It’s a perennial problem for preachers, Bible study leaders and Sunday school teachers: trying to make an all-too-familiar passage of scripture exciting, fresh and applicable, not to mention doing that for an audience of more than 500 people.

It was certainly unexpected to uncover that  cancer has a way of bringing people together. When I was first diagnosed and even to this day, I have received gifts and messages from congregations, presbyteries, and individuals reminding me that I am in their thoughts and prayers. This has been one of the most powerful parts of this illness: the kindness of strangers to reach out in expressions of God's love even in the midst of challenges. Often I envision hundreds of hands lifting me up to the heavens, closer and closer to the warmth and light of God's care. It is a gift that goes beyond words.

The nearly 1 million-member United Church of Christ voted overwhelmingly Tuesday (June 30) to divest from companies that profit from the Israeli occupation and to boycott products of Israeli companies based in the West Bank, a move that follows a divestment vote taken by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) last spring.

A sudden storm passing through Abiquiu, N.M., at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, produced raging and destructive waters that swept through the arroyos on Ghost Ranch’s extensive property causing massive damage to the national education and retreat center of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Presbyterians across the U.S. will have an opportunity this fall to meet with Christian leaders facing difficult challenges across the world. As many as 10 leaders from partner denominations and organizations will spend several weeks traveling across the country sharing their experiences, both good and bad. 

The leader of the National Baptist Convention, USA, says his member churches should “do everything that is humanly possible” to protect themselves—even if it means hiring armed guards.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) headquarters suffered minor water and smoke damage in a July 6 three-building fire that consumed half of a historic block in downtown Louisville.

President Obama’s announcement last week of re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba is welcome news to a number of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders. However, many say the re-opening of embassies in each country is only the beginning of a long road to normalizing relations. 

Call it a twin thing. Wherever identical twin brothers Tom Zehnder and Tim Gibbs Zehnder go, they can’t help but make music. Together. And that’s how they tell their Ghost Ranch story.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, in collaboration with its ecumenical partners, is working to assist the churches recently damaged by fire. Over a two week period, seven churches with predominantly black membership burned in Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Ohio and Florida. Investigators speculate lightning may have been involved in a few, but arson has not been ruled out. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is still investigating.