 |
Last month, the team of communications staff that have been dreaming together about the future of Presbyterians Today gathered in person for a two-day planning retreat. It was great to get all of our ideas, our hopes, our values, and our goals down on part and to make some very tangible forward progress on what we're planning for PT after our sacred pause draws to a close.
We're excited to share big news on that front in the near future. In the meantime, please appreciate these photos taken by one member of our team, multimedia producer Rich Copley. You'll also find below a reflection from Rich on U2 and how old music finding new use brings reminders of eternal truths. There's also a piece about the liturgy of movie-going and another on talking about death with children. We hope you'll take some time to appreciate these thoughtful reflections on life and faith from some fellow Presbyterians. |
 |
The Dream Team |
Our team of communications staff tasked with dreaming up the future of PT met together at PCUSA headquarters in Louisville, KY on July 17-18 to put plans in motion. Rich Copley captured the occasion in black and white. |
 |
Stories Too Dangerous for the Movies |
by Jessica Dixon
In contemplating pastoral identity in a secular age, I found myself thinking about liturgy—the public ritual act of worship, one of the main parts of my role as a congregational pastor. What does liturgy mean in this frame—where so few people feel God’s presence in their lives? What does this mean for Christian liturgy? Can liturgy be found elsewhere that more closely fits the realities of this secular frame and the accompanying ways of seeing God?... |
 |
Meet Them In Our Hearts |
by Eliza C. Jaremko
My phone dinged. A note from my daughter’s kindergartner teacher waited in the class app. The note began friendly enough: “She’s doing well today … but…” And you know there’s always a but … “A few times this afternoon, she said she was sad because her aunt died when she was 2. We empathized, of course and allowed her some quiet time in the calm corner so she could just be sad.”
I stared at the message in bewilderment with 4 simultaneous thoughts: #1: Thank God for teachers. #2. Leave it to a pastor’s kid to talk about death on a Tuesday afternoon… #3: All our aunts are still very much alive (if you’re reading this, aunts, we love you!) #4: This’ll be an interesting evening…. |
 |
The Problem Wasn’t U2. It Was My Limited Perspective. |
by Rich Copley
Youth Sunday 2023, many of us at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Kentucky learned we had a rock band in our midst. While our services usually end with a grand organ postlude, this Sunday the organ led into the swirling electric guitar chimes of the U2 classic “Where the Streets Have No Name,” beautifully played by our pastor’s oldest son.
The offering of the leadoff track from U2’s 1987 masterpiece The Joshua Tree was a rousing finale to our annual youth-led service, where graduating seniors are recognized as they prepare to step into the next chapters of their lives. I was mildly amused and joked it was very Presbyterian that our students chose a 36-year-old song, and it was being praised as new and fresh... |
 |
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment