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To d a y March/April 2020

Celebrating the Vigil AncientAncient liturgyliturgy deepensdeepens faithfaith ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING SPECIAL OFFERINGS HUNGER • DISASTER • DEVELOPMENT You shall be called repairers of the breach — Isaiah 58

One Great Hour of Sharing is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world. Please join us!

Through One Great Hour of Sharing, we extend shelter to those who have no place to stay, offer compassion to those To learn more, go to pcusa.org/oghs who have pain—be it physical, emotional or spiritual—and we set a feast, with , for those who lack access to enough food to eat. We are called by Isaiah to be the in the world and active followers of our .

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Volume 110, Issue 2 Presbyterian Mission March/April 2020 CONTENTS PDS 17116-20-002

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20 Features

The necessity of holy breaks Celebrating Triduum 16 Presbyterians discover that sabbaticals are 24 and the not a hard-to-fund luxury, but an afford- An ancient deepens faith and able for healthy pastors and healthy builds community. congregations. Donna Frischknecht Jackson Erin Dunigan Community IDs offer Self-Development of People 30 a ministry of belonging 20 celebrates 50 years of helping others Presbyterians in North Carolina are An unsung program has been quietly reaching out to immigrants and helping changing lives for five decades, connecting them secure community ID cards, giving people with the funds and means to better them a sense of security, welcome and their communities. belonging. Rich Copley Richard Lord

One Great Hour of Sharing 34 changes lives worldwide Whether it is a natural disaster, rising housing costs or famine, gifts made to One On the cover: The Rev. Dr. David B. Batchelder, Great Hour of Sharing provide families center, of West Plano Presbyterian Church with the essentials for living. in Plano, Texas, begins the Easter Vigil with a Pat Cole bonfire at sundown. Accompanying him are the Rev. Matthew Calvert, associate, and Scott McLain. Photo: Michael Williams STAY CONNECTED Find us. Follow us. Like us. AND SHARE @presby_today pcusa.org/today facebook.com/PresbyteriansToday

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Publisher Biblical quotations, unless otherwise . . . also inside Jeffrey C. Lawrence noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version. Editorial Donna Frischknecht Jackson, Editor Your privacy is important to us. We Karen Bosc, Senior Copy Editor never give anyone your information. 4 From the Editor Donna Frischknecht Jackson Jennifer Cash, Copy Editor Editorial Offices Pie for breakfast becomes a Eucharistic moment Design/Production 100 Witherspoon Street Mark Thomson, Art Director Louisville, KY 40202-1396 Jackie Carter, Production Specialist 800-728-7228 or 502-569-5772 5 Ideas You Can Use Fax 502-569-8632 | [email protected] Circulation Seeing God through a camera lens; Snapshot on politics Jackie Carter 800-728-7228, ext. 5772 Presbyterian Mission Agency Diane Moffett, President and 6 Exploring Spiritual Practices Scott Dalgarno Customer Care & Subscription Services Executive Director P.O. Box 52 Joe Morrow, Board Chair Fellowship is more than a social gathering Congers, NY 10920 Kathy Francis, Sr. Director of pcusa.org/pt-subscriber Communications 800-558-1669 7 What Presbyterians Believe Jodi Craiglow Presbyterians Today (ISSN 1083- Did really descend into hell? Advertising Sales 2181) is published bimonthly by the Fox Associates Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 800-440-0231 | [email protected] Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 8 Hungering for Frances Wattman Rosenau Fox-Chicago | 312-644-3888 40202-1396. Printed in the U.S.A. Fox- | 800-826-3032 Periodicals postage paid at Louisville, Equipping children to see the world as Jesus does Fox-Los Angeles | 805-522-0501 KY, and additional mailing offices. All Fox-Detroit | 248-626-0511 contents copyright © 2020. All rights 9 Living the Felipe N. Martinez Classifieds | 800-728-7228, ext. 5772 reserved. Member, Associated Church [email protected] Press, Communicators Council. Easter’s 50 days invite us to go from followers to believers Acceptance of advertising does not imply POSTMASTER: Send address changes endorsement by Presbyterians Today or the to Presbyterians Today, P.O. Box 52, 10 Matthew 25 Spotlight Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Congers, NY 10920. St. Louis church gets worshipers engaged in missions Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 12 Moved by the Spirit Presbyterian Mission Exhibit addresses racism | Clean water initiative grows

38 Money Matters Roy W. Howard A money autobiography helps givers understand the whys and hows of giving Our commitment Earth-friendly publishing 39 Chip Hardwick PRINTED ON Explorations We are committed to caring for God’s creation. RECYCLED PAPER Learning from those we ignore Please help by recycling this magazine. 40 Justice for God’s World Vernon S. Broyles III Easter lives in meeting the needs of all Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 3 FROM THE EDITOR | Donna Frischknecht Jackson

A ‘pie for breakfast’ event becomes a Eucharistic moment A community puts aside di erences to come together

or this country pastor, March doesn’t just mean that Still, as the sun went down on that particular Town is in full swing. It also means Town Meeting Meeting Day, I was thinking about the vote that was F Day is here. asking us to change, and how scary that change can be. A Vermont tradition since 1762, held on the second But no matter how unsettling, doesn’t change give us Tuesday of the month, Town Meeting Day is where a chance to see how God can take our dashed dreams, residents in sleepy hamlets and frozen-in-time villages failed attempts and de ated hope and make something throw on their boots and trudge through the mud (or wonderful out of it all? Can we see beyond winners and sometimes a foot or more of snow) to get to schools or losers and focus on bringing people together in a way village of ces to speak for or against proposed policies, that moves everyone forward? budgets, prospective town clerks and supervisors, and When I moonlighted as a reporter at a local paper, I then vote. interviewed a woman in one of Vermont’s hamlets that I’ve always been intrigued with Town Meeting Day. had been dotted with “No to school merger” signs. She Why call it a “meeting” when really no one is there to was planning a “pie for breakfast” event the weekend have deep discussions? Just like church parking lot after Town Meeting Day. After asking her the important conversations, meetings have already taken place inside question of what  avor of pies would be served, I asked musty general stores and, of course, in the most popular why she was doing this. Her answer was “to bring the gathering place — the rural post of ce. Still, Vermonters community back together.” discuss, debate, disagree and hopefully cast votes “We are still to be a neighbor to one another, and that will bene t the many who are struggling in the what better way to remember that than to gather over Green Mountain state. homemade pies for breakfast?” she said. While running errands and out on pastoral calls, I see Without realizing it, she was capturing the hope the “Vote for…” signs hanging from dilapidated porches and redemption that I witness in the breaking of the or stuck into the ground near mailboxes. Many of these bread. When I say the words that this is signs are written in marker on poster board and stapled Christ’s body given for you — take, eat, remember — I’m to a wooden stick. These are simple signs, yet not so inviting us to remember how Jesus came to show us a simple issues. Vermont, like many places in our country, better way, a different way forward, a way of loving even is struggling with families moving out because of the when disagreements arise. lack of jobs, the inability to get high-speed internet that While it wasn’t a loaf of bread, I couldn’t stop thinking prevents businesses from moving in, farm closures and how Vermonters would be doing something very holy the rampant use of opioids. And don’t even get me going when breaking into the  aky pie crusts with their forks. on the state of our churches. I’ve never held onto the For in the breaking of the pie crusts, they were in fact promise of so tightly as I do now as a rural inviting the spirit of unity to ll the room. And, I believe, pastor. Those who idealize country living for its simplic- the Spirit of God was with them in a powerful and ity fail to see it is anything but simple. There was one healing way that Saturday morning. recent Town Meeting Day that proved just that. It’s March, and for this country pastor that means The vote was about merging rural schools into larger Town Meeting Day is here. Votes might get contentious districts to save money and resources. Those for the as change can be hard, but fear not. God’s steadfast love merger cited that rural schools couldn’t continue as is changes not. Lenten journeys lead to the with the number of children and funding shrinking. cross, but death is not the last word. New life abounds. Those against the merger supported the tax increases The empty tomb proves it. Rejoice. There is pie for break- that would keep the current school system in place. I fast waiting for us to dig into! would like to tell you that there was a resolution, but sadly, the school debate has seen no clear winners or Donna Frischknecht Jackson is editor of Presbyterians Today losers. The issue is complex and ongoing.

MARCHAPRIL   Presbyterians Today IDEAS YOU CAN USE

Photo project helps church see God Snapping a shot of the holy in the ordinary

God is everywhere You only have to open your eyes to see That was the invitation the congregation at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas received last summer during a sermon series called “Sacred Ordinary Life ” “When we think about God we often think about these big huge mountaintop moments but we wanted to claim all the ways God is present in the ordinary moments” said the Rev Dr Sarah Johnson senior associate pastor Those ordinary God moments could be anything from “forgetting your keys or getting stuck in tra c” she added This however wasn’t a “sit back and listen” sermon series COURTESY OF PRESTON HOLLOW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church invited its congregation to take pictures It was interactive with worshipers invited to submit their of where they saw God in the ordinary moments of life. The pictures were on pictures each showing where they found the sacred in display in the church’s atrium. the ordinary The photos came pouring in with folks either bringing them to or submitting through email or posting on the church’s social media sites The project engaged PC(USA)PC(USA) Snapshot Snapshot all generations said Sara Stoltz Preston Hollow’s director of communications Stoltz printed the photos and hung them on the church’s atrium wall creating what she called “a living art display that was always growing and changing ” More than  people participated in the “Sacred Ordinary Life” photo project with youth especially engaged Most Americans want churches via social media The photos not only generated interest to stay out of politics among the congregation but also helped tell the story of life in Preston Hollow Presbyterian to outside groups using the % of U.S. adults who say churches should... building 63% 36% The project was also easy to do Stoltz said Pictures taken Keep out of political matters Express social and with cellphones are abundant To hang them all a church political views needs is a display space and some pushpins or staples Preston Hollow has a magnetic wall in its atrium and so magnets were Should churches endorse one candidate over another? used 76% 23% No Yes —Donna Frischknecht Jackson In uence that churches have in politics MORE IDEAS 37% 28% 34% Create a photo wall celebrating God’s creation Too much Not enough The right amount With Earth Day turning  this April  invite your congregation to celebrate the beauty of God’s creation challenging members to take pictures of all the natural resources in their Source: Pew Research Center, Nov. , , “Americans Have Positive Views community For other earth care ideas go to About Religion’s Role in Society, but Want It Out of Politics” presbyearthcare orgresourcespcusa-programs Graphic by Jerey Lawrence

Do you have an idea that has worked in your congregation that you would like to share? Send stories and pictures to editor@pcusaorg

