Ministry & Mission Matters

Weekly News


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January 22, 2026

Are you preparing for Lent? We are just one month away.

Consider using this simple, yet beautiful, resource for your home.

This simple Mark, Remember, Listen, Reflect, Act, Pray, Bless format focuses on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. Beautiful original artwork. Perfect for Lent. This devotional could also be used anytime to focus on the Beatitudes as the 9 devotional cards stand alone, plus intro and conclusion cards. Download either as a side-by-side layout or print as two-sided cards.

Created by the Around the Table

initiative of the PCUSA.

Upcoming Monthly Ministry Group Meetings

Monday, February 9

Tuesday, February 10

Wednesday, February 11

Thursday, February 12

  • 9:30 am - History Workgroup at Southminster Presbyterian Church

EXPERIENCES & EDUCATION IN THE NEWS

A dangerous winter storm is set to impact our entire Presbytery over the weekend. Please prepare your family, your home, and your vehicle. Check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly, have health challenges, lack transportation, or have small children at home. Make a plan.


Let us pray for all who are in the path of this storm.

Souper Bowl of Caring

Sunday, February 8


The PC(USA) is deeply connected to the Souper Bowl of Caring, a youth-led movement started by a Presbyterian seminarian in 1990 to fight hunger by collecting food and donations around Super Bowl Sunday, with funds supporting local charities. Churches like those within the PC(USA) actively participate by collecting cans, cash, or organizing drives, turning football excitement into compassionate action to help the food-insecure in their communities. 

The guidelines are simple: collect soup cans or food donations for a local charity of your choice. Groups often "compete" with one another to inspire larger collections from their organizations. Today, groups outside of churches also participate in creative ways by hosting food drives, collecting soup, and donating cash in honor of local food pantries. 


O God of Love, This Is a Time of Turning

The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, a prolific Presbyterian hymn-writer, this week published “O God of Love, This Is a Time of Turning,” set to FINLANDIA (“Be Still, My Soul.”) This new hymn is a prayer that we will choose God's way of love, justice, compassion, and kindness, in times of conflict and violence — with a special concern for our immigrant neighbors,” she said. "May we stand firm for truth and peace and justice; may we leave fear and hatred far behind."

Click here for the music with lyrics.

"Please share it with others to support peace, justice, and love in our troubled nation and world,” she said. Permission is given for the text and music’s free use, including streaming online.

We will journey through Presbyterian history from its founding in the region to the present day. We begin at the final resting place of Stephen Hempstead, Father of the Presbyterian Church West of the Mississippi River, and end at the newest mausoleum in the cemetery. Can you guess whose it is? We will enjoy a delicious boxed lunch at the Cemetery.

Presbytery Moderator - Elder, Barbara Abbett

Presbytery Vice-Moderator - Rev. Dr. Karen Blanchard

Vision Team Moderator - Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess