Today in the Mission Yearbook - ‘When America gets a cold, the African American community gets pneumonia’

Today in the Mission Yearbook - ‘When America gets a cold, the African American community gets pneumonia’: COVID-19’s impact on black Presbyterian churches July 31, 2020 Through the leadership of the Rev. Wayne Steele, Peace Presbyterian Chu...

Urge Your Senators to Boost Snap Now!

Food insecurity is a life-threatening issue globally especially for the LGBTQIA+ community. The National LGBTQ Task Force determined that more than 1 in 4 LGBTIA+ adults, approximately 2.4 million people, experienced food insecurity within the last year. According to Boston University “as the whole US population experiences an increased risk of... food insecurity, that risk is only elevated for LGBTQ+ people”. The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law agrees that people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) experience more food insecurity and participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at higher rates than non-LGBT adults. To compound matters, American psychiatric epidemiologist, Ilan Meyer, states that minority stress caused by food insecurity has the capability to affect the LGBTQ+ community’s lives at multiple socioecological levels. These levels include social anxiety and depression and has been exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continued discrimination in employment, housing, and healthcare leads to increased rates of unemployment, homelessness, and poverty. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal Civil Rights Act protects LGBTQIA+ individuals from discrimination, however loopholes still remain. The LGBTQIA+ community needs our help and we should make it our duty to advocate for LGBTQIA+ protections. Keisha Lewis speaks on her experience being a black transgender woman: “I’m a human, too, and I deserve protection, and I deserve to be taken care of like everyone else”.

The Heroes Act, passed by the House of Representatives on May 15, includes an important SNAP benefit increase to help struggling families put food on the table and provides stimulus for the economy. The HEROES Act boosts the minimum SNAP benefit from $16 to $30 and increases the maximum benefit by 15%. Senior research analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Brynne Keith Jennings, stipulates that raising SNAP benefits is a fast and effective way to help households hit hard by the effects of Covid-19.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) encourages the Senate to Boost SNAP Now! Call your Senate representatives and ask them to:

• increase the SNAP maximum by 15 percent
• Increase the minimum SNAP benefit from $16 to $30
• nullify the three-month time limit for unemployed adults aged 18-50 who aren’t raising minor children. (this stipulation impacts the LGBTQAI+ community disproportionately).

The PC(USA) supports and advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community’s right to access adequate and nutritious food for a vigorous, healthy life. The PC(USA) recognizes God’s call to care for the most marginalized people in our society. This call is especially significant now. The situation could not be more urgent. The Senate must #BoostSNAPNow to protect the LGBTQIA+ community.

Call your Senators TODAY and urge them to Boost Snap Now! 

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Stand for Peace and Tell Your U.S. Senator to Vote for the PLANET Act

August 6 and 9 will mark the 75th anniversary of the US’s bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The consequences of the attacks were devastating. The bombings killed an estimated 214,000 people, and the resulting radiation caused higher rates of cancer, leukemia, and miscarriages among survivors. Between 1945-1992, the United States conducted over 1000 nuclear tests in a decades-long arms race with the Soviet Union.
 
Nuclear tests endanger the health of humans and threaten God’s creation. And, since 1946, when the churched urged “drastic cuts in national armaments through international agreement,” the PCUSA has called on the global community to seek international disarmament and arms control measures (PCUSA, 1946, p. 197).  The 223rd General Assembly (2018) called upon the PC(USA) to “renounce any policy that threatens the death of millions of God’s children in any land with a single command and a single warhead.” And, it called the church to “renounce the false god of nuclear security with its promise of catastrophic consequences” (Overture 09-08). 
 
In the mid-90s, the United States was the first nation to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, placing a moratorium on explosive nuclear weapons testing. Although Congress eventually rejected the treaty, the US has not tested any nuclear weapons since 1992 with other countries following suit.
 
All of this could soon change. According to a recent report, the Trump administration is considering ending the existing moratorium. Renewing testing could cause other nations to feel threatened, aggravate our allies, and potentially open the door to another destructive arms race. The only country that has conducted nuclear tests this century is North Korea.
 
Fortunately, the administration needs Congressional approval for funding before restarting testing. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) recently introduced the Preserving Leadership Against Nuclear Explosives Testing (PLANET) Act. The PLANET Act would block funds from being used for nuclear testing and prevent this administration from causing a global return to testing. Contact your senators and encourage them to co-sponsor and vote for this critical legislation! Thankfully, several senators have already co-sponsored this bill; if your senator is one of them, be sure to send them a message thanking them for standing for peace!
 
We also encourage congregations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Consider dedicating a sermon, adding liturgical elements, prayers for peace for nuclear disarmament, or read stories from survivors. Visit the Back From the Brink campaign website for more commemoration information and ideas.

