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(Photo by Rich Copley, Presbyterian Mission Agency)
As a church committed to the gospel of Matthew 25, we believe that Christ locates himself with we who are hungry, thirsty, sick, imprisoned, vulnerable and displaced. We take seriously the notion that to meet the needs of a neighbor is to render kindness to Jesus himself. The Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Self-Development of People have worked diligently for years to combat climate change, address root causes of hunger and poverty, support community development initiatives, and provide on-the-ground support for natural and human-caused disasters. None of this happens, however, without the faithful support of the church. |
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Each of these important ministries are supported by One Great Hour of Sharing, a Special Offering of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that is traditionally collected throughout the season of Lent. As we approach this reflective time in the life of our church, I hope you’ll prayerfully join me in giving generously as you are able to One Great Hour of Sharing as part of your Lenten practice and beyond. Through our collective efforts, may we find that we are willingly located with the family of Jesus and among those whom God calls “blessed.”
Sincerely, Rev. Denise Anderson, Director Compassion, Peace & Justice |
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Tread Lightly for Lent 2023 |
Some of our collective choices have led to a changing global climate, which translates to warmer temperatures, rising sea-levels and severe storms, just to name a few. To turn this tide, we must commit to treading lightly on God’s Earth. The Presbyterian Hunger Program offers a Lenten calendar to help you do just that. |
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Celebrate SDOP Sunday! |
It’s almost time to celebrate Self-Development of People (SDOP) Sunday on March 12. Download this year’s SDOP Sunday Resource and Yearbook to learn how SDOP partnerships with low-income communities are helping to improve people's lives. |
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PDA and World Mission visit Eastern Europe |
A Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) delegation traveled to Eastern Europe in a show of solidarity with people in and near Ukraine as the war with Russia continued to create death, destruction and displacement. |
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Lenten series to begin Feb. 22 |
“With Creation: A Native and Indigenous Lenten Devotional” will feature Native and Indigenous writers and activists. The series begins Feb. 22 and will continue through Easter online. Also, a downloadable booklet with devotions and author information will be available. |
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Companion Guide to the Commitment to Peacemaking available |
Attention Peacemaking Congregations! The new Companion Guide to the Commitment to Peacemaking outlines how you can address issues in your community related to the Matthew 25 focus areas, including racism, poverty, climate change, immigration/migration and violence. |
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Office of Gender & Racial Justice Spotlight |
Read a full Q&A with the Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt on the Facebook page of the Office of Gender & Racial Justice. She’s an ordained Presbyterian minister, co-director of the Center for Jubilee Practice, and program manager for New York Unitarian Universalist Justice. |
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Talk show focuses on dismantling antisemitism and Islamophobia |
“The best way to be an ally is to show up and be a friend first,” said Hamza Khan, a featured guest on a recent episode of “Just Talk Live” that offered strategies for dismantling antisemitism and Islamophobia. |
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Why depleted uranium in Iraq matters |
The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness and some of its partners held a webinar recently about depleted uranium in Iraq and what needs to be done to help those affected by the environmental and health crisis. |
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Podcasts for your listening pleasure |
Have you subscribed to “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast,” co-hosted by the Rev. Lee Catoe and Simon Doong? They tackle many important topics and provide bonus content through “Advocacy Watch” and “Una Cuestión de Fe.” |
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Spreading the Vision of Matthew 25 across the Church |
Matthew 25 is a living translation of Jesus Christ — strengthening relationships, transforming your church, and bringing alive your commitment to those who are marginalized or in need in your community and the world around us. Make no mistake, Jesus is calling us to perform ordinary acts of compassion in daily life. But we have also been called to consider the factors that led to these conditions, to confront the causes of inequality, to confess the sin of greed and to correct the problem of poverty — whether in our own nation and neighborhood, or around the world. |
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