Mission Yearbook: Webinar explores theology of salvation

The Office of Ministry Education and Support’s second Leader Formation Webinar of 2025was led by Dr. Martha Moore-Keish. The J.B. Green Professor of Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary. continued her exploration of core Presbyterian theology.

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Martha Miller

The Leader Formation webinars are organized and facilitated by Martha Miller, a PC(USA) ruling elder and certified Christian educator who’s the manager for Ministry Education and Support within Mid Council Ministries.

Moore-Keish began her talk by reminding participants of the importance of questions when it comes to faith, including what salvation means.

“Christian faith — living, breathing Christian faith — is not about just memorizing certain answers, but it is about living with questions,” she said.

Moore-Keish then introduced the root of the word translated as “salvation” in the Hebrew Scriptures, yasha. This word, she explained, means freedom from any kind of distress, freedom from slavery, healing from illness, or simply “help.” It is referenced in all of these ways in Scripture, she said, quoting Psalms and Isaiah in particular, and points again and again to the work of God and God’s presence.

In the New Testament, in which the word used for salvation is sozo, these same ideas of divine salvation carry over, Moore-Keish said. She pointed out that this emphasis on salvation is evident even in Jesus’ name. In Matthew, the angel instructs Mary to name her son “Yeshua,” which means “he saves.” Then Jesus is also referred to as 

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Dr. Martha Moore-Keish

“Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” Moore-Keish explained that this combination continues to emphasize that God’s salvation is not some distant act of help, but rather entirely connected to God’s close and abiding presence.

The webinar explored four perspectives of how Jesus saves according to parts of his life: infant Jesus as the light of the world, healer Jesus, Jesus on the cross sacrificing himself and Jesus resurrected to new life.

“I hope that you might begin to sense is that even where you begin the story affects how you think Jesus saves,” Moore-Keish said. “So, we’re going to go through each of these just briefly and see what resonates with you. I hope what you notice is that salvation is not a monolithic or simple or static term, but that it has been and is interpreted in a variety of ways — not only in Scripture, but also through Christian tradition.”

Moore-Keish went on to teach about perspectives on salvation from theologians throughout history. She began with Greek early Christian theologian Athanasius and John 1, explaining his idea that Jesus saves us from “separation from God” and for “life in full communion with God.” Womanist theologian Dolores Williams, meanwhile, emphasized the example Jesus sets in his ministry of redemption through righting relationships, as seen in Matthew 4.

Moving on to Mark 15, Moore-Keish introduced 12th-century theologians Peter Abelard and Anselm of Canterbury. Abelard wrote about how Jesus saves humanity from sin driven by fear — of danger and of death — that keeps us from fully loving God and one another. Anselm, meanwhile — and Reformer John Calvin in a way — described Jesus as satisfying the debt humans owe to God and are unable to repay. Finally, Moore-Keish touched on John Chrysostom, who said that Jesus saves us — not just from fear of death — but from death itself. Freed from death, we are liberated to rejoice in life abundant here and now.

Moore-Keish emphasized that these five perspectives are just some of the many theological interpretations on salvation through Christ that have been suggested over the past two millennia. While the doctrine of salvation through Christ has been arguably the most central and unifying tenet of Christian faith, it has been and continues to be understood in many different ways.

Moore-Keish ended her talk with a reference from the PC(USA)’s Book of Confessions. Quoting from The Confession of 1967, she read, “God’s reconciling act in Jesus Christ is a mystery which the Scriptures describe in various ways. These are expressions of a truth which remains beyond the reach of all theory in the depths of God's love for humanity. They reveal the gravity, cost and sure achievement of God's reconciling work.”

Layton Williams Berkes, Communications Strategist (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Douglas Portz, Vice President, Church Relations, Engagement & Church Relations, The Board of Pensions
Vaughn Ratliff, HR Specialist, Human Resources, Administrative Services Group

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus Christ, even when it seems our small “loaves and fishes” are shrinking before our eyes, you remain Lord of your church. May you work ever-new miracles of abundance through our efforts and give us always your vision as we seek to remain faithful in times of change. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Sunday dinners bring community together at Louisville church

Dianne White was watching TV one day when a book promotion caught her eye.

