Weekly Outlook - Two GA talks: relationships and global mission

Dear readers, As the 227th General Assembly of the PC(USA) approaches, a proposed overture on monogamy, polygamy and clergy relationships is prompting important conversation. In a new op-ed, Episcopal priest and researcher April Stace offers one perspective, reflecting on how the church defines relationships, names harm and cultivates ethical, accountable community. At the same time, a new reported piece takes readers inside a recent gathering at Union Presbyterian Seminary, where Presbyterians began drafting a theology of mission in the wake of the denomination's major restructuring around mission. The story captures a room marked by grief, tension and hope, as dismissed mission co-workers, denominational leaders and theologians wrestle with what comes next. Together, these pieces offer distinct but timely entry points into the conversations shaping GA227 — from sexuality and ethics to the future of global mission — and the questions the church will carry forward. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. We've got a lot of GA content heading your way. If you're worried about hitting our paywall — or have people in your life who you think would benefit from the latest PC(USA) news — we're running a special for first-time subscribers: a year-long digital subscription for $9.95.

Polyamory, church policy and the limits of regulation by April Stace    Welcoming neurodiversity in worship by Jen Bluestein =The church cannot be silent — but what should it say? by Harriet Riley, Outlook reporting Dismissed mission co-workers, denominational officials draft new theology of mission by Eric Ledermann,Outlook reporting

In case you missed it... Ovid Benjamin “Ben” Sparks III, longtime pastor and advocate for those on the margins, dies at 87 A pastor, preacher and former Outlook board member, Sparks helped shape church and civic life in Richmond through a lifelong commitment to justice and unity. A strategic plan for the work of the Administrative Services Group A Corporation Board gets an initial look at the top areas for concentrated efforts throughout 2026. — Mike Ferguson Princeton Theological Seminary to honor three retiring faculty members through ‘The Work That Endures’ event April 24 The public is invited to farewell lectures from Theology Department Professors Dirk Smit, George Hunsinger and Mark Lewis Taylor. How grief led me back to church After losing three close family members, one man finds his faith and a calling to pastoral ministry. Alan Olson reflects on how loss can open the door to renewal. PC(USA) survey explores why some donors have paused or halted their giving to the national church The most common response was givers are focusing on their local church. — Mike Ferguson A cosmic case for empathy In "Project Hail Mary," an unlikely friendship reveals that interdependence is woven into creation, writes Brendan McLean. Faith has always gone to space. Artemis II shows how much it has changed. Both Apollo 8 and Artemis II missions included public references to religion, but astronauts aboard the Artemis’ Orion spacecraft struck a broader, more global tone. — Jack Jenkins A four-session Fresh Outlook Bible Studies resource that invites churches to explore empathy as a faithful Christian practice through Scripture, storytelling and guided conversation.

