Web site is easiest, fastest way to get help, information

19-September-2001

In the immediate aftermath of the crisis, members of the staff of Internet and Media Services in the Office of Communication set up a special page, A Time of National Crisis, on the denomination's Web site. It can be found at  http://www.pcusa.org/crisis/

Each section includes links to other sites that have additional information on the crisis.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has a page with information on PC(USA) relief efforts and instructions on how to contribute money to support pastoral care teams working in the affected areas.

PDA has sent $10,000 each to the Presbytery of New York City and New York-based Church World Service, the relief agency of the National Council of Churches.

Three "meetings" have been established on PresbyNet, the computer communication network of the PC(USA). They are SEPT 11 ATTACKS, where users can discuss the tragedy; SEPT 11 PRAYER VIGIL, an online prayer service with the prayers Presbyterians from around the country; and WORSHIP AIDS IN TIME OF TRAGEDY, which offers a variety of worship resources.

According to Edna Sinnock, associate for church-wide information services in the Office of Communication, calls to PresbyTel, the denomination's toll-free telephone information service, have increased by 50 percent since the tragedy. PresbyTel's telephone consultants are available to answer questions between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

With the General Assembly Council scheduled to meet in Phoenix, AZ, Sept. 26-30, staff leaders are trying to figure out how to engage the council in the church's coordinated response to the tragedy. Worldwide Ministries Division officials have identified five areas of concern for the GAC to address: security measures for staff who are traveling and for missionary personnel in other countries; communication; interfaith relations and cooperation; the concrete response of the PC(USA) "on the ground" in New York and Washington; and church-state issues raised by the crisis and the U.S. government's response to it.

The Council may also decide to issue a statement on the crisis. GAC leaders and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy are working on a draft statement for the Council to consider.

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program is looking at refocusing the annual Peacemaking Offering - scheduled for on Oct. 7 - to help with relief and rebuilding efforts. Peacemaking officials are in conversation with PDA to coordinate those efforts.

Peacemaking, theology and Christian education staffers are feverishly working on curriculum resources, particularly for adults, in response to requests from congregations for assistance in helping church members talk about the crisis and about some of the theological issues it has raised, such as forgiveness, love, justice, hate, grace and vengeance.

A key concern for Presbyterians - who long have been committed to ecumenical and interfaith relations - is the possibility of persecution of Muslims in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Theology and worship staffers, along with staff in the ecumenical and interfaith offices, are preparing resources to foster interfaith dialogues and trialogues (including Jewish partners in conversations). Resources for adding interfaith perspectives to worship are being added to the Web site constantly.

Presbyterians throughout the country and the world are being encouraged to share their stories - of worship, healing, outreach, service - with the rest of the church. Those stories are being collected on the Web site, as are messages of condolences from partner churches around the world, and the insights of PC(USA) mission personnel, who often have a very different perspective on events than do Americans.

For more information about the PC(USA) response to the crisis, visit the Web site or call PresbyTel at 800-872-3283.

All members of the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (USA) who are covered under its medical provisions may use the counseling and referral services available through Response, an employee assistance plan.

Eligible church workers and the members of their families may call Response at 800-455-5129 for confidential free counseling and referral services 24 hours a day.

To contribute to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

GA actions ratified (or not) by  the presbyteries   

A number of the most important actions of the 219^th General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries, confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.

We provided resources to help inform the reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.

Our three areas of primary interest have been:

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