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PCUSA Perspectives |
The latest issue of Perspectives,
the PCUSA on-line journal, is now available.
[12-18-03]Perspectives offers an exploration of
issues facing the church as well as some reflective analysis of our life
together as a denomination through the lens of scripture, our Reformed
theology, and a constitutional and confessional framework.
Click on the link below to enjoy new articles in the December
Perspectives.
http://www.pcusa.org/oga/perspectives/index.htm, including:
"A Church of All and for All"
World Council of Churches
"A God's Eye View"
Susan R. Andrews
"Geography"
Gradye Parsons
"Christmas Message"
Konrad Raiser
Here's a summary of this issues contents:
 | We begin with "A Church of All and for All: An Interim
Statement," prepared by the Ecumenical Disabilities Advocates Network (EDAN)
of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in cooperation with the council's
Faith and Order team. It is called an interim statement because the
Central Committee has commended it to WCC member churches for study,
feedback, and action. A portion of the statement reads, "In days gone by,
people with disabilities were actually kept behind walls, inside
institutions. Now we are all a part of mainstream society. It is estimated
that some 600 million people are persons with disabilities. Yet people,
especially persons with disabilities, still find themselves isolated. Now
there are walls of shame; walls of prejudice; walls of hatred; walls of
competition; walls of fear; walls of ignorance; walls of theological
prejudice and cultural misunderstanding. The Church is called to be an
inclusive community, to tear down the walls."
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| Next, we share with you a sermon by the Rev. Susan R.
Andrews, Moderator of the 215th General Assembly (2003) of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Moderator, along with Vice-Moderator
Charles Easley, recently returned from an exciting and deeply moving trip
to Africa. In her sermon, the Moderator shares some of her reflections.
Check pcusa.org for additional reflections in the weeks ahead.
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| Our own Gradye Parsons, strategic director of
operations for the Office of the General Assembly, recently preached the
sermon, "Geography," in a Louisville congregation. Sharing the story from
the Book of Ruth, he says, "There is more bad news. Mahlon dies and
Chilion dies. Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth become a household of widows. The
question is, will it be a Moabite house occupied by a Jewish mother-in-law
or a Jewish house occupied by Moabite daughters-in-law?" You'll want to
read more...
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| We close by sharing with you the annual Christmas
message from Konrad Raiser, general secretary of the World Council of
Churches. Raiser, who is a pastor, professor, theologian, and member of
the Evangelical Church of Germany, concludes an eleven-year mandate as
general secretary at the end of this month. In his message, he writes,
Peace on Earth is not a mere wish but a commitment. Through the birth of
Jesus, peace has been given to us . . . It is God's gift to us . . . The
Bible has a global conception of peace which is about life in right
relationships, the well-being of all, not only human beings but also the
whole of creation. Peace reigns when - according to the will of God - all
have enough of the basic necessities of life." |
Advent peace to you,
Sharon K. Youngs, Editor |
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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