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Together April 2026

April 2026 Welcome Welcome to the April 2026 edition of Together, the online newsletter of The Fellowship Community-- a network of churches and leaders committed to living and proclaiming the good news of Jesus by gathering, equipping and encouraging one another.  I'm writing the week after celebrating the death and the resurrection of Jesus, and a few weeks before we gather in Zionsville for the 2026 National Gathering. We are motivated by hope-- For I know the plans I have for you... plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)  and love-- For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14–16 (NIV) I want to offer thanks in advance for the generosity of individuals and churches to make the National Gathering possible. Your designated financial contributions are providing partial or full scholarships for over 140 of the 350 participants (as of today) -- small church pastors, younger future leaders, spouses, and missionaries. And your undesignated gifts provide for four (very) part-time and motivated staff who coordinate, administrate, and communicate for the National Gathering (and all year round). I am grateful for a great lineup of speakers and workshop leaders and over two dozen exhibitors/sponsors. We have 131 signed up for the pastor pre-gathering! For those who will be in attendance, we are praying that God will fill you with hope and love as healthy leaders, younger and future leaders, and missional leaders for the sake of Christ's ministry in the world.  If you haven't yet registered, do it today! Invite friends, elders, colleagues to join us in Zionsville. Consider asking individuals or your session to give a special gift to TFC. Thank you! Together in Christ, Mike McClenahan TFC Executive Director National Gathering April 28-30, 2026 with an optional pre-gathering for pastors starting the evening of April 27 Zionsville Presbyterian Church Zionsville, IN Featured speakers include: Kara Powell, Scott Sunquist, Drew Hyun, and Mark Labberton! Plus…. Workshop tracks on Family Ministry, Artificial Intelligence, Missions, and Church Revitalization. Optional lunch breakouts for: Leadership Pipeline, Global Mission Stories, GA Preview, and PNC Best Practices. Register TODAY More details Northeast Mini-Retreat Re-Cap On Saturday, March 7, 2026, we held a TFC northeast regional mini-retreat. Thank you to the 30 participants from 4 states including a teenager, who joined us. We spent the day in worship, learning, fellowship, sharing meals, and hearing updates from TFC. Board Secretary Rev. Cynthia Betz-Bogoly hosted us at her historic church in Perkasie, PA. Lots of first-time TFC participants joined us, as well as some familiar friends. Thank you to Rev. Dr. Matthew McNutt for his presentation Staying Power: Building a Volunteer Team that Lasts. We learned from his recent doctoral research about how to recruit, train, and retain amazing, dedicated, and gifted church volunteers for the longevity of ministry. Thank you to TFC Executive Director Rev. Mike McClenahan who joined us via Zoom from the west coast to offer greetings and updates, too. Are We Trusting in the Right Things? Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Our Easter refrain is still ringing in my ears in a beautiful way. However, I’m always struck by remembering how our Orthodox brothers and sisters utilize it–as a common greeting when meeting friends, regardless of the location, for forty days after Easter. At Trader Joe’s, on the street, in a parking lot, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed…for forty days! We’re lucky if we get two Sundays out of it. Forty days would almost make one think that for a follower of Jesus, resurrection was really, really important. Yes. TFC Board member Dan Baumgartner reminds us to trust our boots. Read more Visit our Website Regional Connections Opportunities to Connect with TFC Zoom Gathering Third Thursday of each month 10:00 - 11:00 am eastern Link to Zoom meeting In-Person Gathering for DFW area leaders Third Thursday of each month 2:00 pm central First Pres Arlington or: Email for Zoom link Zoom Gathering Second Thursday of each month 1:00 - 2:00 pm pacific Link to Zoom meeting Zoom Gathering Third Thursday of each month 1:00-2:00 pm eastern Link to Zoom meeting If you'd like to help organize a TFC event in your area, please email us at office@fellowship.community. Find a call TFC is committed to helping churches find compatible leaders - and vice versa! To that end, we invite you to check out the "Find a Call" page on our website, where you can see a variety of open positions throughout the country. We have received quite a few new postings recently, so be sure to stay connected! If you would like to post a position on our site, please send us an email. All positions welcome - pastoral, administrative, mission service, etc. We are also looking for ways to improve this feature, so please think about how we might serve best in this area and send us any ideas or feedback. Find a call   Email us Give to TFC Connect with us! Do you have an idea for a future story? Are you involved in a ministry others need to know about? Let us know, and we'll include it in a future month's Together! Are you interested in learning more or becoming part of the Fellowship Community? Click here for more information. Thanks for reading and connecting with us. Reach out with any questions, and know that we are praying for you and your ministry. Board Members Timothy Scoonover - President Cynthia Betz-Bogoly - Secretary Jim Witherow - Treasurer Dan Baumgartner Goodwyn Bell Paul Cunningham John Fullerton Eric Hoey Sung Joo Jennifer Kenney Daniel Ko Tamara Mitchell Jeff Myers Matthew Pooley Clint Tolbert Jonathan Tony Jason Tucker Jill WIlliams Staff Mike McClenahan - Executive Director Ray Garcia - Coordinator for Connections & Recruitment Andrea Hall - Administrative Coordinator Brittany Kirkpatrick - National Gathering Coordinator

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