Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Grace and Gratitude Newsletter, September 2020


Grace & Gratitude banner

Ray JonesNow more than ever, we need to experience the nature and meaning of Jesus. Responding to a devastating pandemic and the evil of structural racism requires a strength that is not our own. Nothing but Jesus is going equip us to face the problems inside and around us and wholeheartedly engage God’s mission of restoration. Without Jesus, our training will only take us so far. One more meeting won’t solve our problem. Simply being able to go back to our pre-pandemic lives will not help, either.

Maybe, just maybe, this is the gift of COVID-19. And I do not write these words outside the heartache caused by this virus. But what if we are being stripped of all we hold dear? We are separated from the people and the routines that once gave our lives meaning and purpose. Yet we are waking up and discovering that Jesus continues to be at work in our lives, communities, church and world. Jesus continues to be the light revealing the way. Now more than ever, we need to experience the nature and meaning of Jesus. Responding to a devastating pandemic and the evil of structural racism requires a strength that is not our own. Nothing but Jesus is going equip us to face the problems inside and around us and wholeheartedly engage God’s mission of restoration. Without Jesus, our training will only take us so far. One more meeting won’t solve our problem. Simply being able to go back to our pre-pandemic lives will not help, either. Maybe, just maybe, this is the gift of COVID-19. And I do not write these words outside the heartache caused by this virus. But what if we are being stripped of all we hold dear? We are separated from the people and the routines that once gave our lives meaning and purpose. Yet we are waking up and discovering that Jesus continues to be at work in our lives, communities, church and world. Jesus continues to be the light revealing the way.

Read more
Bruce Reyes-Chow people praying picture frames
Beyond buildings, borders and geography

In this time of “Scattered Church,” the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow encourages pastors to build theological understanding of what the future church might look like.

Read more
Rethinking Evangelism postcard
Rethinking Evangelism

This event is designed for congregations to reconsider what effective evangelism might look like in the midst of the pandemics of COVID-19, racism and poverty.

Learn more
 
mountains and desert
In a place of great danger

By comparing the triple pandemics with the Israelites’ wilderness experience, Bible study at a Vital Congregations gathering helped leaders encounter God — and cultivate resilience.

Read more
water well
Digging deeper into well of PC(USA) ministries

An Oct. 5–7 event will stress importance of lifelong discipleship, while fulfilling the PC(USA) Education Certification requirement for Presbyterian Program and Mission.

Learn more
Intergenerational Formation Logo
New from the Office of Christian Formation  

This digital faith practices toolkit launch explores five "Sabbath practices" that are designed to help faith leaders guide congregations into becoming an intergenerational community of faith.

Read more
interfaith activity boxes for children
Building bridges instead of walls

A PC(USA) historically related university in Charlotte, North Carolina, is building partnerships for interfaith engagement work, which is strengthening the response to pandemic needs in the community.

Learn more
philip morgan playing piano
‘Keep singing the Matthew 25 vision’

Like a prayer, a new Matthew 25 hymn asks God to ‘Send us your Spirit’ and ‘Show us your way.’

Read more
YAV Virtual Year
YAV is ‘virtual’ in 2020–21 and ‘in-person’ in 2021–22

Sign up for ‘virtual’ YAV service in 2020–21 by the Sept. 29 deadline. Application season for ‘in-person’ YAV service in 2021–22 opens Oct. 1 (pcusa.org/yav).

Be a 'virtual' YAV!
Matthew 25 banner
Matthew 25-Actively engaged in the world

The Matthew 25 invitation was officially launched in April of 2019. Over a year later there are more than 530 churches, groups and mid councils that have made the commitment to become a Matthew 25 church and work towards building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.

Learn about this bold vision
 
Coronavirus/COVID-19 — Latest church resources
for congregations and members
facebook twitter instagram vimeo youtube

You are receiving this publication because of your past interest in Theology, Education, Evangelism and Church Growth communications.

Presbyterian Mission, an Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202
800-728-7228 | 502-569-5000

No comments:

Post a Comment

Advent Unwrapped: Joy🎉✨

Joy I remember being at a church that expected an unnatural silence from my then-toddler. He pulled on my sleeve and asked me for a candy. I...