Action Alert: Office of Public Witness is outraged by the senseless murder of George Floyd

The Presbyterian Church U.S.A, Office of Public Witness, is outraged by the senseless murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Derek Chauvin, the arresting officer, forced Floyd to the ground and placed his knee on his neck until he was dead. For several minutes, the officer refused to relent as people in the crowd were pleading with him to stop, and Floyd echoed Eric Garner saying, “I can’t breathe.”

“To watch this man die at the hands of a police officer whose sole authority resides in the motto, “to protect and to serve,” demands action. It makes understandable the outrage demonstrated in the fires started as the only voice people in power and authority seem to understand. Now they want to listen. Now they want peace” says Rev. Jimmie R. Hawkins, Director of the Office of Public Witness

This incident adds to the many occurrences of brutality against the Black community. On February 23rd, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, an African American man, was fatally shot by two white men in Georgia. On March 13th, 2020, Breonna Taylor, an African American woman, was fatally shot by police in her Louisville, Kentucky apartment. George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbaery, Breonna Taylor, and many others are all victims of the racism, white supremacy, and police brutality that are embedded in the fabric of this country.

This, in the midst of this of a pandemic where Black people, only 13 percent of the population, account for 23 percent of COVID-19 deaths, points to a larger systemic disregard for Black bodies. The racism, white supremacy, and anti-Blackness so prevalent within our country must end!

Racism is a sin against humanity. Our sacred text tells us that ALL humans are made in God’s image and likeness. As people of faith, we must honor the inherent value and dignity of all people and seek justice when that value and dignity is attacked. We are calling on Presbyterians to take action and “stand against racism in all its myriad forms.” We urge you to:

1. Petition the President of the United States to proclaim a national day of “Mourning Against Racial Injustice” on June 19th, the traditional day of celebration for African Americans over the end of slavery, where flags will be flown at half-mast.

2. Contact your member of Congress demanding legislation that defines racialized police violence as a hate crime.

Click the link below to log in and send your message: https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/I5jbjevKW_LpPodkSxZs5g

PCUSA Stated Clerk, Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, says there is work to be done

The recent deaths of three African Americans have once again raised concern about racial injustice across the country, including the cities where the deaths occurred. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) says there is work to be done.

A Message from Dana & Justin: When will it be safe?

Greetings Sisters and Brothers In Christ,

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

According to the book of Acts, these were Jesus’ last words to the disciples.  He spoke and then ascended.  He did not give the answer they wanted. They probably watched the bottoms of Jesus’ feet as he ascended, then gawped at the sky until they were blinking away tears. 

“Now what?” they asked each other as they shuffled down the road back to Jerusalem.  “Did you understand him?” one asked.  “No, did you?”

It’s clear that none of them got it, because they went straight back to the room they had occupied since the crucifixion; the room where they felt safe in each other’s company; the room where they went over everything that had happened in their three years of discipleship; the room with the door they kept closed.

Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, we are living in the liminal time between the Ascension and Pentecost.  We are experiencing a catastrophic event through this pandemic, and what we want more than anything is a return to NORMAL.  However, under such circumstances, NORMAL has leap-frogged into the future, and what NORMAL will look like out there is not much like the NORMAL that is now behind us. 

We want to get back into our sanctuaries and see the people we cherish and listen to the music and sing the hymns and celebrate the sacraments.  We want church to stay the way it’s always been for us. 

 “Lord, are you at this time going to open the churches?”

Here are two pieces of information that you must hold in tension as you ask this question:

1. Only the session of your church can decide when to open or close.  Not the Moderator of Presbytery.  Not the Vice-Moderator.  Not the Stated Clerk or the Transitional Presbytery Pastor.  The session makes that decision, and the pastor of the church is a member of the session and has a vote.

2. It is our recommendation that each of our congregations within Denver Presbytery continue offering online worship as it is not yet safe to return to our sanctuaries.  To date, 1,630,900 AMERICANS have been infected with Covid-19.  97,059 have died. we are six months to a year away from having a vaccine.  Social distancing and wearing masks have helped to slow the spread of the virus, yet 1000 new cases appear every day in America.  Despite our impatience, it is not yet safe to return to our sanctuaries.

Friends, now is not the time to get in a hurry.  Now is not the time to risk the lives of our most vulnerable church members, friends, family members, musicians, choir members, custodians and pastors by returning to the building.  The session of each church must consider the risks, pray for God’s wisdom, and make the decision that best suits their congregation.  And it’s worth repeating:  they must consider the risks.

We are praying for you constantly, and seeking God’s will for the Presbytery and every member of every church.  Until we can all be truly safe together, we urge you to SLOW DOWN, participate with your congregation virtually and continue to WORSHIP GOD IN YOUR HOME.

Always hopeful,

Rev. Dana Hughes
Transitional Presbytery Pastor
 

Rev. Justin Spurlock
Moderator of Denver Presbytery

cover photo source: Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash

South Presbyterian Church | Grant Street Property is selling to a church!

