Mission Yearbook: Pastor shares lessons on resilience learned after Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina devastated the congregation where the Rev. Jean Marie Peacock served as associate pastor. Two parishioners lost their lives and 90% lost their homes, including Peacock and her husband.

Twenty years later, she still tears up.

The Rev. Jean Marie Peacock speaks during a plenary session at Stewardship Kaleidoscope
(Photo by Gregg Brekke)

Resilience doesn’t mean “getting over” that, Peacock said in a plenary address at Stewardship Kaleidoscope in New Orleans. The annual conference was presented by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

It means drawing on community, justice, faith and hope, even when confronting the seemingly impossible. “Resiliency is a gift God cultivates in and among us. It’s grounded in community, shaped by justice, rooted in faith, and sustained by hope. God entrusts us to be stewards of these gifts, so that we not only survive life’s challenges, we thrive.”

Peacock recalled a church member asking: “How in the world are we ever going to rebuild our church, our homes? Everything is destroyed.”

Though overwhelmed herself, Peacock replied: “We are not alone.”

“I told her that prayers, funds and offers of assistance and volunteers were already pouring into Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. I said we are part of a connectional church that will help see us through it all.”

Relationships of care and justice are important when we feel helpless in the face of need and suffering, Peacock said. “It’s hard to be resilient by yourself, isn't it?”

Around the corner from the hotel where the Stewardship Kaleidoscope participants were gathered is the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. There, thousands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees sheltered amid fear and confusion. Not far is the Superdome, where even more suffered for days.

“The world saw with painful clarity that it is always the poorest of the poor who are left behind,” Peacock said. Twenty-five percent of the population of New Orleans did not have the resources, such as a vehicle, to even evacuate, she added.

That’s why people of faith didn’t stop with emergency aid.

Peacock founded Project Homecoming in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbytery of South Louisiana. More than 10,000 volunteers worked with the organization to rebuild over 350 homes.

“Project Homecoming is a reminder that resilience is not just about short-term fixes,” she said. “What began as volunteers cleaning and mucking out houses grew into a ministry of restoration, affordable housing and workforce development. True resilience addresses the root causes that make people vulnerable in the first place.”

In Katrina’s aftermath, someone asked Peacock how she managed.

“I said, ‘The first thing I do when I wake up is, I pray. I cry. Once I've given all of the anxieties and the questions and the hurt and the pain to God, and after I've shared my loss and grief, and after I've confessed my need for God’s help and sought God’s direction, after I've gotten it all out of my system and given it all over to God — well, then I'm ready to start the day.’”

Peacock shared the story of Brenda, who lost her home and belongings in the storm. Then a fraudulent contractor stole her insurance money. Years after Katrina, she found herself homeless and suicidal.

Brenda doubted Project Homecoming would actually rebuild her home. The volunteers kept at it week after week until the work was done, mending her broken heart in the process.

“Resilience is grounded in faith that makes space for questions, grief and honesty,” Peacock said. “It holds lament and hope together.”

Hope lifts our eyes beyond the rubble, said Peacock, now the organizing pastor of the Be Well-Come Together new worshiping community in Harvey, Louisiana.

“When we are resilient, we take time for gratitude and look for signs of God’s presence and power at work in our world and in our lives,” she said.

Nancy Crowe for the Presbyterian Foundation (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Lara Kirwan, Administrative Project Manager, President’s Office, Administrative Services Group
Maha Kolko, Project Manager, Community Outreach, Human Resources, Administrative Services Group

Let us pray:

Dear God, thank you for loving the world and sending your church to grow in service, discipleship and effectiveness. We are grateful for examples of those who are listening to your Spirit’s voice. Guide all those involved in innovative ministry. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Indiana church abolishes over $1 million in medical debt for neighbors

Last fall, First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Indiana, celebrated its 200th
anniversary (Photos by Rich Copley).

