Weekly Outlook - PC(USA) agency consolidation: Program changes & reductions

Dear readers, We live in a world dominated by binaries. I was reminded of this in August when visiting my nephews. The 3- and 2-year-old constantly sought to categorize the world into bad and good: "You be the bad guy. I'll be the good guy."  This type of classification is natural for young brains seeking some semblance of order, but often we stick to these patterns as adults. One great example is the binary of light and dark that we fall back on this time of year. We speak of Jesus as being the light in the darkness, of a star in the black sky guiding the steps of the wise men, of a new dawn. This is all true — and an easy visual to grasp as our daylight dwindles in the Northern Hemisphere.  But what do we miss out on when we uphold this binary, often without thinking? We need darkness, just as we need light. For in darkness, our imagination and senses are heightened. In darkness, we find restoration. In darkness, seeds dig deep to break through the surface when they are ready.  We limit our experience of God's creative genius when we fall into well-worn patterns of thinking. Teri McDowell Ott explores this in Outlook's 2024 Advent devotional, Patterns of Divine Possibility. With daily reflections, she encourages readers to see beyond the familiar and embrace the complex, natural patterns of God in the world: Starling murmurations, the fractal of a fern (whose cells mirror the pattern of the larger plant), the healing of a cut finger, the gender spectrum.  The devotional is digital and available today. With one click, you can email it to your congregation or print it to insert into the church bulletin. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor P.S.: If you missed it last week, Outlook Social Media Producer Jesy Littlejohn had an excellent conversation with Dr. Kimberly Wagner on "Leading and preaching in the storm: (Re)locating ourselves faithfully amid trauma and chaos."

Welcoming all children: Congregations learn how to be in ministry with foster families by Melissa Earley Unification Commission consolidates PC(USA) agencies, resulting in program changes and staff reduction by Gregg Brekke, Outlook reporting A Thanksgiving prayer (When we’re tired of giving thanks) by Elizabeth Doolin A Great Thanksgiving around the family table by Shea Watts In case you missed it... Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the PC(USA) votes to change name Members determine Palestine Justice Network better fits group’s values and objectives. — Gregg Brekke, Outlook reporting This is our time There will be better times, but this is our time, writes Tim Hart-Andersen. A letter to my Sunday school teacher Sherry Blackman shares how one person can change the trajectory of someone's life. A Corporation President Kathy Lueckert announces her retirement, effective Jan. 31, 2025 She’s not quite done serving the church. Lueckert plans to return to the staff of Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. — Mike Ferguson Building Belonging: The Church’s Call to Build Community and House Our Neighbors "(Cleghorn) has immersed himself in the stories of similar journeys, in which people of faith have re-envisioned their use of land and buildings. Anyone who has been down this path knows these decisions are not made lightly or overnight." — Sharon K. Core What Japanese Gardens taught me about letting go Sometimes, you have to say goodbye to something full of potential, writes Karie Charlton. In Mike Huckabee, Israel will have a longtime friend and true believer as ambassador The former Arkansas governor and pastor-turned-Fox News host has been a supporter of Israel since his first visit in the 1970s. He sees the growth of Israel as a sign that biblical prophecies are true. Revelation: Professing Christ Today In a world that frequently promotes hatred, hostility and division, discover Revelation’s call to embody God’s grace, generosity and forgiveness. A new Fresh Outlook study.

An original, daily devotional — perfect for printing or emailing In a world dominated by binary thinking – light vs. dark, good vs. evil – this Advent devotional by Teri McDowell Ott challenges us to see beyond familiar binaries and embrace the complex, natural patterns of God in the world.