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A year of service for a lifetime of change

A year of service for a lifetime of change Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in our lives. These times are challenging the ways in which we do and envision ministry. However, these kairos times have also called us to become creative in the YAV world. Walking by faith has never become so real in a moment of constant changes. We can truly say, "We do not know what the future holds, but in the present moment we are trusting in God for help." In response to the travel ban issued by the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in response to the pandemic, we have created a modified YAV year for 2020–21. We believe in the importance of engaging young adults in service and ministry in such a time as this. We invite our friends to continue to pray for the YAV program in these challenging times. Most importantly, we ask that you continue to support this vital program by promoting it within your congregations and sharing these stories of hope. One story of hope was shared by Maureen Anderson, the YAV site coordinator in New York, who survived COVID-19. She continued to lead her YAVs, even as she healed in one of the country’s hot spots. She also shared her gifts of writing poetry that were birthed from her own experience. Let us continue to share the stories of pain and hope that make the YAV program such an important ministry! The Rev. Everdith "Evie" Landrau, coordinator Young Adult Volunteer Program

Application dates extended As one of the 2019–20 Young Adult Volunteers, Juliana Bernier Carrasquillo’s work supported a school in Peru for children who are deaf or cannot speak, a population greatly marginalized by the wider society. Although her YAV year was cut short because of the pandemic, Juliana said, "My work is not only aimed at teaching students through the light and hope God has given me, but to also recognize and appreciate the light and hope God has given them. In spite of our cultural differences and language barriers, we have been able to create community by exchanging our God-given gifts. It is in this manner that we are able to fulfill our biblical purpose, where our faith grows, our hearts enlarge, permitting the blood to flow fluidly through the veins and allowing us to function as one body of Christ." Invite Young Adults to serve →

Coffee and Conversations on the border Katelyn Rediger, Elvia Llinas, Hannah Singerline and Bridich Saragos serve as part of Frontera de Cristo’s binational internship ministry in which up to four interns — two from the U.S. and two from Mexico — live in community by sharing an apartment in Agua Prieta while serving with FDC’s ministries. Read more → New York Young Adult Volunteers site coordinator recovers from COVID-19 "I believe that as challenging as this was, there is something good coming next," said Maureen Anderson, New York City YAV site coordinator. "This is the rain before the rainbow. I have high hopes I’ve also been in a place where I was in pain and under a dark cloud and have been brought out into light. I am encouraged that these young adults still want to be a part of the program and realize how much their service is needed. We are going to grow from this." Read more →

YAV program creates new normal for 2020–22 program years Despite the challenges created by COVID-19, the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is committed to responding to the call to serve in creative ways. (Photo 2019 YAV class) Read more → Vital Congregations host Zoom conversation on empowering servant leadership Destini Hodges, associate for recruitment and relationships with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Young Adult Volunteer Program, recently joined current YAVs Langley Hoyt and Sierra Mink, along with YAV alum Simon Doong, in a panel discussion on the topic of Empowering Servant Leadership, one of the Seven Marks of Vital Congregations. Read more →

Financial support for the YAV program Please consider giving to the YAV program through a monthly or one-time gift to care for young adults engaged in "a year of service for a lifetime of change." Make your gift online today! →

The Young Adult Volunteer program, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is an ecumenical, one-year service opportunity for young adults ages 19 to 30. For more than two decades, YAVs have listened for God’s call in their lives, while serving alongside partners at sites in the United States and around the world. YAVs live in intentional Christian communities developing and deepening their faith through service. Learn more about this transformative year at youngadultvolunteers.org.

Matthew 25-Actively engaged in the world The Matthew 25 invitation was officially launched in April of 2019. Over a year later there are over 600 churches, groups and mid councils that have made the commitment to become a Matthew 25 church and work towards building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty. Explore our bold vision →

Coronavirus/COVID-19 — Latest church resources for congregations and members

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Sojo Mail - Jesus actions vs. Jesus slogans

How Will Christians Answer This Moment in History? Otis Moss III The writer James Baldwin stated in 1962, “It is, alas, the truth that to be an American writer today means mounting an unending attack on all that Americans believe themselves to hold sacred.” It is the truth that to be a person of faith in America today is to recognize that America desires Jesus slogans over morally grounded Jesus-inspired action. America as a nation stands on the precipice of what Rev. William Barber II refers to as “the third reconstruction,” a moment in history when the zeitgeist of the nation clashes with the myth of our history. The nationwide unrest, witnessed from Maine to California, is part of America’s reckoning with a lie this nation has refused to acknowledge. As a nation, racialized thinking and white supremacy is part of not only our history, but saturates all of our institutions. I will not bore you with historical details, but scholars such as Michelle Alexander, Ibram X. Kendi, Carol Anderson, and Richard Rothstein make the case powerfully that America has a spiritual malady supported by institutions that either aggressively promote these ideals or willfully ignore their reality. Our national reckoning and possible reconstruction rest at the epicenter of this myth many today courageously seek to exorcise from our body politic. Portland and cities such as Chicago, where I live, work, and serve, offer an additional challenge to people who want to be free of the lie that comes with loving whiteness over ethnicity and power over democracy. READ THE FULL ARTICLE Forward Share

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From the Magazine Born Again Through Tactile Memory (by Jeania Ree V. Moore) Uncovering primordial truths of my being and belonging in the world.

