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Welcome to Perspectives,
the online magazine published by the Office of the General Assembly.
Perspectives
offers an exploration of issues facing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
and its witness in society through
- reflective and
provocative analysis of our life together as a denomination, and
- the lenses of
Scripture, Reformed theology, cultures, and a constitutional and confessional
framework.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Resurrection hope and the stirrings of the Spirit run through this month’s offerings.
Here’s a brief look at the articles:
 We invited former Moderators of the General Assembly over the past decade to share a word with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in anticipation of Pentecost (May 27, 2007). Where do they see the Spirit stirring in our midst? What is the Spirit saying to us in these present days? Here are reflections from Susan Andrews (215th GA, 2003), Freda Gardner (211th GA, 1999), Jack Rogers (213th GA, 2001), and Rick Ufford-Chase (216th GA, 2004).
“Lazarus was ill, very ill. We had never seen him so ill before. I had nursed him through illnesses, placed cold cloths on his head through fevers, brought him cool water to sip countless times before, but this time nothing Mary or I did made any difference. He grew paler and paler, weaker and weaker, sicker and sicker. We could feel death lingering at the door.” But that is only the beginning of the story in the twenty-second chapter of the Gospel According to John. And it’s only the beginning of “Do You Believe This?”, a sermon by Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Lowville, New York.
Andre Bieler died at the end of last year. He was a noted Swiss scholar of John Calvin’s social and economic thought. Chris Iosso, who translated this article from the original French and added his own notes, writes that Bieler’s masterwork, The Economic and Social Thought of Calvin (1959, new edition in preparation; recently translated into English), surprised the scholarly world with what Calvin himself actually said about economic justice, the dignity of labor, and the responsibilities of employers and investors.” With plans beginning to gear up for the Calvin Jubilee, to be held in 2009 to mark 500 years since Calvin’s birth, it is only fitting to note the passing of this great scholar and ecumenist. Chris Iosso is coordinator for social witness policy for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
In “Why I Believe in Being Connected,” Helen Baily Cochrane, ordained to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament thirty-two years ago, shares reflections from her service to the church and how the institution has changed over time. Looking back through all the changes, she writes, “I believe our denomination has the best potential for being faithful to God and staying connected as a denomination, while not compromising core beliefs.” Cochrane is parish associate for First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and a member of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly.
The tragedy on the campus of Virginia Tech prompted many to remember the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School near Denver, Colorado. Noted hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette wrote a hymn in response to the Columbine event, which is a helpful text for these present days. Gillette welcomes the use of the text in any way that might be helpful in your work. She is co-pastor of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware, and author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press).
Do
you have suggestions for future issues or other comments to share? Drop
us a line.
Sharon
K. Youngs, Editor
.
All Rights Reserved.
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