Showing posts with label We Choose Welcome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label We Choose Welcome. Show all posts

Sunday, October 29, 2023

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.

Provided Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 29, 2023

REFORMATION SUNDAY - Forty years ago, the Dutch Reformed Mission Church (DRMC) in South Africa adopted Belydenis van Belhar — the Confession of Belhar — in its first reading. Belhar was an outgrowth of the DRMC’s effort to grapple with the church’s participation in and defense of apartheid and touches prominently on themes of unity, reconciliation and justice. The DRMC adopted Belhar in its final form in 1986.

Although the Confession of Belhar is inextricably connected to its South African context, its message extends far beyond ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, July 2, 2023

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: July 2, 2023

IMMIGRATION SUNDAY - “We still have more to offer,” said Stevanie, a young-adult DACA recipient and member of Marturia Presbyterian Church. As the Supreme Court deliberates on how protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will continue, we are reminded of the millions of people who are in the United States under temporary immigration statuses.

The temporary statuses provide relief from deportation orders and provide access to work authorization but are precarious. They must be renewed every year to every two years, and individuals must put their lives on hold during each renewal process. Regardless of the amount of time someone has been a recipient of these temporary statuses and vetted for renewal, there are no pathways to permanent residency or citizenship. These protections can also be revoked with the change in presidential administrations. Life is precarious ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, June 29, 2023

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 Beth Waltemath
Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 29, 2023

SECRET SAUCE CONFERENCE "COOKBOOK" - “We all have accents, and really, an accent is nothing to be ashamed of but to be proud of because accents are beautiful,” the Rev. Rafael Viana said during his plenary presentation for the recent “What’s the Secret Sauce?” conference in Atlanta.

The conference focused on the wisdom and experiences of new immigrant worshiping communities and those who partner with them ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

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: June 20, 2023

WORLD REFUGEE DAY - You cannot turn on the news these days without hearing about violence and displacement. We live in turbulent times. According to the United Nations, we are witnessing record high numbers of forced displacement and migration — over 100 million globally. The causes are many — civil wars, the rise in autocratic governments who violate human rights with impunity, drug wars and even domestic violence. Natural disasters, too, such as hurricanes, droughts and flooding. And when asked, most migrants will tell you that they have left home for a combination of these factors. Their destinations are often determined by where they have family or friends and the financial resources to get there ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, June 18, 2023

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: June 18, 2023

OFFICE OF GENDER, RACIAL & INTERCULTURAL JUSTICE - Radical welcome, defined as “the spiritual practice of embracing and being changed by the gifts, presence, voices and power of The Other: the people systemically cast out or marginalized within a church, denomination and/or society,” was the focus of a recent webinar put on by the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Gender, Racial & Intercultural Justice ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

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 Lesvos Solidarity
Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 14, 2023

EFI LATSOUDI, INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKER FROM GREECE - A human rights activist who serves refugees and asylum seekers in Greece will be bringing her message of solidarity and inclusion to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) later this year while serving as an International Peacemaker ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, April 8, 2023

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.

Provided Photo
Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 8, 2023

INTERNATIONAL ROMA DAY - It humbles me the extent to which our Roma friends and colleagues practice hospitality, always laying a table for us with whatever they have. They are among the poorest of the poor, marginalized by a society that feels threatened by an alien culture living in their midst. I don’t use the word alien as a negative, just a reality ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, April 3, 2023

From @chinaaid : "Exiled church supported by Texas Churches"

The ChinaAid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Exiled church supported by Texas Churches
ChinaAid Photo
Distributed by ChinaAid, March 2023 ...

MIDLAND, TEXAS – More than 60 members of the exiled Mayflower Church received tremendous support from churches in Texas. The members of the Christian house church from Shenzhen have been adopted by the East Texas churches, but 10 more families still need resettlement sponsors. 

Deana Brown, founder and CEO of Freedom Seekers International (FSI), partnered with Bob Fu and ChinaAid to resettle these Christians who fear repatriation back to China ...

More on this story from ChinaAid ...

