This page lists our postings from all of August, 2011

For an index to all our reports and analyses
on the 219th General Assembly

Jerry L. Van Marter, of Presbyterian News Service, has provided a number of reports on the recent gathering in Minneapolis of nearly 2,000 conservative Presbyterians, as they discussed their future in relation to the PC(USA) – within it, or separate from it, or some kind of blend of staying in, but separate.

His wrap-up report begins:

Whether to stay within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and, if so, under what conditions dominated the first gathering of the Fellowship of Presbyterians (FOP),  which drew more than 1,900 disaffected Presbyterians here Aug. 25-26.

The seven large church pastors who form the FOP’s core leadership readily acknowledged that PC(USA) congregations dissatisfied with decisions and perceived trends in the denomination “are all over the map” about how to respond. Much of the gathering was spent exploring four “tiers” or options that are being developed ? from trying to reform the denomination from within to the creation of “a new Reformed body.”

One leader – the Rev. Jim Singelton, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, CO, repeatedly referred to the FOP’s next gathering Jan. 12-14 in Orlando, Fla., as a “constitutional convention” that will formally inaugurate both the FOP and the new Reformed body.”

But where the 852 congregations represented here wind up along the four-tier spectrum is anybody’s guess. “Repeat after me,” Singleton told the gathering: “It will be messy.”      The rest of this report >>   

Everybody (well, quite a lot of people, anyway) is talking about Michele Bachmann’s suggestion that the recent earthquake and hurricane were messages from God – specifically warnings to that wayward monster, Washington. Was she just joking, or was she serious? Whatever you choose to make of it, Daniel Burke, writing for Religion News Service, points out that she is not alone in viewing natural disasters as divine punishments. He notes:

Nearly six in 10 white evangelicals believe natural disasters are a sign from God, according to a survey conducted last March by Public Religion Research Institute in partnership with Religion News Service. A majority also believe that God punishes a nation for its citizens' sins, the survey found.

Jerry L. Van Marter, of Presbyterian News Service, reports on August24, 2011:

More than 100 Protestant leaders from 12 countries in Latin America, representing diverse denominations and ministries, have written an open letter expressing their concern over the economic crisis in the United States and the decisions being made by the U.S. Congress to address it.

They call upon U.S. government officials to recognize that the actions they take have consequences not only in the U.S. but also on the economies of other nations, and therefore in both the short and long terms, they will be affect millions of people in the countries of the global south.

We’re happy to share this note from PVJ member David True:

I wanted to make sure you knew about a new blog, There is Power in the Blog. I help edit it along with the other editors of the journal Political Theology. We hope the blog will serve as forum for the church and academy to share thoughtful and provocative commentary on theology, politics, and culture as well as new books and sacred texts (see the series, the Politics of Scripture, for commentary on the lectionary and other texts).

David True, PhD
Associate Professor of Religion
Wilson College
Chambersburg, PA

Click here for today’s post, a thoughtful comment on “the conquest of Tripoli,” by Reza Pankhurst, who has a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He was held as a former political prisoner of the previous Mubarak regime in Egypt, from 2002 to 2006.

Leslie Scanlon, of Presbyterian Outlook, reported on Friday, August 19, 2011, that “the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (known as INPM) has voted to end its 139-year partnership in mission with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in response to the PC(USA)’s decision earlier this year to allow the ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians.”     More >>

World Mission [of the PC(USA)] responds to ending of partnership by Mexican Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian News Service reports on August 24, 2011:

As reported yesterday, the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM) has voted to end its 139-year-old relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because of the PC(USA)’s ordination standards, which were amended this year to allow the ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians.

In response to the INPM’s decision, the PC(USA)’s World Mission ministry area has released the following statement:

More >>.

World Mission is offering a webinar for more information on its Mexico response at a webinar scheduled for September 1 (10:15 am – 11:30 am Eastern Time). Visit the PC(USA)'s Mexico website  for more information.

Last Saturday (8-20-11) your Webweaver suggested that some of the Tea Party folks who are so eager to get rid of "government" might benefit from a visit to a place that does without one.  Namely, Somalia.  Click here to read my brief comment >>

I received a nice comment from a good PVJ member:

Doug's reflections on the less government issue that the GOP is spouting should go further than this web-site. Why not send it to the Washington Post, the New York Times, or I know, send it to one of those Texas papers or all of them for that matter. Jody Phillips, Brighton, CO

Well, I haven't tried all the papers Jody suggested, but I have sent my little letter to our local paper, the Minneapolis Star Tribune.  We'll see if it sees the light of day there.

Any other thoughts? 
Please send a note, to be shared here!

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance reports on its response in Somalia and Kenya.  This situation update was issued on August 5, 2011

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responding in Somalia and parts of Kenya as a member of the ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance. ACT members who have experience and partnerships in the area are already responding to the crisis.

PDA made an initial contribution of $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds to assist newly displaced people in Mogadishu, drought- affected people in the Gedo region, refugees in the Dadaab camp in Kenya, and host communities in both Kenya and Somalia. More >>

You can help: Please give, if you are able, through your local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site,  or by sending a check to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700


Another view:

Church leaders seek long-term solutions to Horn of Africa food crisis

from Ecumenical News International

Nairobi, Kenya – August 12, 2011 – Religious leaders say they are exploring short and long term strategies for communities to end reliance on food aid in Africa, as relief organizations continue to minister to thousands suffering from drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.

The worst drought in 60 years is affecting more than 12 million people in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. Its epicenter is Somalia, where tens of thousands are fleeing to refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia.

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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!

Voices of Sophia blog

Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:

John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive

Got more blogs to recommend?