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The Road to Joy: Eight Pathways of Psychospiritual Transformation Inspired by the death of his beloved wife, Grace Chen-McClone, The Road to Joy draws on personal experience, story-telling, psychological research and diverse spiritualities, including twelve-step spirituality, to integrate eight core pathways of psychospiritual transformation leading to more joyful living. Each chapter explores one pathway in depth and ends with concrete practical action steps. Unique Pastoral Opportunity in Ferguson, Missouri The First Presbyterian Church seeks an open-minded and adventurous Pastor to lead and build its current and evolving congregation. Located in a diverse community in St. Louis County, this church is committed to being at the forefront of this effort with a pastor who shares the same commitment and vision.

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WCC NEWS: Metropolitan Vasilios reflects on peace process in Cyprus

It has been 46 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus led to the partitioning of the island, the northern third inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the southern two-thirds by Greek Cypriots, whose government is internationally recognized. The August 1974 ceasefire line became a United Nations buffer zone, along which Cyprus remains divided.

The Church of Cyprus, a founding member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), strives for the unity of the island, together with other churches in the country.

Metropolitan Dr Vasilios, head of the diocese of Constantia – Ammochostos in Cyprus, shared his reflections on the ongoing quest for reconciliation. His Eminence was interviewed by email by the World Council of Churches (WCC) director of communication Marianne Ejdersten.

Your Eminence, can you describe the current peace process and the role of the churches and the interreligious dialogue?

Metropolitan Dr Vasilios: After the collapse of the negotiations in 2017 there was time for reflection, from a political point of view, for both sides. Some attempts were made at a later stage to come together again by the meeting of the leaders of the two communities, the most important being the decision of developing measures of mutual confidence. Unfortunately, there are some important factors which have influenced the development of a real engagement for negotiations.

The first and most serious factor is Turkey’s aggression against Cyprus which unfortunately gets more and more aggravated, as it is clearly evident in the recent actions of Turkey to send out ships and search for natural gas in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus. The government of Cyprus has constantly declared that is willing to go to the negotiations but not under any condition of threatening by Turkey.

In addition to this, the Turkish-Cypriot community is found in a pre-election period since last year, and given the fact that Turkey finances the political structure of the so-called government of the occupied area of Cyprus one understands the interventions of the Turkish government in the whole procedure. This was particularly clear in the statements of the opposition parties, favoured by the Turkish government, which poison the whole situation and, consequently, destroy any hopes for restarting the negotiations for the time being.

Also, during this period, again in the context of the campaign in the election period, provocative actions clearly promoted by the Turkish government took place regarding the reopening of the city of Famagusta aiming to put it under the control of the so-called government of the Turkish-Cypriot community, contrary to the decisions of the Security Council of the United Nations concerning the city of Famagusta, that the closed city since 1974 has to be given back to the legal owners. Going even further into absurdity, it has been claimed that the whole of Famagusta belongs to the organization of “Vakoufia,” which, of course, provokes great pain to the refugees, especially those originated from Famagusta, but also to the whole Greek population of Cyprus.

Additionally, the current situation of the pandemic of COVID-19 has also caused further isolation between the two sides, given that the crossing checkpoints were closed and there was no communication. It is only recently that checkpoints start to reopen.

How important is the prophetic role of the church?

Metropolitan Dr Vasilios: From the point of view of the church, during this period we were not able until now to conduct any services in the churches in the occupied area, as it was the practice before.

Therefore, 1. The collapse of the negotiations, 2. The situation created due to Turkey’s aggression and 3. The charged atmosphere in the pre-election period and the COVID-19 pandemic, all these together played a major role for not having any religious dialogue or contact during this period.

Your Eminence, how do you look at the U.N.-led peace talks between the two sides had more or less collapsed in Geneva, Switzerland in July 2017. Do you see any signs of hope?

