PCUSA
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Bridge Worship & Meetings through Prayer
Here is a prayer activity idea that can be easily incorporated in presbytery meetings or any church meeting. This will require lots of preparation on the organizer’s part so I would recommend planning way in advance. This is what I did at a presbytery meeting I was organizing. The Presbytery of San Francisco has 76…
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Lessons Learned in the Intergenerational Worship Experiment
In a previous post I asked “what is intergenerational worship? Is it merely people of all ages being able to worship together? The simple answer would be ‘yes.’ I believe it is more than that. At the church that I serve, intergenerational worship encompasses the full diversity spectrum of the congregation. Not only does it address the…
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Interactive Way to Pray in Worship
At a presbytery-wide worship service (In the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. denomination, churches are geographically grouped into presbyteries), the theme of worship was around the concept of love. The Rabbi Judy Shanks from Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, CA, was the guest preacher. She preached a beautiful sermon that wove in verses from the song, Seasons of Love from…
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UNCO Your Church, Presbytery, and Denomination
Originally posted on The Presbyterian Leader on August 9, 2012 . . . I recently wrote a blog post about age and power which seemed to have touched a nerve. First, let me clarify and reiterate what the blog post was about and what it wasn’t about. “young” – again, I wasn’t just referring to…
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A PCUSA Open Letter to the Old regarding the Young from Someone in the Middle
Dear Old, First let me define what I mean by “old.” In some regards I am referring to age, considering an overwhelming majority of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. denomination is . . . well, old. However, I am also referring to one’s longevity and history with this particular denomination as well – cradle Presbyterians, Presbyterians…
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A Sunday (28) in Life of a Pastor/Mother: Hangover
After returning the night before from a long nine day trip in Pittsburgh where I attended the 220th General Assembly, Sunday was painful. And yet, I had to get up, get the kids dressed, and head over to the church. My Head of Staff was smart in getting that day off, but at least I…
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In the Middle: Intersection between Age & Wisdom
Photo by Dan Meyer I am a member of the Committee to Review Biennial Assemblies. This committee was tasked to research and suggest changes to the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. We surveyed hundreds of past General Assembly commissioners and staff, asking them what message would they like to convey to this…
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A Sunday (27) in Life of a Pastor/Mother: Dear Daughter
Dear Daughter, I know I am gone for a long time. Nine days is a long time to be away, but I want to share with you what I have already witnessed in three days. I have experienced and participated in things that should give you much hope dear daughter. I have experienced and participated…
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Non-Geographic Presbyteries & the Issue of Diversity
Rev. John Vest, a member of the Mid Council Commission, recently wrote a blog stating his views about non-geographic presbyteries: “After much conversation and reflection, I changed my mind and embraced the concept of non-geographic presbyteries as a potentially energizing and catalyzing change to our existing way of being Presbyterian, which I do not think…
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Hey PCUSA, Stare Death in the Face!
Originally post on 2 Friars and a Fool on June 20, 2012 . . . In 1982, Steven Callahan set out to cross the Atlantic Ocean in his boat, Napoleon Solo. As he planned his trek, there was a 2 percent chance of a gale at that time of year. Callahan was mentally and physically…
Still Waters 