When my first-grader began school this fall, I was reminded again and again during those first weeks of the school year of the importance of reading with my child every night. More than math and more than facts that she has learned in science, reading is the skill that her school wants us to reinforce at home. Reading. We are supposed to read 20 minutes each evening, and we are given charts and graphs that demonstrate how this accumulates over time. Akin to charts about saving for retirement and compound interest, they show us how many words our child is exposed to if we read for 20 minutes each day vs. 10 minutes each day. All of this is designed to motivate us into doing that reading now, striking fear in our hearts that our child will be woefully behind her peers in terms of language if she does not get enough exposure. And this is true enough. My middle schooler is required to read each day, and she has a reading log that she must fill out each week to demonstrate that she has … [Read more...]
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Outlook Features 2 hours ago
Reading as spiritual practice
When my first-grader began school this fall, I was reminded again and again during those first weeks of the school year of the importance of reading with my child every night. More than math and more than facts that she has learned in science, reading is the skill that her school wants us to reinforce at home. Reading. We are supposed to read 20 minutes each evening, and we are given charts and graphs that demonstrate how this accumulates over time. Akin to charts about saving for retirement and compound… continue reading... -
Commentary 3 days ago
Dirty Nativity
Guest commentary by Joshua Musser Gritter Silent night, holy night Mary screams, Joseph paces back and forth. “Will the baby survive?” All is calm, all is bright Barren cave, lonely and dark. He’s never delivered a baby before. Round yon virgin, mother and child She doesn’t know if she’s ready to be a mother, Savior or not. Holy infant, so tender and mild Now a crib, soon a cross. “I thirst,” he cries forth. Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace So ignoble this birth, so ugly this child.… continue reading... -
Looking into the lectionary 3 days ago
3rd Sunday of Advent — December 15, 2019
Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Advent 3A Total restoration envelops us this third Sunday of Advent. Jill Duffield’s lectionary reflections are sent to the Outlook’s email list every Monday. God hones and heightens each of our senses in order that we may fully perceive the holy and be completely re-incorporated into community. Not only individuals, but entire peoples become whole again. Isaiah prophesizes this radical new life. James tells us to patiently wait for the inbreaking of the Lord. Jesus assures John that the wait is over. No one… continue reading...
Parties in Stamford case had tried to expedite process in order to get a ruling on the merits of the case January 1, 1995 Uncategorized103 views The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission -- in sidestepping the question of exactly how deeply a session should be required to probe into the private life of a gay elder who has acknowledged being in a committed, life-long relationship but has declined to say whether he is sexually active -- has put the question off but has not put it to rest.- Ministering with the Earth January 1, 1998 Book Reviews108 views By Mary Elizabeth MooreChalice. 1998. 226 pp. Pb. $19.99. ISBN 0-8272-2323-4 Ministering with the Earth is a quiltwork, both the on-the-ground activity and Moore's book about so ministering. Moore, professor of theology and Christian education at Claremont School of Theology, is fond of the metaphor, suitably pastoral and feminist.
- Remembered Voice: Reclaiming the Legacy of 'Neo-Orthodoxy' January 1, 1998 Book Reviews91 views By Douglas John HallWJKP. 1998. 145 pp. Pb. $18. ISBN 0-664-25772-0 It was in this order. I first read Tillich's Dynamics of Faith. Riveting. Next came The Courage to Be. Gripping. Then I went back and read the first volume of the Systematic Theology. Things began to make sense. Next came Biblical Religion and the Search for Ultimate Reality. Positive.
Can the General Assembly direct the Board of Pensions to divest? June 19, 2018 Outlook Reporting1 comment
A General Assembly committee voted 35-20 on June 18 to recommend approval of a proposal asking the 2018 General Assembly to direct the Board of Pensions and the Presbyterian Foundation to divest from the fossil fuel industry, and to seek out and invest in securities of companies focused on renewable energy or energy efficiency.
On the surface, that seems to be a major win for the Fossil Free PCUSA movement, which has been organizing intensely in recent months to sway public opinion and General Assembly votes in favo...
