Headlined "Changing church demographics put some food shelves out of business," a story by Hannah Covington of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis notes, "Each apple, loaf of bread and slab of ribs that Audra Koel selected from tables in the church sanctuary brought her one grocery basket closer to the end. For the past four years, the 48-year-old Coon Rapids resident has spent most of her Friday nights at Good Shepherd Covenant Church in Blaine for a hot meal and fresh groceries. But last Friday marked the last supper for Good Shepherd and its food distribution project, Manna Market. ... Lacking resources or volunteers, a growing number of small churches across the metro area are closing food shelves, leaving other nonprofits to pick up the hunger-relief slack." Covington's complete story, which ran Oct. 27 in the newspaper, can be found at "Out of Business."

Interfaith Festival of Gratitude

planned in Oshkosh Nov. 21

The religious leaders in Oshkosh, Wis., are doing it again this year -- planning an Interfaith Festival of Gratitude during the Thanksgiving holiday season. This year's festival is lined up Monday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh. Representatives from many faith communities will share something about themselves to those who attend, according to Tom Willadsen, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in that community. This year's festival will be preceded by a potluck at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's Mosque at 300 N. Eagle Street, beginning at 5 p.m. Details are in the festival's Facebook group at "Interfaith Festival."

The Presbyterian Outlook magazine is offering a new fundraising program to churches. Participating congregations can earn $10 for each Outlook one-year subscription sold through a special congregation web page. By request The Outlook provides an email message that includes a link to the subscription web page. Congregations send an email to their members, inviting them to subscribe to The Outlook. The magazine will provide a text announcement with a custom web address that can be included in bulletins, church newsletters and websites. Details can be obtained by contacting Jill Duffield, Outlook editor, at jduffield@pres-outlook.org.

Black grandmother of Macalester professor

was 'human computer' at NASA

Duchess Harris, an author, legal scholar, and professor and chair of American studies at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., is the granddaughter of one of the first African American "human computers" at NASA. Her grandmother worked for NASA as an expert mathematician from the 1940s to the 1960s, using slide rules and pencils to calculate the flights for early astronauts. Macalester is one of seven Presbyterian-related institutions of higher education in the Synod of  Lakes and Prairies. A Washington Post article by Tanya Sichynsky, first published in September, and reprinted recently by Minnesota Private Colleges news, noted, " Have you ever seen a computer in a skirt? Duchess Harris has. In a photo submitted to Historically Black, a project by The Washington Post, Miriam Daniel Mann walks with purpose down a Hampton, Va., street in 1943, clutching a thick, hardcover book. She sports heels, a fashionable turban and a coat with two large buttons, the hemline of her plaid skirt peering out underneath. Mann was one of the first black female computers employed by NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)." The complete story is at "Human Computer."

 

Coe College dedicates intercultural

center to James Randall

Coe College trustees, faculty, staff, students and members of the community gathered in Gage Memorial Union on Oct. 21 for the dedication of the James H. Randall Intercultural Center. The center was named in honor of Stead Professor Emeritus of English and African American Studies James Randall, who dedicated his Coe College career to mentoring students of color and to ensuring that all students had the opportunity to excel. The first tenured black professor at Coe, Randall taught from 1969 to 2010. He grew up in rural North Carolina, working in the tobacco fields and attending segregated schools. Coe College is one of seven Presbyterian-related institutions of higher education in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. The complete story from the college can be found at "Randall Intercultural Center." (In the photo above are Coe Chaplain Kristin Hutson and James Randall at the dedication.)

Fall edition of Board Bulletin notes portfolio return

After each regular meeting of the board of directors of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the organization publishes The Board Bulletin, which reports key information presented and actions taken at the fall meeting. The current edition noted a balanced investment portfolio return of 7.2 percent for the nine months ended Sept. 30. The complete issue is at "Board Bulletin."

Stated clerk to lead live-streamed

Reformation service Nov. 2

"Write the Vision -- Reclaim the Call" is the theme of a church-wide Reformation worship service being led by the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II on Nov. 2 at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville and live-streamed to the public. "This is an opportunity in this Reformation season to call for a reform within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)," said Nelson, stated clerk of PC(USA)'s General Assembly. "It is my hope that we, as a denomination, can embrace a spiritual reformation that breaks down the walls that separate us within the national church and those that divide us from the communities where God has placed us." The complete announcement from the Office of the General Assembly is available at "Reforming."

                   

Synod of Northeast calls for divestment

from fossil fuel companies

The Synod of the Northeast of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted to take immediate steps to divest from the fossil fuel industry. Expressing concern about the impact of climate change on God's creation, commissioners of the regional body say they are compelled to take action. "The Presbyteries in the Synod of the Northeast have been heavily involved in the divestment debate at the last two General Assemblies," said Sue Smith, ruling elder commissioner with the Presbytery of Monmouth and resolution co-author. "One third of the Synod's presbyteries have been involved in this effort so there is clearly an interest for divesting from fossil fuels." The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Fossil Fuels."

 

Kruse, McConnell named PMA

mission engagement advisers

Rhonda Kruse and William McConnell recently accepted positions as mission engagement advisors with the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Kruse, who has already begun duties with the PMA, serves the Midwest region. She works with individuals, congregations, and mid-councils in the synods of Mid-America, Lakes and Prairies, and Rocky Mountains. McConnell, who will join the PMA staff on Dec. 1, will serve the same constituencies in the South region. This region includes the synods of the Living Waters and the Sun. Kruse and McConnell's role is to interpret and promote the mission and ministries of the PMA and seek support for Presbyterian mission. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Mission Engagement."

 

MRTI gets new name, new lead staff

The Office of Mission Responsibility Through Investment of the Presbyterian Mission Agency has a new name and lead staff person. Rob  Fohr, who has been serving in an interim capacity, has accepted the call to take the permanent position, replacing Bill Somplatsky-Jarman, who retired earlier this year. The office of MRTI will be known as the Office of Faith-Based Investing and Corporate Engagement, and Fohr will direct and coordinate the work. While the committee on MRTI will retain its name, leaders felt the new office title best describes its ongoing work."I am deeply honored and humbled to have the chance to build upon the great foundational work that Bill did for more than 32 years," said Fohr. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "MRTI."