As part of its 200th anniversary celebration, First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Indiana, has taken an extraordinary step to serve its neighbors.

With a $10,000 gift from a generous church family, the congregation partnered with Undue Medical Debt to purchase and abolish just over $1.78 million in medical debt for 1,488 individuals across south-central Indiana. 

The impact reaches deep into the community:

• Bartholomew County: $1.03 million relieved for 916 individuals
• Brown County: $237,000 relieved for 225 individuals
• Jackson County: $507,000 relieved for 347 individuals.

“This is about bringing hope and healing in a very practical way,” said the Rev. Dr. Felipe N. Martínez, pastor of First Presbyterian Church. “Our bicentennial is not only a time to look back with gratitude but also to look forward with compassion. We wanted to help ease a burden many families were carrying.”

The initiative was inspired by a family in the congregation who wished to remain anonymous. Other families in the church have added to that initial gift. Their donations were multiplied through Undue Medical Debt’s model, which converts every $1 contributed into an average of $100 in debt relief.

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The choir at First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Indiana, sings during the church's 200th anniversary celebration last fall 

Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States and often prevents families from seeking further care. Those who qualify for debt relief through Undue Medical Debt typically earn less than four times the federal poverty level or have debts that exceed 5% of their annual income.

Individuals whose debt is being abolished will soon receive letters directly from Undue Medical Debt. These letters are not a scam —they carry the good news that their debt has been fully eliminated and, importantly, that this debt will also be removed from their credit records. Recipients are strongly encouraged to open these letters when they arrive.

First Presbyterian Church has an additional $10,000 in donated funds reserved to abolish more debt when the next purchase becomes available, extending the impact of this future event further.

While this is not a fundraising campaign, church leaders hope their example will inspire other faith communities and nonprofit organizations to consider how they too might stand alongside families struggling with medical debt.

Since being founded in 2014 by two former debt collectors, Undue Medical Debt has acquired — and abolished — more than $20 billion of burdensome medical debt, helping over 7 million families and addressing a major social determinant of health. Undue partners with individuals, faith-based organizations and corporations and empowers donors by converting every dollar contributed into $100 of medical debt relief on average. Learn more here.

Founded in 1824, First Presbyterian Church of Columbus has served the community for two centuries through worship, outreach and social impact. The church continues to embody its mission by fostering compassion, justice and service in Columbus and beyond.

First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Indiana (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

John Kim, Senior Translator, Global Language Resources, Administrative Services Group
Sam Young Kim, Stewardship Officer – Korean, Stewardship and Major Gift Officer, Administrative Services Group         

Let us pray:

Gracious God, help us to continually look for  you in all of Creation and help us always to be a blessing in your sight. Amen.

World Communion Offering Resources and Grants

First World Communion Offering this Fall The World Communion Offering is happening for the first time this fall as mandated by the 226th General Assembly (2024). It’s exciting to explore this new opportunity with you. World Communion Offering Grant Update Soon we will be able to share with you how the application process works, the timeline for receiving grants and where you can find the application to apply. As a reminder, any council of the church (i.e., mid councils and sessions) can apply for a grant regardless of your participation in the World Communion Offering. Things to Remember about the World Communion Offering You will receive a standing order if you had one for the Peace & Global Witness Offering. They will ship in July. Check our website for resources being unveiled for this offering starting in late summer. This will include a worship resource for World Communion Sunday prepared in partnership with the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. There will be a video to share with your members. Mark your calendar for the Season of Preparation, which is Sept. 6-Oct. 4, 2026. Resources can be found online. If you have any questions, please reach out by replying to this email or calling the number in the box below. 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: PC(USA) charters its first Zo Presbyterian Church

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The first class of elders of the Zo Presbyterian Church is ordained and installed. (Contributed photo).