Gun control overture coming to 2020 General Assembly November 25, 2019 Outlook Reporting1 comment Where do Presbyterians stand on gun violence — one of the most divisive political issues in the country?
The 2020 General Assembly is being asked to approve an overture that would call on Congress to change federal law to:
Require universal background checks “for purchases of firearms in any and all venues”;
Ban the sale and ownership of assault weapons;
Restrict the use of large capacity ammunition magazines; and
Establish extreme risk and protection orders (“red-flag” laws) to allow courts to remove ...
Reading as spiritual practice
Tagged With: reading • spiritual practice
SERVANT LEADER
First Presbyterian Church of Donalsonville, Georgia, (southwest corner of the state) is praying for a solo pastor to help us be faithful to our new mission statement: To worship God in Spirit and in truth; to grow as followers of Jesus; and to be led by the Holy Spirit as we seek to share the Gospel with all! For inquiries/MIF or to send PIF to marshabondpnc@gmail.com. First Presbyterian Church PO Box 1026 Donalsonville GA 39845 … [Read more...]
PASTOR
First Presbyterian Church, Stephenville, Texas, is seeking a solo pastor to guide us through a church revitalization program that includes touching all aspects of the church community – worship, education, mission and member care. Stephenville is a rural city and home of Tarleton State University with a student population of about 11,000 students. The number of students enrolled is expected to grow and we expect our ministry to expand with that growth. Our congregation seeks to work with an energetic and inspiring person to create a safe and welcoming space that attracts a multi-generational congregation, including college students and young adults, families and the elderly. Please review our MIF #08756.AC0 on the CLC website or contact us at pnc@fpcstephenville.org so that we may begin our faith journey together. Find us on facebook at First Presbyterian Church Stephenville. First Presbyterian Church 1302 N Harbin Dr Stephenville TX 76401 fpcstephenville.org … [Read more...]
New worshiping community in Olympia Presbytery creates a sanctuary for God’s beloved exiles
(PNS) In prison, the Rev. Lane Brubaker has never once felt scared or nervous. In fact, she’s experienced more joy and laughter there than she could have ever imagined. Brubaker’s first day in prison was almost exactly a year ago. On December 12 she entered the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW). Located in Gig Harbor, it is the largest prison for women in the state — and the only one that houses maximum- and minimum-security inmates. Brubaker was there, called by Olympia Presbytery, to join them in planting a new worshiping community. One year later, Hagar’s Community Church has 150 women attending weekly worship services. Fifty women attend a weekly bible study. Another group of women meets bi-weekly to help plan worship and make decisions of their life together as a congregation. “It’s completely blown away our goal — which was to have 25 women worshiping by the end of one year,” Brubaker said. Brubaker said she thinks the women have responded … [Read more...]
Stated Clerk talks social justice issues with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio
(OGA) More than 8.6 million people call New York City home. It is the most populous city in the U.S. Even with its strong corporate and financial structure, the city faces incredible challenges. Recently, staff from New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office invited the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to meet and discuss the city’s various issues. “Because of the contacts we have made along with the work in the office and some of the work that has been done on the ground with the Presbytery of New York City, it has drawn the attention of the mayor’s office,” said Nelson. “A lot of it has to do with issues of justice and commitment to justice over the years, the recognition that poor people exist in mass in New York in ways you won’t see in other parts of the U.S.” Nelson says New York’s infrastructure places a heavy burden on those living in poverty. “Updated piping, water and sewage treatment are … [Read more...]
Expanding the narrative on the PC(USA)’s gender and leadership study
LOUISVILLE (PNS) — A 2016 study conducted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Research Services, “Gender and Leadership in the PC(USA)” identified two key findings: gender discrimination is still pervasive within the denomination, and almost half its members are not particularly aware of it. The study is a part of a larger research project assessing the status of women at all levels of the church. The research was conducted in partnership with Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Study on the Status of Women Team, created by the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns. The goals of the study were twofold: To learn more about how women participate in leadership within the PC(USA) To gain deeper insight into the varying experiences of men and women in ministry, including similarities and differences in compensation, career trajectories, and decisions to leave ministry. In an ongoing effort to expand the … [Read more...]
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