Sunday, April 2, 2023

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: April 2, 2023

1001 NEW WORSHIPING COMMUNITIES - A new video distributed exclusively on social media recently asked, “What’s the secret to creating successful partnerships with immigrant worshiping communities?” The 45-second video concluded, “It’s all in the sauce. The secret sauce. … And yes, there will be barbecue” ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, April 1, 2023

In the News ... "Odessa Church News"


• Today and in the days ahead, in Odessa-area houses of worship

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - Coming events include worship services, classes, Bible studies, community outreach, fundraisers, mission opportunities and more. The Odessa American welcomes church special events. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesdays for consideration for the following Saturday’s edition. Email oalife@oaoa.com.

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, 1412 W. Illinois Ave., Midland, has scheduled an Episcopal 101 class from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sundays through April 2.

Breakfast will be served.

This class is open to all, including non-members.

Visit tinyurl.com/kdp5yt9m.

Catholic Charities Odessa has scheduled a banquet and comedy show featuring Lucas Bohn at 6 p.m. May 12 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Devonian Ballroom, 305 E. Fifth St.

Visit tinyurl.com/yjvmhwxn or call 432-332-1387.

Mid-Cities Church, 8700 Highway 191, Midland, has scheduled a Parkinson’s Disease support group meeting at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

Visit midcities.org.

Odessa First Assembly, 1101 N. Lee Ave., has scheduled English as a Second Language lessons from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursdays through May 18.

The classes are free.

Visit tinyurl.com/mrytumk2.

Odessa First Assembly, 1101 N. Lee Ave., has scheduled a Better Together marriage ministry from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays.

Crescent Park Baptist Church, 3002 E. University Blvd., is offering a Spanish Language Bible Study by the Rev. Mike McGuire at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday.
For more information, call 432-366-4476.

Belmont Baptist Church, 806 N. Belmont Ave., has scheduled a food pantry from 9 a.m. to noon on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Visit tinyurl.com/3nfssxpc.

Belmont Baptist Church, 806 N. Belmont Ave., offers family meals during its Family Supper time from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. each Wednesday when Awana is in session.
Admission is free.
For more information, call 432-332-0248, email belmont@belmontbaptist.org or visit tinyurl.com/23vkhr47.

Catholic Charities Community Services Odessa, 2500 Andrews Highway, need of volunteers for pantry distribution.
Distribution times are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.
For more information on dates and times, call 332-1387.
Visit facebook.com/ccodessatx or ccodessa.com.

Second Baptist Church, 711 E. 17th St., has scheduled classes in English as a second language at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Classes are free and childcare is available.
Call 432-366-2153 or visit tinyurl.com/4ektcjk6.

The West Texas Street Rod Association has scheduled Cars at Crossroads from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every fourth Saturday of each month at Crossroads Church, 6901 E. Highway 191.
There will be coffee and donuts inside the church.
Visit tinyurl.com/cdjd6pvt.

Door of Hope Mission are in need of financial support to help provide hot meals, a safe place to sleep and shower to those who struggle with addictions through Bible study and counseling.
There a few ways to give:
• PayPal Giving Fund: 100% goes to the mission, visit www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2432315. PayPal does not keep a processing fee when you use this service.
• Door of Hope Mission website, www.doorofhopemission.com/donate.html, or mail a check to Door of Hope Mission, PO Box 1789, Odessa, TX 79760.
• On Amazon or eBay, add Door of Hope Mission as preferred charity, and a portion of purchases will go to the mission.
• On Amazon Smile (www.smile.amazon.com): Login to your account then select Door of Hope Mission Odessa TX so the mission receives donations from eligible purchases when you shop.
• On eBay (charity.ebay.com/charity/charity-name/2432315): Add the Door Of Hope Mission to favorites.
All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, call 337-8294 or visit doorofhopemission.com.

Sherwood Church of Christ, 4900 North Dixie Blvd., offers free clothing on the first Saturday of every month.
With so many families in the community are losing their jobs due to COVID and the downturn in oil, the Sherwood Clothes Closet is an opportunity for people to find needed clothing items for the entire family.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Masks are required to comply with city orders and to protect each other from spreading the virus.

Victory Christian Fellowship Church, 325 N. County Road West, offers individuals assistance who are hurting from addictions to become drug and alcohol free, physically well and most important spiritually alive.
All services are provided for free.
Several homes are located throughout Texas, New Mexico and Chicago.
For more information, call the Rev. Albert Flores at 432-978-9959 or 432-335-8925.
For home locations, call for Odessa, 325-300-0832; El Paso, 915-838-8887; Fort Worth, 817-626-1819; Houston, 713-880-4732; Mathis, 361-547-3755; McAllen, 956-702-2781; San Angelo, 325-658-1061; Albuquerque, N.M., 505-550-5661; Artesia, N.M., 575-745-4294; and Chicago, 773-696-9094.

