Rev. Sue Westfall, Executive Presbyter, Sheppards and Lapsley Grace Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa is a recent merger between two, very different congregations. The merger work was thoughtful, care-full, and involved deep listening beyond their theological and social differences. The first pastor of the merged church was Rev. Cathy Hoop, a pastor from one of the …
Rev. Bob Madsen, Regional Presbyter South Alabama and Mississippi Presbyteries Back in 2019, the Presbytery of South Alabama had come to the end of a seven-year plan for our ministry. It was time to formulate one that would carry us forward. We began that exploration by inviting all the congregations of the Presbytery to conduct …
Now may be the worst time in the entire troubled history of the nation of Haiti. The past three years have seen a complete breakdown of government function, social services, and law and order. As has been widely reported, gangs currently control nearly all of Port au Prince and other metropolitan areas. The Haitian people, …
Living Waters for the World Haiti Update and Request for Assistance Read More »
Living Waters for the World’s Full-Church Curriculum LWW has long had Vacation Bible School curricula for churches to use with children. Now there is an expanded curriculum for all generations of the church to learn together about the world water crisis and what we as a church can do to come alongside our siblings around …
Bringing the Whole Church Together to Focus on Mission: Read More »
Rev. David Gambrell, Ph.D., Associate for Worship, Office of Theology and Worship, PC(U.S.A.) The first half of the Christian calendar is clothed in color—white and gold, purple and red. It is flocked with festivals—Nativity, Epiphany, Baptism, Transfiguration, Ashes, Palms, Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost. It is spangled with seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. But …
Celebrations is a new continuing column in the Virtual Voice in which we can share and celebrate with each other as a Synod family. Celebration and praise is at the heart of Christian witness, especially in time of turmoil and change. These short announcement type celebrations will often include links to learn more. All are …
Sixty-one Days of Kindness Eugenia A. Gamble I recently heard some statistics that indicated that the number one longing of the people surveyed was for a return to kindness. It seems that unkindness, whether personal or in public life, is a key indicator for depression in young people. I expect that is true for all …
By Rev. Eugenia A. Gamble Drawing from the powerful themes of releasing and receiving that mark our Lent and Easter seasons, this issue of the Virtual Voice of the Synod of Living Waters offers information and inspiration for you from colleagues and friends across the synod. Greg Goodwiller, Synod Executive gives a recap of our …
By Rev. Greg Goodwiller 2024 Annual Meeting of the Synod of Living Waters “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” went the old motto of U.S, Postal Service. In January of 2024, it could have been said of the commissioners to …
2024 Annual Meeting of the Synod of Living Waters Read More »
By Ann Laird Jones Our Synod may be made up of 12 different Presbyteries, myriad of regions, 4 states, all kinds of accents, customs and people, but on January 22 we were of one accord: iced in! Carefully made plans for the Synod meeting, including worship got stuck in the snow. Hours before the start …
