrive by learning why others failed to start?- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
September 17, 2012
Addressing Poverty through Partnership
In July 2012 we sent down a CKD “Research Team” that was not a team of experts but rather people who had a heart for this issue and wanted to learn more. This ended up being a real strength...- Posted at 9:15 a.m.
- Permalink
September 14, 2012
Working toward Reconciliation
Peace-building naturally requires that we identify and address root causes of violence, but RECONCILIATION specifically has to do with fostering positive relationships where there has been enmity.- Posted at 11:06 a.m.
- Permalink
September 12, 2012
A Growing Church is a Dying Church
Whenever a congregation goes looking for a new pastor, the first question on their minds when the committee interviews a new candidate is: Will this pastor grow our church?
I’m going to go ahead and answer that question right now: No, she will not.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
September 11, 2012
Witness in Reverse - Learning New Church Development from Global Partners
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has adopted a goal of establishing 1001 new worshiping communities over the next few years. Like the “Double the Church Movement” in Korea, this is not a programmatic slogan. Rather it is a call to mobilize the whole church for this task.- Posted at 10:35 a.m.
- Permalink
September 10, 2012
Camp Combats Challenge of Childhood Obesity
The following is taken from a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Overweight and obesity in children are significant public health problems in the United States. The number of adolescents who are overweight has tripled since 1980 and the prevalence among younger children has more than doubled.
How does camp impact this epidemic?
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
September 6, 2012
The Power of Camping in the Lives of Men
"I can honestly say that it was one of the most moving and meaningful experiences I've ever had," says Alan Wohlstetter, a resident of Erdenheim and a partner at the Fox Rothschild law firm. "We came together as grown men in middle age, and we had left camp back in 1972 when we were 15 years old."- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
September 5, 2012
Lending a Hand When Disaster Strikes
When Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp in Colorado was evacuated for the current fire, Highlands Camp (a PCUSA site) was able to reach out and accomodate them. It's so important for kids to have summer camp and being able to reach out to others in need really drives the message of living the good news of Jesus Christ home to all campers and staff!
- Posted at 4:05 p.m.
- Permalink
September 4, 2012
Increased Learning Enables More Effective Mission
It is evident that not only do a diversity of ministries respond to the important themes that orient the doing of mission, but also the different ways of learning and un-learning that are the result of living together, sharing and working together.- Posted at 9:34 a.m.
- Permalink
August 27, 2012
Rethinking the term "Success"
As the PCUSA focuses its efforts on poverty reduction, a question needs to be asked: What is poverty?- Posted at 9:42 a.m.
- Permalink
August 22, 2012
Allowing Ministries to Grow
Going into the future, we as a church are going to have to be starting and supporting ministries in whole new ways.
Reading a current blog, Holy Soup I was reminded at what furtile "incubators" we have in camp and conference ministry. I was also reminded as I attended a new church on Sunday and the pastor spoke about the impact of his being a counselor and the impact his counselor had on him when he was a camper (totally unprompted by me...honest!)
- Posted at 12:00 a.m.
- Permalink
August 20, 2012
The Mission Example of the Colombia Accompaniment Program
Sarah Henken reflects on how participation in the Colombia Accompaniment Program has informed and shaped her understanding of effective mission and relationship building in the church.- Posted at 9:41 a.m.
- Permalink
August 7, 2012
Mission & Congregations: A Few Questions
Rev. Jonathan Evans, Associate Pastor and Alum of the Young Adult Volunteer Program, leaves us with important questions as we consider our motivations behind engaging in mission and outreach.- Posted at 8:46 a.m.
- Permalink
June 26, 2012
Creatively Empowering Church Leaders
Hey, PC(USA): I have an idea.
So I’ve been thinking a lot about the PC(USA) job market recently (surprise!). It’s pretty bleak out there, and the situation gets really personal for me: I have a ton – a ton – of incredibly talented friends who are (1) recent seminary grads, but (2) still looking for a callyears after graduation. We’re talking about vibrant, talented, energetic, brilliant people who keep getting close, but the numbers are stacked against them. In many cases, they’re struggling and frustrated, unsure of what to do.
- Posted at 12:00 a.m.
- Permalink
June 13, 2012
Celebrate! Young Adult Leadership and Discipleship Experiences Starting ALL over the country!
A celebration is called for! Summer is starting across the country and thousands of our passionate young adults are embarking on a life changing summer living in Christian community. This opportunity to teach and share their faith with campers, as well as live intentionally with other committed Christian leaders will transform them in ways they can’t even imagine.
- Posted at 12:00 a.m.
- Permalink
November 21, 2011
Quality Alternative to Internships
I have discovered the perfect summer job. In this job, I am part of an organization that gives me duties that are critical to its long- and short-term success. Supervisors give me responsibilities such as interacting directly with customers on a daily basis, and they fully integrate me into the professional hierarchy. To top it all off, I am learning legitimate skills that will help me develop professionally when I move into the workforce. This mystery job I speak of: camp counselor. These are only a few of the many potential benefits of being a camp counselor, and I offer them not only to praise the occupation, but also to offer a propositional alternative to the profession’s biggest competitor: internships.