“Chef Alexander Smalls’ new book really piqued my interest because he’s from South Carolina, which is where I’m originally from,” said White, a ruling elder at Shawnee Presbyterian Church in Louisville’s historic West End.

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In March, Shawnee Presbyterian Church in Louisville launched its popular Sunday dinner program. (Contributed photo)

West Louisville, a diverse and vibrant neighborhood, is known for its rich African American cultural heritage.

“When I found out that ‘When Alexander Graced the Table’ was both a recipe and a children’s book about ‘Sunday dinner,’ I knew it was a sign that I had to order it,” White said. “It even has a recipe from when Smalls was a boy of six. His contribution to the family’s Sunday dinner was a lemon icebox pie!”

Because White, a retired educator and expert chef in her own right, has long been advocating that Shawnee engage more intentionally with both the surrounding community and the presbytery, she sensed that the surest way to the people’s hearts would be through their stomachs.

In other words, “Sunday dinner.”

“People know what ‘Sunday dinner’ is because it’s an important tradition in a lot of cultures,” she said. “For us, we would gather at the grandmama’s house after church, and we would have Sunday dinner. Since the meal can be anything we want it to be, not just soul food, I knew that our members could use their imagination and whatever resources we had on hand to make it happen.”

And that’s just what they did.

On Sunday, March 23, White and a small group of faithful volunteers from the 30-member church — one of the four historic African American congregations in Mid-Kentucky Presbytery — launched the new Sunday dinner program.

Designed as a “drop-in” event from 1-3 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of every month, Shawnee Sunday dinners are tailored to accommodate a variety of schedules, guests and worship times.

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Servers with Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church assist with the Sunday dinner. (Contributed photo)

“We want to be a bridge for the ‘9th Street Divide,” White said, referencing the “barrier” that exists between Louisville’s East and West Ends. “People are afraid to come to the West End, but there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

As a harbinger of the new program’s success, the first meal on March 23 drew about 50 hungry diners, including members from congregations across the presbytery, like Harvey Browne Memorial Presbyterian Church, Shawnee’s “sister church,” where Tom Hughes is a ruling elder.

And not only is Hughes active at Shawnee as part of the administrative commission created by the presbytery in February 2023 to support the small congregation with church governance, but he is also a member of “Harvey’s Helpers," a volunteer ministry of HBPC.

Harvey’s Helpers is a group of mixed aged and mixed skill individuals interested in supporting church projects ranging from painting to minor repairs, landscaping and more.

White recalled a tense moment when she shared with the administrative commission the fire marshal’s pronouncement that the inoperable chair lift leading from one of Shawnee’s outside entrances to the church’s upper level was a dangerous fire hazard that either had to be fixed or removed.

“That’s when Tom offered to come to Shawnee and take pictures of the broken chair lift to see if Harvey’s Helpers could do it,” said White.

When Hughes showed the photos to HBPC ruling elder Dave Doehnert, who convenes the volunteer group, they determined that the chair lift would be too expensive to repair. So last year, four members of Harvey’s Helpers came over, took it apart and hauled it off.

“Tom is a quiet godsend,” White said.

And someone who also enjoys a good Sunday dinner.

“It was very nice,” Hughes said. “And not only was the food very good — Dianne made her famous caramel frosted pound cake — but it was also a chance to interact with people. I met someone from Harvey Browne whose name I had heard but had never really met even though he’s a lifetime member and I’ve been there for 30 years.”

And as for the lemon icebox pie, White said she hopes that there will be youth in the church who will one day make Smalls’ childhood recipe.

Rev. Emily Enders Odom, Associate Director of Mission Communications (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Tracy Pou, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Engagement & Church Relations, The Board of Pensions
Rick Purdy, HR Manager, Human Resources, Administrative Services Group

Let us pray:

Open our eyes, O God, to the world around us, to the liberating power of the gospel and your abundant expressions of reconciling love. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Last-day worship energizes Triennium with message of God’s bigger dreams

The theme for the final day of Presbyterian Youth Triennium was “Wake Up and Dream,” and the high-energy, thoughtful and feel-good worship service clearly had that effect on the youth and young adults gathered at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville for one final time together.

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The closing worship at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium featured the imposition of glitter ashes. (Photo by Rich Copley)

Owing to how tired many people were, a pair of energizers were conducted from a seated position. The Nettletons 2.0 reprised “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” from the most recent Triennium, held in 2019. Scripture choices for Thursday’s worship were Isaiah 55:12–13 and Matthew 2:10–12.

The Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon, Vice President for Ministry Innovation at the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offered up a traditional sermon, infusing it with the fire and insight for which he’s known and loved.

“What day is this?” Cannon asked worshipers. Then he answered his own question: “This is the day the Lord has made!”

He asked everyone to tell the person beside them, “Neighbor, O neighbor, wake up and dream.”

Constructed after God’s likeness and reflected in God’s awesomeness, “You are somebody!” Cannon said, telling youth and young adults they were not made sluggish and lethargic, maladjusted and flawed. “You are bright and beautiful, caring and concerned,” he said. “You are a giver and receiver, mentor and student, parent and child, guardian and protector. You are athletic and stout, cosmopolitan and chic. You are anointed with love and dusted with power. You are a contributor and a supporter. You have common sense and life training. Your hair is silver and your wisdom is gold. You are God’s child, made from omnipotent power. You are the church, and you are somebody! Somebody say amen.”

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During closing worship, energizers were offered from a sitting position. (Photo by Rich Copley)

“Let me drop my kickstand in Isaiah 55,” Cannon said, offering his first point, that “God’s dreams for you are bigger than your own.” He quoted the author Willie Jolley: “Your setback is a setup for a comeback.”

Consider the National Basketball Association’s all-time scoring leader, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. “His dream was to play in the NBA, but God’s dreams were so much larger — to impact the world beyond the basketball court,” Cannon said. Today James is a philanthropist and entrepreneur as well as a basketball superstar. His charity provides wraparound services for students attending the school he started.

“Don’t limit what God can do in your life based on what you see right now,” Cannon advised. “Pray about your future, your talents and your passions. It may be something you never considered. If it feels way too big for you, chances are it’s God’s dream.”

“Your dreams are good,” Cannon said, “but God’s dreams are gold.”

His second point was this: God’s guidance leads to unexpected joy. From the Matthew text, Cannon traced the joy the magi experienced after following “a celestial GPS.”

“God’s guidance often takes us on paths we didn’t anticipate. It might not be the easiest path, or the one your friends are taking. But when you follow God’s lead, it leads to true fulfillment, deep peace and exceedingly great joy.”

Take singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, he said. “Her music was dark and not mainstream. Many told her to change her style, but she followed her vision,” Cannon said. “Billie Eilish didn’t follow the typical path, but her authenticity led her to massive success. You’ve got to be open to where God is leading, even when it seems unconventional.”

“You’ve got to see what God is really doing,” he said. “You’ve got to look for counsel from parents, mentors and pastors, and listen for that nudge from the Spirit.”

That took Cannon to his third and final point: God’s protection guides you to a new way.

“God gave [the magi] a dream, warning them not to go back to Herod,” Cannon said. “God changed their direction, and they went home another way.”

“God sent you to Louisville,” he told the youth and young adults. “God placed you in this convention hall, to go home another way. Dreaming with God isn’t just about aspirations and following directions. It means listening to God’s warnings and being willing to change direction when God prompts you.”

Randy Hobson contributed to this report.

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

Let us join in prayer for:

Jim Phares, Web Systems Developer, Digital Strategy & Information Systems, Administrative Systems Group
Katherine Pierce, Strategic Knowledge & Project Manager, The Board of Pensions

Let us pray:

O God, we pray for eyes to see the gifts you have given us, we pray for hearts to hear your call and we pray for courage to go where you send us. Bless us as we go out to share the gospel wherever you lead. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Christmas Day

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God gives us signs.

And while we are cautioned to use care in discerning their meaning, since not every sign comes from God, nonetheless there are signs everywhere.

The shepherds received one.

On the night of Jesus’ birth, the shepherds received a sign — unbidden, mysterious and from an angel — as they watched over their flocks.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).

As the chapter continues, we see that the shepherds wasted no time in seeking confirmation of the heavenly sign. All the clues are right there in the text. “Let us go now to Bethlehem.” They went “with haste.” With the shepherds, the Gospel writer uses the same language found in the previous chapter to express the urgency of Mary’s visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, who was the first to declare that Jesus is Lord, even before his birth.

There’s good reason to rush when you’re off to meet Jesus.

