Weekly Outlook - Oz was always political 💚🧹

Dear readers, This fall, the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation Board of Directors voted to adopt a new mission statement. After months of discernment and generative conversation, we are grateful — and delighted — to share it with you: The Presbyterian Outlook equips and empowers the church to address today’s pressing issues by publishing diverse, creative content that witnesses to God’s justice and Christ’s radical welcome. To me, this mission is both simple and powerful. At the Outlook, we believe our calling is to pay close attention to how the Spirit is moving in the church and our world, then telling that story with honesty, imagination, and care. Through the gift of words, we hope to build connections, spark reflection, and offer encouragement for the work God is doing in and through all of us. We’ve been doing this work for more than 200 years — and the landscape has changed dramatically along the way. Did you know we launched our first website only a little over a decade ago? Or that just three years ago we added a position dedicated entirely to digital content (mine), which now reaches more than 100,000 people a month? No one knows what the next 200 years will bring, or even what my job will look like in another three. But we do know this: at the Outlook, we are committed to continuing the work of faithful storytelling, to equipping and empowering our readers, and to serving the church with clarity, courage, and hope. And none of that is possible without you. Thank you for reading, supporting, and believing in this work. With hope and delight, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook

Oz was always political — ‘Wicked’ simply makes it clear by Michael Parker Tupac Shakur — Poetic. Prophetic. Profound. by Chris Burton Glittery. Down-home. Prophetic. by Lindy Vogado PC(USA)’s Interim Unified Agency adds details to denominational restructuring by John Bolt “An authority for love”: Portland faith leaders stand with immigrants outside ICE facility by Harriet Riley Lilly Endowment grants foster ministry and mission across the PC(USA) by Gregg Brekke In case you missed it... First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Indiana, abolishes $1.78 million in medical debt for Hoosier families Congregation’s bicentennial celebration helps free more than 1,450 residents three counties from burdensome debt. — First Presbyterian Church of Columbus The Disturbing Profane: Hip-Hop, Blackness, and the Sacred Hip-hop isn’t a threat to holiness — it’s a witness to survival. Joseph R. Winters’ "The Disturbing Profane" reframes the sacred through Black art and expression. Jordan Burton offers a review. Telos Group launches new peacemaking program to equip U.S. churches for justice and reconciliation The Telos Group launches Mosaic, a two-year, Lilly-funded program equipping U.S. congregations to become active peacemakers amid deep division. — Telos A song of prophetic hope Music is protest and praise — from Miriam to Mary, Dylan to Doechii. The prophets of song remind us: art is not luxury, it’s testimony and hope. — Alex Evangelista Creating neuro-affirming worship: Welcoming neurodiverse children and families — A Presbyterian Outlook webinar  Equip your church to welcome neurodiverse children and families.