Think we're missing something? Clue us in.

This is a reprint of the Arkansas Presbytery's stated clerk's column, "A Polity Point" by Rev. Cathy Ulrich which regularly appears in the presbytery's newsletter, "The Banner." A Synod of the Sun resource related to this topic is called "For the Safety of Our Children and Youth," through which churches can sign up for reasonably-priced background checks.

The picture hangs in homes and churches across the country: beaming children gathered around a seated Jesus. His words, “For such is the kingdom of heaven” are equally familiar. The picture and the words remind us of God's intention that we protect and nurture children.

In 2004 our denomination made it the responsibility of all ordained officers (elders, deacons, and ministers of word and sacrament) to report to ecclesiastical and civil legal authorities knowledge of harm, related to the physical abuse, neglect, and/or sexual molestation or abuse of a minor or an adult who lacks mental capacity. [G-6.0204b; G-6.0304b; G-6.0401b]

In Arkansas, clergy are "mandated reporters." This means that clergy are required by law to report the neglect or abuse of a child. Our denomination took the bold step of including all officers in the circle of those who care for and act on behalf of not only children, but also those who are not able to defend themselves.

This courageous action also gives rise to some questions:

Who are the "ecclesiastical and legal authorities" to whom this knowledge is to be reported?

How does an officer of the church report this knowledge?

What are the situations that need reporting?

What prompted the church to take this action?

It is admirable for our constitution to define this responsibility for its officers. But it does not answer any of the questions above.

When our Book of Order does not answer these questions, it ordinarily falls to the governing body to make adjustments to its bylaws or manual of operations. Each session, presbytery and synod needs time to talk about the proper authorities to whom these reports need to be made, what process this will take and how this information will be handled.

It is fortunate that we are in this together. The difficulty of these situations often leads to silence. There is a tendency to ignore this subject and therefore abuse and neglect are allowed to continue. In order to help us better understand our "duty to report," some of these questions will be addressed Oct. 8 in a pre-presbytery workshop led by Rev. Rebecca Spooner, Director of the Laurence Schmidt Center, and Stated Clerk Rev. Cathy Ulrich, Westminster Presbyterian, Hot Springs, AR.

Let us work together for the care and nurture of all God's people.

Blessings and peace,

Cathy Ulrich
Stated Clerk of Arkansas Presbytery

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While checking information for an obituary for Coy Cecil Lee, I encountered abundant life and not only in the remembrance of the former synod and presbytery leader.

Lee was pastor emeritus of Harmony Presbyterian Church in northwest Arkansas, a congregation of 50 members that knows how to celebrate and share the joy through their website. I was particularly impressed by celebration of two graduates and by how recently the pages were updated.

You won't find a site polished with corporate public relations. Instead, you will find pages shining with hospitality and fun, including the captions and arrows superimposed on the photographs. Visit the Honoring Our Graduates page to see what I mean. I assumed they were talking about high school grads, but I soon saw they wrapped the fellowship hall and the two college graduates with affection.

One thing they might want to add is any mission work they perform or support. But having Vacation Bible School for the first time in years was great news to read!

Congratulations to the web worker and the congregation. They don't simply tell, they show why you can believe the motto on their heading: When you're ready for a church where you're loved and not judged, come home to Harmony.

Nearly free

The congregation makes use of the free pages and publishing system offered by the American Bible Society's ForMinistry.com, which is "completely donor supported." I recommend that you do as Harmony Presbyterian did and buy a domain name, which can cost less than $20 a year.

Invaluable

The attention given to taking and publishing photos an updating news is priceless. Contact a church whose website you like and ask how they did it. Like many ministry projects, a dedicated volunteer usually is needed. And that person needs to share the information of how to access the website creation with a staff member and member of session whose committee can support and guide the site.

Photo tip

Some pages may be slow to appear on Harmony's website and any others which have large photo files. A free program that helps you correct this is Picasa, which is part of Google. The largest photos on a website should generally be 5"x7" with a 72 dpi resolution (dpi = dots per inch). That last part is very important. A note of caution with Picasa: It will help you (whether you want it or not), organize ALL the photos on your computer. This is a great help to some folks. Learn more here: http://picasa.google.com/#utm_medium=embed&utm_source=pwalogin.

Please respond to this blog with other tips or encourage your congregation or another congregation to launch or update its website.

Peace,

Shane

Shane Whisler, managing editor of PNNews.org

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by Synod of the Sun Moderator Christianne Chase of Cimarron Presbytery

While I'm still savoring the experience, I wanted to tell you that I retrieved the new issue of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary's "Windows" (Spring 2009) from my mailbox today, opened it up and read it straight through, cover to cover. OK, the delicious-looking cupcake on the cover may have drawn me in, but it was the variety of perspectives on John Calvin whose 500th birthday we celebrate that attracted and held my interest.

I realize that I have unconsciously subscribed to several of Michael Jinkins' "Myths and Urban Legends" about Calvin...that he was a tyrant, a religious fanatic and probably not much fun at parties. Imagine my surprise to read Jinkins' description of Calvin as "the Reformations's chief apologist for fun." According to Jinkins, Calvin believed that God created food and drink "for delight and good cheer," not simply for nourishment; that wine is given to us to gladden the heart, and olive oil was made for dipping bread.

