PDA responds to Hurricane Melissa

(Photo credit: Saturnino Perez )

“God is our refuge and strength... Therefore, we will not fear, though the waters roar and foam." Psalm 46

As we begin to see the catastrophic impacts Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made as it tore its path through Jamaica and across Cuba, we are praying for our siblings in the Caribbean. With maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour at landfall on Tuesday morning, authorities are calling this one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the region. Its smaller remnant continues to inflict damage among island nations in its path, and it will take years to recover.   Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing grants to address urgent, immediate needs and will remain to address long-term recovery and unmet needs. The magnitude of this storm will require the development of long-term projects and assistance for both physical and emotional long-lasting effects. PDA affirms our commitment to accompany those affected by this disaster. As people of God, once again we are called to bridge the “GAP” — Give, Act and Pray.

GIVE. ACT. PRAY.   GIVE: Financial support for relief efforts can be made online by clicking HERE, by phone at (800) 728-7228, ext. 5885, or by check made payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with “Hurricane Melissa” written on the memo line and mailed to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

ACT: Download and use the bulletin insert. Stay informed and like us on Facebook, download resources and share updates with your congregation. PRAY: Gracious and loving God, We lift up before You the people and places affected by Hurricane Melissa. You are our shelter, our refuge, our strong tower in times of trouble. We ask that You walk with every family, every home, and every neighborhood facing winds, rain and uncertainty. May Your Spirit surround the most vulnerable and those at greater risk. Be with the emergency responders, the volunteers, the church communities and local agencies who serve in the eye of the storm. Grant clarity and calm in the midst of chaos, courage to those who must act, and compassion to those who serve. We pray that You would tame the winds, quiet the floods and steady the earth beneath. Bring safety to every person; bring healing to every place. In the aftermath, hold up the broken-hearted, restore what has been lost, and kindle hope where fear has been strong. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard hearts and minds during this trial. And may Your faithful presence be a light in the darkness and bring out of chaos, hope. We offer this in the name of Jesus Christ, our comfort and our strength. Amen.

SojoMail - Christ among the Zoomers

View this email in your browser In this week’s SojoMail: a better conception of the ‘Case for Christianity,’ an exploration of AI infrastructure’s disproportionate effects on Black communities, and the story of a justice-focused Georgia cemetery. A Young and Openly Queer British Woman Makes a Case for Christianity In this week’s SojoMail, Georgia Coley writes about Lamorna Ash’s Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever, which describes Ash's quest to understand others’ religious conversions while exploring her own beliefs: My first exposure to writer Lamorna Ash was the thumbnail image for an interview on YouTube, giant text emblazoning her face with the words “The Case for Christianity.” I must admit, I was skeptical. Granted, I am a Christian who has certainly “made the case” for the profound reality of Jesus of Nazareth now and again—but recently, apologetic arguments and “hardened atheist turned Christian” testimonials have left a sour taste in my mouth. Perhaps it’s the way that media in that sphere tends to be loaded with culture warrior “Christian Apologist DESTROYS Atheist Snowflake” language. Maybe it’s that, frequently, the case for Christianity actually tends to be the case for Western dominance, whiteness, and heteronormativity. Or maybe it’s even simpler than that: Often, the sheer dogmatic certainty with which these “convert influencers” tend to speak just doesn’t feel honest. Either way, as a queer believer, the genre usually feels out of step with my daily walk. Nevertheless, I decided to give this particular interview a listen—and Lamorna Ash was nothing like what I’d anticipated. A young and openly queer British woman with a lyrical voice and a heart for Palestine and trans people? This was not the person I’d traditionally expected to make the “case for Christianity.” Read the full article Advertisement Our Latest Stories Bruce Springsteen Understands Depression. His Biopic Doesn’t (by Tyler Huckabee) Springsteen helped normalize male conversations around mental health. So why does Deliver Me From Nowhere feel like a step backwards? Read more Black Pastors Discuss the Promises and Perils of AI in Church (by Erwin Kamuene) Ethical and environmental concerns are encouraging some Black clergy to take a stand against the use of AI in their churches, but that stance isn’t universal. Read more What’s the Right Way to Tell the Story of a Killed Missionary? (by Abby Olcese) ‘Last Days’ aims to humanize John Allen Chau and his controversial attempt to evangelize uncontacted tribes. Read more From the Magazine: ‘Folks Ought To Have a Resting Place’ (by Josina Guess) The people buried in the Jubilee cemetery comprise a unique underground community wherein walls of difference crumble. Read more Advertisements Sojourners' Confronting Christian Nationalism Reading List This Bookshop list provides a deep dive into the complex topic of Christian nationalism, the value of religious freedom, and ways to further a fair society. Our Bookshop page features a variety of curated reading lists. When you buy through our link, part of the proceeds support Sojourners and independent bookstores throughout the country. Protect Funding for National Public Radio Public broadcasting belongs to all of us. It’s how millions stay connected to the truth, especially in areas where commercial media won’t go. Tell Congress: Protect funding for NPR and PBS now. Keep democracy and accurate news on the airwaves. Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2025 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842