And so it is, in this moment, for me.

This Christmas, I’m in a hurry to rediscover the call and the gifts that first sent me down my path to ministry.

Nearly 40 years ago this month, I was ordained as a deacon, called to exercise a caring ministry that fed my soul. Then, in my first ordained call as pastor of Glenwood Presbyterian Church (in New York), home and hospital visitation were the heartbeat of my ministry. Throughout my many years of service in national ministries, my heart has always remained in local congregations, where I find deep joy in making music, preaching the Good News, and being Christ’s hands and feet in the world.

And that’s where I am called now as I take my leave from the Interim Unified Agency.

I see my departure on Dec. 31 not as an ending, but as both a beginning and an inclusio at this moment in my ministry.

And on Jan. 1, you’ll find me where God has shown me I now belong. Following Jesus’ call to feed the hungry — with care and compassion — in the Food Cupboard at Third Presbyterian Church, Rochester, where I will be the new Stated Supply Associate Pastor for Congregational Care.

It’s a sign.

Rev. Emily Enders Odom, Associate Director of Mission Communications

Let us join in prayer for:

Lisa Pesavento, HR Generalist II, Human Resources, The Presbyterian Foundation
Jason Peterson, Senior VP & COO, Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program        

Let us pray:

As the shepherds did so long ago, help us, dear God, to run now to find Jesus. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Christmas Eve: In gratitude for church leaders of the past, present and future

We are in the final hours of waiting in hope and expectation for the coming of Christ, who lived and walked among us, led the disciples and taught us to pray and to love God. 

Church leaders of the past, present and future have demonstrated the love of Christ. They provide us with a biblical and theological framework for understanding issues such as the Israeli and Palestinian conflict in the Middle East, the war between Ukraine and Russia, militarism, racism, climate change, the economy, immigration and human rights. Even more important, they lead us in praying for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and they nurture our faith, which helps us live out what we say we believe.

The Menaul School in Albuquerque, New Mexico; the Presbyterian Pan American School in Kerrville, Texas; and Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are Presbyterian schools equipping communities of color that help prepare individuals for leadership in the church and society. Many of the students, some of whom come from economically distressed communities, will one day serve as pastors, educators, musicians, elders and deacons of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations, military and hospital chaplains and seminary professors.

We are grateful for past leaders of the church. Many are retired church workers who have served honorably in leadership positions and who are now in need of financial assistance.

As we await the coming of Christ, let us express our gratitude for our past, present and future church leaders by giving to the Christmas Joy Offering. Fifty percent of our gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will provide support for the Menaul School, the Presbyterian Pan American School and Stillman College, and 50% will help provide assistance for retired church workers through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. Let us give generously.

Scripture: Luke 2:1–14 (15–20)

Vince Patton, Ruling Elder, Louisville

Let us join in prayer for:

Sean Payne, Interim Manager, Research Services, Administrative Services Group
Derrick Perkins, Mail and Print Services, Administrative Services Group           

Let us pray:

Creator God, we give thanks for Jesus and for the church leaders of the past, present and future, who inspire us to grow closer to you and to live out our faith. May we use what we learn to proclaim your love and peace in the world. In the name of the Christ, who lived and walked among us, we pray. Amen.

Preparing the Way

Thank you for your generous support of the Christmas Joy Offering. Our gifts prepare the way and smooth the path for current and retired church workers and their families in their time of critical need; and prepare the way for our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.   We are there with the leaders of our church — past, present and future.   When we all do a little, it adds up to a lot! Thank you for your generous support of Special Offerings. If you have any questions about remitting your gift, reply to this email or call 800-728-7228, Ext. 5047.

Copyright © 2025 Special Offerings, All rights reserved.