Presbyterians Today MARCHAPRIL   EXPLORING SPIRITUAL PRACTICES | Scott Dalgarno

Fellowship is not just social time Showing up for one another — and God — is a necessary practice

ears ago, I had the pleasure of talking with Bruce it up to a phone call inviting her not to retire from life. Joel Rubin, a screenwriter who won an Oscar for his The spiritual practice of fellowship is also important Yscreenplay of the romantic thriller “Ghost.” The next because it reminds us that no one is expendable, espe- project he would direct was “My Life.” It was a lm about a cially in a small church. young man dying of cancer played by Michael Keaton. The In my rst, small church, there was an elderly usher movie premiered the same weekend as “Mrs. Doubt re,” named Eddie Gatzke. No one could remember a time starring Robin Williams. Guess which movie the public when Eddie wasn’t the usher. He was warm and quiet, went out in droves to see? and before he always, very quietly, handed me Rubin felt bad, until he met a young man who told him a card with $20 in it. how much the movie had meant to him. His mother was When he died, no one jumped into the position of usher, dying of cancer and she could see that her son was having because no one presumed they could ll Eddie’s shoes. So, trouble dealing with her impending death. She suggested for over a year we were sloppy when it came to getting that they see “My Life.” They came home able to talk more bulletins into people’s hands. We couldn’t imagine the freely about their situation, and they wept together. church without Eddie and there was something sweet as “I realized that I had made that movie for those two well as bitter about that. It just made the church all the people,” Rubin said. “And that was enough.” more precious. When I was a young pastor, I had a recurring dream What does the spiritual practice of fellowship look like? that the church would be full, and I had no sermon. I’d In the words of Frederick Buechner, “It should have us wake in a sweaty panic. Now I wonder if pastors have the throwing our arms around each other like people who opposite dream. They’ve got a sermon, but no one shows have just discovered that every single man and woman up. I’m thinking about this because I have a sneaking sus- in those pews is not just another familiar or unfamiliar picion that churches hold and treasure a spiritual practice face, but is our long-lost and our long-lost sister I personally prize above all others: coming together in fel- because despite the fact that we have all walked in dif- lowship. But in our busy world, it’s hard nding the time ferent gardens and knelt at different graves, we have all, to get together, and not just for social events. Fellowship humanly speaking, come from the same place and are goes deeper than socializing. Fellowship is participating heading out into the same blessed mystery that awaits us with God and with one another in the trials and blessings all.” of life together. In seminary I served a little white-steepled church. Scott Dalgarno is the lead pastor of Wasatch Presbyterian Church in When I was ordained, a group from that church came to Salt Lake City the service, including a grandmotherly lady named Jean. She took me aside after the service to tell me how I had helped her once. I didn’t remember, so she lled me in. PUT INTO PRACTICE “Remember when you called me and asked why I » For one month, make more of a commitment to your wasn’t at the party where we decorated the church for church family and take note of the blessings that you Christmas? And then you came and got me?” she asked. discover. “Before that day, I had decided I was too old to be going out » Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while or visit at night. But I had such a good time that night, I decided a church member you haven’t seen in a few Sundays. that perhaps I was being too hasty in retiring from life. I went back to my doctor and said I’d like to go ahead with » O er new fellowship opportunities in your church. If those treatments for my arthritis he’d been after me to try. you don’t have a group, start one. Are people I felt so good I decided I’d go on a cruise. I met a man on looking to walk more to get healthy? Suggest a time of the ship, we fell in love, we got married and …” prayer walking. Everything for Jean had changed and she had chalked

MARCHAPRIL   Presbyterians Today Jodi Craiglow | WHAT PRESBYTERIANS BELIEVE

Did Jesus really descend into hell? The Apostles’ question that everyone ponders

f the 12 entries in our Book of , odds So what do Presbyterians believe about Jesus are you’re most familiar with the Apostles’ Creed. “descending into hell”? All of the above … none of the OEvery branch of ’s family tree accepts above … some combination of the above. (Seriously, you it. It’s often recited at , as it was originally a thought I was going to solve a centuries-old theological baptismal creed. And, since it’s only 110 words long, if you squabble in one column?) have any creed memorized, this is probably the one. But While we might not necessarily agree on the meaning of those 110 words, four have tripped up for of this phrase, we can agree on the role it plays as part of centuries: He descended into hell. our confessional heritage. Appearing between “cruci ed, dead, and buried” and As Presbyterians, we take a Reformed view of the Bible “the third day he rose again,” “descended into hell” wasn’t and the church’s . In the words of our originally part of the Creed. It was sometime around A.D. vows, “the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments 400, in the writings of Ru nus, a and theologian, [are], by the , the unique and authorita- that the rst mention of Jesus’ descent appeared. In A.D. tive witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, 750, the church made it an of cial part of the Creed. and God’s Word to [us],” and we “receive and adopt the But why add this line? It all depends on whom you ask. essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the Let’s start by understanding the de nition of the word confessions of our church as authentic and reliable exposi- “hell” in Hebrew (sheol) and Greek (). Both translate tions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do.” That’s to mean “land of the dead.” So, like Ru nus, some folks a lot of fancy language that means we believe that the believe that this clause simply means that Jesus, being Bible is the authority by which we understand and live fully human and fully divine, experienced a true human out our relationship with God and each other. Scripture death. Critics of this view, though, ask why it was neces- gets the nal word. Our confessions serve as conversation sary to include it in the Creed. partners. They come out of speci c contexts, giving us Others argue that “hell” refers to Gehenna, a valley snapshots of how those siblings in Christ in those times outside of that was originally used for child and places understood what being Christian meant. For sacri ce and later used as a garbage dump, which became example, the Reformer Theodore Beza didn’t agree with Hebrew “shorthand” for a place of everlasting punishment. , as he preferred to omit “he descended into Further complicating matters, Gehenna advocates have hell.” Calvin kept it. different views on why Jesus would have gone there: Creeds aren’t supposed to give us all of the answers. • To suffer the consequences of human depravity. Rather, they help us ask better questions. They drive held this view, but critics argue that us back to the Bible, where, through the power of the Jesus’ statements on the cross (“Today you will be Holy Spirit, we can encounter the love of God expressed with me in paradise” and “It is nished!”) contradict through the life, death and Christ. it. And that, regardless of our own understanding of Jesus’ • To preach the , thus giving hell’s inhabit- descent, is our takeaway from these four words in the ants a second chance at . This view is Apostles’ Creed. By reciting these words, we af rm that based on a particular reading of Ephesians 4:8–10 Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to make — and 1 Peter 3:18–20, where the Scriptures seem to and be — the ultimate sacri ce for us. We celebrate that indicate that Jesus might have visited the lands of there’s nowhere devoid of God’s grace and mercy. And we the dead to save those who were there. Critics say this rejoice that death no longer has the nal say. view forces an interpretation originally not intended. Other views, including John Calvin’s as well as that Jodi Craiglow is a ruling elder at First Presbyterian Church of found in the Heidelberg , assert that “hell” Libertyville Illinois and a PhD candidate at International shouldn’t be understood literally. Instead, Jesus’ separa-  A self-acknowledged polity wonk she is a member of the tion from God on the cross constitutes ultimate suffering. PC(USA) Committee on Theological Education

Presbyterians Today MARCHAPRIL   HUNGERING FOR JUSTICE | Frances Wattman Rosenau

Justice through a child’s eyes We can equip our children to see the world as Jesus does

e were walking back to the car after dropping off Spend any meaningful time with children and it Christmas cards at the post of ce. My 7-year- becomes clear they understand what’s right and wrong. Wold son skipped as he held my hand. Without Day in and day out, they are discovering how the world changing his movement, he asked how much money I had works — and how the world is not fair. Many young people in my purse. I told him I didn’t know and asked why. Down have an uncanny ability to cut right through the hypoc- the street, a handful of children experiencing homeless- risy and smokescreen that adults create. They see clearly. ness had set up a camp on the sidewalk. Mattresses, Once they get it, they are overwhelmingly passionate and cardboard, shopping carts and belongings were pushed sometimes even indignant. Greta Thunberg, a Swedish around chaotically 10 yards from our car. environmentalist, and Emma González, an American “Please give me whatever money is in your purse, advocate for gun control, are just two examples of deter- Mama,” my son said. “We have to give it to our friends on mined youth today who hold rmly to the truth and speak the street. They don’t have a debit card like we do.” passionately to people of all ages. I hear a common narrative in our culture: The city is Harnessing a child’s sense of justice unleashes tremen- no place to raise a family. Often, families with children dous power for change in our world. Paoli Presbyterian move to smaller towns or the suburbs to keep them away Church in the outskirts of hosts a yearly from whatever ills they perceive to be in cities. Race for Refugees, raising money for World Vision’s work I admit, raising my kids in urban Los Angeles is not with Syrian refugees in camps throughout Lebanon easy, and I try to surround our children with the love, and Jordan. One 8-year-old girl, Eleanor Bruner, was support and tools they need to see Jesus in an urban so moved and inspired, she decided to raise additional environment. money to help refugee kids. She even wanted to go visit No matter where we live, though, we cannot isolate our the camps, which led to a conversation about where Jesus children in a bubble or insulate them in a padded room. If is in the world and how our love connects to Jesus’ love the opioid crisis has taught us anything, it’s that harmful even when we can’t be there in person. All in all, Eleanor’s substances like drugs are rampant in rural America and passion issued a clarion call that raised $1,800. suburbia as much as in the urban centers. We cannot We need the voice of children to help us remember protect our children through strategic geography. They what we have forgotten. Whether it’s during our regular will encounter the world. And what a blessing that God errands to the post of ce or making a difference around did not choose to stay distant from the world either, but the globe, children have more gifts for advocacy and rushes to be by our side. justice work than many adults. But that doesn’t mean we As Christians, we have an opportunity to equip the don’t have a role to play in creating a hunger for justice in children in our families and in our churches with eyes to our children. see the world the way Jesus sees it. Instead of avoiding In my family, I nd opportunities to talk to my children neighborhoods of poverty, we have an obligation to talk to about race, pointing out illustrations in children’s books children about systems of poverty, to help them see the that only have people of one skin color. When driving larger picture in ways they can understand, and to cre- through different parts of town, we talk about income atively brainstorm with them loving ways to respond. We inequality and how God sees run-down neighborhoods. can embrace the invitation for children to live an inten- When we read stories about Jesus, I connect those stories tional, justice-oriented life. to our community. In fact, an orientation toward justice comes easily to My part in raising justice-oriented children is to point many children. In his book “The Mystery of the Child,” them to Christ’s action in the world, and then get out of Martin E. Marty observes that children often take Jesus’ their way and follow where they lead us. teaching further than adults. Children, he writes, are “moved by love to live out the vocations to effect change, to Frances Wattman Rosenau is the pastor of Culver City Presbyterian embody justice and mercy.” Church in greater Los Angeles

MARCHAPRIL   Presbyterians Today Felipe N. Martinez | LIVING THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Our longest liturgical season Easter’s 50 days invite us to go from followers to believers

was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, where I was the spiritual drama that took place in real time for the a member of a congregation in the Mexican National original followers of Jesus. The season marks the space I Presbyterian Church denomination. The worship life between an empty tomb and a room lled by the Holy of our congregation noted the important days of the Spirit, the shift between followers in a room hiding in Christian calendar — Christmas, Easter and . fear and those gathered in hope, the feeling between the But I don’t ever recall a mention of liturgical seasons. vision of a transformed Jesus and transformed believers. In retrospect, this probably was an effort to draw a I see the Bible as a love story between God and distinction between the minority Presbyterian denomi- humanity, and Easter marks the turning point of that nation and the majority Roman Church. (Pew story. What the 50 days call us to do is to apply to our Research reported in 2014 that 81% of Mexicans identi- lives the meaning of the transformation Jesus experi- ed as .) The Catholics may have had enced and how it transforms us. also invites their 40 days of Lent, but we didn’t. The only multi-day us to prepare spiritually to celebrate the pouring out of “season” Presbyterians ever mentioned seemed to be Holy the Holy Spirit upon all  esh come Pentecost. Week. It wasn’t until I immigrated to the When I was a student at McCormick Theological and joined a PC(USA) church that I became familiar Seminary, I attended worship with my wife, Tracy, at with the liturgical seasons. Yet even in the PC(USA), we the Methodist church she attended. In the Easter season, struggle with living into those seasons. during the of the People, the pastor would ask As a pastor, I can’t ignore the grumblings from the congregation for more than joys and concerns. She the pews during that we should be singing would ask: “Where are you seeing signs of resurrection?” Christmas . Though we anticipate Christmas, That was a poignant question for a congregation when Christmas Day arrives it feels as though we’ve that had once been on the brink of being closed. That crossed the nish line like an exhausted runner. We was a provocative question for members who lived from don’t seem to have the energy for the 12 days of paycheck to paycheck and were faithfully in worship. Christmas. Besides being the title of a quaint song, those That was a pertinent question for anyone who was days are often misconstrued to be the 12 days leading to eagerly awaiting God’s answer to their prayers. And it is Dec. 25. In reality, the 12 days follow Christmas. a question that guides us during Easter’s 50 days. May Easter mirrors our Christmas dilemma. We see this season bring us ever closer to the risen Jesus. Easter Sunday as the destination following Lent, but then we neglect the Easter season known as Eastertide, Felipe N Martinez is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in which spans seven . Eastertide is also referred to Columbus Indiana as “the 50 days of Easter.” Those days begin with Easter Sunday and end with Pentecost Sunday. The early church wasn’t focused on the Easter season IDEAS FOR EASTER’S  DAYS either. It sought to clarify when exactly to celebrate » Reinforce the Easter Sunday message by preaching in the Good Friday sacri ce of Jesus on the cross. When the season of Easter on themes such as faithfulness, we take into account the different chronologies in the transformation, renewal or healing. Synoptic (Matthew, Mark and Luke) and in » From Easter to Pentecost, invite your church family to John, and add to that the differences between the Jewish post pictures on social media that refl ect the Easter lunar calendar and the Roman solar calendar, we can message. Hashtags can be #resurrection, #empty- see that determining that date wasn’t a clear-cut answer. tomb, #newlife. While we won’t soon be singing, “On the twelfth day of Easter, my true love gave to me … ” our congregations » Prepare a congregational devotional — daily or would bene t from prayerfully considering the time weekly readings —featuring stories of new life written between Easter and Pentecost. Celebrating the Easter by church members season is sure to deepen our faith, connecting us to

