Weekly Outlook - The Book of Confessions, under debate

Dear readers, The PC(USA)’s Book of Confessions has been a lively point of conversation for Presbyterian Outlook readers and writers lately — from Charles Wiley’s “Why the PC(USA)’s Book of Confessions is too long — and how to fix it,” to Keanu Heydari’s response, “What we lose when confessions are treated as optional,” and now our upcoming Facebook Live conversation with members of the Special Committee to Write a New Confession. That timing isn’t accidental. Whether — and how — to add a new confession to the Book of Confessions is shaping up to be a significant conversation at this summer’s General Assembly. Beneath the debates about length, structure, and authority is a deeper set of questions about formation, witness, and what it means to confess our faith in this moment of the church’s life. What do you think? Is the Book of Confessions too long to be practical — or is it simply not taught effectively? What is lost when confessions become unfamiliar? What kind of confession might speak faithfully to the church’s current realities? We hope you’ll join us on Friday, February 20, at 1 p.m. (ET) on Facebook for a live conversation with members of the committee drafting the new confession. It’s a chance to listen in, ask questions, and engage in a process that will shape the church’s theological voice for years to come. You can RSVP to receive reminders — and access the recording if you’re not able to join live. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  Bonus reading: "A turning point in the church’s search for a new confession," by Harriet Riley, Outlook reporting

Join Presbyterian Outlook live! In a weary world, “Heated Rivalry” insists love still matters by Brittany Porch What we lose when confessions are treated as optional by Keanu Heydari Why you should listen to Bad Bunny by Alex Evangelista  As DEI offices close, PC(USA) campus ministries step in by Kathryn Post Charges dropped against some clergy arrested for protesting DHS in Chicago by Jack Jenkins Kendrick Lamar: A theology of thirst, doubt and redemption by Chris Burton In case you missed it... Task force will propose amendments to the PC(USA)’s 1984 Divestment Strategy This summer, commissioners to the 227th General Assembly will consider updated divestment criteria. — Mike Ferguson Conservative influencers don’t actually believe empathy is toxic Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney just want to make sure you're empathizing with those they deem worthy of empathy. — Elena Trueba  Union Presbyterian Seminary expands hybrid learning to increase student access Union Presbyterian Seminary will shift its Richmond campus graduate and certificate programs to a fully hybrid model starting September 2026. — Union Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation Board names Ian Hall as A Corp president Hall has served as interim president and in two other roles for the past 13 months.— Mike Ferguson Even now: an Ash Wednesday lament An Ash Wednesday lament by Jennifer L. Aycock that names death, grief, and the ashes we carry into Lent. Ash Wednesday: What do Presbyterians do? Presbyterians have begun to reclaim the tradition of Ash Wednesday, using it as a way to focus on our mortality and prepare us for Easter. — Presbyterian Outlook

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Take Part: General Assembly, Peacemakers Calendar & New Resources

