Español|한국의

Cyclone in Myanmar

Cyclone
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is issuing a special appeal through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) in an effort to support long term recovery efforts as a result of the cyclone that has devastated Myanmar. An appeal card is being sent to every congregation in the next few days. In addition PDA has committed $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds to provide emergency assistance to survivors of Myanmar. The appeal card is available to download online at www.pcusa.org/pda. A bulletin insert is being created and liturgical resources are being collected. These items will be accessible online and we encourage your churches to use them as they become available. Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council stated, “The PC(USA) through its disaster relief agency seeks to accompany the people of Myanmar through this catastrophe. Our mission is to heal broken lives, as well as broken homes.”

PDA is responding in Myanmar as a member of and in partnership with Action by Churches Together (ACT) International and 
PDA
Church World Service. Both entities have local partners in Myanmar and will have representatives to help in the provision of relief items to cyclone survivors. Valentine also commented, “We have trust in our partners to help us be the hands and feet of Christ during this difficult time.”

Gun Violence and Gospel Values

gun violence
The Peacemaking Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will be sponsoring an event titled Gun Violence and Gospel Values to be held at the Stony Point Conference Center beginning at 2:00pm on Monday, September 15th and ending with lunch on Thursday, September 17th.

Speakers for the event are Catherine Snyder, Jim Atwood, Tom Diaz, and Garen Wintemute.

More detailed information, along with a brochure, will be available soon.

Scholarship Information for Racial Ethnic Students

College
The Presbyterian Church USA offers Student Opportunity Scholarships, which are designed to assist undergraduate students with their junior and senior year of college. Preference will be given to racial ethnic students seeking undergraduate degree with emphasis on the missions of PC(USA) in the following disciplines:
     ~ Education
     ~ Health service/science
     ~ Religious studies
     ~ Sacred Music
     ~ Social services
     ~ Social Sciences

The application forms for 2008-2009 academic year will be available in April 2008 and need to be postmarked no later than June 15, 2008. 

Seminary Support Network Conference

Seminary Support Network Graphic
The Theological Fund's Seminary Support Network Conference was held in May at American Airlines Conference Center in Dallas, TX.  Ten people within the bounds of the Synod of the Northeast attended the Conference.   The attendees from left to right are:  Dick Martin (Hudson River), Joann White (Northern New York), John Wilde (Utica), Doris Haring (Newton), Bisi Shofu (New Brunswick), Barbara Schwartz (Susquehanna Valley), Liz McDowell (Synod Representative), Rick Underwood (Boston), Linda Brebner (Genesee Valley), and Carson Mouser (Albany).

The Seminary Support Network serves as liaison between local congregations and our ten Presbyterian seminaries and encourages congregational support for the Theological Education Fund, the only denomination-wide support for our seminaries.

2008 PC(USA) Special Offerings

2008 PCUSA Offerings
Currently, there are three opportunities through the Presbyterian Church (USA) to make God's love present to those in need.  they are: 

Pentecost Offering on May 11 - Theme:  "You send forth your Spirit!" (Psalm 104)

Peacemaking Offering on October 5 - Theme:  "Break the Bread of new Creation"

Christmas Joy Offering on December 21 - Theme:  "Good News of Great Joy" (Luke 2:10)

There is also the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering that is done in the Spring.

Click on the name of the offering that you would like to learn more about. 

Click here to download the 2008 Special Offerings to the Presbyterian Church (USA) Flyer.

Public Policy Advocacy Network Covenant Information

WHAT THE PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY NETWORK COVENANT IS AND HOW TO USE IT!

Rev. Janet Adair Hansen
PPAN is the Public Policy Advocacy Network for the Synod of the Northeast (Presbyterian Church USA) – an email “yahoo group” that individual Presbyterians, churches or presbyteries can subscribe to, with opportunity for “face-to-face” gatherings each year (usually in conjunction with synod assembly). According to the Presbyterian Church (USA) constitution, one of the great ends of the church is the “promotion of social righteousness.” We want to encourage, equip and enable every presbytery in the Northeast for our task of social witness and action in the states in which we live and in regional planning bodies of various ecclesiastical entities.

Click read more to read the rest of the information on Public Policy Advocacy Network Covenant.

Click here to download the entire flyer.