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Reflection: Temptations and Testing
On the occasion of the Lent Season calling to reflect on our lives of sins, we might look upon the differences between temptations and testing that sometimes conduct us to sin.
Temptation is an invitation to do or want something that is wrong or forbidden. It is something that is usually presented in a very attractive way. Jesus' temptations are good examples of that. After being baptized and recognized as the One who was coming in love to save the world, Jesus was tempted with attractive forms. The power of both his baptism and confirmation provided Him with the decision to continue doing the Creator’s will.
Testing, on the other hand, is an examination or trial to find out what something is like, what it contains, how good it is. In the New Testament, James 1 characterizes testing through joy, and also endurance, as a byproduct “…and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete lacking in nothing.”
We are facing daily life situations with our faith, health, family, finances, relationships and work. Some of those can be seen as temptations. The invitation is to look at them rather as testing. Testing appeals to our endurance. We need to continue evaluating our daily lives and continue doing what we understand is the will of God who is on our side during the trial. Temptations come to us appealing to our weaknesses, expecting an outcome of disaster, of falling apart. Testing appeals to our strengths and expects an outcome of hope and reconstruction. As Christian people, we are constantly under testing, not under temptations.
New African (Ethiopian) Immigrant Group
We are pleased to announce that the Oromo Evangelical Church of Las Vegas has been received by the Presbytery of Nevada as a new immigrant fellowship. This office sent the Rev. Gemechisa Guja as its Oromo field staff to facilitate the relationship. Welcome brothers and sisters from Las Vegas!
World Council of Churches 9th Assembly
The W.C.C. Assembly Web page summarizes the results of their meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil, last month. PC(USA) is a member of that worldwide Christian organization. You may want to review some of their actions by visiting their page.
New Immigration Network for Presbyterians
Now the dream has come true with the development of the new network — Presbyterians for Just Immigration (PFJI). More and more Presbyterians are discussing immigration issues on a local, state and national level. They want to know what are we doing as a denomination. The creation of a network is to facilitate discussions, define our denomination's message on immigration, write and share liturgy, articles, etc. that may help in more awareness and actions for just immigration among Presbyterians.
If you're interested in joining the network of Presbyterians for Just Immigration (PFJI), you may send your name and email address to Dana Dages. Dana will then send to you an email outlining the role of the network and an invitation to begin participating in email dialogue. You may also call her if you have questions at (888) 728-7228, x5202.
New Immigrant Groups Ministries Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee to the New Immigrant Groups Ministries office is the GA-approved body to provide advice to strategies and programs of the NIGM office. It is made up of 6 contact persons expressing the various dimensions of this specialized ministry.
The current members with classes are the Rev. Roberto (Beto) Delgado (2008), Middle Governing Body (MGB); the Rev. Julius Edah (2008), African and Caribbean; Elder Nina Nasir (2007), South Asian; the Rev. Jose Pezini (2007), Portuguese Speaking; Elder Ann Beran Jones (2006), G.A.; the Rev. Robert (Bob) Seel (2006), Partners in Mission.
The Committee meets three times a year. Its first meeting of 2006 will be held in Louisville, Ky., March 24–26.
National Presbyterian New Immigrant Councils
NIGM sponsors three ethnic-specific national councils as support networks for national representation, communication and information:
African and Caribbean Presbyterian Immigrant Council (ACPIC), programmatically connected with the National Black Presbyterian Caucus. Moderator: the Rev. Johnny Akoto, email
Exec. Secretary: Elder Newman A. Artcher, email
Portuguese Language Presbyterian Council
(PLPC), member of the National Hispanic/Latino Presbyterian Caucus.
Moderator: the Rev. Enock De Assis, email
Executive Director: the Rev. Jose Pezini, email
South Asian American Presbyterian Council
(SAAPC), member of the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus.
Moderator: the Rev. Ashlam Daniel, (718) 628-7407
Executive Director: the Rev. Dr. Emanuel Nasir, email, (856) 374-9503.
Horizons
The bimonthly magazine and Bible study, Horizons, published by Presbyterian Women, dedicates its March/April 2006 issue to Brazil. Thirty-one PW Triennial Global Exchange participants narrate their stories from their trip to five Brazilian cities. They share the acute religious, economical, racial, gender and social class contrast they experienced while journeying along with Brazilian women. To subscribe call Presbyterian Distribution Service (800) 524-2612.
The National Network of Presbyterian College Women
The National Network of Presbyterian College Women (NNPCW), in partnership with the office of New Immigrant Group Ministries, will offer a $1500 scholarship in the 2007-2008 academic year specifically to young women who are new immigrants to the United States. NNPCW is a group of young women in college, connected by our belief in God, seeking to understand what it means to claim a Christian faith that empowers women. This scholarship, renewable for one additional year, will give new immigrant women greater educational opportunities to develop as leaders in the church and society. Eligibility requirements include residing in the United States for five years or less, involvement in your faith community and a demonstration of financial need. Applications must be received by April 10. For more information, please contact Noelle Gulden, Associate for NNPCW, at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5848, or via email.
Racial Ethnic Dialogue (Presbyterian Women)
The NIGM office participates in this ministry with three women from each of the constituency groups (Africa/the Rev. Jemimah Ngatia, Brazil/Elder Lisione Da Silva, and Pakistan/Elder Ashti Malik). They took three actions:
- Wrote a letter encouraging Senators to vote against the immigration bills unfair to immigrants.
- Supported this office's initiative to develop a network on immigration issues for Presbyterians in the Kentucky area.
- Recommended to the National Presbyterian Women Business Meeting in July that immigration be adopted as an emphasis for the 2006-2009 triennium.
It is important that your Senators hear from you!
Call your Senators as soon as possible and urge passage of a realistic, humane comprehensive bill that contains a path to earned citizenship for the undocumented population, extends labor rights and protections to all workers, reunites families and does not limit judicial review and due process. It is especially important to call if your Senator is on the Judiciary Committee! You can contact your Senators' offices through the Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Toll Free: (888) 355-3588 (Note: this toll free number may change without notice.)
A list of Senators who serve on the Judiciary Committee can be found here.
For updates and more information, please visit The New American Opportunity Campaign (NAOC). |
