by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service
J. Spenser Darden
LOUISVILLE â What started off as an initiative of the adult Sunday school class at First Presbyterian Church in Morgantown, West Virginia, has grown to a wider community-based effort now called Dismantling Racism Together.
During a session last week, a group of about 30 people, including several from the church, heard from someone who dismantles racism as part of his work â J. Spenser Darden, director of Diversity Initiatives and Community Engagement at West Virginia University.
âDisruptors are seen as negative,â Darden said early on in their online session together. âBut by not disrupting, youâre serving as the problem.â
by Kathy Melvin | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE â Next month, World Mission global partner Confronti Magazine and Study Center in Rome will launch an English-language version of its magazine called ConfrontiWorld. Confronti in Italian means âdialogue,â and ConfrontiWorld is âthe world through the dialogue.â
âConfrontiWorld will be an important educational tool for Presbyterians to learn about a variety of issues ranging from the life of reformed minority churches in Southern Europe, migration and refugees, Â interfaith dialogue and inter-religious solidarity in the Mediterranean and important geopolitical matters in the area that lies at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe,â said Luciano Kovacs, World Missionâs coordinator for the Middle East and Europe. âIt will also give the opportunity to Presbyterians to be part of a larger communication network that will focus on issues that are important to justice-s
by Rich Copley | Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins speaks in front of the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill, where the Office of Public Witness offices are located. (2017 file photo)
At events such as Big Tent in the summer of 2019, the office coordinators presented workshops together. Recently, the offices have collaborated on webinars illuminating international issues around the world, and they participate in a Colombia Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry class that includes a week at the UN Office and a week at OPW. Behind the scenes, the offices have collaborated on advocacy pertaining to issues around the world.
by the Rev. Bill Somplatsky-Jarman | Special to Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Stivers died last month at age 80. (Contributed photo)
LOUISVILLE â The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Stivers, a renowned ethicist, died in Tacoma, Washington, on December 23, 2020, at age 80.
An ordained Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister, Stivers taught religion and ethics at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma for 37 years. Upon his retirement in 2009, he was appointed Professor Emeritus of Religion and Ethics.
Throughout his career, he explored the ethical dimensions of environmental and economic issues and advocated for a âsustainable society.â He encouraged everyone to have love and appreciation for the natural world and to live accordingly. He stands as one of a key group of Christian ethicists who helped bridge the gap between the church and the academy, deepening the churchâs social witness with their scholarship, activism, and concern for the General Assembly.
by Tammy Warren | Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Katheryn McGinnis leads the online Christmas Eve service at Trinity Presbyterian ChurchâSanta Cruz. (Screenshot)
LOUISVILLE â Accepting a first call to ministry and moving during a pandemic may not be ideal, but one thing is certain: the Rev. Katheryn McGinnis is following in the footsteps of a long line of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastors, including her grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather and great-great-great grandfather.
McGinnis, who was born and raised in western North Carolina, is the new full-time pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church-Santa Cruz, in Californiaâs Presbytery of San Jose. She joined the staff October 11, succeeding the Rev. Larry Vilardo, who served as interim pastor for two years and described McGinnisâ arrival is âa partnership forged in heaven.â Vilardo said heâs asked himself why the church is both dynamic and kind, loving and hard working. He at