Religious Leaders Arrested In Capitol Protest

The Reverend J. Herbert Nelson is arrested in protest over debt ceiling negotiationsWashington, DC, July 28, 2011 – The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC, together with nearly a dozen other religious leaders, was arrested this afternoon in the U.S. Capitol Building while engaging in prayer and civil disobedience.   Frustrated that their pleas to the Administration and Congress...

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Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons Calls To Protect Vulnerable In Debt Ceiling Talks

Washington, DC, July 27, 2011 -- “Inspired by a common spiritual conviction that God has called on all people to protect the vulnerable and promote the dignity of all individuals living in society,” Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons joined other Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders on Tuesday to meet with Republican and Democratic Congressional leadership, lifting up those struggling with poverty in the U.S. and abroad.As...

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PC(USA) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons Leads Heads of Communion in Budget Vigil

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Washington Post: "At United Methodist Building, a meeting of prayer and politics"

The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness has continued participating in the WISC Federal Budget prayer vigils, advocating a just federal budget.On Wednesday, July 22, the Washington Post covered the gathering on the front lawn of the United Methodist building in Washington, DC.To read the full article as it appeared in the Sunday issue of the Washington post, click the link below. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/at-united-methodist-building...

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Colombia Free Trade Agreement Prayer Breakfast

Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson addresses the Colombia Free Trade Agreement from a biblical and theological perspective at a prayer breakfast with Jim McGovern, D-MA. As we near a vote on this issue, Dr. Nelson reminds us that it is important to consider how we can best love our neighbors.&nb...

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If Over 150 CEOs Had Been Assassinated in Colombia Over the Past 3 Years, Would You Still Think It a Safe Place for Investment?

Read Representative James McGovern's (D-MA) most recent Dear Colleague Letter against the Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).  Click here to call your own Representative and ask him/her to vote NO on this agreement that will lead to human rights violations, poverty, and death.If Over 150 CEOs Had Been Assassinated in Colombia Over the Past 3 YearsWould You Still Think It a Safe Place for Investment?Dear Colleague,            That’s how many labor leaders and activists were targeted...

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“Communities of Faith Budget Conference Call.”

Expressing “grave concern and dismay” that an agreement between the Administration and Congress to reduce the deficit may place an unjust burden on the poor, “while shielding the wealthiest from any additional sacrifice,” leaders representing the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths are letting the President and Congress know that without federal and state assistance houses of worship and communities of faith will be unable to take up the slack in funding to maintain support for the increasing number of individuals and families facing economic hardship...

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Taking Up Your Cross By Carrying A Coffin

teamsternation.blogspot.comIt’s not every day you see a man in a preacher’s stole having his hands tied and being thrown in the back of a police vehicle. But that’s exactly what happened to Rick Ufford-Chase, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and Former Moderator of the PCUSA, and 3 other Presbyterians on Monday, July II.  At noon, a group of over 200 concerned US citizens, some of whom had traveled hundreds of miles...

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The Respectful Dialogue Initiative

OPW Summer Fellow Erika Weed showcase the OPW’s forthcoming initiative, Respectful Dialogue, a program that will train Presbyterians to facilitate meaningful and civil conversations about issues affecting their churches and communiti...

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Revealing Communications Insights

As part of its new communications strategy, the OPW has distributed an on-line survey to solicit feedback on how to connect with Presbyterians most effectively. This presentation reports on the preliminary findings from that surv...

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And Who is My Neighbor? The PC(USA)’s Call for Justice in International Economic Policy and Trade

OPW Summer Fellow Ginna Irby addresses the OPW’s policy, action, and theological concerns surrounding trade justice, specifically focusing on the pending Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. &nb...

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30 Years of AIDS: Reaffirming the PC(USA)’s Commitment to HIV/AIDS Issues

Beatitudes Society, and Office of Public Witness Fellow, Matthew Dimick, examines the implications of the overtures concerning HIV/AIDS passed by the 219th General Assembly, how they fit into the history of the church, and where we stand today in the face of an epidemic (with special attention to the changing face of HIV/AIDS in the USA). Below are his reflections on this presentation.June marked the thirtieth year of HIV/AIDS in this country. For thirty years, the U.S. and the Global community have groaned under the weight of this disease....

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Update on the Federal Budget: What’s Ahead for the Social Safety Net

As part of his work at the OPW this summer, Beatitudes Society Summer Fellow Chris McCain discusses proposals for the FY2012 federal budget and their potential implications for programs that support poor and vulnerable populations.On preparing and sharing his presentation, Chris writes:As a moral document, the federal budget expresses the values and priorities of the American people. In the current debt-ceiling negotiations, both Congress and the President have proposed plans that, to varying degrees, would make significant cuts or changes...

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Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson: "From Success to Significance"

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson preached the sermon at the closing worship of Big Tent '11 in Indianapolis, IN, in which he called for the Presbyterian Church to embrace the changes in our denomination and accept that a little pruning is needed if we are to bear fruit. &nb...

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Big Tent: AIDS in Malawi

“The thing that surprised them most,” said Phylis Weezman speaking about her educational program on HIV/AIDS in Malawi, “is how bad things are in Mawlawi compared to other parts of the world. They simply believe that HIV and AIDS are as big of a problem in the rest of the world as they are in Malawi.” According to Weezman, there is stunned silence with the inevitable, “Why is that?” She responds.“Well, why do you think?” she asks participants. And so begins the week long program on HIV and AIDS education in Malawi.During a break out session...

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Big Tent: Be Awake!

Presbyterians far and wide have descended upon the city of Indianapolis for the second Big Tent conference.  Starting in 2008, the Presbyterian Church brought together ten various conferences to meet during the summer alternating with General Assembly.In her welcome to the participants of this year’s Big Tent Cindy Bolbach, moderator of the 219th General Assembly promised, “Unlike General Assembly… I can promise there will be no malfunctioning voting machines!”Instead, participants are here to engage with each other on various issues from...

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