Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Chuttersnap via Unsplash

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 18, 2023

MID-KENTUCKY PRESBYTERY - Mid-Kentucky Presbytery is one of the 18 national Interfaith Power & Light 2023 Cool Congregations Challenge awarded a $500 runner-up award. The annual contest accepts applications from religious congregations and organizations around the United States doing work to address global warming by reducing their carbon footprint as they create models of sustainability within their communities ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Micheile-Dot-Com via Unsplash

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 15, 2023

THIRF ACT'S DAY OF ACTION - Third Act, whose members are age 60+, is organizing a Day of Action that will give people, regardless of age, an opportunity on March 21 to pressure the “Big Four” banks (Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo) to stop bankrolling the expansion of the fossil fuel industry ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 30, 2023

COP 27 CLIMATE CONFERENCE - A Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) delegation returned from the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt to encourage others in the denomination to find ways to show their concern for the environment ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by National Park Service

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 1, 2022

CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK - The Rev. Andrew Black, a pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is coordinating an effort to ensure protection of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park located in the northwest corner of New Mexico. The National Park Service calls Chaco Culture National Historical Park “the center of the ancient world” ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Chuttersnap via Unsplash

Today in the Mission Yearbook: September 6, 2022

MID-KENTUCKY PRESBYTERY - The 49 churches in Mid-Kentucky Presbytery are being offered grants on a sliding scale, depending on their membership, to help them install electric car charging stations. ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

The Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 23, 2022

PC(USA) CLIMATE JUSTICE WEBINAR - IThe way the Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo sees it, the United States has a debt to pay when it comes to climate change ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Karsten Würth via Unsplash

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 1, 2022

PRESBYTERIANS FOR EARTH CARE - Presbyterians for Earth Care has joined a growing list of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) groups calling for a speedy divestment from companies that contribute to the production of the two major greenhouse gasses, carbon dioxide and methane.

Nearly 80 people attended a recent webinar to learn more about PEC’s proposed overture, “The Time is Now to ‘Cherish Creation, Cut Carbon and Speak Up.’” Read the proposed overture and its rationale here ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @austinseminary ... "The Reed" for April 2022

Climate Change Conversations: Resources for your Congregation

On March 31, Education Beyond the Walls invited Christian climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe to speak with alumna Sarah Macias about the positive things we can do as individuals and congregations to move forward the conversation on climate change. She offered practical, solution-oriented suggestions toward finding common ground and a biblical understanding of our obligation to care about the planet and its inhabitants.

• Watch the video ...
• Browse the "Talking about Climate Science" resource page...

Please Join Us!

The Mary B. and Robert J. Wright Learning and Information Center
Dedication • Tours • Lunch
May 13, 2022, beginning at 11:00 a.m. in Shelton Chapel

• Let us know you can come ...

Apply to Austin Seminary's Certificate Programs

Did you know that Austin Seminary faculty offers courses in the three mostly online certificate programs: the Certificate in Ministry, the Certificate in Jewish Christian Relationships, and the Spanish-language Certificado en Ministerio. The certificates comprise seven courses completed over a four-year period.

Carol Clarke (CJCR’21), a veteran of many courses in the CJCR program, says "Interfaith conversation takes many forms, but rarely do we have opportunity to roll up sleeves and study in earnest Jewish and Christian perspectives on faith. For those who are committed to that task, whether laity or clergy, this program offers a unique and fulfilling learning experience."

New courses in the English-language programs run September 6 - December 2; apply for the program by August 12.

• More information here...

Legacy Giving

You can direct up to $100,000 annually from your IRA to Austin Seminary as a Qualified Charitable Distribution that is not taxable.

• More information here...

A Message from the Presidential Search Committee

The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Presidential Search Committee has had a busy month of travel, conversations, prayers, and wonderful interaction with exceptional people who are doing wonderful things in service to God, the church, and the larger world, but who have been willing to take time with us to seriously discern this opportunity as President.

As we enter into a critical phase of discernment with exceptional and gifted people, we wanted to update you as best we can on our work as a committee in ways that should make you hopeful and excited about what is next in the life of this institution. First of all, the Presidential Search Committee is a committed and exceptional group of people who deeply care about the mission and vision of this institution and who are generous with their time, insights, and willingness to be fully engaged in this search. Second, there are lots of gifted and superlative people doing amazing things in the greater Presbyterian church, and all of them respect and admire what Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary has been doing and promises to be in the future. Third, we are moving into a serious phase of discernment and ask for your continued prayers and hopes as we seek to determine the best person to lead this seminary forward into its next chapter.

And finally, as we discern together as a committee, we remind you that we take to heart the institutional values we heard from the many stakeholders of the seminary community: we seek someone with a pastor’s heart, strategic vision, wonder and humility, appreciation for the seminary’s unique context, and a disciple committed to the vision of Christ’s beloved community and our attempt to embody that vision as the community of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Each time we gather together as a committee, after we pray together, we enter into our work with these words: "We trust in God, who is sending a faithful leader to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary to serve as President, and as we carry out our work of discernment, we commit ourselves to the responsibilities of diversity, equity, and inclusion as we discern God’s purposes for the leadership and future of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary."

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Gratefully yours,
The Reverend Chris Currie
Chair, Presidential Search Committee

"Our students care about each other, they care for the Seminary community, they care for the greater Austin community, they care for the Gospel. And they act that care out. Judging where the world is today, for me, that’s a relief."

Please Support our Students and Faculty with a Gift to the Annual Fund

Austin Seminary provides merit-based and need-based financial assistance to the vast majority of our students so that they can pursue their calling in ministry, wherever that may take them. This would not be possible without the generosity of our donors.