Read the rest of this OA report ...

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

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. Cheni Khonje
Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 29, 2023

JOY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF EVANGELISM - Along with easing any tension over their task as evangelists, Dr. Cheni Khonje recently taught a crowd of nearly 200 ruling elders and deacons some new language around the concepts of “welcome” and “relationship” ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, March 20, 2023

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. Fred Rogers
Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 20, 2023

MR. ROGERS DAY - “Frankly, there isn’t anyone you couldn’t learn to love once you’ve heard their story,” Fred Rogers once said.

The Rev. Fred Rogers was a PC(USA) pastor who built his ministry around teaching us to share our stories, listen to one another and then go out into our neighborhoods ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, February 19, 2023

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 Susan DeGeorge
Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 19, 2023

TRANSGENDER MINISTRIES ARE TRANSFORMING CHURCHES - “Welcoming all in the name of Christ” might be easy to write into a church’s mission statement, but the challenge comes when faced with living it out and extending a hand to those in the transgender community. An inclusive, loving welcome is possible, though, with education and courage to open up those sanctuary doors ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

In the News ... “Lawmakers seek to expand religious freedom in Texas"

AAS Photo by Jay Janner
• Here's what they're proposing

Nikki Griswold, Reporter
Austin American-Statesman

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Freshman Democratic Rep. Salman Bhojani, one of the state's first Muslim legislators, on Tuesday unveiled three bills he has filed that aim to improve the ability of Texans of all faiths to practice their religions

The bills, which have bipartisan support in the Texas House, would expand the state’s list of optional holidays to include additional religious holy days, prevent STAAR tests and end-of-course exams from being held on religious holidays, and clarify that religious leaders of all faiths are authorized to perform marriages ...

 • Read the rest of this AAS report ...

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

CRS Briefing ... Your CRS Rice Bowl calendar is ready for download!

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.The CRS Briefing is a monthly service to our supporters. We aspire to keep you informed of our progress and up-to-date on issues that affect the people we serve in more than 100 countries around the world.



Your CRS Rice Bowl calendar is ready for download!

Ash Wednesday is only two weeks away! This Lent, our CRS Rice Bowl journey takes us to Honduras, the Philippines and Kenya. Download your free CRS Rice Bowl calendar to learn about these countries while practicing the Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.


If you are unable to get a Rice Bowl from your local parish, you can easily make your own with the DIY label on the crsricebowl.org families page to collect your alms throughout the 40 days.

We look forward to encountering God and our global family together this holy season.

Prayerfully,

Elizabeth A. Martin
Director, Formation and Mobilization
Catholic Relief Services

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

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: February 1, 2023

WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK - Indonesia is a nation consisting of tribes with cultural and religious diversity. In Java, where I live, the majority of the people are Muslim ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

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 18, 2023

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY BEGINS - The story of the wise men in Matthew 2 offers us some important lessons. One lesson I glean is that God will step outside of tradition and will use anyone to accomplish God’s purposes ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

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.

Samantha Davi
Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 15, 2023

RACIAL & INTERCULTURAL JUSTICE – PRESBYTERIANS AFFIRM BLACK LIVES MATTER - “The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love, we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others.” – Bell Hooks (Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations, 1994) ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

In the News ... Photo Album: "Venezuelan migrants pray in front of Sacred Heart Catholic Church"

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez
After crossing into the U.S.

By Luis Torres, Photographer
El Paso Times


EL PASO, TEXAS - The number of undocumented migrants staying at Sacred Heart has been decreasing, though many remain at the the historic church in the Segundo Barrio, hoping to receive political asylum in the United States....

See the rest of this EPT photo album ...

Sunday, December 4, 2022

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. Cynthia Rigby
Today in the Mission Yearbook: December 4, 2022

REV. DR. CYNTHIA RIGBY OF AUSTIN SEMINARY - Do you feel like you belong?”

That’s what the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Rigby, the W.C. Brown Professor of Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, asked the people attending the recent Covenant Conversation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. Rigby was the keynote speaker....

CLICK HERE to read more.