PNews – 6/11/2020
How Can We Be Actively Anti-Racist?
The PC(USA) Store stands in solidarity with the protesters who are crying out for justice. Additionally, they believe that in order to fully support people of color, white individuals must educate themselves, have conversations with each other, and figure out how they can work to create a more just society. They are providing resources intended to begin anti-racism work either individually or with your church community.
We Have Good News!
The 2020 Sudan/South Sudan Mission Network meeting is still happening through live streaming and Zoom conferencing. This year, the purpose of our annual meeting is to listen and to pray. We will hear updates from mission co-workers Bob and Kristi Rice, Lynn and Sharon Kandel, Lisa Wagstaff, Shelvis and Nancy Smith-Mather, Michael and Rachel Weller, and Debbie Braaksma. Our partners from Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC), South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC) and The Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) continue to be a light for Christ and a voice for peace in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger, oppression, suffering, and conflict.
Our PC(USA) mission co-workers and other advocates are still supporting and staying in touch with Sudanese and South Sudanese colleagues, pastors, and community leaders as they are promoting peacemaking and trauma healing during this difficult time. Romans 1:12: “that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
Please join us as we listen, worship and pray together!
Sudan/South Sudan Mission Network Virtual Meeting
Monday and Tuesday, June 29-30
10:00-11:30 AM & 1:30-3:00 PM (EST)
Register here and download our brochure to share.
Please email us if you have questions or need more information.
Awareness & Transformation: Conversations About Life, Race, & Faith
In response to the killing of George Flloyd, presbytery staff members Ralph Lowe and Brian Wallace are recording a series of conversations you are welcome to use with your congregation in whatever format you find appropriate. This week features a five-minute conversation about one thing people can do to seek reconciliation with those around them. It is available both on YouTube as well as a downloadable file that can easily be included in a pre-recorded worship service or a live Zoom meeting. As a follow-up, Ralph and Brian have also recorded a 35-minute conversation where they seek to model honest and thoughtful ways of talking about the realities of race. Please visit our Virtual Resources Page to find the links.
Will Hybrid Worship Be Our Future?
The Synod of the Trinity has been invited to join with the presbyteries of Lackawanna, Lehigh, Northumberland in hosting past GA Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow on Tuesday, June 16, at 1:00 PM to discuss Ideas for a Hybridized Worship Experience Between People on Zoom and People in Person. All in the Synod are welcome for this important conversation and there are plenty of seats!
We Are Accountable
The Presbyterian Mission of the PC (USA) has released an article on their site about how we honor the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. In it, the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee and the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns issue a call to immediate action, reminding the Presbyterian Church (USA) we are accountable to the commitments we have made.
Events & Continuing Education Opportunities at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary: please check the Continuing Education webpage for details about future programs.