Presbyterians engaged with congregational-based community organizing
by Phil Tom
Members of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pa. Photo courtesy of Grace Memorial. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been engaged with community organizing/congregational-based organizing work for more than 50 years. There are many PC(USA) congregations across the country that are engaged with their local congregation-based community organizations working faithfully to transform their congregations and communities. Montview Boulevard. Presbyterian Church in Denver is a member of Metro Organizations for People that is working to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois, and First Presbyterian Church in Normal, Illinois, are members of the Central Illinois Organizing Project that is working to reform bank lending practices. Church of the Pilgrims and New York Ave. Presbyterian Church are members of the Washington (D.C.) Interfaith Network that is working to end high usury rates for credit cards. Immanuel Presbyterian Church is working with ONE-LA to address the issue of affordable housing in Metro Los Angeles. Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church is a member of the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network and is working to rebuild and transform their community.
Check out the newspaper article about Grace Memorial ministry and partnership with PIIN’s Holy Ground Project to address neighborhood issues like abandoned properties and public safety.
Beyond the walls
Kids enjoy an inflatable slide at Westminster’s block party. Photo by the Rev. Devon Ducheneau.Small West Virginia churches look outward to surrounding communities
STATESVILLE, N.C. — The Rev. Devon Ducheneau knew that in order to survive, today’s churches need to turn their focus outward and embrace the community around them rather than continue as secluded islands.
The part that would take some work was convincing the members of her two small churches, Southpark and Westminster Presbyterian churches in Charleston, W. Va., that this was the path they needed to take. Read more.
Artful wonders
After-school program revitalizes small Alabama town, 8-member church
by Toni Montgomery
Special to Presbyterian News Service
Geneva Presbyterian Church’s Artful Wonders program supplies art classes and supplies to local children. STATESVILLE, N.C. — What do you get when you cross a small church in a small town with a crumbling economy? The surprising answer is opportunity. As in opportunity for growth on both a personal and church level, opportunity for service, opportunity to fulfill a need, and not least of all, the opportunity to lift spirits.
Geneva Presbyterian Church, in the small town of Geneva, Ala., had only eight members when Dee Koza took over as commissioned lay pastor in February 2008, but what the church lacked in size, it made up for in enthusiasm and eagerness to be involved in the community. [Read more]
Back from the edge
Tennesseee church boosted by immigrant congregation
by Toni Montgomery
Special to the Presbyterian News Service
Burundian Christians have deepened and widened the fellowship at Brentwood Presbyterian Church. STATESVILLE, N.C. — Brentwood First Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, TN, was a dying church, so having a pastor with a primary job as an oncologist probably wouldn’t be a concern.
That’s what the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee thought. It didn’t expect much and had left the church to fade away on its own. [Read more]
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