Presbyterians Today MARCHAPRIL   MATTHEW  SPOTLIGHT | A look at churches engaging in the world

A focused message elevates excitement Matthew 25 Pew sitters become doers of the Word BY DONNA FRISCHKNECHT JACKSON

Webster Groves Presbyterian Church St Louis Approximately  members Matthew  focus We are defi ning congregational vitality by how our members are engaged in hands-on mission not by total dollars given to an agency

his April 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Last Tyear, a St. Louis church, Webster Groves Presbyterian, celebrated the 49th event in a big way — with a water-themed worship service, featur- ing a  owing fountain with blue and green fabric “water” cascading down the chancel steps. There was also an ethereal rendition of “Amazing Grace,” complete with the sounds of birds lling the sanctuary, and a slide show displaying photographs of water from the congregation, along with a soulful version of “Wade in the Water.” The service was created by Webster Groves’ environmental stew- ardship team, and it was just one COURTESY OF WEBSTER GROVES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Matthew 25’s focused message is creating more vitality among the Webster Groves Presbyterian part of a yearlong focus on the impor- congregation, as young and old are helping their St. Louis community. Here, members mark storm drain tance of clean water for all God’s lids with “Drains to Streams” to raise awareness of the need to keep storm water systems clean. children, said Beth Kazlauskas. A year ago, Kazlauskas, Webster At the time of their breakfast, her pastors, the Rev. Ed Zumwinkel Groves’ mission outreach coordina- Matthew 25 was just being launched III, senior pastor, and the Rev. tor for the past 11 years, shared as a denominational invitation for Dr. Susan Andrews, then parish over breakfast with the Rev. Rhonda congregations to heed the words of associate. Kruse the many missions that the Jesus to feed the hungry, visit the “Becoming a Matthew 25 church church was engaged in. lonely, clothe the naked and release felt like a perfect t with what As she talked about the projects, the prisoners. Kruse explained to we were doing,” Kazlauskas said. among them the congregation’s envi- Kazlauskas that congregations Zumwinkel and Andrews agreed. ronmental and social justice work, would be invited to commit to any or When the of cial Matthew 25 invi- it became clear to Kruse, who was all three ministry focuses: building tation was extended to the denomi- then the PC(USA)’s mission engage- congregational vitality, dismantling nation on April 1, 2019, Webster ment advisor for the Midwest, that structural racism and eradicating Groves Presbyterian was among the Webster Groves was an example of a systemic poverty. rst congregations to RSVP. It’s a Matthew 25 church. Kazlauskas took this invitation to decision that church leaders have

 MARCHAPRIL   Presbyterians Today not regretted, especially Kazlauskas, Becoming a mission-focused church who has noticed increased energy among its members over the past year. She credits this energy — and Beth Kazlauskas, Webster Groves Presbyterian Church’s mission outreach renewed excitement in missions — to coordinator, offers these tips on how churches, no matter their size, can create the focused message of Matthew 25. more excitement around missions: “Our hope was that it would help • Go beyond the mission team — Involve as many people from your con- us better communicate to our congre- gregation as possible. gation and our community how we • Narrow your focus — If your congregation supports many causes, prioritize are reaching out and engaging with and narrow the list. those around us,” she said. • Know what interests your members — Make sure those missions Matthew 25 has done just that — connect with the interests and passions of the congregation. and much more. Julie Wood, chair of Webster Groves’ missions, sees the Matthew 25 invitation as opening a space for someone naked? a close, 22 members rolled up their conversations to take place about the Webster Groves answered that sleeves to do their part — traveling diverse interests of Webster Groves’ by collecting more than 150 pairs of around their St. Louis neighbor- members, which can then be turned socks for the homeless last October hood, marking storm drain lids with into hands-on missions. After all, the in a project called “Socktober.” “Drains to Streams” to raise aware- key to success, she says, is to have What would Jesus do if he saw ness of how important it is to keep “issues/efforts that are near and dear” someone hungry? trash and chemicals out of storm to members. In November, members of Webster water systems. “Matthew 25 has fit in well Groves created food kits for teens Webster Groves will continue its with the energy that was already experiencing homelessness. environmental work as part of its growing in our congregation,” Wood And what would Jesus do if he saw Matthew 25 focus. But that is only a said, adding that a “strong group someone thirsty? start. And with a clear focus on the of members” were ready for more The congregation answered that words of Jesus to reach out to others, engagement in mission work and Matthew 25 question in a big way. who knows what the next 12 months social justice. Besides its Earth Day water- will bring? Out of the desire to do more came themed worship service, through- “The people in our congregation all the creation of a new advocacy team, out 2018 and ’19 the congregation have different talents and interests Kazlauskas says. The team is cur- tied the water theme into educa- … and more and more members rently focusing on hosting events to tion, worship and mission. Funds are involved in hands-on mission elevate gun violence prevention and to build five wells for communi- projects, from sorting and delivering is seeking ways to alleviate poverty ties in were contributed. donations at a local furniture bank in the St. Louis area. Children learned about the need for to working on our annual mission Along with better communications clean water and raised money for weekend projects [a weekend in the and a rediscovery of the gifts of those water filters for families in Flint, fall when the church goes out and in the pew, Matthew 25 has helped Michigan. Speakers, including a helps the community] to packing the Webster Groves congregation staff member from the Missouri meals for Rise Against Hunger,” learn how to “appreciate and cel- Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Kazlauskas said. “There is a job for ebrate all we are doing as a church,” Center, a lawyer from the Great everyone to help us meet our goal says Sue Scott, co-chair of the newly Rivers Environmental Center, and fulfill our commitment in being formed advocacy team. and an artist who shared her work a Matthew 25 church.” “By celebrating what we do, we related to watersheds, were invited build even more synergy around to share their passion and knowledge Donna Frischknecht Jackson is the editor of those efforts,” she said. for clean water with the congrega- Presbyterians Today. For Emmy McClelland, co-chair tion. As the year of water came to of Webster Groves’ advocacy team, Matthew 25 has provided “a way to LEARN MORE answer the age-old question ‘What would Jesus do?’ ” For more information on Matthew 25, go to pcusa.org/matthew 25 What would Jesus do if he saw

Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 11 MOVED BY THE SPIRIT

ADVOCACY

Revealing America’s racist past and present Church exhibit starts important conversation

BY MIKE GIVLER

COURTESY OF LAKE BURIEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Lake Burien Presbyterian Church has become known as the church in the Burien, Wash., community that is not afraid to tackle — and talk about — racism. Last fall, the church held an exhibit, “In Our Shoes,” which traced slavery and racism in America. The exhibit attracted local organizations and schools.

ackie Muchiri and her son The has resulted in credits senior pastor the Rev. Lina Jordan, members of Lake Lake Burien Presbyterian becoming Thompson for the direction the JBurien Presbyterian Church in known as a place where conversa- church has taken. Burien, Washington, were facing an tions surrounding injustices like “We’ve had real hard conversa- uncertain future after receiving an rental housing abuses can happen. tions. We’ve developed a Justice eviction notice due to the sale of her It is also becoming known as the League group, which is a group of apartment building. For the church’s church in the greater Seattle area folks who are white, black, Asian, leadership, Muchiri’s situation where tackling larger issues, such Paci c Islander and Hispanic who was one more reminder that the as unfair practices, injustices and just want to understand how God congregation needed to be at the racism, is encouraged. sees the world outside of racism forefront for a change in policies in The Rev. Tali Hairston, one of the and white supremacy,” Hairston its community. worshiping pastors at Lake Burien, said. “It’s a big step for many in the

 MARCHAPRIL   Presbyterians Today congregation, but we are continu- ing to learn how to live LEARN MORE faithfully.” Lake Burien Presbyterian’s young adult ministry “Pivot ” invited Lisa Part of that education included Sharon Harper the founder and president of Freedom Road to discuss 35 people from the congregation and the “In Our Shoes” exhibit the gospel and racial justice Freedom Road is Lake Burien community participat- the organization that coordinated the Lake Burien Presbyterian pilgrim- ing last year in anti-racism training age The podcast with Harper is available at lbpc podbean come led by “Pivot” — the church’s young in-our-shoes-exhibit-talk-back-session-with-lisa-sharon-harper adult ministry. The PC(USA)’s Matthew  vision also includes an anti-racism focus The training, held over the course Learn more at pcusa orgmatthew of six months, built awareness about historic racism. It culminated in a trip last summer that included stops These injustices have not gone Seattle Presbytery is also doing in Montgomery, Alabama; Memphis, unnoticed by the Seattle Presbytery, an assessment of its congregations Tennessee; and Ferguson, Missouri Hairston says, and the presbytery so a strategy can be put in place to — and focused on the civil rights is taking steps to address these combat issues of equity and inclusion movement and the voices of African situations. that are affecting the churches. American women. A study is underway that As for Lake Burien Presbyterian, Hairston said that there were focuses on the communities that Hairston said the congregation will “messy, hard, ugly, beautiful, surround churches and the health continue being a place where tough anointed and holy” moments for of those churches. The data is conversations can take place. everyone on the trip. being compared to that of other “The door is open for us to Upon returning to Lake Burien, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continue to be the kind of congre- the group knew it needed to unpack congregations as well as other gation that just doesn’t meet on what it had experienced. It did so by denominations. Sunday,” he said. “We’ve seen people creating an exhibit called “In Our “Some of the things we’re nding who didn’t want to talk about issues Shoes.” is that both the shifts in demo- of race, who didn’t know how to talk Located in the entryway of graphics and shifts in culture are about issues of race, become involved the church, the exhibit ran from particularly acute for Presbyterian deeply in conversations, in relation- September to October and traced congregations,” Hairston, who ships, in small groups and prayer the of African American doubles as the presbytery’s director circles with people they know they life in America from the middle of community organizing, advocacy would never be in conversations with passage and enslavement till today. and development, said of the prelimi- anyplace else around these issues.” As word got out about the exhibit, nary ndings. “And we need to nd people from the neighborhood as out why that is. A place like Seattle Mike Givler is the communications coordi- well as community organizations is technologically innovative but nator for the of the Trinity in Camp and schools came to the church. It is yet the church itself is struggling Hill Pennsylvania estimated that more than 800 people to innovate with changes in demo- have experienced “In Our Shoes.” graphics and culture.” “We did it as a part of our own journey to continue our own healing Trust the Stevens Worldwide Van Lines as a congregation, both individu- ™ ally and corporately, and to bring Move Center Stevens is proud to deliver over 110 years of family-owned those from our community into the moving expertise and quality services to Presbyterian Church conversation,” Hairston said, adding (USA) Members, Clergy and Employees and Educators: • Discounted pricing • Stevens Home Protection Kit™ that Seattle and its neighboring • Top-rated drivers and crews • Free no-obligation move estimate communities are a lot like other • Customized moving packages • Single point-of-contact regions in the United States in that Endorsed Mover for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) the condition of African American The way to move communities, graduation rates, CALL VICKI BIERLEIN: 800.248.8313 housing and wealth disparity are everyday problems that many times www.stevensworldwide.com/pcusa go unnoticed. USDOT 72029

Presbyterians Today MARCHAPRIL   MISSIONS

A milestone reached for Living Waters for the World 1,000 water systems installed, and counting