WCC News: Faith communities chart ethical path for COP30 climate action in Kenya

The World Council of Churches (WCC) joined faith leaders, scientists, and grassroots actors on 22 October for the Kenya Pre-COP30 Dialogue. Participants from around the world debated how faith can make climate action more just at the grassroots level. Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, called on faith communities to advance debt justice through the "Turn Debt into Hope" campaign and invited collaboration with the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action. The WCC will carry these concerns to COP30, Peralta said. Photo: Oikodiplomatique 29 October 2025 OikoDiplomatique convened the hybrid event with the University of Nairobi's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. The dialogue's recommendations will inform the Global Ethical Stocktake, a process under the COP30 Presidency that gathers ethical perspectives and recommendations on climate action from various stakeholders, including faith communities. Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, chair of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission of Kenya and former general secretary of the WCC, delivered the keynote. He framed the gathering as part of an ecumenical legacy linking faith to environmental stewardship and emphasized that humanity is called to heed the "divine imperative" to preserve the integrity of God's creation. Deep collaborative action is now critically important, he said. Christians, Muslims, and practitioners of African traditional faiths opened the event with prayers, then debated how global climate policy affects Kenyan villages and what practical steps can build resilience. Dr Alan Channer, co-director of OikoDiplomatique, noted that Kenya has already taken a lead in climate action. "Over 80% of Kenya's electricity comes from renewable sources, compared to less than 25% in the United States," he said. Caption & credits But Kenya's climate leadership extends beyond government policy into communities. Two women from Kenya's coast and arid north described faith-led climate work in their communities. Rev. Jane Jilani, cofounder of the Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics, described coastal women restoring mangrove forests while facing barriers to land ownership and safe resource use. Youth leader Mariam Abdirashid, founder of Roots of Hope CBO in Malkadaha, Isiolo County, recounted how she mobilized an imam, parents, and students to secure 400 tree seedlings from the Kenya Forestry Service for a school re-greening project. "One tree is not enough for the hope we need," she said. Frederick Ouma, from Kenya's Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry and a member of the Africa Group of Negotiators, reminded the group of the political realities of multilateral talks. "Faith observers are needed in COP processes to ensure negotiations remain tethered to public interest and moral responsibility," Ouma said. Key recommendations emerged from the dialogue: participants asked for debt relief and reformed climate finance, urged faith institutions to become formal partners in county and national disaster risk reduction and climate planning, and demanded prioritization of land restoration that respects local custodianship and Indigenous spiritual frameworks. “Faith communities can open sanctuaries as shelters during disasters and mobilize youth for restoration projects - making them go-to partners for climate work,” Peralta said. The WCC stands ready to carry the priorities from this dialogue into the global conversation on ethics, resilience, and climate action. Sustainability and Economy of Life Turn Debt into Hope campaign See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC News: WCC expresses grave concern over violence, reported atrocities in Sudan

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed grave concern over reports emerging from El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan following the recent capture of the city by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.  Destroyed clinic in the village of Labado in Darfur, Sudan. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 29 October 2025 “Accounts given by people who have escaped from the latest violence, as well as other reports, indicate ethnically-motivated mass killings, other war crimes and crimes against humanity, and widespread destruction in the city,” said Pillay. “Drone strikes, artillery shelling, and attacks on civilian areas—including mosques, displacement camps, and shelters—are widely reported, and represent a devastating escalation of human suffering in the region.” Among other atrocities was an attack on a mosque in El Fasher’s Al-Daraja neighbourhood, where displaced persons from the Abu Shouk camp had sought refuge. “Such acts are morally indefensible and constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights,” said Pillay. “We appeal for the preservation and protection of lives and communities in the region.” Pillay expressed solidarity with the people, churches, and religious communities of Sudan who continue to endure unimaginable hardship amid conflict, displacement, and hunger.  “We urge the international community, the African Union, and regional organizations to intensify diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to end the violence, protect civilians, and ensure adequate humanitarian assistance to all those displaced and otherwise affected by the violence,” said Pillay. “As a fellowship of churches committed to justice and peace, the WCC continues to accompany the people of Sudan in prayer and advocacy.” WCC Statement on the violence and reported atrocities in El Fasher, Darfur See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Presbyterians for Earth Care - Webinar Next Week: Your Ecological Self 💚