By contrast, Ted Wardlaw's article on "Sacramental Preaching" made me nostalgic for a time when worship somehow seemed more reverent and thoughtful. In an attempt to be more "relevant" many churches, including the one where I worship, have all but dispensed with the liturgy. I cannot remember the last time I heard the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving as part of the Lord's Supper. By minimalizing the importance of the liturgy, especially in relation to the sacraments, I believe we are trivializing our heritage.

But I digress. If you are one of those (like me) who associate Calvin's name with predestination, the burning of Servetus and other imponderables, this is a must-read. You'll be entertained, enlightened and edified. You may even want to make plans to attend the Calvin Jubilee, July 8-11, at Montreat Conference Center. For more information, visit www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship or www.calvin09.org. Still hungry? There's a helpful bibliography of books about Calvin in the "Dean's Bookshelf" column.

So join me in raising a glass (or a cupcake) to our theological ancestor. Happy Birthday, Calvin! And many more.

 Find issues of Windows online here.

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Guest column by Lander Bethel, a pastor

When I was a kid and just attempting to swim I took great comfort in knowing where the bottom of the pool was. As long as I could touch bottom I felt safe enough to be in the water, and that gave me enough assurance to try those first strokes that made it possible to swim. Swimming lessons, learning to breathe, to relax and float made it possible to feel confident about being in the water regardless of how near or far the bottom might be.

Sometimes we feel on the verge of panic, as it seems the economic waters are being drained out from under us. The swirl of water that is unfortunately pulling some people under may frighten many people as the markets search for a bottom. Collectively we are looking for the assurance that we can touch something beneath us. In our panic we seem to forget how to float and breathe, helping us relax until we have the strength to resume swimming.

When someone is caught in a swirl one of the best things that can be done is to throw some kind of safety line to them—a life jacket ro help them stay afloat. If someone were actually in the water being pulled under, throwing a lifeline to the imperiled person is what any of us would do. In our financial turmoil there are many people who shout out that it's unfair to help someone who made a bad decision. It doesn't reward those of us who made more prudent and responsible decisions.

A friend reminded me the other day of a story from Matthew 20:1-16, where Jesus tells a parable about day-laborers who are hired at the beginning of the day, later in the morning, at noon, mid-afternoon, and at the end of the day. When the workers lined up to get paid the people who had worked the least got a full day's wage. When the others, who had worked longer, got the same full day's wage - even though they worked longer (no one more than one full day), they started to protest. It wasn't fair. Why should they have worked a full day if someone who didn't work that long would be paid the same? It was unfair!

They were right, of course. It wasn't fair. But forgiveness and mercy are inherently unfair. There will be those who don't act responsibly. When they are forgiven it may not seem right, but it is the graceful thing to do. We don't punish someone for nearly drowning. We do everything we can to save that person's life. Forgiveness, offering grace - maybe even money—extending mercy to those who are in trouble just may be the thing that helps all of us become calmer and more assured so that we can stay afloat in these turbulent times. Maybe the theological issue of forgiveness and grace is what we need most to see us through so that we can live in confidence and hope.

Lander Bethel is pastor of Grand Avenue Presbyterian, Sherman, Texas.

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Editor's note: Dallas Morning News religion writer, Sam Hodges included praise of Evan's work in his blog. 

The shocking news that Evan Silverstein /silver-steen/ died over the weekend leaves many Presbyterian communicators speechless.

As the news story describes, Evan served the PC(USA) for 10 years as senior reporter for the Presbyterian News Service (PNS). He, with PNS Coordinator Jerry Van Marter and other past writers, provided a reliable and credible conduit of news for the Presbyterian population.

Evan was a professional journalist with compassion. Real journalists are difficult to spot in some media, but not with PNS. We can be proud.

Sadly, we can be equally grief-stricken. Evan's dedication is archived in the hundreds of news stories and photos he produced. Gold stars of recognition honor his writing among peers across the country.

In nine years covering or helping lead events as a synod staffer, I could stop sweating anytime I saw Evan. "Ah, Evan is here," I'd think. "We can be sure the story will be told." 

I'm sad that we have to tell Evan's story now. Evan Silverstein's kindness and professionalism touched many whom he never met. His journalistic integrity informed hundreds of thousands who didn't even know the PNS operates by a code of ethics and independence. Here is an example of his service to you.

Take action for more good news in Evan's honor 

Please help preserve and further some of the good news he covered by making a donation in his honor to the Presbyterian Hunger Program. We will add a link when it becomes possible to make an online contribution.

In the meantime, please make a check or money order payable to the "Evan Silvertein Memorial Fund" with the memo: Acct. H-000004. The fund is for a PC(USA)-supported organization of farm workers. Evan chronicled their journey toward fair treatment.

Mail to: 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  

Individual Remittance Processing

P. O. Box 643700

Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

I just asked Jerry Van Marter, Evan's boss, to share his thoughts. Here are those good words.

"For 10 years, Evan Silverstein was not just a valued colleague, but a trusted friend. His devotion to the craft of expert journalism and commitment to reporting the truth fairly and accurately was matched by genuine concern for the people and ministries he covered," Van Marter said. "That is why his loss to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is so great. Though he was Jewish, Evan turned out to be a better Presbyterian than many of the Presbyterians I know."

Whether you give $12 or $100 to the hunger fund, you honor a man who served communications ministry with his whole heart, mind and body. 

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