After the General Assembly 219th in 2010 lifted the ban on the ordination of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals, the leadership at
Keep Reading“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star
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We humans suffer enough already, without abandoning one another. The season of Advent holds inherent tension. Torn between a coming Christmas and present waiting, the heart is pulled and stretched between God’s promise and a reality that falls short. We raise our eyes to the hills, expectant of the breaking
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This resource for worship or study is freely available for use and adaptation. Please remember to give us a shoutout! A Printing-friendly pdf of these reflections is available HERE (7 two-sided pages). Note from the Editors Though Advent is a season chock-full of worship and devotional resources, few Advent devotionals are
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Advent is an opportunity to anticipate Christmas again, for the first time. Among the challenges of the season is to decide which Christmas we’re about to celebrate: The “sugar plums” version of our childhood; the “25 percent off” version of the marketplace; the “Joy to the World!” version of the
MoreAdvent and Christmas Reflections on the Middle East Week 1 Jimmy Carter and Simeon: What ‘Consolation’ for Israel and Palestine Today?, Rev. Dr. Chris Iosso A Perspective on Peace: Is There Shalom in the Land?, Marietta Macy Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Calls for an “Advent of Justice”, The
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Dr. Iosso was aided in this article by consultation with an academic from Turkey and expresses his thanks to that person and to all involved in Turkish civil society. Turkey is a country of 83 million people, bordering 8 other nations, poised between Europe and Asia and Europe and the
MoreSo many experiences come to mind when I think about my trip to Israel/Palestine. It’s been almost 18 months since I had the privilege of traveling to Israel/Palestine with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program as part of the Mosaic of Peace Conference (2014). It was a remarkable trip. I was blessed
MoreMy mother loves Christmas. I came home to find her big traditional decoration for the Christmas tree. Our house is full of red colors today. Some pictures of Santa Claus here and there. I wanted to be happy and do like every kid: jump and shout out loud that Christmas
MoreAn Advent Conversation with Chosen? As Walter Brueggemann says on the very first page of his recent book Chosen?, “Reading the Bible with reference to any contemporary issue is at best tricky and hazardous.” Reading the Bible in Advent in light of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is both natural and dangerous.
More“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” – Matthew 13:33 “In spite of the overwhelming situation and the decline of hope, the church can’t but be a light, comforter, and a
More“A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”…The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman Samaria?” – John 4:7-8 The Golan Heights tower above the northern region of the Galilee
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