The sanctuary at North Decatur Presbyterian Church resonated with the rhythmic pulse of traditional Zo music and voices lifted in harmonious prayer last fall as an Indigenous community from Myanmar’s western mountains claimed its place in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The Service of Constitution, conducted in multiple languages and punctuated by spirited hymns, marked a historic milestone: the chartering of the first Zo Presbyterian Church in the PC(USA). For two hours, the congregation celebrated not just the birth of a new church but also the fulfillment of a journey that began thousands of miles away and was nurtured by the hospitality of Presbyterian communities across metro Atlanta.

The Zo people, an Indigenous ethnic group who fled persecution in Myanmar, have worshiped at North Decatur Presbyterian for the past two years. Before that, Memorial Drive Presbyterian and Decatur Presbyterian Church welcomed them to worship in their spaces, providing temporary homes as the community grew and discerned its call to become a chartered congregation.

Video URL: player.vimeo.com/video/1043556984

The service showcased the vibrant worship style of the Zo community, with congregants dressed in traditional attire leading spirited hymns accompanied by drums and guitars. The Rev. Andy James, the stated clerk of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, conducted the installation of the Rev. Sarah Lane as pastor of the new congregation.

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The Rev. Sarah Lane (Photo by Lindsay Armstrong)

Lane is the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Lianchinkhup Taithul, who founded the Zo Presbyterian Church before suffering a fatal car accident. Upon her father's death, Lane felt called to attend seminary, seek ordination and lead the community, becoming the first Zo woman ordained in the Presbyterian Church.

“The roots of this church reach back to Myanmar’s mountains, but its branches already stretch throughout Atlanta and are growing toward Baltimore, toward Indianapolis and toward the world,” Lane said. “Where others saw displacement, God saw dispersal — seed scattered to grow new life in unexpected soil.”

The chartering represents the culmination of years of faithful work that began with a single visit to a presbytery office. The Rev. Dr. Lindsay Armstrong, executive director of the presbytery’s New Church Development Commission, recalled that pivotal moment. “When Rev. Dr. Lianchinkhup walked into my office years ago, he carried more than a dream — he carried a people’s hope,” Armstrong said. “Today, that hope has been realized.”

Armstrong emphasized the significance of the milestone, describing it as both historic and deeply personal. “The first Zo congregation in the PC(USA) is not an ending but a beginning,” she said. “It is the Spirit saying again, ‘See, I am doing a new thing — do you not perceive it?’”

The Zo people fled Myanmar amid political persecution and civil conflict, with many settling in the United States over the past decade. The community has maintained strong ties to its cultural and religious heritage while building new lives in American cities.

For North Decatur Presbyterian, serving as host church to the Zo congregation has provided a glimpse into the early days of church planting. The Rev. Mary Anona Stoops, pastor at North Decatur Presbyterian, was preparing for her own congregation's 70th anniversary celebration when the Zo church was chartered.

“Celebrating the chartering of Zo Presbyterian Church was a profound joy and gift,” Stoops said. “It is like seeing our own story come alive again, reminding me of what it takes to begin a new church: perseverance, vision and deep faith.”

The service included the presentation of a charter certificate, the examination of the congregation’s officers and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Congregants from across the presbytery attended to witness the historic occasion.

“To charter is not to finish something — it is to throw open the doors of possibility,” Armstrong said. “Zo Presbyterian Church stands as both home and horizon.”

According to Armstrong, the new congregation represents a growing trend in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as immigrant and ethnic communities increasingly shape the denomination’s future. The PC(USA) has prioritized new church development in recent years, with particular focus on multicultural and multilingual congregations.

“This moment is historic, but it’s also profoundly personal,” Armstrong said. “The Zo people are teaching us what it means to be the Church — courageous, communal and compelled by love.”

Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Robert Kent, IT Specialist, Information Technology, The Presbyterian Foundation
Joshua Kerr, Ministry Relations Officer, Development Office, The Presbyterian Foundation

Let us pray:

Gracious God, give us strength and courage to follow your call. Even though our numbers are small, grant us that our fruit be plentiful and our blessings great. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Memorial Day Devotional: Remembering. Honoring. Walking Together.