Metropolitan Dr Vasilios: The presidential elections in the occupied area are now postponed until October and recently they have decided for parliamentary election probably on January 2021. It should be noted that the actual Turkish-Cypriot leader, who is a quite moderate politician and ready for negotiations, is not favoured by the Turkish government and we have read some news that his life is even threatened. Our government has repeatedly said that after the elections in the occupied area, and in agreement with the UN, there could be a convocation in the same form as the one in Grans-Montana in 2017. A five-party conference with the two Cypriot communities and the three guarantor countries Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, under the auspices of the United Nations and an observer from the European Union, in order to seek for a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem. Our government has declared its readiness to do that but until now we do not have any signs towards that direction from the side of Turkey.  We would like to draw your attention to the wider region of Eastern Mediterranean and the actions of Turkey, which are very provocative not only for Cyprus but also for other countries in the area, such as Israel, Egypt, Greece, France, Italy and many others. Also, we should note the recent actions of Turkey in Syria and Libya and lastly but very important to us, the conversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque. As the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus has recently declared:

“The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, echoing the feelings of anger and frustration of the Cypriot people, and of all the Orthodox alike, expresses its deep sorrow and grave concern, for the recent decision of the Turkish Authorities to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

The Greek people of Cyprus has an additional reason to express their concern and sorrow for this ungodly and unacceptable action of the Turkish leaders, given that since 1974 the majority of ecclesiastical monuments in the Turkish-occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus have been plundered and destroyed, as the remaining walls witness to this day. Some churches have become mosques, others are used as stables or for military purposes, while some of them are totally destroyed in the effort to obliterate any sign of the traditional Christian identity of the land. After all this has been the tactic of Turkey throughout its whole history with regard to the lands they conquered. But, “if people remain silent, the stones will cry out”. It is with sadness that we have seen statements of Turkish-Cypriots who, in an attempt to support the Turkish government, have falsely accused the Greek-Cypriots for destroying Turkish-Cypriot monuments, while they can see in the occupied areas where they live the destroyed Christian churches that they have themselves ruined, but yet without being ashamed of that they come out with such unsubstantial accusations.” […]


“We are afraid that this incomprehensible and unjustified action, as it has been rightly said, “might lead to a deep breach between Christianity and Islam”. Although it might be an incomprehensible and unjustified action for us, it is a conscious choice for the Turkish government since they have decided to move away from Europe and fulfil their Islamic vision of an Ottoman Empire. Consequently, the problem is clearly deeper, we could say it is a systemic problem, as it is against the Christian principles and the Christian faith, and also it creates a Muslim identity which must be different from the Christian one.”

How can the global fellowship pray for you and accompany you in the peace process?

Metropolitan Dr Vasilios: Thank you very much for your prayers and your interest about the situation in our country, which is from the very beginning supporting the church and the people of Cyprus. I do not see any possibility for a mediating role of the WCC, at least for the time being, taking also into account the difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that our church is willing to have peaceful conditions for all Cypriot citizens, Christians, Muslims and people from all religious communities, we are closely following the whole situation.

Read the full statement of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus

"WCC executive committee addresses global concerns, sets vision for unity, justice and peace" - WCC news release 24 July 2020

"Cyprus Metropolitan Vasilios says steps to reconciliation are ‘not easy’, yet ‘must be done’" - WCC interview 19 January 2019

WCC member churches in Cyprus

The Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process

WCC NEWS: New WCC toolkit empowers churches to work with children and youth for climate justice

The World Council of Churches (WCC) today releases a collection of curated resources to support churches, church-run schools, Sunday schools and summer camps in their ongoing efforts to promote care for children and youth through intergenerational climate- and environmental justice. The toolkit supports the Churches’ Commitments to Children, in which climate initiatives for and with children is an important pillar.

“Many of the young climate activists around the world come from churches,” said WCC interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. “WCC has created this toolkit to help churches to provide space for the development of solutions and promote the adaptation of our systems with and for children and youth.”

According to Frederique Seidel, WCC’s senior advisor on children’s rights, the Churches’ Commitments to Children Online Platform has received many requests to support intergenerational climate justice initiatives. These requests motivated the development of the toolkit that gathers dozens of resources to empower churches to take action for climate justice.

“We have witnessed that engagement of children and youth in climate solutions is the best way to respond to the eco-anxiety, which has increased among children around the world. Many of the tools can also be adapted for uplifting activities during confinement in the COVID-19 context,” said Seidel.

The toolkit invites readers to get informed, get inspired and take action for climate justice. The online publication is being released during the European summer break so that teachers and facilitators have time to integrate the material into the new school year and Sunday school plans, which in some parts of the world start in September.

The development of the toolkit was supported through the Keeling Curve Prize, which was awarded to the WCC in 2019 for its global warming mitigation efforts.

You can download the toolkit here.

Churches’ support for children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Churches’ Commitments to Children

WCC climate justice project wins Keeling Curve Prize

Churches’ Commitments to Children Online Platform