Images of long lines waiting at the U.S. border, people navigating high water and hot deserts in a quest for a new life. As thousands of people come to the U.S. seeking a new start for themselves and their families, a dedicated group of Presbyterians is working to make that a reality. Among them is Amanda Craft, manager for advocacy in the Office of the General Assembly.
Two staff members of the Office of the General Assembly were recently recognized as Adult Achievers by the YMCA of Greater Louisville. DeAmber Clopton, associate director for finance and administration, and Y. Dianna Wright, director for ecumenical relations, were honored last month as the YMCA Black Achievers program held its 44th annual Awards Celebration. The gala celebration honored the 66 high school seniors who have completed the program, as well as one Youth Achiever of the Year and two Adult Achievers of the Year.
Immigrating to the United States is a lengthy, complicated process and many people coming into this country are not prepared for everything they have to face. That’s where the Office of Immigration Issues in the Office of the General Assembly can help.
Sixteen staff members within the Office of the General Assembly make up Mid Council Ministries. This group focuses on a number of ministry support issues, from training and education to constitutional support and immigration, among many more. The Rev. Jihyun Oh directs this group.
Ruling Elders and deacons are among the most important positions within Presbyterian congregations, providing hands-on ministry and support. In this week’s OGA In Focus, Martha Miller, manager of Ministry Education and Support in Mid Council Ministries, shares the importance of this work and the joy it brings to follow God’s call.
It was just under a year ago when the Rev. Joshua Park left his role as lead pastor of Bethany Korean Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia, to begin working for the Office of the General Assembly as the manager for Korean-Speaking Councils Support within Mid Council Ministries.
In this edition of OGA In Focus, Park describes his work and how his life has shaped his call to ministry.
Last Wednesday on Zoom, mid council leaders learned more about an underway project by the Office of the General Assembly to map boundaries of presbyteries and synods. In addition to developing an up-to-date interactive map that is accurate and precise, the project will establish a process that makes it quicker and easier to update church boundary visualizations in the future.
The Office of the General Assembly is beginning a new video feature this year called OGA In Focus. Twice a month, viewers will have the opportunity to learn more about OGA work and the people who have been called to this ministry.
The first feature highlights the work of Flor Vélez-Díaz , manager for judicial process and social witness in OGA’s Mid Council Ministries.
It was supposed to be nine-to-10-month temporary job, but it turned into more than 2½ years. Julia Henderson, who led the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the planning for two General Assemblies in the midst of the Covid pandemic, has completed her term of service and is returning to the private sector.
There has been nothing normal about church membership and attendance over the past two years. In-person worship took a major hit in all Christian denominations as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on. Many denominations have reported thousands of members leaving the church altogether. But even as membership continues to show a decline in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the numbers were not as high as in 2020.