BY EUGENIA JOHNSON SMITH

urning on the faucet for a glass of clean water to drink is something Tmost people take for granted, only becoming an issue when the pipes freeze or there is a “boil water” advisory. However, clean water is not a given for billions of people world- wide. In a 2019 joint study released by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, 2 billion people still don’t have access to safely managed drinking water systems, and 3 billion lack basic sanitary facilities to wash their hands. Living Waters for the World, though, has been on a mission for more than two decades to provide clean water for vulnerable communi- COURTESY OF LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD Living Waters for the World health instructor Joanie Lukins walks students through the water ties. The brainchild of the Rev. Wil treatment process. Howie, who, as a seminarian, was disturbed by learning how millions “It’s a miracle,” said Howie. “When networked regions. of children die yearly due to polluted our rst community water treat- “Lives have been transformed water, brought the idea for supplying ment system was installed in Mexico among all involved,” said Young, “and clean water systems throughout the in 1996, we couldn’t have dreamed the provision of sustainable clean world to the Synod of Living Waters where the Lord would take us.” water forever changes the trajectory in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The synod As water organizations go, Living of the lives of those who receive it.” adopted Living Waters for the World Waters for the World is unique. Over the past 15 years, Living as a mission project. That was in The organization trains volunteers, Waters for the World has trained 1993. It would take more than two mostly from Presbyterian Church more than 2,300 volunteers. Many years, though, for the rst water (U.S.A.) churches, to form interna- of the volunteers were trained at the system to be installed. tional water partnerships. Teams Clean Water U campus held at Camp “There was research and develop- engage directly with communities Hopewell in Oxford, Mississippi. ment to nd the right technology,” and train them to purify contami- Hope Anderson is one such said Steve Young, executive director nated water, providing health and volunteer who dipped her toe into of Living Waters for the World. hope to families they serve. Living Waters for the World back in In 1996, the nonpro t celebrated In 2004, the number of water April 2010. Three months later her as its rst clean water system partnerships grew exponentially. In church, Pennington Presbyterian in was installed in a health clinic in response, Living Waters for the World Pennington, New Jersey, partnered Empalme, Sonora, Mexico. developed on-the-ground support with a community in the Yucatán In September 2019, there was yet infrastructure termed “networks.” Peninsula of Mexico. Anderson, another celebration as Living Waters Today, water teams and their now a Clean Water U instructor, for the World installed its 1,000th partners receive logistical, techni- recently shared on the Living Waters system. cal and training support across 11 website that Sandy LaCasse, one

 MARCHAPRIL   Presbyterians Today A ! G R EA COURTESY OF LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD EA ID Living Waters for the World founder the Rev. Wil Howie speaks at the milestone celebration, saying, T GIFT “We couldn’t have dreamed where the Lord would take us.”

of the Pennington congregation’s stainless-steel water bottles Historical Sketches health educators, and the leaders of imprinted with the LWW logo and of the Presbyterian the Christian education committee our church’s own water symbol. Church in the United decided to make the partnerships “Income earned from the bottle with Living Waters for the World sales was designated for ongoing States of America. “real to the Pennington children health education programs in Living 1706-1789. by focusing on water awareness Waters’ Yucatán network,” she said, throughout the 2018–2019 program adding, “I am honored to work with A Documentary Video year.” people in the Yucatán … and to par- An excellent learning tool for “Each quarter, Sandy and her ticipate in a ministry that provides individuals, families, small group team asked church school students God’s gifts of love and safe water to study, and church officers alike, provocative questions like ‘Do you all.” this two hour DVD takes you on know how many gallons of water it Living Waters for the World’s an exciting adventure into the takes to produce one pound of ham- Clean Water U campuses will be burger?’ The jaw-dropping answer is expanding into the Northeast this beginnings of in 1,799! They also played games like June, offering classes and training at America. It would also make a ‘Take a Risk,’ where participants the Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat wonderful gift and keepsake. receive a water drop, which may be Center in Johnsonburg, New Jersey. safe or may be contaminated — who The expansion, Young says, will meet knows? Will you get sick or won’t Living Waters’ next milestone of AVAILABLE FOR you? Our youngsters eagerly shared another 1,000 clean water installa- what they learned by writing on large tions by 2030. $ water-drop posters placed around our “We anticipate building new part- 29.95 building, and they invited members nerships in Africa and the Middle to ask them water questions,” East and also expanding our reach to Order online at Anderson said. families without clean water here in www.presbyterianhistory.com A challenge was also issued during the United States,” he said. Lent to give up plastic bottles until SAVE 15% Easter. Eugenia Johnson-Smith is an author coach online by using coupon code “Each one of us signed a pledge, and motivational speaker who lives in PRESTODAY at checkout. and some of us purchased special Lexington Kentucky

Presbyterians Today MARCHAPRIL   The necessity of holy breaks

Sabbaticals are a must for healthy pastors and healthy congregations

BY ERIN DUNIGAN

he word “sabbatical” has its roots Presbytery of Charlotte, where sab- After leaving her previous call, she in the biblical concept of Sabbath baticals are required in the terms of took only two weeks off, which T— a rest. And yet, until recently, call for any installed pastor. included moving across the country resting from one’s job for an extended A sabbatical, according to the with two small children, before period of time was a perk found Office of the General Assembly serving her current congrega- mainly in the world of academia. It (OGA), is a “planned time of inten- tion. Meacham is the first pastor at certainly wasn’t a common practice sive enhancement for ministry and Ashland Presbyterian Church to take in corporate America or in the mission.” Different from a vacation, it a sabbatical in the congregation’s Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). is meant to be an opportunity for the history. But that appears to be changing. pastor to strategically disengage from “When I negotiated the contract, it In 2017, nearly 17% of employers normal tasks so that mission and was very helpful that the presbytery offered sabbaticals, according to the ministry might be viewed from a new had a policy of sabbatical, and that Harvard Business Review. And as perspective. the interim who came before me had the secular world wakes up to the OGA recommends sabbaticals for already done the work to help educate benefits of rest and renewal for its all full-time pastors and educators the congregation about its impor- workers, Presbyterians likewise are serving churches, who have served in tance,” Meacham said. discovering that sabbaticals are not their current position for six continu- As many pastors choose to do, a costly luxury, but an affordable ous years. Commonly, sabbaticals are Meacham used her sabbatical to must for the health and vibrancy of a three-month time away. travel — visiting the Greek islands ministry. with her husband, going on a Disney “We tell our churches and our Learning together cruise with their four children and pastors that the sabbatical is good The Rev. Shannon Meacham was in attending the Newport Jazz Festival for so many reasons, including that her 15th year of ordained ministry with her husband. All were amazing it teaches both the pastor and the when she took a sabbatical for the adventures, but Meacham found that congregation that the congregation first time last year. She was eight “simply having the time” was the can survive without the pastor,” said years into her current call at Ashland “most healing and most restful.” the Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston. Edmiston Presbyterian Church in Hunt Valley, Neither she nor the congrega- is the general presbyter for the Maryland. tion could have imagined the

16 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today ALL IMAGES FROM GETTY IMAGES Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 17 benefits of the sabbatical to her The traditional job description and Creative sabbatical scheduling actually entering into it. Ashland expectations that come with it, she The Rev. Steve Melde has served Presbyterian, as Meacham describes said, “don’t seem to be working for Christ Presbyterian Church in it, is a healthy congregation but also most folks.” Tucson, Arizona, for over 20 years, tends to be fairly pastor-centric, with and recently took his second her serving as the only full-time staff Sabbatical funding sabbatical. member. The sabbatical helped them As the conversations continue, “The best part, in my perspective, see things differently. Meacham’s congregation has found was that it was the personnel com- “We love her, but this was really the sabbatical of their pastor so mittee and the session who noticed good for us. Within a week of her beneficial that they are now working that it had been seven years since my being gone, I realized that it was on a plan to set aside funds yearly to last sabbatical and suggested that it going to be OK,” said Penny DeBoer, cover the costs of future pastors’ sab- was time I took one,” said Melde. one of Ashland Presbyterian’s baticals. A Lilly Endowment grant Because the church’s associate and a member of the sabbati- helped with the first sabbatical. pastor was preparing to retire, it was cal team that was created to oversee However, before the grant was more challenging for Melde to get things in Meacham’s absence. approved, the session vowed “to away for three months. Melde and “I am their leader,” said Meacham, figure something out” to make their the session decided to break the sab- “but this is their church. And though pastor’s sabbatical happen with or batical into two six-week increments. I’m an integral part, they realized without the grant, Meacham says. “I have to say, it worked out won- that I can be removed, and they can The Rev. Dr. John McFayden, derfully for me,” said Melde. “Being still be who they are.” executive vice president and chief gone for three months in a row has Meacham and her congregation of church engagement for the Board its own stress.” chose the theme of “Reclaiming Joy” of Pensions, says he cannot stress Dividing the sabbatical in two for both her own sabbatical and the enough the importance of sabbati- sections was helpful both to Melde, church’s sabbatical without her. cals. He says they enable pastors to who could get work done in prepara- “We chose that theme because we, get away from the demands of their tion for being gone, as well as for the like many churches, are struggling responsibilities for a long enough congregation, which was able to more with the changing nature of what time for the pastors to reflect on their easily adjust to the pastor’s absence. it means to be church, and it can be ministry. For Melde, the sabbatical provided a really hard time. We wanted to He admits, though, that many time to reconnect with his family. intentionally choose joy in the midst congregations are reluctant to offer “It allowed us to do family things of it,” she said. sabbaticals because they cannot see over the weekends that we normally Now that Meacham is back, she themselves doing without their pastor don’t get to do on a pastor’s schedule,” tries to maintain healthy boundaries for an extended time. They are espe- he said. that both benefit her family and keep cially concerned with how to finance The sabbatical also allowed Melde the congregation moving forward, the pastor’s leave and fill the , to dedicate time to a sermon series away from a pastor-centric mindset. McFayden adds. that he had long wanted to work on. “The time away let me see how out Recognizing that some congre- The sermon series was titled “The of balance my life was,” she said. It gations don’t have the financial Other 167.” also led to further conversations with resources to pay for the redundant “With 168 hours in a week, and one the congregation about how “we need coverage while the pastor is away, the hour spent in worship, I wanted to to rethink the entire ‘pastor’ thing.” Board offers a grant of up to $3,000 take a look at what are we doing in to help cover expenses. The grant, the other 167 to grow in our relation- however, is not meant to replace other ship with God in other places — in funding sources, but to supplement nature, at home and in the world,” them. Melde said. But he wanted to do more “Assuming that pastors and con- than preach about those places. He gregations would begin to set aside wanted to preach from them. some time for the pastor to be able to “What the sabbatical allowed me do this, and resources in order to do to do was to go into those places and so, the grant is meant to come along- to record myself preaching and then side those other sources,” McFayden share that with the congregation said. when I returned,” he said. GETTY IMAGES For example, the pastor went to

