Invitations and Information
Mid Council Ministries receives a wide variety of items of information to share and invitations to extend to the larger church.
New Books and Resources from the PC(USA) Store
Twenty-five years after their best-selling book Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt, Ted V. Foote Jr. and P. Alex Thornburg return with Being Presbyterian in a Dysvangelical America to provide fresh urgency to affirm the heart of Reformed theology and what it means to be truly evangelical in a time of theological and cultural distortion. Dysvangelical names a theology that is distorted, dysfunctional, and dystopian, twisting the good news of God’s grace into a message of fear, partisanship, and exclusion. To help readers counter this overwhelming narrative, Foote and Thornburg provide an accessible, faithful alternative rooted in the core Presbyterian convictions of grace, community, humility, and ongoing reform. Ideal for individual or group study, the book includes an eight-session study guide that provides focus Scriptures, questions for discussion, and prayers.
Preorder Being Presbyterian in a Dysvangelical America from September 3-9 during our Presbyterian Stock-Up Sale to save 40%! In addition to this preorder offer, more than 30 best-selling, key books for Presbyterians will be 50% off! Plan what you’ll purchase now by browsing what will be on sale.
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Do you have congregations wondering about reparations?
A new 5-part video series for churches considering reparations and anti-racism initiatives featuring a congregation in the Presbytery of the Twin Cities and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies helps congregations go from “Zero to One” in conversations about historic harms and how to repair them. Oak Grove Presbyterian Church surrendered funds through an initiative called Restorative Actions. The series was produced by the The Center for the Repair of Historic Harms and the Communications Team of the IUA of the PC(USA).
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New Free Resources to share with congregations from
Around the Table Initiative and
Office of Christian Formation
Drops Like Me: Worldchanging with Families – A guide for family conversation focused on David LaMotte’s TEDx Talk “Why Heroes’ Don’t Change the World” and his book “You are Changing the World Whether You Like it or Not”. This includes a video invitation from David and conversation starters. Also find We Don’t Need Another Hero QuickSheet for Church Leaders.
Pull up a Seat Intergenerational Retreat Template – Looking to do a retreat with all ages and want to focus on faith practices? Download this resource which includes sample schedules, recreation, intergenerational sessions, worship and more. (Available in Spanish)
New QuickSheets
For Church Leaders – Sacred Support: Family Faith Practices
For Church Leaders – Conversations with Youth about Understanding the Dynamics of Dementia
For Youth - My Grandparent has Dementia…What do I do?
For Parents – Summer Camp: Seeds of Faith
For Church Leaders – Resilient Young People: Camp Ministry
Several of these were created in partnership with POAMN and PCCCA.
Guides for Sharing Stories with Children from Flyaway Books and Around the Table – New Guides are available now for The Story of And and Where is Home, Daddy Bear? (Available in Spanish and some in Korean)
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An invitation to spotlight congregations
One of the greatest joys of our work is collecting and reading stories for the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, a daily online resource that inspires and connects Presbyterians. This year, we are shining a spotlight on stories from local congregations, and we need your help to find them. In every corner of the PC(USA), people of faith are responding to God’s call in creative, courageous, and hope-filled ways. These are the stories that encourage others, strengthen our witness, and remind us that we are one church, rooted in mission.
Your voice can help us reach them. Please invite your congregations to share a short reflection, photos, and, if they wish, link to a video. All details and guidelines are at https://hubs.ly/Q03z9lch0
Forward the link. Share it in your newsletter or social media. Personally reach out to churches whose ministry should be celebrated. Together, we can inspire the whole church with these stories of God’s work among us.
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An invitation for Mid Council Coaching Cohorts
Church World Service (CWS) is offering a Restore & Renew Group Coaching Cohort for ecumenically-minded Mid Council Leaders and Regional staff. Being in supervisory ministry requires safe places to explore and reflect.
In these cohorts, you will have an opportunity to:
- Build an ecumenical community of peers
- Experience personal and professional growth
- Enhance your leadership skills
- Deepen your commitment to self-care
We will begin and end with an in person retreat experience, have monthly group coaching Zoom calls, and will have the opportunity for three individual, one-on-one coaching calls. For the 12-month cohort, there may be a retreat in the summer if there is interest in doing so.
Year-long and six-month cohorts available beginning January 2026; cost still being determined, and will cover everything except travel/airfare to and from the retreats.
For questions, please email Gregg at revgreggsealey@gmail.com, or fill out the INTEREST FORM.
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Invitations from the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
Volunteer Opportunities
To serve on the National Council of Church Convening Table facilitating the work of Christian Education, Faith Formation, and Leadership Development (CEFFLD). The next meeting will be held at this year's Christian Unity Gathering in Boston October 13-16th .(https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/ncc75/). The convening table will meet on Monday, October 13th from 1-4pm, the first day of the celebration. The focus of this year's conversation on "emerging ecumenists" and so would be especially interested in recruiting someone who is a first call pastor or freshly serving on a PCUSA denominational committee and is interested in ecumenical conversation. The commitment is for a minimum of two years. Please share this information and contact Dianna Wright for more information dianna.wright@pcusa.org.
Additionally, we are looking to call the next class of leaders on serve on the General Assembly Committee of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relation. Complete an application through the GA Nominating Portal. There are many opportunities to serve in other ways. Contact Dianna Wright with questions.
Hearing The Voices of Women Symposium
Saturday, September 20, 2025 the Maria Fearing Fund will hold an online symposium from 10:30 - 12:30 EST. The symposium will feature speakers from a variety of perspectives including political, education, theology, pubic health, and church life. Click this link to register and receive zoom link.