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Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

There are moments in history that leave marks too deep for time to erase. Wars are among them. They shape generations, redefine communities, and leave behind both visible and invisible wounds. For those who have served — and for those who have loved them — these marks are carried long after the conflict ends.

Memorial Day invites us into a sacred pause. It is more than a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer. It is a day set apart to remember, intentionally and reverently, those who gave their lives in service to others. It is also a day to acknowledge the quiet grief carried by families, friends and communities who continue living in the absence of someone they love.

Remembrance is not passive. It asks something of us. It calls us to see the cost of sacrifice, to honor it not only with words but also with presence. For some, this remembrance is expressed in ceremonies and flags placed beside gravestones. For others, it is found in silence, in tears or in stories shared around a table.

As people of faith, we are also called to care. To stand beside those who mourn. To listen without rushing. To offer comfort not just through words but also through companionship. Sometimes the most meaningful ministry is simply refusing to let someone grieve alone.

We may not fully understand the weight carried by those who have experienced war firsthand or the depth of loss felt by their families. But we can be a community that bears witness to their stories. We can be people who embody compassion, extending grace and support in both small and profound ways.

Our denomination has over 120 chaplains serving in the Veterans Affairs hospitals, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the military, and they are ministering within a broader community where that reality is an indelible part of their life journey. While it will be a day for remembrance, as chaplains, it is, more importantly, a time to share a prayer, offer a shoulder to cry on, counsel, or walk in silence, but never alone. Hopefully, it will become an indelible support in a time of remembering. 

On this Memorial Day, may we remember with gratitude. May we honor with humility. And may we walk alongside those who carry loss, offering them the steady reminder that they are not alone.

Rev. Dennis Hysom, Executive Director, Presbyterian Federal Chaplaincies

Let us join in prayer for:

Jessica Kelley, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Publishing & Editorial, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Wilson Kennedy, Associate Director, Annual Giving, Administrative Services Group    

Let us pray:

God of mercy and peace, we remember today those who gave their lives in service to others. We honor their sacrifice and hold in our hearts the families who continue to feel their absence. Teach us to be people of compassion and be ready to listen, to comfort and to stand with those who grieve. May we reflect your love in our care for one another. Amen.

World Evangelical Alliance - Make It the Day Your Church Adopts a Frontier People Group

Frontier People Group is a valued partner of the WEA. May 24 is the International Day of the Unreached. This year, Joshua Project, A Third of Us, and Missio Nexus are inviting churches and networks to do something concrete on that day: adopt a Frontier People Group. Who Are Frontier People Groups? Frontier People Groups (FPGs) are among the least-reached people on earth. - Less than 1 in 1,000 is a follower of Jesus - Most have no access to a church planting movement - Most have no cultural access to the gospel They are the highest priority in global missions. What Adoption Looks Like Adoption connects your church, small group, organization, or network to organizations directly engaging FPGs. Joshua Project's matching tool links adopters with partners already working among the group you choose. The process follows five steps: 1. Awaken — understand why FPGs are the highest priority in global missions 2. Decide — choose a group for your church, network, or small group to adopt 3. Orient — learn who they are: their culture, beliefs, and daily life 4. Pray — pray for open doors, gospel workers, and breakthrough 5. Team Up and Take Action — connect with field organizations, clarify your role, and take action Get Started Learn more and find a group to adopt at joshuaproject.net/adopt   Adopt a People Group May 24 is a starting point. The work lasts much longer. For those still waiting to hear, With gratitude, World Evangelical Alliance  Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving more than 650 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 163 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions. Launched in London in 1846, the WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy, relief, and engagement in a wide range of social issues. It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments, and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church. For more information, visit worldea.org WEA has been a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980. WEA is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. WEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the United States, your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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