April 2019
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Moderator Nominee Announcement:
The Rev. Amanda Currie
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The Rev. Amanda Currie, minister of First Presbyterian Church in Regina, Saskatchewan, will be placed as the sole nominee to be Moderator of the 2019 General Assembly, which takes place June 2–6, 2019, at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.
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New Resource for Easter and Earth Day
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This year, Easter and Earth Day fall only a day apart. What does it mean for Christians today to celebrate Earth Day in a very real sense after Easter?
A new resource produced by Justice Ministries includes a reflection highlighting the world-renewing power of Christ’s resurrection and the speech God gives at the end of the book of Job to explore the love and care God has shown for creation—and our need as Christians to demonstrate that love and care too.
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Responding to Flooding From Cyclone Idai
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Photo credit: Josh Estey, CARE
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There are 2.6 million people in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe who are in desperate need of humanitarian aid due to flooding from Cyclone Idai. PWS&D is raising funds as part of the Humanitarian Coalition Cyclone Idai appeal, in collaboration with Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Your donations are eligible to be matched by the Government of Canada.
"Malawians are a long way from recovering," says the Rev. Dr. Blair Bertrand who, along with his wife, Vivian, is in the midst of a three-year appointment with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. The couple, whose ministry is supported by Presbyterians Sharing, provide regular updates on the situation in their blog.
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April 15 Deadline for New and
Renewed Ministry Fund Application
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The PCC has launched a new grant initiative, the New and Renewed Ministry Fund. This funding opportunity seeks to support ministry leaders and congregations as they open themselves up to discerning God’s vision and exploring new opportunities to live out Christ’s mission through three streams: Establishing New Ministries, Renewing Ministries and the New Beginnings Renewal Program.
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World Council of Churches Condemns Terror Attacks in New Zealand Mosques
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On March 15, two consecutive terrorist attacks at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, were carried out during Friday Prayer. The attacks killed 50 people and injured 50 others, including children. The World Council of Churches, of which the PCC is a member, condemned the terror attacks on the mosques and called for an end to violence.
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The Assembly Council met at Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre from March 24 - 26 with members coming from across the country to work together and ensure that the work of the church is carried out efficiently and effectively within the policies established by the General Assembly.
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Share Your News Through the Newspaper
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The Spring edition of the Presbyterian Connection was distributed to subscribers in March and is available online. Production of the Summer edition is now in full swing. Every issue is filled with informative and educational content from congregations and ministries and both its popularity and number of pages continues to grow!
One of the most valued items in the newspaper is the Gatherings section that features photos from congregations from across the country. The Spring issue saw this section grow to a four-page centre spread—help us make this happen again!
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New online learning opportunities are offered by the national office of the PCC. Join from your computer, tablet or smartphone and ask questions via the live chat function.
April 4: An inside look at PWS&D agricultural project in Haiti
April 10: How to navigate cooperative or cluster ministry—for congregations seeking a new ministry configuration
April 24: Communications tools you can use—apps that can help you with your work
May 8: Where there's a will, there's a way to give—help people in your congregation consider making a bequest in their wills with practical tools to help make it happen
May 9: How to engage in PWS&D's refugee ministry
May 14: A discussion on the PCC's study of the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth
May 16: Learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery report
Missed a webinar? View all previous webinars here.
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Explore the life-changing truth and celebration of Easter with Lent, Holy Week and Easter resources.
Amy Zavitz spent last Easter in Jericho, as part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel. Read her reflection about what it means to celebrate Easter in the Holy Land under military occupation.
Help celebrate the beauty of our church spaces—submit your best pictures of your church's stained windows to use in a variety of PCC communications, such as bulletin covers, worship materials and more.
Featured resource: Called to Covenant resource books are now available at a discounted price. The Called to Covenant project was designed to strengthen relationships between congregations and presbyteries.
Rainbow Communion Listening Spaces are available until June 15, 2019. Find a space near you.
Distributed four times per year, free of charge, the Presbyterian Connection newspaper strives to unite Presbyterians from across the country through stories, reflections, interviews and articles. Please take a few minutes to participate in a brief satisfaction survey. Your feedback is always appreciated.
One of the ways that the PCC lives out its commitment to healing and reconciliation is through its support of ministries that focus on working with Indigenous people. The Indigenous Ministry Fund helps the eight recognized Indigenous ministries across the denomination work with Indigenous people to provide educational and spiritual programs designed to foster healing and cultural restoration. Learn more and donate to this vital ministry.
Free shipping on all orders for PCC resources continues until June 30, 2019. To place an order, use the online order form, send us an email or call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 331.
Have a question? We'd love to hear from you. Try the chat function on the website, or check out the National Office staff directory and reach out today.
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