18 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today Ghana, joined the church. Slowly, I am their leader, but this is their church. And though other Ghanian families began joining. I’m an integral part, they realized that I can be removed, When a local congregation closed, many of that church’s Cameroonian and they can still be who they are. members joined Church of the Way. — Rev. Shannon Meachum “So almost overnight we changed from 98% Caucasian to a congrega- tion that now comprises about 15% African immigrants,” said Parker. This has led him to his new focus for the sabbatical time, and the question Parker will be asking is: a beach, and even went to a location the grant, his personnel committee “How can we be more than a white where a prickly pear cactus was decided to move forward with his church with immigrants, and instead growing out of a roof. sabbatical, rather than waiting to become a truly multicultural church?” “I preached there, with that cactus reapply for a Lilly grant the following Parker sees his upcoming sabbati- up above me, about finding God even year. This means the congregation cal as a growing time for the congre- in the midst of our daily human life,” will not have outside financial assis- gation as well. During his time away, he said. tance to pay for pastoral coverage Parker the congregation will For Melde, breaking the sabbatical during Parker’s absence. wrestle with such questions as: Who into two segments worked beautifully What Church of the Way does are we? Where are we going? Where for him and his congregation. One have is a commissioned ruling elder does God want us to go? thought he has for his next sabbatical who grew up in the congregation and These are exactly the types of is to break it into three sections — went to seminary, but decided not to questions that Edmiston hopes that one month a year for three years. get ordained. He oversees pastoral both pastors and congregations will “That would give the time to do care, works with the deacons and ask during a sabbatical time. Her some of that long-term planning as has agreed to cover some of the hope is that pastors will be able to well as some relaxing,” he said. responsibilities for the sabbatical use the time to reevaluate their own period, including moderating session pastoral identity — what God might After 17 years, ‘a break’ meetings and preaching occasionally. be calling that pastor, in that context, In May the Rev. Dr. David Parker The church also has several members to do next — and that congregations of Presbyterian Church of the Way stepping up to fill the pulpit. will do so as well. in Shoreview, Minnesota, will have In preparation for being gone, “It is a time to step away, to look served his current congregation Parker conducted a preaching class at where we have been and where for seven years. Part of the terms in which he taught seven members we might be going,” she said. “It is of call includes taking a sabbatical of the congregation how to look at something that everyone needs, but after six years of service. Parker has Scripture, structure a sermon and especially when you are in a vocation been a pastor for 17 years, in three generate ideas for preaching. where you depend on God speaking calls. This year he’ll take his first “We now have seven individuals to you. It is a time to listen to what sabbatical. who have a sermon ready to go while might be being said.” Though some pastors have the I’m on my sabbatical,” he said. chance to take time off between calls, Of the seven, three are immi- Erin Dunigan is a PC(USA)-ordained that hasn’t been the case for Parker. grants — one from Cameroon evangelist living in Baja California, Mexico, “After 17 straight years of ministry, and two from Ghana. Though the where she founded Not Church, a gathering I really am looking forward to a congregation has historically been of atheists and agnostics who wish to deepen break,” he said. His sabbatical will predominantly white, about 20 their spiritual journey. She is also a freelance begin in July and run through years ago a couple, immigrants from writer and photographer. September. Parker applied for a Lilly grant and had big ideas for his sabbati- cal, including a visit to Scotland to LEARN MORE participate in the Highland Games in Learn more about grants and funding for sabbaticals at a small town where his ancestors are presbyterianfoundation.org/sabbatical-support-for-pastors buried. Although he did not receive

Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 19 20 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today An unsung program quietly changes lives

Self-Development of People celebrates 50 years of helping others be the best they can be

BY RICH COPLEY

ast November, when they neighborhood’s getting better.” year a Sunday during Lent is des- gathered in a park near Stephanie Johnson-Cobb, another ignated Self-Development of People Ldowntown Detroit, folks from the member of the project team, acknowl- Sunday. This year, that is March Dexter-Linwood Cordon neighborhood edged that there are a lot of “vacant 15, and the ministry is creating a could see spring. They could see a spaces in our communities.” special edition of its annual SDOP butterfly garden, kids getting lost “How do you develop it into some- Sunday resource, which details many in a black-eyed Susan maze, people thing beautiful? How do you develop of the programs SDOP supports. The relaxing in a gazebo and gathering it into something that is environmen- resource also includes worship mate- fresh vegetables in a garden. They tally sustainable, that will give back rials related to combating poverty could see a new season filled with and impact not just the space but the and racism. hope for a Detroit block that had seen people?” she asked. “This [park] is “One of the powerful things about better days. visionary. This is pointing toward the Self-Development of People that is Once lined with more than 20 future of the community.” really noteworthy is that it has been houses, the block now has only two a ministry that teaches the church habitable houses. Some were lost Improving lives for 50 years about the intersectional issues of to decline and neglect, others to As SDOP looks to the future, it is poverty,” said the Rev. Dr. Alonzo violence such as fire bombing. But also celebrating its past. This year, Johnson, coordinator of SDOP. “And with support from the Presbyterian SDOP is celebrating its 50th anni- we do that because our teachers are Committee on the Self-Development versary. The ministry was conceived the community. Our teachers are the of People (SDOP), this community is in the late 1960s and early ’70s as projects that we fund and the connec- working to create revival. the church’s unique response to tions we make in the community. And “If it doesn’t happen, what’s poverty and racism in the United that’s something that’s incredibly, going to happen to the neighbor- States and around the world. powerfully relevant about this … that hood?” asked neighborhood resident From the beginning of the we hear from the communities.” Ron Matten. Matten belongs to the ministry, the term “self-develop- community group Demographic ment” was key. In 1970 the 182nd Helping communities organize Inspirations, which is working to General Assembly of the then-United As it enters its sixth decade, the turn the block into a multifaceted Presbyterian Church called for program remains close to its original community gathering area. The the creation of a program to assist concept: SDOP invites people in project is supported in part by a “deprived, impoverished or handi- communities impacted by poverty to grant from SDOP, a ministry that capped people, anywhere in the world, apply for grants, telling SDOP how supports community-generated and in their development,” according to they will use the funds to improve -led projects. the book “From Dream to Reality: A the community and what the “There’s a lot of people who Contextual History of Twenty Years expected benefit of the project will have been here for years,” Matten of the Presbyterian Self-Development be to the community. SDOP does not said. “We’re trying to create that Program” by James A. Gittings. fund organizations. Rather, it wants aesthetic view, so they can say the Gittings’ book, which was pub- people in communities to organize, lished in 1993, details the forma- though an organization often will act RICH COPLEY tion of SDOP, along with trials and as the fiduciary agent of the grants, Zenaba Bello (left), a refugee from Central triumphs during its first 20 years. which can be as high as $25,000. African Republic, shows SDOP staff member Since its inception, SDOP has been That approach was a new concept Clara Nunez some of the baked goods at Just supported by the One Great Hour of for participants in an SDOP grant- Bakery in Atlanta. Sharing special offering, and each writing workshop in Atlanta in

Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 21 September, many of whom seemed to congregation, we don’t have funding of the work that was so critical to the expect a more typical model of orga- to be able to provide for those kinds citizens here,” said Monica Lewis- nizations receiving funds and then of things,” said Sallie Campbell, Patrick, president and CEO of We the setting up programs for a community. director of congregational life People. “I have not heard of anyone and community outreach for First SDOP’s work has crossed borders funding like this before,” said Presbyterian. “So SDOP is a place too, with significant projects in Tonisha , program manager that we can network with and Africa, Central and South America for the Episcopal of Atlanta. connect people to, for them to be able and other regions. “A lot of the time people tell you they to pursue their own objectives and As 2020 unfolds, SDOP plans to think they know what’s best for you.” their own goals, without the church commemorate its 50-year legacy with That’s not the case with SDOP, she necessarily being involved in those an anniversary celebration Sept. said. “They want the people being goals, but making that introduction 18–20 in Rochester, New York, where served to control the project.” and connecting local people to SDOP the ministry was launched. The workshop was conducted by so that they can advocate for their To Phyllis Edwards, a national members of the SDOP national com- own peace and justice issues.” committee member from Detroit, mittee, which meets throughout the Lansing is just 1½ hours north- SDOP will continue to play a vital year to discuss potential grantees west of Detroit, and that region is a role in the next half century as and to explore issues in the areas microcosm of the work that SDOP society is transformed by factors such where the committee meets. has done. It is also home to an active as automation and climate change. “God’s children should not be local SDOP committee. “Organizations like SDOP — as an unable to be what God intended Local SDOP committees are based outlet for people to decide how they because of poverty,” Pat Osoinach, a in and presbyteries and make can build their wealth in an ever- member of SDOP’s national com- grants at the local level. changing world — are a necessity,” mittee, said. “One of the interesting “It’s important for groups to be she said. things about [SDOP] is that people validated and given resources that Johnson sees the ministry in develop themselves, and we aid that.” will help them to improve their lives,” line with the Presbyterian Mission The national committee is drawn said Kayla Perrin, a member of the Agency’s Matthew 25 invitation goals from across the country, with racial, Detroit SDOP committee. “It’s a way of addressing structural racism and ethnic, gender and geographic diver- to make sure the ones that are in the systemic poverty. sity in mind. The latter is important most need are the ones getting the “The 50th year is about celebra- as site visits by committee members help.” tion, but it’s also about education,” or local Presbyterian representatives Detroit is home to a group that got Johnson said. “And it’s about connect- are part of the SDOP application a big boost from an early SDOP grant. ing with our SDOP folks who’ve been process. We the People of Detroit initially involved in this ministry for a long launched as a short-term effort to time, but also creating awareness for Funding projects help provide water to people during the church for a new generation to Congregations can work with SDOP a city water crisis. It has since take hold and understand the great through referring people to the group grown into a well-established water and continuous work that has yet to and working with projects it funds. advocacy organization, and directors be done.” In Lansing, Michigan, for example, say an early SDOP grant was key to First Presbyterian Church provides establishing the organization. Rich Copley is a communications strategist office space to Advocacy, Reentry, “If not for SDOP, we don’t know in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Resources, and Outreach, a group where we would have been in terms that helps people who have served prison sentences reintegrate into their communities. The program has LEARN MORE had three projects funded by SDOP, Visit pcusa.org/sdop to find out more about the Presbyterian Committee on including one that enabled clients to the Self-Development of People, including: learn skills needed in construction • How to get involved in SDOP jobs. • Grant criteria and how to apply “SDOP has the ability to support • SDOP Sunday (March 15) and the Sunday resource groups of people who are trying • Videos about SDOP work to better their lives in one way • 50th anniversary celebration plans or another, and as an individual

22 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today Small is Big This little piggy is making a big impact. That’s because even a small gift from the Presbyterian Giving Catalog is added to many others to lift up individuals and communities. For example, the gift of one piglet (just $40) can provide vital income to a family, making a world of difference in their lives.

Small Gifts. Big Impact.

Give today at smallisbig.gives West Plano Presbyterian Church’s Easter Vigil begins outside at sundown with the lighting of a bonfire COURTESY OF WEST PLANO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH and the .

24 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today Celebrating Triduum and the Easter Vigil Ancient liturgy deepens faith and builds community

BY DONNA FRISCHKNECHT JACKSON

he sun was setting as cars pulled into the church parking lot. I walked toward the Tglowing embers that were being coaxed into flames in a rusty fire pit outside the church doors. It was a welcome sight on a chilly spring night. As much as I wanted to stay close to the fire’s warmth, as more people gathered, I edged to the back of the circle that was forming. I felt awkward and shy. I was not a member of the church. I was a stranger to them as they were to me. But the biggest “stranger” of all was the worship service itself at this Episcopal church. I was a Presbyterian at a Paschal Vigil, and I had no idea what to expect. The Paschal Vigil, also known as the Easter Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is an ancient liturgy celebrated on the night before Easter Sunday. Initially, it started in the middle of the night, ending with the break of dawn on Sunday. It was also a service in the early church when new Christians were welcomed into the faith through the waters of followed by the celebration of the Eucharist. And for centuries to come, the vigil has been a time for Christians to celebrate the Resurrection with the rising of a new day, when

Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 25 COURTESY OF WEST PLANO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Easter Vigil continues inside the church with Scripture readings. Those attending the West Plano Presbyterian Easter Vigil gather in the church’s library to listen, pray and reflect on God’s creation and God’s love for the world.

the darkness of night fills with the meal we would have after Easter anew in the waters of baptism, show- light of hope. Sunday worship. ering us with light, and inviting us I stood on the outer edge of the Yet even as a child I wondered to sit at the table and break bread circle, watching the priest light the what happened in between Good together. Christ candle from the flames that Friday’s crucifixion and Easter The vigil moved from outdoors were dancing in the breeze. From morning’s shouts of “He is risen!” to inside the church. As the front that light, the candles we held were What was this space Saturday was doors opened, I noticed that it was lit. The priest sang words of praise, offering to the world? A space that completely dark inside. I was also and after their Lenten break, the was inviting us to ponder death and hit with the overwhelming smell “” returned and were sung. grieve losses — to be comfortable of Easter lilies and hyacinths. I They never sounded so beautiful as sitting with the uncomfortable — all inhaled deeply. I thought about the they did that night in the dark, cold with the knowledge that tomorrow dank tomb where Jesus’ body lay air. I found myself being drawn into joy would return, as promised. and wondered if there was also the the mystery of the Saturday before The Easter Vigil was answering scent of hope rather than the stench Easter that I had never known, until my childhood questions. Saturday of death. I wondered, too, about the I became an adult, was called “Holy was a holy space where I needed to times in my dank tomb, no matter Saturday.” be reminded of the depths of God’s what situation brought me there, When I was growing up, the love that was shown on the cross. I when I had forgotten to smell the Saturday before Easter was needed to be on the journey from roses; that is, awaken my senses to anything but holy. It was a day to dark to light with others. I needed to the new life around me. dye Easter eggs and make last-min- remember that the God of creation As the service progressed to ute trips to the store for the holiday is always redeeming us, washing us another room and the lights slowly

26 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT THE EASTER VIGIL

The Easter Vigil is a worship service that features four parts. Here’s a look at how West Plano Presbyterian Church celebrates the vigil.

