Author Archives: Jenny
The Best is Yet to Come
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, December 8, 2022 The Best Is Yet to Come* (After this month I will no longer be writing a letter as part of Pittsburgh Presbytery’s weekly …
The Last Mile of the Way
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, December 1, 2022 The Last Mile of the Way My father asked that I sing at his memorial service an old gospel song, made famous by …
What Time is It?
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 17, 2022 What Time is It? Fifty-three years ago, the new jazz-rock band sensation “Chicago” broke onto the popular charts with a song that asked, …
Enough Already
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 10, 2022 Enough Already Every election cycle seems to stoop lower than the former one, as candidates and their promoters savage their opponents with ever-sharpening …
PNews 11/10/22
Enough Already Assuming and proclaiming the worst in each other has become standard fare among us, not just by politicians and not just in election seasons. The virulent vituperative spirit that has spread across society has also infected the church. …
With All the Saints
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 3, 2022 With All the Saints This week marks the church’s annual festival of “All Saints” – something we are far less likely to note …
PNews 11/3/22
With All the Saints The great biblical symbol of the gathering of all the saints is the heavenly banquet, something Jesus mentions often. Presbyterians know something about banquets. We call them church dinners, and usually they are potluck affairs. Guests …
PNews 10/23/22
The Politics of Generosity The politics of Jesus is a politics of generosity. The world’s practice of politics is increasingly about denial and denigration, something on vivid display as we prepare to vote in upcoming national elections. Do our politics …
The Politics of Generosity
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 27, 2022 The Politics of Generosity I have often heard well-intentioned parishioners complain that their pastor’s sermons, or their denomination’s offices, are too “political.” Keeping …
A Friend Among Colleagues
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 20, 2022 A Friend Among Colleagues I am writing from the beautiful grounds of the Krislund Camp and Conference Center, nestled in a central Pennsylvania …
PNews 10/20/22
A Friend Among Colleagues Ministry friendship requires the discipline of commitment to gather with a group of colleagues to nurture practices of ministerial excellence to which we hold each other accountable. How are you practicing your promise to be a …
PNews 10/13/22
Church Leader Appreciation Even though we may hesitate to ride the commercial bandwagon of “Clergy Appreciation Month,” it is still important to express appreciation for the ministry of the church’s leaders who, according to Scripture, are worthy of “double honor,” …
Church Leader Appreciation
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 13, 2022 Church Leader Appreciation Soon after October was designated “Clergy Appreciation Month” in 1994, our congregation’s Sunday School department gave me a plaque honoring …
Transition Update 10/13/22
Dear Friends- At a called meeting of the Executive Committee on Monday, October 3rd, the Personnel Committee (which is a sub-committee of Executive Committee) made a final recommendation regarding a transition plan as we prepare for Sheldon’s retirement as our …
In Praise of Boldness
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 6, 2022 In Praise of Boldness Reflecting recently on the legacy of Queen Elizabeth, I entitled my weekly letter “In Praise of Restraint.” In it …