Mission Yearbook: Author offers reflections on ‘the AI mirror’ during lecture

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Dr. Shannon Vallor

Delivering the Anita and Antonio Gott Lecture at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City recently, Dr. Shannon Vallor explored the topic “The AI Mirror: How to Reclaim Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking.” Vallor is the Baillie Gifford Professor in the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence at the Edinburgh Futures Institute at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Her most recent book, which shares a title with her lecture, explores the ethics, advantages and challenges of a future with artificial intelligence.

She was introduced before the lecture by the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston, senior pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Vallor said her book “uses a mirror as a metaphor to help us understand how AI tools work, what they can do and cannot do, and what they can do but probably shouldn’t.”

During her talk, which can be seen here, Vallor addressed mirrors, space, time and stories.

On the topic of mirrors, “we need to grasp AI’s impacts on democracy, science, media, the arts and climate,” she said, including how we carry out our daily work and how we find companionship.

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“It is changing how we make laws, music, love and war,” Vallor said. AI is a mirror “in a more powerful sense. It’s not one technology, but many machine-learning tools.”

When you look in a mirror, “you know there is no second face in that room,” she said. But AI companies “want you to fail the mirror test. They want you to think [that with AI technology] you’re seeing something that can help you, teach you, comfort you, help you speak and write — and one day replace you.”

AI tricks “can be dazzling, even blinding and disorienting,” she said. “They are used to confound us. They are fraudulent deep-fake images, designed to gin up our rage over something that never happened.”

Thinking about space, Vallor said that in order to reason, “we need to use thought as a way to stretch into the open space of the future.” AI tools can be designed “to hold open the space of reason, but for the most part they aren’t.” A large language model won’t tell us “I don’t really know” or “I’m not sure” or “why don’t you tell me?” she noted.

“They are mental space-filling machines,” Vallor said. “Want a better ending to your novel? The AI mirror has unflagging confidence.”

If we had large language models in the 1600s and asked them to deliver justice, “they would have never demanded the liberation of women and slaves. They could not have even questioned the divine right of kings,” she said. “We would have remained stuck in time.”

Thinking “requires the repeated practice of scaling daunting peaks. We’re letting those skills erode,” she said. “We could design AI to strengthen our cognitive muscles and those of the next generation, but that’s not what the market wants. It wants to extract maximum returns now.”

Vallor reminded her hearers that “we know space and time aren’t separate” and that “things and events arrive on an unpredictable schedule.”

Humans enjoy the ability to choose. “We can abandon a commitment or make one we swore we would never take on,” Vallor said. “We can stick with the dire politics we know, or we can say, ‘to hell with this. We’re changing the game.’”

During a question-and-answer session following her talk, Vallor was asked about how we can get to a hopeful future.

“I think we can get there through remembering the history of human courage and human responsibility,” she said. “When things feel like they’re spinning out of control, it’s easy to feel like we don’t have the resources to get through this.”

“All you have to do is read history enough to know how many times we’ve been in some version of here,” she said, and “how many times humanity has been boxed up … and chewed its way out through solidarity, ingenuity, faith and a commitment to the future.”

“There are ways to channel feelings into a power of creating a future for ourselves and one another,” Vallor said. “We’ve done it so many times, and we can do it again.”

Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Lucy Bryant, Online Service Client Relations Specialist, Operations, The Presbyterian Foundation
Monica Buonincontri, Vice President, Marketing & Commumications, The Board of Pensions

Let us pray:

God of truth and wisdom, you created us with minds to wonder, question and imagine. As we live in a world shaped by new technologies, help us to use what we create with humility, courage and care. Remind us that no machine can replace the dignity, responsibility and hope you have placed within humanity. Amen.

One Great Hour of Sharing - Small Gifts Make a Big Difference

Throughout the years, our “Gracie” fish coin banks have been used to help encourage children to participate in One Great Hour of Sharing. The Leaders’s Guide offers many suggestions for using the fish coin banks and can be found on page 10. You can get creative and download fish stickers or can wrapper to put on your own boxes, cans or water bottles. Print these stickers to use wherever you like. Use these stickers or the Can Wrapper below to make your own way to collect coins. Download Fish Stickers Create coin cans for collection or display. Download Can Wrapper The Leader’s Guide has two suggested litanies to incorporate use of the fish boxes into One Great Hour of Sharing worship. You can find them on page 11. Download the Leader's Guide Centered in the prophet Micah’s call to do justice, One Great Hour of Sharing has been helping neighbors in need around the world for over 75 years. The annual Offering gives the PC(USA) a tangible way to share God’s love by joining together to help eliminate the root causes of the world’s injustices. Thank you for generously supporting the Churchwide Special Offerings. If you have any questions, reply to this email or call us at (800) 728-7228, Ext. 5047.