THE LITURGY OF LIGHT arriving in the church library. The Easter Vigil begins with the Liturgy of Light. Inside, the church is shrouded in darkness as a fire is lit outside. “It’s a large room well-suited for the gospel reading, a brief sermon and the ‘Litany of the ,’ that remembrance of At West Plano Presbyterian, “we begin with a mini-bonfire who we belong to and who belongs to us as the great company at the far edge of our parking lot,” says the Rev. Dr. David B. of all united in Christ,” Batchelder said. Batchelder. In his previous congregation, the Easter Vigil fire was lit in the church cemetery. THE OF BAPTISM From there, the West Plano congregation follows the Paschal THE EASTER PROCLAMATION candle and arrives at the font to baptize those who are ready to From the fire, Batchelder lights the Paschal candle and then enter the faith, and to celebrate the reaffirmation of baptism the individual candles held by the worshipers. The “Exultet” is for all attending. sung — “exultet” is the opening word in Latin of “The Easter Proclamation,” which is an ancient that is said to have THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER been used in the Roman Catholic Easter liturgy from between “By now in the service we are famished, and it is time for the the fifth and seventh centuries. holy meal, the Eucharist,” Batchelder said.

“We then begin walking the outside property, stopping at various “This is the great celebration.” West Plano Presbyterian’s bread places for Scripture readings that tell of the stories of God’s is often a 7-pound loaf specially prepared by a local bakery, saving deeds,” Batchelder said. Batchelder says.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD “For the fruit of the vine, we have sometimes popped cham- Eventually, the vigil moves inside the church for more Scripture pagne. Other times it has been a fine cabernet sauvignon,” he storytelling, often acted out by children and youth, before added.

TRIDUUM REFLECTIONS For me, the three days of Triduum really are one complete West Plano Presbyterian worshipers act in three stages. In the liturgy, I see the share their experience model of leadership played out in the bodily service of washing feet. On Good Friday, we are astounded by the love that The Saturday Easter Vigil is deeply meaningful for me as suffered the depths of pain, but also gives the last ounce of darkness, fire, light, water, Scripture and music take me on a blood for forgiveness. All culminates in the family reunion with journey that retells the story of my faith. stories, songs and an extravagant Resurrection feast of celebra- —Nancy Batchelder, 65 tion! Even recovering from surgery, I could not miss these three days. I’ve come to consider attending the Paschal Vigil an essential —Priscilla Kimery, mid-70s part of my Easter celebration. It is absolutely wonderful — long, yes, but meaningful and even fun. Participating in the , remembering our baptism and —Linda Robinson, 50-ish hearing the voices of the youngest children are God moments for me. The lavish symbols, including the enormous loaf we Acting out the stories in the Bible makes us part of the story. consume at the vigil, take my breath away. —Erik Barnes, 11 —Becki Williams, early 70s

During my baptism at the vigil I felt safe, surrounded by friends Lent feels like an eternity leading up to the rush of Easter. and family. —Sophia Barnes, 10 Then Easter flies by if we don’t pay attention and focus on the moments. Triduum is that focus moment. The Easter Vigil is a The Easter Vigil provides a multigenerational, multisensory reflection on the Christian journey. Walked through, literally, experience of excitement building upon our faith journey from with the congregation, it is another reminder that we are all in Genesis’ creation story culminating in the Eucharist celebration this together. of Christ’s resurrection. Awesome bread! —Sami Mikhail, late 50s —Joyce Jones, mid-60s

Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 27 came on, becoming brighter with each song, prayer and reading, I dis- covered I was no longer a stranger in the crowd. And this strange service known as the Easter Vigil became my new best friend, one that has deepened for me what it means to live out the promise of the Resurrection. As a minister in the PC(USA), I have always wanted to hold an Easter Vigil. I admit, though, it has been a hard sale. It has been my experience that it is difficult to get people to return after for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. I have heard the comments from many a worship committee that attending church two nights in COURTESY OF WEST PLANO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH a row is asking a lot of people, and The Easter Vigil culminates in the celebration of the Eucharist, where the star of the Lord’s Supper is oftentimes I would have to condense the 7-pound loaf of challah bread made especially for the service, says the Rev. Dr. David Batchelder, the liturgy of the and pictured here. Jesus’ last words from the cross into one service. according to the Genesis creation experience a service, in Would I, could I, dare ask for a story: “and there was evening and which candles are extinguished as third night of worship for an Easter there was morning.” the service progresses. Vigil? “Liturgical time follows the “But rare is the Presbyterian con- Jewish calculation of the 24-hour gregation that has an after-sundown Three days of worship day moving from sunset to sunset Saturday Easter (Paschal) Vigil,” The Rev. Dr. David B. Batchelder of rather than midnight to midnight,” Batchelder said. West Plano Presbyterian Church in he said. Over the years, Batchelder has Plano, Texas, has dared and con- For Batchelder, Triduum has been incorporated more sensory and tinues to do so during , an important spiritual practice for tactile elements to the Holy Week asking his congregation to make the him, but he realizes it is not some- services, to bring the ancient liturgy commitment to not only experience thing Presbyterians are accustomed to life and deepen the meaning of an Easter Vigil, but to participate to and it takes easing into and the Easter message. in an ancient liturgy known as the perhaps adapting the liturgy to work Elements such as foot washing “Triduum.” with where a congregation is. and stripping the chancel, as they Triduum, Latin for the Great “To bring the liturgy of the Great are offered in the 2018 Book of Three Days, celebrates the mystery Three Days to Presbyterian con- Common Worship, have been intro- of Christ’s dying and rising spread gregations not familiar with this duced to his congregation with much out over three days beginning at tradition involves some adaptation,” success. sundown on Maundy Thursday. The Batchelder said, noting that most For many years, Deb Vermie, a liturgy continues through Good congregations will have a Maundy member of West Plano Presbyterian Friday and , conclud- Thursday service of some kind, Church, “resisted” participating in ing at sundown at the end of Easter focusing on Jesus’ last meal with his the foot washing. Last year, though, day. disciples. Some congregations, too, she was surprised by the reading “It may seem that I’ve gotten my will have their own version of a Good she heard from John 13, instructing math wrong in adding up the days. Friday service, perhaps an ecumeni- “me to do as Jesus did.” Not so,” Batchelder said, explain- cal gathering to hear the last words “I felt moved to action by the ing that Triduum is calculated of Jesus spoken from the cross or to Spirit as I removed my shoes and

28 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today Baptisms are part of the Easter Vigil, recalling The Easter Vigil table is not a somber remembrance of Jesus’ last meal as it is on Maundy Thursday. On how in the early church, the vigil was a time to this night, it is a joyous feast, complete with champagne corks popping. welcome new Christians into the faith.

took a towel in my hands,” Vermie Lucy, especially likes participating Batchelder said. said. in Maundy Thursday worship. In spite of obstacles, Batchelder Vermie’s response is exactly what “Washing other people’s feet has found in his more than 30 years Batchelder hopes will happen to wor- makes me happy,” she said. of celebrating Triduum liturgy that shipers participating in Triduum. Still, Triduum is not a “conve- “I, and the people I serve, need what “The three days of Triduum nient” liturgy, Batchelder says. Triduum offers.” intend to engage worshipers as “It requires commitment from “We need to be brought from death active participants in the meaning of a congregation — a commitment to life again and again. We need to Christ’s self-giving. In Triduum, we to attend worship on consecutive be renewed in the meaning of our do not watch something performed nights, with each night’s service baptisms, so that we can wisely and by others, like a Last Supper tableau lasting more than an hour,” he said. courageously fulfill our calling in a or readings at a Tenebrae. We par- And that can be difficult. broken and fearful world,” he said, ticipate in the mystery,” he said. “Sometimes the Triduum coin- adding, “Triduum is central to our That participation has also cides with spring break, when the ongoing formation in faith. And we opened the doors to West Plano kids are out of school. Other times it should observe it and be grateful Presbyterian’s Holy Week worship falls on the sacred weekend of NCAA that each year the Lenten wilder- being more intergenerational. basketball’s Final Four. And always, ness journey leading to the Easter “The Easter Vigil service with the there are many things for families to fire comes just in time in our lives.” location changes inside and outside do getting ready for hosting family the church and moving from room to and friends on a weekend that also Donna Frischknecht Jackson is the editor of room keep your senses alert,” said functions as a cultural holiday,” Presbyterians Today. Eric Sughrue, a parent of three young girls. “The mixture of partici- pation and silence allows space for everyone, especially the children, to LEARN MORE learn and have reverence for this For help in planning Triduum worship or holding an Easter Vigil, go to special service and time of year.” pcusa.org/triduum Sughrue’s 8-year-old daughter,

Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 29 A ministry of belonging

Community ID cards help immigrants feel welcomed

BY RICHARD LORD

hen refugees and other Similar community ID programs Listening to the community immigrants arrive in a have sprung up nationwide, with Sedgefield Presbyterian became Wnew community, they often municipalities issuing the identifica- involved in community IDs “because lack drivers’ licenses or other forms tion cards. The cards can help new we wanted to make serious bonds in of identification that can help them arrivals with matters such as enroll- our neighborhood,” said the Rev. Kim get established in that community. ing their children in school Priddy. And that lack of identification can or picking them up from school, Priddy says that most of the compound the sense of isolation that getting prescription drugs and receiv- church’s congregants come from the new arrivals already feel. ing services from health clinics. within five miles of the church. Ana Wells remembers that feeling. The cards also can help new immi- Within the congregation, the majority When Wells arrived in the United grants feel safer in their dealings are over 40 years of age and many States from her native Argentina with police. of them are retired. There are only more than two decades ago, she The Sedgefield Presbyterian three people of color and very few carried all of her possessions in two program, called Faith ID Drive, young families in the congregation, suitcases. She had no friends or operates in conjunction with which is not representative of the family living near Raleigh, North FaithAction International House, a greater community. Carolina, which she would call home. nonprofit that provides community In June 2017, a community dinner She felt alone and isolated. She felt identification cards for immigrants was held at the church. Forty people no connection to the people in her and others in Greensboro who lack came. Half were from the church adopted country. And she didn’t like conventional ID cards. and half were from the neighbor- how that felt. According to FaithAction, commu- hood. After the dinner, Priddy says, It was then that she vowed to nity identification cards do not allow a panel discussion was held where make sure those who came after her the holder to vote or to drive, but they the question was asked of Sedgefield would not feel what she felt. are practical — not only showing that Presbyterian’s neighbors, “What can For 22 years, Wells has worked immigrants belong in the United we do to improve our relationship?” with immigrants and migrants to States, but also giving immigrants a The answer was revealing. help them become a part of their sense of belonging. “We learned that many of the new home. “I’ve tried to help new “When I speak to immigrants people were very lonely, and that immigrants surpass these negative to help them with the adjust- many were afraid of the police,” feelings,” said Wells. ment process, I tell them that they Priddy said. “Once we realized this, One way she has done that is must remember that native-born we asked, ‘How can we build bridges?’ through a program offered through Americans don’t know what our lives We found the answer in the commu- her church, Sedgefield Presbyterian were about. They can’t put them- nity ID cards.” in Greensboro, North Carolina, that selves in our shoes, because they Later that year, Sedgefield provides community identification don’t know what the shoe is made Presbyterian began hosting its com- cards to immigrants and others of,” Wells said. But the ID cards, she munity ID program, which is spon- who lack conventional forms of adds, help. sored by FaithAction International. identification. The church provides the building as