- Posted at 12:00 a.m.
- Permalink
November 17, 2011
ROI
A return participant is worth its weight in gold. It is far harder to find replacements for your program than to keep people coming. What’s your “rewards program?” How are you doing “friends development” as well as “funds development?”
- Posted at 12:00 a.m.
- Permalink
November 14, 2011
Do you know who you are?
Are you here for teaching/sharing peace and justice? Evangelism? Care of Creation? Mission practices? Youth leadership? Or??
If you don’t know they don’t know.
- Posted at 12:00 a.m.
- Permalink
November 11, 2011
Job announcement! Anti-Hunger Empowerment Corps VISTA positions
Presbyterian Hunger Program (PCUSA) will host 3-4 full-time Anti-Hunger Empowerment Corps AmeriCorps*VISTA members for 12 months. They will be based in the national denominational offices in Louisville, Kentucky. Deadline for cover letter and applications is November 18. (See full post for details)
- Posted at 11:57 a.m.
- Permalink
November 2, 2011
Featuring our Staff
Our kitchen staff is often seen as behind the scenes but when we really look at it, they are some of our frontline greeters and ambassadors for our program. When respected and given the support they need, they go along way in delivering the welcoming Christian hospitality we are known for in camp and conference ministries.
- Posted at 11:32 a.m.
- Permalink
October 25, 2011
New Eco-Stewards Post
Eco-Steward Kathi Pogorelov studies public health and sociology, with a concentration in health and environment, at The College of New Jersey. She took a break from her coursework to reflect on her participation in the June 2011 Montana Eco-Stewards Program.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
October 14, 2011
Reaching Out at 5,000 Feet
Taking a fresh look at our mission focus as the Church and society continues to change around us.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
October 13, 2011
Deepening PDA Partnerships with FEMA and AmeriCorps
Great possibilities of expanded ministry partnerships to help care for survivors and responders during disasters.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
October 11, 2011
Eco-Sustainability Conference 2011
Leaders gathering for healthier and more ecologically sustainable camp and conference ministries.
- Posted at 1:08 p.m.
- Permalink
October 4, 2011
1,001 New Worshiping Communities Initiative
Innovating ways for camp and conference ministry to support the 1,001 New Worshiping Communities initiative.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
September 29, 2011
Solar Under the Sun Gets $100,000 Grant!
Solar Under the Sun, a partner program of Ferncliff camp and conference center in Arkansas, receives a $100k Birthday Grant from Presbyterian Women.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
September 27, 2011
If a Tree Falls in the Woods...
Does being green only matter if someone is there to see it? If ourwater is dripping, we leave the lights on, and throw out recycling and no one sees it, does it matter?
Of course it does.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
September 20, 2011
Exciting Leadership at PCCCA Camp/Conf Leader Event
PCCCA has an excellent event planned for leaders in Camp and Conference ministry and I encourage you all to attend. Visit www.pccca.net for more information.
Here's a video teaser.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
August 2, 2011
Another Blog from the Eco-Stewards
Eco-Steward Gerard Miller studied modern languages, linguistics and intercultural communication at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. He is working this summer as an intern at Greenwood Farm in Hardin, Montana. Here he reflects on a day from our June Eco-Stewards Program. Looking back on our week of active learning in Eastern Montana, the one thing [...]
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
July 28, 2011
Breaking Through
Honest conversations about the future are essential, but sometimes tough to start and changed with emotions.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
July 26, 2011
Another Blog from the Eco-Stewards
There is another new blog post on the Eco-Stewards Program blog from Eco-Steward Andrew Fultz-Morrison, who is interning this summer at Krislund Camp in Pennsylvania. In the post Andrew reflects on events from the Eco-Stewards weeklong program in Montana as well as his internship at Krislund.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
July 22, 2011
Inspiration for a Tiring Summer
We are in week 5 of Summer Camp. My Director of Summer Camp used this quote at the end of a memo to summer staff, and I am still laughing. Feel free to use it!
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
July 21, 2011
A Transforming Life
I can tie a string in a knot with one hand. Not a bad skill. Sort of useless, but in it's own way, transforming. Pete Rasmussen taught me that a few years ago. Though it may not have changed my life, it was his calm presence and the heartfelt connection with everyone that made him special and filled his ministry.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
July 12, 2011
What Matters?
If you read my blog, you will find I am interested in a wide variety of subjects related to camp, conference and retreat ministry. I like to look at the ministry facilities we have as "Centers for Mission and Ministry" because they are one of the most flexible resources we have in our church. From facilities for education and retreat, to acres of God's creation, to skilled and multi-talented/flexible staff to help put any idea into action, to their reach into all aspects of church life, our centers are truly under-used and undervalued.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
July 5, 2011
The Narrow Gate
A good friend of mine, Ray Jones (and the Coordinator for Evangelism, the Mission Area Camp and Conferences is housed in at GAMC), posted this prior to Easter and I enjoyed his reflections so thought you might as well!