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Mission Yearbook: Documentary ‘Evicting the American Dream’ is now streaming on Amazon Prime

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"Evicting the American Dream" has already been shown in several communities across the country. It's now available for streaming on Amazon Prime. (Contributed photo)

“Evicting the American Dream” is now available to stream on Amazon Prime. The documentary, produced by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Counter Stories Productions, presents the stories of children and families confronting eviction and homelessness, exploring the root causes and systemic issues that perpetuate this epidemic.

“Amazon Prime has the potential to reach over 200 million worldwide, and this is just an incredible platform and opportunity to amplify these voices and Counter Stories to a wider audience of millions,” said David Barnhart, director of the documentary and associate for Story Ministry for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Dr. Katherine Rowell, co-producer of the film and a retired sociology professor at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio, addressed some of the current challenges around housing in the United States. “We continue to see racial disparity in housing affordability and eviction rates,” Rowell said. “The issue of housing affordability remains at the heart of the American Dream, and increasingly that dream is becoming a nightmare for many families.”

Rowell developed a documentary resource guide to the film available to download with additional resources about eviction and homelessness as a way to raise awareness and encourage education and dialogue around this topic. “It is hoped that communities will add their own resources and questions to guide these conversations and call for action in their communities,” Rowell said.

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Listen to staff from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) talk about “Evicting the American Dream” here.

“Evicting the American Dream” joins other Counter Stories Productions documentaries available for streaming, including “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence” and “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City.” 

Barnhart also highlighted the importance of generating national conversations and engagement around root causes, noting that “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City” recently reached the “15 million Streaming Milestone” across all streaming platforms worldwide. “This level of outreach is incredibly important as we all work together in these movements for justice,” Barnhart said.

Since its premiere last March, “Evicting the American Dream” has been screened in places across the United States, including Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Illinois and California. Screenings are accompanied by panel discussions and brainstorming sessions with local leaders, organizations and faith groups addressing eviction and homelessness.

See some of the responses from partners and collaborators here.

Alongside the screening campaign for “Evicting the American Dream,” Counter Stories Productions is in the production phase for a documentary about gun violence prevention and another one focused on environmental racism. 

More information about Counter Stories Productions and its film resources can be found here or here. 

Michelle Muñiz, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Andrew Browne, Executive Vice President, Engagement & Church Relations, The Board of Pensions
Laura Bryan, Manager, Financial Aid for Service, Interim Unified Agency

Let us pray:

God of shelter and mercy, be near to those who are losing homes or fearing what comes next. Stir compassion and wisdom in leaders so that justice and care may prevail. Amen 

Living into Right Relations: March 2026

Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from The United Church of Canada A Call to the Church: Mobilize for Moosehide This May!  [Image credit: Moosehide Campaign Day]   Mother God, Beloved Christ and Sister Spirit,  May this moose hide  remind me of my commitment  to create and live in a society where Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people experience  the freedom to flourish within a healthy society that respects, values and cherishes the human rights and dignity of all people.  May I join with others to be a part of your healing and restoration.  Amen  This prayer, offered by the Rev. Dr. Alydia Smith, is a call to all in The United Church of Canada to participate in the Moosehide Campaign Day on Thursday, May 14!  Canada is in the midst of an ongoing national crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people. Canada has a long legacy of devaluing Indigenous peoples—in particular Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people.  Many believe that they do not matter, and that it is acceptable to commit acts of violence upon them. Indigenous peoples lack the legal protection that others receive. This is racism.   The Moosehide Campaign is a call to all people in Canada to take a stand against racism and for justice. This year we are hoping for a record United Church turn-out at the virtual events, local walks to end violence, and fasts to end violence.   National events include a sunrise ceremony, educational plenary, and workshops (all available via livestream), as well as the Moosehide Day Rally on the grounds of the Ontario legislature at Queen’s Park in Toronto from noon to 1:30 p.m.. You can register for virtual events (including livestream links to all the national campaign day events).   Local marches are being organized across the country. Find your local march on the map, or register to become a community steward and organize your own events.  We are calling on United Church members, friends, and communities of faith to take a stance against racism and for justice. If you are in Southern Ontario (or beyond!), come to Toronto and join us for the rally! If you are elsewhere across the country, join in local marches or organize your own!  Stay tuned to this newsletter, the Indigenous Ministries Facebook page and United Church social media for updates!  Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world!

Copyright © 2026 The United Church of Canada, All rights reserved.

Mission Yearbook: North Carolina town marks one year since Hurricane Helene with day of hope and healing

Boone, North Carolina, recently observed the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s impact in Western North Carolina with Hope After Helene, a day that included music, poetry, connection and reflection.

Participants in the day included representatives of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team, the Appalachian State University Presbyterian Episcopal Campus Ministry, and musician and speaker David LaMotte, who delivered a keynote address and an event-closing concert. 