New Resources, General Assembly Updates & Upcoming Gatherings The Peace Gathering at General Assembly Friday, June 26, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 PM Immanuel Presbyterian Church 1100 N. Astor St., Milwaukee, WI Tickets Available May 1st at presbypeacefellowship.org Kairos Palestine II Study Guide Download the Study Guide Join us for an evening of fellowship, food, and inspiration as we gather Presbyterian peaceseekers during the 227th General Assembly. We’ll honor the work of peace in our church, discuss key issues before GA, and share more about the ministry of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Osamah Khalil, Professor of History at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and author of America’s Dream Palace and A World of Enemies. Three Christians organizations – The Palestine Justice Network (PJN) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR), and our own Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) – have developed a study guide for the new Kairos Palestine document, "A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide."  This resource, offered for free to download, invites congregations, small groups, or solidarity circles into a sacred dialogue with the Kairos Palestine II document—a living confession born from the heart of Palestinian Christian suffering. Essential New Resource from FOSNA! The Bible Is Anti-Zionist: A 40-Day Devotional Series by Jesse Steven Wheeler FOSNA Associate Executive Director Check it out! More General Assembly Updates Overtures En Route to GA Peace and Justice through Just and Peaceful Means This overture calls on the PC(USA) to urge the U.S. government to enact a full trade embargo on Israel until international law is upheld, including ending the occupation, dismantling apartheid policies, and affirming the right of return for Palestinian refugees.  Read the full overture Recognition of Israel’s Violation of the Prohibition on Genocide An overture from the Presbytery of the Redwoods calling the PC(USA) to: Condemn violations of the UN Genocide Convention Urge an end to U.S. military aid to Israel Encourage economic noncooperation Affirm that opposing human rights violations is not antisemitism Stand against antisemitism and Islamophobia Equip congregations to preach and teach on this issue  Read the full overture Community Day of Action Saturday, June 27, 2026 As part of the Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence, Presbyterians will gather for a Community Day of Action on gun violence prevention at the General Assembly. Activities may include a Guns to Gardens demonstration, public art using dismantled gun parts, and resources for congregations. Planning Our GA Witness Will you be attending the General Assembly in Milwaukee as a commissioner, delegate, corresponding member, or overture advocate? Can you volunteer with us or help with pre-GA advocacy outreach? Contact: info@presbypeacefellowship.org From Briefly... Check out these articles will appear in the upcoming issue of Briefly: Venezuela: Seeking Clarity in the Midst of Chaos — Neddy Astudillo Sunshine Melts Ice: A Meditation on the Martyrdom of Renée Good — Andrew William Smith Gun Violence Prevention Updates NEW: Protecting Children from Gun Violence Action Circles Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the United States. These five-week Zoom action circles equip congregations with practical, faith-based tools to respond. Winter Session: Feb. 4 – March 4, 2026 (SOLD OUT) Spring Session: April 15 – May 13, 2026  12 PM ET / 11 CT / 10 MT / 9 PT  Register: https://bit.ly/children-action-circle Learn How: Guns to Gardens Action Circles Registration open for Spring 2026 cohort The action circles will meet for 6 weeks on Thursdays starting April 16th. There is a daytime cohort and an evening cohort, please register for one. Each will meet for 1 hour.  Daytime will meet 12:00pm ET / 11:00am CT / 10:00am MT / 9:00am PT Evening will meet at 7:30pm ET / 6:30pm CT / 5:30pm MT / 4:30pm PT Each cohort has 25 spots. Register below! Daytime Cohort Evening Cohort Save the date! James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage  Sept. 15–18, 2026  Heartland Center, Parkville, MO More details coming soon Peacemakers Calendar February Feb. 12 (and every 2nd Thursday) Palestine Solidarity Working Group | 2 PM ET Organize, advocate, and take nonviolent action to support Palestinian liberation.  www.presbypeacefellowship.org/events-1 Feb. 12 (and every Thursday) General Assembly Planning Team | 1 PM ET Weekly meetings to promote overtures and build a strong peace witness at GA.  info@presbypeacefellowship.org Feb. 19 (and every 3rd Thursday) Peace Church Working Group | 1 PM ET Support conscientious objection, oppose militarism, and encourage nonviolence.  info@presbypeacefellowship.org Feb. 22 Deadline: General Assembly overtures with constitutional implications Feb. 24 (and every 4th Tuesday) Gun Violence Prevention Working Group | 5 PM ET  gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org Feb. 25 (and every 4th Wednesday) Presbyterian Advocacy Hour | 12 PM ET  pcusa.info/advocacyhourregistration March Mar. 3 (and every 1st Tuesday) Protecting Children from Gun Violence Team | 7 PM ET  gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org Mar. 5 (and every 1st Thursday) Presbyterians for Abolition Discussion Group | 8 PM ET Short videos and readings. All are welcome.  www.presbypeacefellowship.org/events-1 April – May April 15 – May 13 Protecting Children from Gun Violence: Spring Action Circles | 12 PM ET  https://bit.ly/children-action-circle April 22 Deadline: General Assembly overtures without constitutional implications  May May 7 Deadline: General Assembly overture concurrences Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy

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