- Posted at 5:33 p.m.
- Permalink
June 30, 2011
Hope for Meeting the Challenge of Camp and Conference Ministry (Part three of three)
Robert Allen, long time PCUSA camp and conference director and PCCCA Consultant Network consultant, shares his insights on the challenges facing camp and conference ministry today. He provides questions and suggestions along the way on a variety of issues.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
June 23, 2011
Hope for Meeting the Challenge of Camp and Conference Ministry (Part Two of three)
Robert Allen, long time PCUSA camp and conference director and PCCCA Consultant Network consultant, shares his insights on the challenges facing camp and conference ministry today. He provides questions and suggestions along the way on a variety of issues.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
June 23, 2011
Eco-Steward Program 2011
The Eco-Stewards Program website has been updated to include the a multimedia presentation created by program participants and program leader and journalist, Becky W. Evans. The 2011 program in Montana focused on "reconciliation and sustainability through agriculture, health and green building" in the context of the Crow Reservation and surrounding areas.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
- Permalink
June 14, 2011
Hope for Meeting the Challenge of Camp and Conference Ministry, (Part One of three)
Robert Allen, long time PCUSA camp and conference director and PCCCA Consultant Network consultant, shares his insights on the challenges facing camp and conference ministry today. He provides questions and suggestions along the way on a variety of issues. No...
- Posted at 11:27 a.m.
- Permalink
June 7, 2011
Trending up? Now what?
From my recent talks with several camp leaders, summer camp numbers appear to be heading up. I know this is not the case for all of our sites, but it is exciting to see a trend moving up when the...
- Posted at 10:08 a.m.
- Permalink
June 2, 2011
Why? Community Building as THE Mission
Just had a wonderful conversation with Rev. David Ensign, (for those of you who knew Rev. John Ensign, long serving director of Camp Hanover, David is his nephew) exploring where the ministry of camp, conference and retreat is heading. It...
- Posted at 10:11 a.m.
- Permalink
May 31, 2011
Go to Church...It's good for your ministry!
When our camps first started, they were an outgrowth of the Christian education in our congregations. During the school year, children would go to Sunday School and in the summer they would be encouraged, or would all go together to...
- Posted at 10:44 a.m.
- Permalink
May 26, 2011
Welcoming the Other
Jesus tells us story after story about how we are to welcome the other even at cost to ourselves. Whether it’s the story of the persistent neighbor who knocks and knocks until he wakes his neighbor to help him provide...
- Posted at 10:41 a.m.
- Permalink
May 24, 2011
Happy Birthday!
Simple communications throughout the year with your campers leads to a higher level of retention. Ask any of the “big” camps in your area and I bet you will find they are effective in reaching their campers throughout the year....
- Posted at 10:15 a.m.
- Permalink
May 17, 2011
"Come on baby light my fire" ....water???
BREAKING NEWS: Fracking (extracting natural gas from underground shale deposits through fracturing) has been scientifically linked to water contamination. Take a moment and listen to the "Here and Now" episode discussing the issue. ‘Fracking’ Scientifically Linked To Water Contamination And...
- Posted at 10:45 a.m.
- Permalink
May 12, 2011
10-A Passes...What do I need to know?
10-A, the amendment to the Book of Order's ordination requirement removing the 'fidelity and chastity' requirements, has been approved by enough Presbyteries to pass. This happened on Tuesday May 11, 2011. The following links will help you learn more about...
- Posted at 3:28 p.m.
- Permalink
May 10, 2011
Outsourcing….mentoring and vocation
I was able to experience the vast depth of talented young adults we have in our ministry this past week when I spent a weekend sailing. The young man who sailed us around in his yacht was so talented and...
- Posted at 11:38 a.m.
- Permalink
May 5, 2011
Success! (For a Time Such as This - Part 6)
How do we know when we are thriving and not just surviving? If we are not striving to be the best at what we do, we will miss opportunities. Focusing on surviving is not enough anymore. We remain relevant if...
- Posted at 11:08 a.m.
- Permalink
May 3, 2011
New Quarterly Emails
This year, the PC(USA) has begun to develop email “blasts” sharing highlights of ministry areas. You should be receiving an email from PC(USA) Camp and Conference Ministries office. The email will lift up resources specific to camp and conference ministry...
- Posted at 11:05 a.m.
- Permalink
April 28, 2011
The New New Normal (For a Time Such As This – Part 5)
Sorry. Had to go here. How do we create an organization that continues to adjust, to be adaptive, to recalibrate as change happens and still remain sustainable? As soon as we identify, accept, and assimilate a change, it seems everything...
- Posted at 11:56 a.m.
- Permalink
April 21, 2011
Slow Down? Speed up? Defining Relevance (For a Time Such as This – Part 4)
Is the ‘new normal’ that things will continue to change more and more rapidly? Will we continue to feel out of breath running to stay in place? About 5 years ago, when my children were 3 and 6, they said...
- Posted at 3:44 p.m.
- Permalink