Please support the future leaders of the church by sending your gift to the Annual Fund today.

Support our graduates ....

My Seminary Spot

Our new campus banners were inspired by the reflections of students and alumni on special places around campus. Ruth Elswood (MDiv’15) found Shelton Chapel to be a place of learning as well as worship.

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Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 31, 2022

CLIMATE CHANGE - Climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe says the most important thing we can do to fight climate change is to talk about it. That’s precisely what she did during a McClendon Scholar Program offered by New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Nearly 400 people listened in ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo courtesy of Village Presbyterian Church

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 2, 2021

SOLAR PROJECTS - he numbers are eye-popping.

• A total of 207 solar panels installed over four phases in as many years
• They generate 64.575 kilowatts of power
• 364 megawatt-hours of energy annually
• That offsets 70.33 tons of carbon or 1,624 trees.

The solar panel project at Village Church Child & Family Development Center in Overland Park, Kansas is a head-turning endeavor for a church, but not surprising when considering other environmentally conscious projects Village Presbyterian Church in neighboring Prairie Village has undertaken over the years ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 20, 2021

PRESBYTERIANS FOR EARTH CARE ANNUAL JUSTICE AWARD - The Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo recently received the Presbyterians for Earth Care Annual Eco Justice Award.

Astudillo, who works with GreenFaith, an organization with a mission to inspire, educate, organize and mobilize people of diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds globally for environmental action, is a leader in the ministry of environmental justice ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Markus Spiske/Pexels

Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 19, 2021

CLIMATE CHANGE - For the past few months, the Rev. Jim Kirk has been managing Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s (PDA) response to situations across the country.

Wildfires in the West, hurricanes in the Southeast, and catastrophic windstorms in the Midwest have their own distinct impacts. But the preponderance of disasters in recent years has roots in the same thing ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 26, 2021

BELARUS, UKRAINE, RUSSIA MISSION NETWORK (BURM) - At its recent virtual meeting, the Belarus, Ukraine, Russia Mission Network (BURM) invited an internationally recognized Presbyterian to brief partners on the impacts of climate change and the importance of the work faith-based communities are doing to bring about change ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

The Rev. Dr. Joy J. Moore

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 14, 2020

CLIMATE CHANGE - Even though they were recorded months ago, the preaching that was part of the recent Festival of Homiletics touched on topics at the heart of recent days of protests, injustice and anguish.

That included the sermon “Breathless Anticipation” by the Rev. Dr. Joy J. Moore, associate professor of Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Oilfield Helping Hands reaches milestone"

• $5-million shared with oilfield families in need

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA/MIDLAND/HOUSTON, TEXAS - Oilfield Helping Hands (OHH) has now shared $5 million with oilfield families in need, according to a statement released.

Since its founding in 2003, OHH’s mission has been to provide financial assistance to oilfield workers in financial crisis, who live or work in the designated territories of an OHH chapter through corporate memberships and fundraising events, the release says.

OHH has grown from its location in Houston to chapters across the country, including Oklahoma, the Permian Basin and the Rocky Mountains ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

• Visit the Permian Basin chapter of OHH ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Rich Copley

Today in the Mission Yearbook: September 9, 2019

EARTH CARE CONFERENCE - Mark Eakin and Dennis Hartwig met at the recent Presbyterians for Earth Care National Conference — but not the way conference attendees usually meet. Eakin and Hartwig met while getting a fill-up on the grounds of the conference venue, Stony Point Center.

While most of the cars in the parking lot at the center had to stop at a gas station when they hit the road home, both Eakin and Hartwig simply pulled up to a building at the back of the property and plugged in ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Spencer Presbyterian Church

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 10, 2019

SOLAR ENERGY - One was a former school administrator who had instituted energy-saving measures at schools he oversaw and brought that same passion to his work with the church. Another was concerned with climate change and felt that collective action was necessary to reverse the damaging effects of relying on fossil fuels. Whatever the reasons, this year’s Earth Day was the first on solar power for the members of Spencer Presbyterian — all seven of them ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 17, 2019

UNIVERSAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR STUDENTS - last year’s Universal Day of Prayer for Students focused on ecological justice. We evoke the critical importance of prayer and action for the earth. We are called to acknowledge the devastation created by climate change, with the results of our consumerism and ecological changes affecting millions. Our students are encouraged to pray fervently for the earth that they will inherit. May they be the generation that comes up with more sustainable solutions for the planet ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Rick Jones

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 16, 2019

NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT - A declining economy, including a possible downturn in tourism. Threats to water, agriculture, infrastructure and health — and a half-dozen other potential near-term calamities.

Recently released by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the Fourth National Climate Assessment summarizes 12 significant threats posed by climate change, including threats to communities, essential services, indigenous peoples, ecosystems, and oceans and coasts ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Courtesy Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 10, 2018

GA223 VOTE AFFIRMS MRTI STRATEGY FOR CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT ON FOSSIL FUELS - For years, MRTI leaders have said that continued engagement with fossil fuel companies is the most effective way to generate change. By a 332-178 vote, GA commissioners agreed. MRTI has been directed to evaluate all companies it works with, giving special emphasis to several corporations with large greenhouse gas emissions, such as Phillips 66, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Marathon Petroleum, Duke Energy, Ford and General Motors.

“The vote solidifies our work plan for the next year, and there are a series of companies that we will focus our engagement,” said Joseph Kinard, MRTI Committee chair. “Being at the table is very critical. We have an opportunity to speak truth to power, not only on the streets but in the boardroom." ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.