30 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today GETTY IMAGES Presbyterians Today | MARCH/APRIL 2020 31 well as the publicity, provides hospi- tality and invites organizations such as health clinics and law enforcement agencies. FaithAction International is also there, processing and issuing the cards. Over the years, the FaithAction ID Network has seen a demand for community IDs. FaithAction cur- rently operates in North and South Carolina, Florida, , Iowa, Ohio and Oregon. According to the Rev. Neil Dunnavant, executive pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, the impetus for FaithAction’s com- munity ID program occurred when COURTESY OF FAITHACTION INTERNATIONAL North Carolina stopped issuing Thanks to FaithAction’s community ID program, men and women in North Carolina are able to obtain drivers’ licenses to undocumented valid ID cards. people. If the unlicensed drivers were confronted by police, the police would be less harsh with people who could told us that they felt that they are basket, but also going one step establish their identity, he explains. not trusted by law enforcement,” further to be the hands and feet of “The community ID card gives Fraccaro said. “This led to them Jesus.” people dignity,” said Dunnavant. revealing that they do not trust law Among the beneficiaries of their “It is a way of accepting them and enforcement. Our goal is to build time is the community ID program at it helps them to feel safe. As a trust between the newly arrived and Sedgefield Presbyterian, where they Presbyterian, it impressed me as law enforcement. The ID card allows are members. a demonstration that everyone them to feel that they are respected “I’m not satisfied by going to is welcome. Participating in this as a person. The ID card is a very church and hearing sermons,” John program is a way for me to put my important tool in this struggle.” Stone said. “Assisting in the commu- faith into action.” The need for photo IDs is not nity IDs helps me to grow as a person To receive an ID card, one must just a need among immigrants. and as a Presbyterian.” attend a mandatory orientation that According to a 2012 study conducted Charlotte Stone recalls getting explains the benefits and limitations by Stanford University and the a recent phone call at home from a of the card and provide a passport, University of Michigan, 12% of adults 9-year-old immigrant girl who was embassy ID or national ID card. Even living in a household with less than afraid that her mother would be if someone has a government-issued $25,000 annual income lack photo deported. Stone promised the girl ID, they often need a second ID to IDs, compared with just 2% in house- she would get help and, because of obtain some benefits. This can be the holds with over $150,000 annual the community ID program, she was community ID. income. familiar with the work of FaithAction International and was able to reach Helping with law enforcement A much-needed ministry out to the organization for help. The Rev. David Fraccaro, an ordained John and Charlotte Stone have “It felt so good to help her — that minister in the United Church of dedicated their retirement years to I could do something to lessen her Christ and executive director of volunteering with agencies dealing pain,” she said. The incident made FaithAction International, says there with social justice issues. Stone realize something about her are many reasons why a person may They often spend 40 hours per faith. not have a photo ID. They may have week volunteering. “It’s not just what you believe,” she lost it. They may not know how to “These volunteer experiences have said, “but it’s about how you act as a obtain one or they may hesitate to opened my eyes regarding how much result of your Presbyterian beliefs.” get one because of distrust of those in more needs to be done,” Charlotte power, such as police. Stone said. “It is not just a matter Richard Lord lives in Ivy, Virginia. “Initially, the newly arrived of us putting money in [an offering]

32 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today Where do 25% of young children live in poverty? A. India B. Syria C. Kenya D. United States

One in four American children under Introducing Matthew 25 in the PC(USA): age 6 are growing up in poverty. A bold vision and invitation They don’t get enough to eat — and certainly not nutritious food. They’re In Matthew 25:31- 46, Jesus calls us We invite you to join us on this exposed to violence. They can look to help eradicate systemic poverty journey by choosing to become a forward to sub-par schools with by working to change , policies, Matthew 25 church. poor educational opportunities. And plans and structures in our society to make matters worse, this kind of that perpetuate economic exploita- Find out more today at poverty has long-lasting negative tion of people who are poor. If your pcusa.org/matthew25 consequences. congregation has the heart of Christ and wants to do more to make As Presbyterians, we take seriously a di erence, we’ve got the our faith commitment to be advo- resources to help you cates for the powerless, the voiceless get started on this and those facing discrimination. righteous path.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) PresbyterianPresbyterian Church Mission (U.S.A.) One Great Hour of Sharing changes lives worldwide

COURTESY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY COURTESY OF KAALMO RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT In Jersey City, New Jersey, One Great Hour of Sharing is helping people in Five million people in Somalia are food insecure, and more than 2 million vulnerable housing situations. people have been internally displaced. Here, Somalians gather for water.

Gifts provide essentials from armed groups, and food and offering also support the work of for living water are scarce. the Presbyterian Committee on the “We had nothing to take with us. Self-Development of People and BY PAT COLE We had to beg for water,” she said. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Now safely at the camp, located (PDA). efore famine struck Somalia, outside Belet Hawa, Somalia, the “We are very grateful for the Hawo Abdi and her husband family has found refuge, water and contribution,” said Mohamed Ahmed Bwere successful herders near food. Abdi and her children also Iriri, Kaalmo’s director. “It helps us a their country’s border with Kenya. receive a monthly allocation of rice, lot in fighting the hunger and poverty However, two years of intensive beans, cooking oil and sugar that affecting our people in Somalia.” drought parched the land to the point One Great Hour of Sharing gifts — According to the United Nations that they could no longer raise the often received on Palm Sunday or Office for the Coordination of camels, cattle, sheep and goats that Easter in congregations throughout Humanitarian Affairs, more than 5 supported their pastoralist lifestyle. the U.S. — helped provide. million people in Somalia are food The country’s civil war further compli- “The food aid has improved the insecure, and more than 2 million cated the situation. As her family living conditions of my family,” she people have been internally displaced. faced economic ruin, Abdi’s husband said. Somalia and three other coun- died. She was two months pregnant tries, Nigeria, South Sudan and with the couple’s fifth child. Making a long-term commitment Yemen, have experienced famine in Desperate to feed her children, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recent years, according to the United Abdi, 29, left her home in El Wak, partners with Kaalmo Relief and Nations. The causes of famine include Somalia, for the Tulia-Anin Camp for Development to provide food aid to political strife, extreme weather con- displaced people. She felt she had no people in the camp. Gifts to One ditions — especially flooding — and a choice but to make the risky, two-day Great Hour of Sharing enable the dearth of agricultural infrastructure journey. People who make this trek Presbyterian Hunger Program to from years of little to no investment. often face the possibility of attack respond to this need. Gifts to the A famine declaration means that at

34 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today changes lives worldwide

COURTESY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY COURTESY OF ACT ALLIANCE When Hurricane Maria struck, it wrecked the electrical grid across Puerto A Somalian woman is grateful for the food received in the refugee camp. Rico. Here, residents work to rebuild after the hurricane.

least 20% of people in an area face for national disaster response, and Presbyterian volunteers, supported extreme food shortages and that the Rev. Edwin González-Castillo, by the One Great Hour of Sharing large numbers of people are dying associate for and the offering, knocked on her door. from hunger. Caribbean, suddenly faced a much When Hurricane Maria struck, it One Great Hour of Sharing gifts broader assessment than they had wrecked the electrical grid across address this crisis through PC(USA) anticipated. They suddenly found Puerto Rico. However, the restoration partners in each of the famine- themselves doing initial assessments of electricity to Nieves’ neighborhood stricken countries. These partners of earthquake damage. They also did not immediately help her. The help with emergency food assistance encountered widespread anxiety. storm had ruined her home’s electri- and work on the underlying causes “There’s a lot of anxiety. We heard cal wiring. Presbyterian volunteers of hunger. Investments in infrastruc- that all over the place,” Kirk said. replaced her electrical system with ture, advocacy efforts and training in Mimita Nieves had already experi- one much safer and more durable. As growing food are aiding communities enced 18 months of anxiety. Eighteen a senior citizen with limited income, in their journey toward food security. months after Hurricane Maria swept Nieves might never have had the That commitment to long-term across Puerto Rico, Nieves was still nancial means to hire a contrac- recovery continues to direct One living without electricity. She ate tor to do the work. When her lights Great Hour of Sharing gifts to earth- canned food and drank powdered came on, Nieves was overcome with quake relief and hurricane relief in milk, and when she was fortunate gratitude. Puerto Rico. enough to get fresh vegetables, she “I cried,” she said. “I got down on When a series of earthquakes and had to eat them the same day. She my knees and I cried.” tremors struck the island earlier this cooked on a small propane stove Nieves lives on Vieques, a small year, two PDA of cials were in Puerto and lit her home with solar lights. A island eight miles east of the Puerto Rico to review ongoing projects in friend lent her a battery-powered Rico mainland. Since no highway the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, radio that served as a source of connects the mainland and Vieques, which struck Puerto Rico in 2017. information and entertainment. Her most people and cargo travel to the The of cials, Jim Kirk, associate situation did not change until the day island via ferry boat or airplane.

Presbyterians Today MARCHAPRIL   The slow pace of recovery efforts in Puerto Rico has been a frequent subject of media coverage, and Vieques, because of its lack of acces- sibility, lags the main island in the restoration of housing, infrastructure and basic services. In addition to restoring Nieves’ electricity, Presbyterian volunteers also hauled away debris that had been stacked in her backyard for months. In Vieques, and in other places across Puerto Rico, hurricane survivors have been able to pick up the pieces of their lives thanks in COURTESY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY part to One Great Hour of Sharing Gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing not only help Puerto Ricans to rebuild after Hurricane Maria, but gifts. also help its residents to repair damage from earthquakes that struck the island early this year.

Gifts help fight unjust systems renovating the structure and raising apartment in three days, Jersey City In Jersey City, New Jersey, One the rent significantly. Together organized a group to accom- Great Hour of Sharing is helping Maxon said these actions ran afoul pany her and helped her find rea- the grassroots group Jersey City of rent control and other housing sonably priced legal representation. Together stand with people in vul- regulations in Jersey City. However, Previously, she had had to face the nerable housing situations. she said local enforcement legal system alone, but this time she Jersey City Together has come to had largely ignored the violations. came armed with more knowledge the aid of tenants like Monica Jones, “People were being illegally evicted, of the law and the presence of Jersey who for more than a decade enjoyed and rent was being raised up to three City Together. She was vindicated her apartment and a good relation- times what the original tenant had once again. ship with her landlord. However, paid,” Maxon said. “The judge didn’t even spend five things began to change a few years In 2018, Jersey City Together minutes on it,” Maxon observed. “It ago when a new landlord acquired pressed the city’s government to was so ridiculous.” her building. She began getting court enforce housing regulations more One Great Hour of Sharing gifts summonses that claimed that she aggressively. The mayor responded are helping Jersey City Together pay had been late with a rent payment, by restructuring the board that the partial salary of a second orga- had failed to pay an increased rent governs relations between landlords nizer, which Maxon said is greatly charge and had failed to make a rent and tenants and by instituting other needed. payment. Other longtime residents reforms related to tenant protection. “There are so many things to do of her 18-unit building had similar Maxon is hopeful these moves will and so little time and money,” she experiences. make a difference. said. “This grant has really facili- Jones made repeated trips to Jersey City has seen a dramatic tated us moving forward and making court. Each time the allegations were increase in high-income families a difference, and we are eternally dismissed, but Jones grew weary of moving in from New York. They are grateful for that.” the hassle. She was tired of having to attracted to Jersey City’s newly reno- take time off from her job with New vated apartments, which are pricey Pat Cole was a communications specialist York City’s government. She felt alone but still much less expensive than with the Presbyterian Mission Agency. He in her battle and was concerned that comparable units across the Hudson retired in 2019. one day the landlord might find a way River in Manhattan. Maxon said this to prevail. has created a housing shortage for Diane Maxon, who chairs Jersey middle- and low-income people, which City Together’s Tenants’ Rights makes the threat of eviction even and Protection Group, said Jones’ more worrisome. LEARN MORE landlord owns about 4,000 housing When Jones made her most recent For more information, visit units in Jersey City and has a history court appearance, after receiving pcusa.org/oghs of forcing people from their building, notice that she was to vacate her

