Author Archives: Adrien

Hopes and Fears

December 12, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister December 12, 2019 The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. (Phillips Brooks, 1868) These familiar words from verse one of “O … →

The One Who Comes to Stay

December 5, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister December 5, 2019 Today our presbytery gathers for its final meeting of 2019. My but how our years together have flown by! At our 2009 December … →

The Gift of Thanks

November 28, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister November 28, 2019 The Greek word for “thanks” is eucharisto, which we transliterate “Eucharist.” Receiving the gifts of Christ’s body and blood both expresses and elicits … →

You Can’t Go Home Again – Or Can You?

November 21, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister November 21, 2019 Thomas Wolfe’s final novel, published posthumously, is entitled You Can’t Go Home Again. It explores the disconnect and rejection the protagonist feels from his … →

Spiritual but Not Religious

November 14, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister November 14, 2019 Last week I was privileged to spend some Continuing Education time, together with Tammy, learning about the rapid rise in our culture of those … →

With All the Saints

November 7, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister November 7, 2019 Last weekend the Presbyterian Association of Musicians hosted a workshop on the newly revised Book of Common Worship, led by its editor, David Gambrell. … →

What Is a Mistake Anyway?

October 31, 2019 | Posted in Weekly Newsletter

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Brian R. Wallace Associate Minister October 31, 2019 I still remember, as plain as day, the first time I got something wrong in Kindergarten. I don’t remember the exact assignment, but whatever it … →

Possibility Posturing

October 21, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister October 21, 2019 I write this from the annual meeting of Mid Council leaders, where we have enjoyed much provocative discussion about new possibilities for being … →

Love Incognito?

October 17, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister October 17, 2019 For followers of Jesus, some forms of love require that they be exercised incognito. Alas, we often seek to make obvious our forms … →

Of Immigrants and Pilgrims

October 10, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister October 10, 2019 The story of God’s people in Scripture is marked by repeated emigrations and immigrations. The great father of faith, Abraham, migrated far from … →

Politics & Passion

October 3, 2019 | Posted in Weekly Newsletter

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Elder Ralph Lowe Director of Justice Ministries October 3, 2019 I wanted the feeling of political awareness. The energy and passion you felt when you read the heading fresh on your mind through this … →

Goodness and Fidelity

September 26, 2019 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister September 26, 2019 Nothing could be more rewarding than hearing our Lord’s “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:14-30) Good servants are “good” in two major … →