Should churches respond to online outrage?
A church quoted Bad Bunny. The comments turned combative. What followed led Trip Porch to think about Jesus and Nicodemus … and what faithful engagement looks like in the digital age.
Ghost Ranch Foundation receives transformative estate gift from Vernon Pack, son of Arthur Pack, original Donor of Ghost Ranch
"Vernon Pack’s gift to Ghost Ranch is the continuation of his family's century-long commitment to the health of the natural and human community.”
Tending to ever-present needs: A conversation about teaching and learning grief
Mindy McGarrah Sharp and Leanna Fuller discuss why grief is more visible today — and how congregations can learn to listen, lament and support one another without rushing past the pain.
@columbiaseminary.bsky.social
Why we grieve losses that haven’t happened yet
Even joyful transitions can stir grief. During Lent, Christians learn how to face the losses we know are coming and walk toward the cross with hope, writes Vern Farnum.
@bgrafius.bsky.social
What do we do with the Bible’s most troubling texts?
Brandon R. Grafius offers a Lenten reflection on Joshua, Psalm 137 and Uzzah — and why troubling passages may deepen faith rather than diminish it.
What can a vigil teach us about empathy?
A community vigil reveals how small acts of presence can resist fear and restore our shared humanity, writes Maggie Alsup.
@chaplainmags.bsky.social
Presbyterian politicians mix faith with their civic service
Elected officials and candidates find belief a powerful ally in leadership.
@gdbrekke.bsky.social
Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry
This is a must-read for those who enjoy church history, cultural commentary, or a really good mystery, writes Amy Pagliarella.
@brazospress.bsky.social @bethallisonbarr.bsky.social
#Repost
Board of Pensions announces additional support for pastors and families
A new grant can help families with their childcare costs.
#pcusa
March Madness reminds us what belonging feels like
In a culture shaped by algorithms and polarization, March Madness creates something rare: a temporary “we,” writes Brittany Porch.
#MarchMadness #NBA
A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent
"While the reflection questions and content could be tailored to suit a small group, this is a particularly rich choice for individual reading for Lent this year," writes Amy Pagliarella.
#Lent2026 #BookReview
@broadleafbooks.bsky.social
A retelling of Psalm 32: Letting go
"It is hard to remain happy, to be happy in the assurance that God forgives us because we think there must be a catch." —Maggie Alsup
#Lent2026 #Repost
@chaplainmags.bsky.social
Without weeping, there is no raising
Empathy is the heart of our covenantal relationship with one another, proclaims Chris Henry.
Fifth Sunday in Lent — March 22, 2026
Lent is a season of waiting — a liminal space between what was and what will be. Psalm 130 reminds us that even in the depths, God’s mercy is an enduring source of hope, writes Jane Holtzclaw.
As West Virginia foster youth age out, a Presbyterian church steps into the gap
In a state with the nation’s highest foster care rate, First Presbyterian Church of Charleston offers what overstretched systems often cannot: consistent relationships, real choice and long-term trust for young adults.
Marce Catlett: The Force of a Story
In "Marce Catlett," Wendell Berry shows how stories of land, labor, and loss shape generations and our sense of belonging. Chris Taylor offers a review.
Praying compline with my dying dog
During her dog's last night, Katy Shevel turned to the ancient prayer of Compline to offer a sacred goodbye filled with love, grief, and abiding joy.
#Repost
Redeeming Violent Verses: A Guide for Using Troublesome Texts in Church and Ministry
"Seibert offers a path toward healing wounds found in the death and destruction of long-ignored Scripture," writes Jo Wiersema.
#BookReview #Repost
🔗 : buff.ly/vgazGcJ
Breaking the chains of complementarianism: A female seminary student finds her voice
Union Presbyterian Seminary student Amanda Shanks felt a call to ministry. Having no model for female leadership in the church, she ignored it until two years ago. What changed?
#Repost #WomensHistoryMonth
Why ashes? The gift of finding our finitude in a digital world
Against a backdrop of infinite possibilities and imagined cyber-immortality, the church dares to say something unfashionable: “You are dust.”
#Lent2026
McCormick Theological Seminary announces $1 million gift establishing an endowed chair
The Mitzi Gebhard Henderson Endowed Chair is ‘a living tribute to Presbyterian lay leader.’
@mccormickseminary.bsky.social
Third Sunday in Lent — March 8, 2026
Suffering, endurance and hope shape Christian character, writes Baron Mullis.
Lessons from a penguin and his caregiver
Rubén Arjona writes on how empathy allows us to imagine the other person’s feelings, thoughts and experiences.
The 227th General Assembly will feature 10 committees
Committees will meet online June 22-24 before commissioners and advisory delegates head to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#G227
@pcusa.bsky.social
Austin Seminary student James Talarico wins Democratic U.S. Senate primary
The Texas Presbyterian and state representative has spoken publicly about how his Christian faith shapes his challenge to Christian nationalism.
@jamestalarico.bsky.social
Why Christian clergy see risk as part of their moral calling
Clergy sometimes place themselves in harm’s way for moral and religious reasons. A scholar of religious ethics explains when – and why.
Looking for your next adult education study?
"On the Road to Empathy" is a four-session Bible study rooted in Luke and Acts that helps churches examine bias, practice deep listening and move toward Christ-shaped compassion.
Perfect for small groups, Sunday school or churchwide conversations.