36 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | Presbyterians Today CLASSIFIED ADS TRANSFORMATIONAL PRESBYTER El Dorado County Federated Church “We’ve never done it that way before” may be the Placerville, CA seven fi rst words of hope in an era of CO-PASTOR TRANSITIONING AD RATES:  per line (approx  characters) change. Blackhawk Presbytery is TO SOLO PASTOR which includes posting online looking for someone with vision for Located in Placerville, CA, a vibrant historical gold DISPLAY AD:  per column inch seeing beyond the ordinary to help rush town in the beautiful Sierra foothills, El Dorado DEADLINE:  weeks before issue date Email guide our  congregations in sharing County Federated Church is a progressive oasis in copy to today@pcusaorg or call -- the love of Christ in more effective a largely conservative community. This inclusive, ext  ways for the modern world. To learn approximately -member blended Presbyterian- ONLINE: Visit Presbyterians Today’s classifi eds more or apply, visit blackhawkpresbytery.org. United Methodist congregation attracts worshipers Application deadline is March th. from diverse faith backgrounds, and is a member web page at pcusa orgclassifi eds of both More Light Presbyterians and Reconciling ASSOCIATE PASTOR Ministries Network (UMC). With an emphasis on SERVANT LEADER (Stated Supply — Full-Time) social justice, Federated Church is known for its FPC of Donalsonville, Ga. (SW corner) is praying Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, a joyful, grow- mission and service work both locally and farther for a Solo Pastor to help us be faithful to our new ing congregation of  members in Bethesda, afield. We seek an inspired spiritual leader who mission statement: To worship God in Spirit and in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., seeks will articulate and model a progressive perspec- truth; to grow as followers of Jesus; and to be led an Associate Pastor to help support or lead small tive of the Christian faith and lead us in practicing by the Holy Spirit as we seek to share the Gospel groups and connectional ministries, youth educa- radical hospitality so that it permeates all aspects with all! For inquiries/MIF/to send PIF, contact tion, mission opportunities, pastoral and congre- of congregational life and work. We seek a strong [email protected]. gational care and general ministry duties. Open to communicator who will challenge us spiritually multi-year ministry relationship. For more infor- and intellectually with stimulating sermons and PASTOR/HEAD OF STAFF — DALLAS, TX mation see bradleyhillschurch.org/about-us/ new ideas and forms of worship; who will ignite our NorthPark Presbyterian Church is searching for its were-hiring. compassionate hearts, rock us out of our compla- next Pastor/Head of Sta . NorthPark Presbyterian, cency and move us toward revitalization. Please founded in , has and continues to play a vital review our MIF .AB. For more information, role in the faith community of Dallas. A diverse visit eldoradofederatedchurch.org, and contact church with a membership of just under , the [email protected]. church serves a wide range of mission programs and community outreach. We span a wide theo- SOLO PASTOR logical and political spectrum, celebrating di ering Hopkinsville, KY, First PCUSA seeks a pastor points of view while finding our unity in Christ. who will motivate our  members to continue Our mission statement, “NorthPark is a Christian and to expand our diverse mission and member community welcoming Seekers, Thinkers, and care activities. Hopkinsville, a small and grow- Doers,” is taken seriously in the work and daily life ing city of ,, is located near Nashville, TN, of the church. We are seeking a pastor who wants and the western Kentucky lakes region. For more to engage actively in mission, teach and inspire the information, see CLC MIF .AD or email membership, and support the church as it enters [email protected]. the next chapter of growth. For more information See our digital edition about us, we invite you to visit our church website at northparkpres.org, our MIF  , or contact pcusa.org/ptdigital us directly at pnc[email protected].

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Presbyterians Today MARCHAPRIL   MONEY MATTERS | Roy W. Howard

Writing your own money autobiography Understanding why you give changes how you give

he most common way a sermon about money goes Money Network, a nonpro t equipping people to trans- wrong is when people hear guilt and shame rather form their relationship with money, the money auto- T than grace and gratitude. These emotions are biography can be used individually, with sessions and not helpful. But like weeds in spring, guilt and shame committees, or with an entire congregation. It’s simple, seem to always emerge when talking about money. The but the effects are enormous. antidote is to be clear that everything that is good in our The money autobiography helps you understand your life springs from the well of grace — God’s undeserved relationship to money, uncovering attitudes that formed and unmerited favor — and the only appropriate as early as childhood. It’s a simple journaling exercise response to grace is gratitude. Theologian Karl Barth with writing prompts that ask you to focus on your rela- said it beautifully when he wrote, “Gratitude follows tionship with money. As you begin to observe patterns, grace as thunder follows lightning.” you may nd clues to how you might change your giving Barth borrowed from the apostle Paul, who is patterns to ones that are more joyful and more generous. emphatic about God’s goodness toward us. In 2 Remember, it’s not about the amount you have. It’s about Corinthians 8, verses 1–15, Paul says, “God has given the joy of giving. grace to the churches of Macedonia.” As a result of that grace, the churches — even though they were suffer- Roy W Howard is a leadership coach and consultant in North ing what Paul described as “extreme poverty” — were Potomac Maryland He most recently served for  years as pastor over owing with generosity. They were begging to give of Mark Presbyterian Church in North Bethesda Maryland to others. What’s most remarkable is the absence of talk about how much money was available to give. That was beside the point. And it can be beside the point for us today, too. CREATING YOUR OWN Giving out of joy begins with a change in how we decide what to give. What most of us do is measure our MONEY AUTOBIOGRAPHY resources against our expenses. We then determine what The following are some examples of the writing prompts we can do when we are faced with invitations to give. from Faith and Money Network’s “Creating a Money When measuring our resources against our expenses, we Autobiography ” There are no right or wrong answers If often conclude that we have little to give. We then hold you don’t like to write put your thoughts down in brief back in sharing what we have. notes or an outline or a drawing A Haitian farmer told me this proverb: “The one who never eats alone will never go hungry.” It was his way • What is your happiest memory in connection with of saying that when you share what little you have, you money? will always have enough for yourself. And when we share • What event has brought you the greatest pain around what we have with others, it creates a groundswell of money? gratitude in the hearts of many, who in turn share what • How does money — having it or not having it — a ect they have with others. Our sharing becomes part of a your self-esteem? much larger work of God in the world. • How balanced are your giving and receiving? To get to this generosity that comes from a place of • Do you think can ever get in the way of justice? If joy — not from measuring our resources against our so why? If not why? expenses — I suggest writing your money autobiography. A money autobiography has been one of the most helpful To learn more about money autobiographies go to exercises I have ever done. Developed by the Faith and faithandmoneynetwork org

 MARCHAPRIL   Presbyterians Today Chip Hardwick | BIBLE EXPLORATIONS: GOD’S CALL AND POVERTY

Learning from those we ignore Our table-turning God reveals true sources of wisdom

1 Samuel 16:1–13 is a lectionary text for March 22, the fourth Sunday in Lent.

isdom comes from unexpected places. We might soup kitchen. After dinner, I had the chance to spend expect the best dressed, the most educated, or time with “Joe,” an articulate man around 40 whose story W the tallest and ttest to be the one to turn to tumbled out over chocolate peanut brittle and lemonade. for leadership and guidance. God, though, often surprises Joe told me he had been struggling with depression and us with a great reversal, revealing to us that the people that he had been living on the streets for some time before who can open our eyes most fully are those we would his big break came: His brother bought a new home and have least expected. offered Joe a place to stay. We get an example of that in 1 Samuel 16:1–13. The He stayed there a while, he said, until “things just New Revised Standard Version summarizes this selec- didn’t work out.” He didn’t give more information, and tion as “David Anointed as King,” but that doesn’t quite after a pause, I said, “Sometimes it’s hard to live with capture the thrust of the story. A better title would be family.” After an even longer pause, he replied, “Yeah, but “God Sees Differently from Samuel.” it’s even harder to live on the streets.” God has rejected Saul from being king over the God equipped Joe to be an unexpected carrier of truth budding country of Israel, and so these verses begin with to me. In my privileged world, living with family is a God’s telling the prophet Samuel to stop grieving and preference, one choice among many. Depending on the start anointing — speci cally, to mark one of Jesse’s sons personalities involved, it might not be too pleasant. But to to be the new king. After Samuel’s fears about retribution Joe, the chance to live with his brother was the difference from Saul are answered, the prophet starts to meet the between a warm sofa bed and being forced to look for a parade of Jesse’s eight sons. God’s challenge to Samuel is safe place to sleep when the wind is whipping around a to identify which one Israel needs as the next king. 22-degree night. It’s the difference between security and “Surely it’s Eliab!” Samuel proclaims when he sees fear, and between daily hygiene and a once-a-week shower Jesse’s oldest boy — Mr. Tall and Handsome. God cautions (on good weeks). that it’s foolish to go by outside appearances when I’m trying to listen to Joe as God chose him to be the guring out who God’s chosen might be. Son after son one this time to shatter once again the comfort of my life. walks by until the youngest, David, is brought in from the I pray I will see the world more as God sees it because of elds. In a characteristic move of our table-turning God, my conversation with Joe, whose eyes have been opened David — rather than any of his presumably more quali- in ways that mine have not. Even more importantly, I ed brothers — is anointed as king. pray that I will be part of a church whose eyes are open to God has been turning tables like this for millennia. We new ways of ghting for the homeless and disempowered, see it when Abel is preferred to his older brother, Cain; again and again and again. when Jacob is blessed over Esau; and when Joseph — rather than any of his more impressive older brothers Chip Hardwick is interim associate pastor at First Presbyterian — receives the coat of many colors. It comes around when Church of Lake Forest Illinois God chooses Israel not because they are the most impres- sive group, but because they are the least of all peoples. Of course, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born in a backwater DISCUSSION QUESTIONS village and nestled in an animal trough, is the biggest • Who have been surprising sources of wisdom for you? reversal of all. Throughout the Scriptures, God’s people learn to listen • What might you do to be more open to insights from to surprising sources of wisdom. As they do, knowledge people you would not normally turn to or listen to? grows and understanding broadens. When God’s people realize that the Spirit chooses unlikely people to speak • How do your eyes need to be opened to the plight of truth, more faithful lives begin to be lived. the homeless and the impoverished? I recently had a reminder of this when I served at a

Presbyterians Today MARCHAPRIL   JUSTICE FOR GOD’S WORLD | Vernon S. Broyles III

       ( ) Demanding a just economy Easter hope lives in meeting the needs of all

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of “capitalism” usually describe three critical components — life, bright as crystal, owing from the throne of God capital goods, natural resources and labor. For this kind and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the of economic system to function properly, these compo- city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its nents must be obtained at the lowest possible cost. Thus, twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and it is perfectly logical for every enterprise that involves the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. human labor to obtain that labor at the lowest possible Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. But the nancial cost. throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his When will we demand of our leaders an economic servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God When will we demand of our leaders an will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. — Revelation 22:1–5 economic system that truly embodies God’s

e live in a messed-up world. The strong still vision of hope — a system marked by justice dominate the weak. The wealthy do whatever and compassion for all? W is necessary to protect their wealth. Those in positions of political power, regardless of their party, have been unwilling to support any major movement that would spread wealth — including the provision of system that truly embodies God’s vision of hope — a adequate health care, affordable housing and education system marked by justice and compassion for all? If it is — in ways that are fair to all citizens. not the church of Jesus Christ, the Risen One, that leads The most prominent aspect of this is the struggle for in the world of political action, then where will we turn signi cant increases in compensation for workers that for hope of a better life for all of God’s children? would provide genuine living wages for those who toil In this season of Easter — of new life — let us cry out, at the bottom of the pyramid of wealth. Efforts to raise “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” Let us live and act as if the minimum wage to what is truly a living wage bring that were true, and let us seek justice for all. outcries of “socialism” or “communism,” … even though what is required to live and raise a family on in the Vernon S Broyles III is a volunteer for public witness in the United States is far above the legal minimum wage. PC(USA)’s O ce of the General Assembly And there is a reason for that. Classical de nitions of

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March — Celebrate the Gifts of March  — Justice Advocacy Change of address WomenInternational Women’s Sunday pcusa.org/changeaddress Day Download “Holy Discontentment Lifting International Women’s Day addresses Your Voice for E ective Advocacy” at Reprint permission and the challenges unique to women pcusaorgdiscontentment subscription problems and girls For more information 800-728-7228, ext. 5772 April  — International Day of and resources for worship go to Farmers’ Struggles internationalwomensdaycom Email us Engage your congregation with resources or visit pcusaorgwomen General: [email protected] from pcusaorgtogetherjustice Editor: [email protected]

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