Watch: Western North Carolina Reflects on the Anniversary of Hurricane Helene

Jackie Henry, who was part of the Hope for Helene steering committee, shared why the event was an important aspect of the region’s recovery. “As a psychologist, I know that whether it’s individual trauma or collective disaster response, the single strongest predictor of recovery isn’t the severity of what happened to us — it’s the quality of support we receive afterward. Social connection literally rewires our traumatized brains, helping us move from hypervigilance back to trust, from isolation back to belonging.”

“After Helene, our trauma was met with an outpouring of love and support that transcended political and social divides and honored our shared humanity. The Hope After Helene events rose organically from that very same spirit of generosity — a community choosing to heal together.”

View images from Hope After Helene

Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Analise Brown, Registrar & Administrative Assistant, Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium, Interim Unified Agency
Joey Brown, Associate, Direct Mail and PILLARS, Administrative Services Group, A Corporation       

Let us pray:

God of comfort and renewal, we remember those who were affected by the storms and the long road of recovery that followed. We give thanks for communities that come together in compassion, support and shared hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Author of book on Seven Mountains Mandate has a sober view of nation’s possible future

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Matthew Boedy

Author and scholar Matthew Boedy, whose “The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy” was recently published  by Westminster John Knox Press, was a recent guest on “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast.” Listen to Boedy’s conversation with hosts the Rev. Lee Catoe and Simon Doong here.

Boedy called the Seven Mountains Mandate movement “a movement within Christian nationalism dedicated to Christianizing the seven cultural institutions or arenas or spheres in the United States” — education, family, business, government/military, religion, media, and arts and entertainment.

The idea is to have Christians in leadership within each sphere, Boedy said, or “what might be described as a Christian consensus within those areas … so these areas should not only be run by Christians, but have a Christian culture attached to them.”

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Westminster John Knox Press published Matthew Boedy's "The Seven Mountains Mandate."

The movement began in the charismatic branch of white evangelicalism in the 1970s, Boedy said. “What they’re attempting to do is take their idea of Christianity and force it on other people and other parts of the nation,” he said. The movement wants to take back each of the mountains, which it suggests “is controlled by a secular force or a demonic force.”

He said the heir to the Seven Mountains Movement is Turning Point USA, which started out as a political organization and is now a religious organization as well. Progressive Christians and churches and their leaders can respond to this movement by further promoting their ideas on religious pluralism as well as democracy.

“I think the response needs to be not just a religious response, although that is important,” he said. “We need to make a larger network of people who will promote democracy against those who won’t.”

Many members of churches in mainline denominations aren’t well-versed about this movement, Catoe said. “We talk about Christian nationalism in broad terms, but we don’t know exactly what’s happening,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t take things that are considered Satanic or demonic as being real in progressive circles.”

Boedy noted that “the kind of spiritual warfare the Seven Mountains Movement people operate with is not an individual one.” In his letter to the church in Ephesus, he noted that Paul urges individuals to “put on the whole armor of God.”

“It was about individually blocking Satan’s attacks on your mind,” Boedy said of Paul’s letter. Movement supporters “want to take those individual verses and extrapolate it to institutional areas.”

Among Mountain of Education strategies, movement supporters turn to the use of vouchers to take public money and use it to attend private schools. Many also work to populate their local school board with those who support such aims.

With the Mountain of Religion, the belief is either that certain denominations have been overtaken by Satan “or they’re not preaching the real gospel or getting good discipleship,” Boedy said. “What the Seven Mountains Mandate has in mind is they want to push the church to purify itself and get better discipleship. That may sound good, but they also suggest you should leave the churches that are never going to be good enough. … It’s a movement to take the battle to Satan. They are taking the spiritual battle fight to the enemy.”

“They want very much to Christianize the public school system,” he said, including placing the Ten Commandments in classrooms, banning some books and implementing President Donald Trump’s 1776 Commission “to bring Christianity as the consensus to public schools,” as Boedy put it. “You can see they want to bring back a very specific Christianized version of American history so they can change what we’re taught in the future.”

“That’s very important for the Mountain of Education,” he said. “Once you start educating people differently in grades K-12, that affects their lives from here on out.”

“We may have to go through some very bad times … to restore some sort of spirit of cooperation and faith in our society,” Boedy said. “It may take the coalescing of odd groups to restore our faith in government.”

“I think that change can come from religious leaders,” he said, “the people who know how to build unity and build faith, whether in God or in government.”

Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Kendra Bright, Operations and Accounting Associate, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
McKenna Britton, Communications Associate, Interim Unified Agency

Let us pray:

God of truth and peace, strengthen your people to bear witness to love, justice and compassion, so that faith may be a force for healing rather than harm. Amen.