PCUSA
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Advent: What Are We Waiting For?
I love Advent. It is my favorite season. My favorite part of the season is not the actual Christmas day, but the whole leading up to part – waiting and preparing. Maybe because growing up in an immigrant family, this time of the year was the worst for me. My family wasn’t familiar with the…
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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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Children in Worship: It’s More than Having Coloring Sheets
In the first issue of PLGRM, Rev. LeAnn Watkins, rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul, MN, shares how after numerous attempts of increasing attendance of bible studies and other church-related programs, her staff decided to cancel it all – everything during the weekdays except seasonal services. You can hear her tell her…
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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…
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Building a Plane While Flying
Originally posted on The Presbyterian Leader on June 14, 2012 . . . Growing up, I used to hang out with my dad at the airport. This wasn’t the kind of airport that you go to when catching a flight. This was a small airport where airplanes were built and tested. My dad was a mechanical engineer…
Still Waters 