Denver Presbytery sold the building to a developer.  After the developer could not get his proposal to convert it to condos approved, it went on the market again.  

Earlier this year, the building was purchased by Highlands Church Denver.  They are a growing Christian congregation; somewhat more liberal; looking to improve their current location; and very impressed and pleased with the condition of the building - even after several years of inactivity.  (This is testament to the work we put into the building.) They are making many changes and improvements to the building - it will look different - and plan to move sometime in July.   

We should be pleased that it will continue to be a Christian influence in the neighborhood.  

There are some former members who would like to see the Time Capsule in the cornerstone recovered, and the contents donated to the Presbytery.  There would be some cost involved here. If you would be interested in contributing to this endeavor, please contact me as soon as possible.  

Best Wishes ,  

Don Boggs

Are you anxious to get back to "normal"?

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
 
We are all weary of the pandemic and anxious to get back to something like normal.  For many of us, "normal" means holding worship inside our sanctuaries, visiting with beloved friends and fellow believers, and singing praises to our God. We know it's not yet safe to return to the building, and we're desperate to know when it will be.

Beth Carlisle has done a marvelous job of collecting information from state, local and PCUSA sources which she continues to update and post on the Presbytery website.  If you haven't yet visited this library of information, you'll find it HERE.

If you are considering reopening a preschool, please talk with your insurance carrier first and review your county's guidelines for public health & safety. 

We are in the midst of a glorious spring season that is awash in anxiety and grief.  Please know that your Presbytery Moderators and Staff are with you every step of the way.  We pray for you.  We seek the best information for you.  We are here for you if you need an ear, a shoulder, or a partner to listen and help you process news and emotions.  

Finally, here is a refreshing bit of wisdom from Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, PC(USA) Co-Moderator, "Here's the question I want us to consider:
 
Do we want to use the resources of time, talent, and treasure available to us to figure out protocols and practicalities for opening buildings in a way that might help people stay safe but will not be guaranteed...
 
Or...
 
Do we want to use the resources of time, talent, and treasure available to us to be the body of Christ dispersed and deployed until it is safe for all people to return to our buildings without restrictions?" 


Rev. Dana Hughes
Transitional Presbytery Pastor

Presbyterian Mission Agency Board gives investment and loan program some lending latitude

Investment & Loan Program can now make operational loans to help mid councils and congregations during and after the pandemic

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — With unanimous approval Wednesday by the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, the Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program can now issue lines of credit to, for example, presbyteries for such purposes as maintaining and preparing property for sale.

During an online board meeting, PILP President and CEO James Rissler said that up until now, PILP loans have been restricted to acquiring or improving real property. He said PILP has been hearing during the pandemic that presbyteries could use one-time funds to help pay for insurance, maintenance and utility costs for properties that are being sold — say, a church that no longer needs its building or is closing.

He cited some examples. A church in Michigan plans to sell its building but continue its ministry. The property is larger than the congregation currently needs. Coronavirus has slowed the sale of the property, which is worth much more than the congregation needs to finance  in order to prepare it for sale. “We can help in the interim,” Rissler said.

A camp and conference center in a different state wants to sell its property and needs money to take care of certain costs as it prepares for the sale. Again, the sale will more than cover the amount of the loan.

In addition, Rissler said, several presbyteries have asked PILP if it can cover one-time costs to help their churches during the pandemic.

“Although we see this additional lending option assisting some churches,” PILP wrote in a report to the PMA Board, “we see the greater use for presbyteries as they continue to navigate the evolving landscape of church in the 21st century and the impact on our denomination and their churches.”

A line of credit will be used in order to keep the payback short, Rissler said — 12-24 months. Loans will in general be unsecured if they’re for $100,000 or less, secured for higher amounts. Lines of credit will range from $50,000 to $500,000. They’d last up to five years, and so with a two-year payback, the borrower could once again access the line of credit once the money has been repaid.

The move will allow PILP to extend such lines of credit going forward past the time of the pandemic.

Before entering into closed session, the Board also heard from Barry Creech, director of Policy, Administration and Board Support. Creech discussed the logistics behind an online meeting set for 2 p.m. Monday among the PMA Board, the A Corp Board and the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly.

According to Creech, that meeting is being held to look at revising the 2021 and 2022 proposed unified budget proposal to be approved next month by commissioners during the first-ever virtual General Assembly.

Monday’s exercise will also be a practice session for next month’s online GA. COGA , PMA and A Corp  board members will use PC-Biz to request to speak, make motions and vote. Observers can follow Monday’s proceedings on the Spirit of GA Facebook page and on the GA 224 web page.

The Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly, Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and the Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, will moderate Monday’s online session.

May 13, 2020 Source: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/presbyterian-mission-agency-board-gives-investment-and-loan-program-some-lending-latitude/