United Mission Matters

United Mission Matters "A Dancing Calf" Written By: Rev. Dr. Cheryl F. Dudley Executive Minister American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York “And you sniff at it,” says Adonai. “So you bring plunder, the lame and the sick. Then you bring them as the offering. Should I accept this from your hand?” (Malachi 1:13) Leftovers are often good. Depending on the type of leftovers they are, some will continue to marinate in their seasonings - seeping to the far reaches of what remains and surface something even more delicious than when it was first served. A discerning eater or cook knows what kind of food tastes best the first day, and what somehow tastes better the next day. Some leftovers are for the trash heap when not eaten right away: that which was once savory has deteriorated or defiled. Defiled offerings, declared the Prophet, are what priests brought to God! God’s admonition must have been astonishingly embarrassing to hear declared in the hearing of others. Nevertheless, these words written in the last book of the Old Testament could easily be misconstrued. God was not pointing out the imperfections of the ones who were being offered up, but the hearts of the ones offering them up as a sacrifice. God’s complaint is with the ones who were thought to be upright and healthy, who had fallen short: they were not fooling anyone - especially God. A perfect and worthy sacrifice is understood as valuable to the one giving it and the One to whom it is given. Priests were commissioned instead to transmit the attributes of peace, reverence, and love of others – not transactionalism, “animal trading” or projecting the appearance of religion in order to hide one’s true character.  God is saying to us: when our motives are revealed – the imperfections we are trying to disguise, are revealed for what they are. The famous words. “Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How are we robbing you?” are spoken after God has read those priests the riot act. (Malachi 3:8) Epilogue 2 But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (Malachi 4:2) Whatever it may be, whatever the amount, let us bring our best and most treasured offerings of service, obedience, and our lives to God, and rejoice in it! I love to think about us dancing like a calf in the sun, for because of God’s mercy, we are whole and fully alive! "Mission in our DNA" Written By: Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith Executive Minister American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware It has been said of Baptists, "Mission is in our DNA." For American Baptists, mission remains a top priority. Our vision in the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware (ABCOPAD) is "To build healthy partnerships with churches, pastoral leaders, and our wider ABC family, to fulfill Christ's mission in our world." By supporting United Mission, you enable partners within our denomination to be Christ's hands and feet. United Mission supports regions that can work collaboratively on hands-on disaster relief. Following Superstorm Sandy in 2012, ABCOPAD partnered with the ABC of New Jersey and the American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) to help those in need. Later, in 2017, ABCOPAD partnered with ABC of Puerto Rico and ABHMS to rebuild the island, which had been devastated by Hurricane Maria. ABCOPAD has partnered with sister regions, all supported by United Mission, to provide disaster relief in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina, following the violent storms. ABCOPAD has also partnered with sister regions and International Ministries to carry out foreign missions. For three years, ABCOPAD collaborated with ABC of New York and International Ministries to undertake mission work in Nicaragua, working alongside AMOS Health and Hope. Mission teams traveled to rural villages to provide access to clean water and share the Gospel message. Additionally, ABCOPAD partnered with International Ministries and sister regions to deliver earthquake disaster relief in Haiti, start new church planting efforts in Mexico, and engage in evangelism in the Dominican Republic.  United Mission supports Regions, International Ministries, and the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, enabling congregations to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus both locally and globally. Your gifts help Baptists stay true to our identity as people committed to mission and ministry. What is United Mission? United Mission is a simple yet intentional way that American Baptists contribute to a shared financial fund that is designed and used for mission and ministry that has an impact across the whole American Baptist family. With a large portion of United Mission funds contributing directly to the mission efforts and ministries of the 33 ABC regional entities, the Office of the General Secretary, and the Board of General Ministries, all of which are accountable to and informed by our member congregations, United Mission funding supports efforts on all levels of our denomination as well on our shared mission fields. Portions of United Mission also support services provided by our national ABC partners. United Mission Toolkit Check out all of the resources at the United Mission Toolkit. You can find it on our website at www.abc-usa.org or follow this link: www.abc-usa.org/united-mission-toolkit How to Participate in United Mission: United Mission Basics are undesignated contributions from local churches to the vital mission and ministry of American Baptists. Basics provide support for the extensive foundation of American Baptist missions. United Mission Love Gifts are contributions from American Baptist women in support of American Baptist ministry, given over and above United Mission Basics. Whether congregations and individuals give to United Mission via regularly scheduled contributions throughout the year or annual one-time gifts, through church budgets or special offerings, your faithfulness shows your commitment to being United in Christ, Together in Mission as an entire American Baptist denominational family. Explore the Resources at the Lake Institute We have had several of our Regional Executive Ministers as well as pastors and leaders attend the Religious Fund Raising cohort through the Lake Institute. Check out what resources they offer. (used with permission from the Lake Institute) https://lakeinstitute.org/

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