When the 80th General Assembly (GA) of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) met from June 5-8 in Moraga, CA, it was the first time in 23 years that the Assembly was held in California and the first time ever in northern California. Voting equipment detained due to a train derailment arrived just in time, but … Continue reading OPC 80th General Assembly: California dream
PCA GA: Déjà vu on many issues
At the 41st General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) commissioners may have felt a sense of déjà vu as they dealt with many issues that have been considered at previous assemblies. The PCA GA met from June 18-21, 2013, in Greenville, SC. Online reports gave the Assembly mixed reviews. Some aspects … Continue reading PCA GA: Déjà vu on many issues
2013 RCA General Synod undermines previous Synod’s decision
When the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) met from June 20-25 at Central College in Pella, IA, it practically reversed last year’s decision on homosexuality, removed conscience clauses regarding women’s ordination, and instituted a requirement for churches to be shaped by the Belhar Confession. It adopted a missional strategic goal program … Continue reading 2013 RCA General Synod undermines previous Synod’s decision
URCNA ministers’ and missions conferences at June’s end
Mid-America Reformed Seminary was the site for back-to-back URCNA conferences in June. The Ministers’ Conference ran from June 24-26 and the Missions Conference was held from June 26-28. This was the second Ministers’ Conference. The first conference two years ago grew from an idea at Synod London. “Three years ago at Synod London a plan … Continue reading URCNA ministers’ and missions conferences at June’s end
New location for Providence in Des Moines
On June 16, 2013, about 80 people attended the first worship service of Providence Reformed Church at its new location in Des Moines. The beautiful sanctuary was filled with filtered light during a celebratory service emphasizing the lordship of Christ and the blessing of His completely accomplished atonement. As part of a continuing series on … Continue reading New location for Providence in Des Moines
New exhorter for Reformation Italy
On May 16, 2013, Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia church leaders examined Mark Patterson for his license to exhort. Having successfully sustained his exam, Patterson exhorted on May 19. Rev. Andrea Ferrari relates that Mark and Sonia Patterson and their 12-year-old son, Daniel, began attending Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in Milan about a year and half ago. Both … Continue reading New exhorter for Reformation Italy
Carbondale URC’s Open Closet clothing ministry
Twice a year Covenant Reformed Church in Carbondale, PA, opens its doors to help meet physical as well as spiritual needs in a free clothing ministry called Open Closet. “This free clothing ministry allows us to build bridges between the church and the community,” explains organizer Maryann Wilcox. “The Open Closet is a ministry … Continue reading Carbondale URC’s Open Closet clothing ministry
Songbook Committees complete provisional Psalm proposal
During a March 5-6 meeting at Faith URC in West Olive, MI, the URCNA and OPC songbook committees were able to complete a provisional Psalm Proposal. The Proposal includes at least one full metrical version of all 150 psalms with the exception of Psalm 119, which appears in 22 separate selections corresponding to each section … Continue reading Songbook Committees complete provisional Psalm proposal
A Romanian seminarian in need
Rev. Andrea Ferrari and his church in Milan, Italy, are working with believers in Bucharest, Romania, who long to establish a Reformed church. One young Romanian couple, Mihai and Lidia Corcea, plan to move to the United States this summer so that Mihai may study at Westminster Seminary California (WSC). Mihai has been accepted to … Continue reading A Romanian seminarian in need
Providence Christian College awarded accreditation
After a roller coaster ride of recent events, Providence Christian College in Pasadena, CA, rejoiced to announce that on March 11, 2013, it was granted initial accreditation status by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). “The granting of accreditation is a sweeping confirmation to our students, alumni, staff and supporters that this enterprise … Continue reading Providence Christian College awarded accreditation
Glenda Faye Mathes 