Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in partnership with Louisville Institute, has named Dr. Edwin I. Hernández, president of AdventHealth University in Orlando, Florida, as the new executive director of Louisville Institute. Hernández, who also serves as faculty affiliate and director at the Project for the Study of Latino Religion, Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame, will begin work at Louisville Institute on June 1.

The idea for the new podcast “Forging Faith” being offered by First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, Michigan, was hatched two years ago when a church member told his pastor, the Rev. Emma Nickel, that the church should try it.

“A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast” turned its attention last week to the repair of historic harms, including reparations. The guest of the Rev. Lee Catoe and Simon Doong was the Rev. Jermaine Ross-Allam, named last year to direct the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Center for the Repair of Historic Harms. Listen to their conversation, which is about 50 minutes, by going here. Ross-Allam comes in during the 20th minute.

The Office of the General Assembly is beginning a new video feature this year called OGA In Focus. Twice a month, viewers will have the opportunity to learn more about OGA work and the people who have been called to this ministry.

The first feature highlights the work of Flor Vélez-Díaz , manager for judicial process and social witness in OGA’s Mid Council Ministries.

When someone loses a loved one, we often say things like, “God needed another angel.’’ Really? I don’t think God works that way. There are times when I don’t want theological nuance. All I want is feel-it-in-my-gut-assurance. I want to feel God in my innermost self.

On Sunday January 22, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations have the chance to “discuss why we do per capita,” said Kate Trigger Duffert, Manager of General Assembly Business and Per Capita in the Office of the General Assembly (OGA). “Per Capita can be hard to talk about and in the weeds. Per Capita Sunday is an invitation to share experiences and resources that can inform those discussions.”

총회 사무국 소속 '총회 사업과 상회비' 총괄인 케이트 트리거 더퍼트는 1월 22일 '상회비 주일'에 미국장로교 회중들이 "상회비를 내야 하는 이유에 대해 논의할 수 있을 것"이라고 전했다. "상회비에 대해 말을 꺼내기 어려울 때가 많습니다. '상회비 주일'은 상회비에 관한 논의에 도움이 되는 경험과 자료를 나누는 자리입니다."

El domingo 22 de enero, las congregaciones de la Iglesia Presbiteriana (EE. UU.) tienen la oportunidad de “debatir por qué hacemos capitaciones”, dijo Kate Trigger Duffert, Gerente de Negocios de la Asamblea General y Capitaciones en la Oficina de la Asamblea General (OGA). “Capitaciones puede ser un tema difícil de tratar y muy complicado. El domingo de capitaciones es una invitación a compartir experiencias y recursos que pueden informar esas discusiones”.

Eight days are set aside for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25), but there are great reasons to reflect on the observance’s call of togetherness throughout the year.

That’s the message from Dr. Dianna Wright, Director of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations in the Office of the General Assembly. 

“Welcoming all in the name of Christ” might be easy to write into a church’s mission statement, but the challenge comes when faced with living it out and extending a hand to those in the transgender community. An inclusive, loving welcome is possible, though, with education and courage to open up those sanctuary doors.