NOVEMBER WEBINAR Coming Home to Your Ecological Self In this webinar, you’ll hear about finding a way back home by exploring original biblical directions for our ecological selves and foundational life experiences that can open us to connecting with the God of Creation. In places of disconnection and dislocation, we will look for ways to reconnect and heal. Come, share the journey. WEBINAR DATE: Monday, November 3, 2025 Time: 7:30 pm Eastern (6:30 Central, 5:30 Mountain, 4:30 Pacific) PRESENTER: The Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo The Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo has served as the General Presbyter for the Presbytery of Southern New England since August 2017. Ordained in 2001, she previously served three other calls in judicatory and congregational ministry. Her passions are for discipleship development, spiritual and social care, and intercultural ministries. She is an avid gardener and in 2026 will publish her first book, “A Garden for Renewal: Regenerative Ecological Practices for Life and Ministry” with Fortress Press. CLICK HERE for Registration WRITERS NEEDED! Promote Creation Care with Your Advent Devotional For the 2025 Advent season, Presbyterians for Earth Care will provide a free daily devotional based on lectionary readings.  PEC will be partnering with Red Presbiteriana Para el Cuidado de la Creación as a collaboration with both English and Spanish Advent Devotionals to share.   You are invited to write a brief meditation focusing on personal or congregational actions that address Earth Care. Each daily devotion includes: ·       a lectionary scripture reference (no full text needed) ·       a brief meditation (250–300 words) ·       a simple, one- or two-sentence prayer ·       one-sentence suggested action item Please also include your name, church or organization, and city/state.   Click here to sign up no later than October 31st for the PEC devotional in English.  If you would like to write a devotion in Spanish for the Red Presbiteriana Advent Devotional, you can sign up HERE. Your meditation should be about 250-300 words.  PEC will make it available online in a format that can be printed and shared.  Your contribution is needed by Wednesday, November 5th for inclusion in the devotional. Please contact us with any questions at presbyearthcare@gmail.com for the English devotional and redecopcusa@gmail.com for the Spanish devotional.     Thank you for helping us celebrate the Advent season with word, prayer, and action for God’s creation. DEMUESTRA TU CUIDADO POR LA CREACIÓN CON UN DEVOCIONAL DE ADVIENTO Para esta temporada de Adviento 2025 Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) estará proveyendo sus acostumbrados devocionales de Adviento y Navidad basados en las lecturas del Leccionario Común Revisado.  Como en años anteriores, trabajaremos en colaboración con la Red Presbiteriana para el Cuidado de la Creación para publicar devocionales en Español y en inglés. Te invitamos a considerar escribir una pequeña reflexión que resalte tus acciones personales o congregacionales hacia el cuidado de la creación.  El formato sugerido para cada página es la Escritura seleccionada del leccionario, una breve reflexión, una oración sencilla y alguna sugerencia de acción a tomar (ejemplo).  Para economizar espacio, solamente utilizaremos la cita bíblica, no es necesario copiar todo el pasaje.  Necesitaremos que incluya el nombre, la iglesia u organización y la ciudad o estado.  También aceptaremos historias personales relacionadas al cuidado de la creación y la Navidad.  La reflexión no debe exceder 300 palabras.  PEC los publicará en formato digital en su portal cibernético para que pueda ser impreso y/o compartido. Debes inscribirte en o antes del 31 de octubre de 2025 para enviar tu participación.  Necesitaremos recibir tu escrito para el día 5 de noviembre para que pueda ser incluido en el panfleto.  Además puedes compartir fotos o dibujos originales (con permiso para reproducir) que impriman bien en blanco y negro para el panfleto. Si te interesa escribir una reflexión en Inglés, regístrate aquí, si prefieres hacerlo en Español utiliza este registro.  Puedes enviar tu escrito a:  presbyearthcare@gmail.com (para Inglés) y a redecopcusa@gmail.com (para Español). Gracias por tu ayuda y cooperación.  Tu participación enriquecerá la temporada de Adviento y Navidad para otro(a)s y beneficiará la creación de Dios. How can we help you care for God’s creation?  Drop us an email and let us know at presbyearthcare@gmail.com Help us grow! Please let us know if there is anyone we should add to our list!  Just reply to this email.  Thank you! Please help us to continue to assist individuals and churches in creation care work by donating to PEC through our website by CLICKING HERE.  Thank you!

Copyright (C) 2025 Presbyterians for Earth Care. All rights reserved.