Preface: when I initially drafted this week’s column, I titled it “What’s New?” Then Wednesday Jan. 6, I watched in horror as a mob breached the security at our nation’s capital. I saw the insurrection, the riot, and the attempted coup. And I heard the president’s words inciting it all. I am still trying to process these events.

On Thursday, Jan.7, knowing the deadline for submitting my column was quickly approaching, and still reeling from the unfolding “news”, I debated with myself: Does a title of “What’s New?” trivialize the trauma that many (including me) have experienced? In light of the news, is title offensive? Should I change the title? Should I write another article altogether? And in the end…. Well, you can see how the debate ended.

There’s no title for this one. Just jump right in.

Hi.

I’ve heard from some of you, and see your exhaustion (stacked on exhaustion, stacked on exhaustion). This is just an attempt to offer some footholds as we move toward Sunday.

 

We have the challenge this week of preaching in the context of the insurrection on the Capitol building on Wednesday afternoon. This event offered a stark example of some of the dynamics at play in this nation: the power of White racial resentment, conspiracy campaigns, and extremist radicalization. These are non-debatable realities, but the challenge remains that we must synthesize that awareness with the work of the Gospel in our lives and on our hearts – no simple task.

Presbytery Supports Hunger Initiative Through Your Generous Contributions

The Mission and Witness Committee partnered in December with the Presbytery Leadership Team to come up with the $13,000 commitment to addressing food insecurity in our area, with immediate food distribution a priority. That doesn’t mean the need is met. “There’s always going to be need, hurting people,” Alexander said. “Our members were inspired by the commitments of their own congregations. And we hope this action will inspire other congregations, and individuals, to continue this support.”

The members of Laurel Presbyterian Church in Hager City, Wisconsin, would offer a resounding yes.

 

The Laurel congregation held its final worship service in November. You’ll hear more celebrating its 118 years of ministry at the February 6 Presbytery meeting, and after that here in EMerge. At that final worship service, the congregation—which numbered six members at the time—took a last offering. The $830 collected was designated for the Pierce County Food Pantry. Add to that a mid-year memorial contribution to the church, a Presbytery COVID-19 Emergency Mission Grant, and a couple of other gifts, and this small congregation with a big vision and an even bigger heart sent more than $10,000 in 2020 to the Pierce County Food Pantry. Wrote former clerk of session Chris Truttman, “We knew that we were able to make a difference in our community.” Did they ever! Thanks to the faithful members of Laurel Presbyterian Church.

The Rev. John H. Sinclair, a member of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and honorably retired, died on January 2, 2021, in Tampa, FL. He was 96 years old. He earned his B.D. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1947. He served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor bodies as a missionary in Chile and Venezuela for fifteen years, and as Mission Board Secretary for the United Presbyterian Church U.S.A. from 1960-1973. He also served pastorates in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota, as well as serving as associate executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. He is described by family as a “peace and justice activist, musician, world traveler, author, historian, avid reader, and devoted family man.”

You will find a Presbyterian News Service story about Rev. Sinclair here. You can watch his “living history” produced by the Presbyterian Historical Society here.

The Rev. Sinclair was predeceased by his wife of seventy years, Maxine. He is survived by three sons, David, Paul (Anita), and John Mark (Marcela), as well as numerous grandchildren. Memorial services will be held both in Tampa and in Minneapolis at a later date. Ashes will be interred at the Columbarium of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to the Sinclair Memorial at First Hispanic Presbyterian Church, 8434 Pebble Circle, Tampa, FL, 33615.

The Reverend Dr. Richard D. Weis, a member of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area from 1998 – 2011, died on December 31, 2020, in Lexington, KY. He was 71 years old. During his time in this presbytery, he served as Dean and Professor of Old Testament Theology at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, and was awarded the D.D. honoris causa by the UTS Board of Trustees in 2011, in recognition of his leadership, curriculum development, and commitment to theological education.

His love for the Church included an active involvement at Dayton Avenue Presbyterian Church, as well as service on numerous Presbytery committees. Rich was especially committed to preparing people for ordination as ministers of word and sacrament—not just their theological education but also their character development, faith development, and mature judgment. Especially through his work with the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, he served as a mentor and guide, always with care and respect.

The Rev. Dr. Weis was Dean and Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible at Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, KY. He earned his M.Div. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Ordained by the United Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., he served three Presbyterian churches in Paterson, NJ as associate pastor, and Beaumont (CA) United Presbyterian Church as interim pastor. He subsequently received a Ph.D. in Religion from Claremont Graduate School. He began his academic career as Assistant (and then Associate) Professor of Old Testament at New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NJ), where he eventually became Dean of the Seminary. He then served United Seminary and Lexington seminary.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Rogers. A private service will be held at Hunter Presbyterian Church at 11 a. m. EST Tuesday, January 12, which will be accessible by Zoom; please contact the church at office.hunter109@gmail.com for the link. United Seminary said this week that it will host a Zoom gathering at a later date for people who would like to share their memories of Rich; it has also posted a blog where colleagues have remembered Rich. In lieu of flowers, contributions suggested to God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington, Lexington Theological Seminary’s Certificate in Hispanic Ministries Program, or the Nature Conservancy.

The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution in support of bringing violent conflict in Cameroon to an end.

The Senate agreed to the resolution last week. It calls on the government of Cameroon and separatist armed groups from the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions “to end all violence, respect the human rights of all Cameroonians, and pursue a genuinely inclusive dialogue toward resolving the ongoing civil conflict in Anglophone Cameroon.”

Read the Presbyterian News Service story here.

There is a significant group of persons from the Cameroon who worship in congregations across this Presbytery. Please hold them, and their country, in your prayers.

Additionally, the Washington office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is calling on the public to rally behind Cameroonians being deported from the United States to dangerous situations in their homeland. Find the Presbyterian News story here. Immigrants from Cameroon are members in at least ten PTCA congregations.

Click below for the full Action Alert

You can find more information on the event on the NEXT Church webpage. The Rev. Dr. Meghan Gage-Finn, executive associate pastor at Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis, is on the Strategy Team for NEXT Church and is serving on the planning team for the National Gathering.