JUNE SERIES
June 6, 13, 20, 27
Misconceptions about the Old Testament
The Rev. Dr. Jo Forrest
Over four sessions we will address often unspoken mistruths that Christians may hold about the Old Testament – from obsolescence, wrath, spiritual relevance, to the presence of grace. These ancient books possess indispensable ideas to shape our contemporary lives.
JULY SERIES
July 11, 18, 25
Sponsored by Westminster Peace and Justice
Matthew 25: An Invitation to Engage
Ralph Lowe Jr., Director of Justice Ministries at Pittsburgh Presbytery
“I was hungry and you fed me…” There is hardly a piece of scripture that warms our hearts and calls us to action as much as these words from the 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Westminster is, at its core, a servant church. From Haiti to Homewood, from the food bank to SHIM, from growing fresh vegetables to nurturing young minds, we find ways to live out these words of Jesus.
In these times, Presbyterian churches across the country are seeking to grow in energy and numbers to more effectively follow Jesus’ call to us in Matthew 25. All around us, we see economic inequality and racial injustice, both magnified by the current pandemic. We long to find ways to set things right. We want our churches to thrive, and we want every child to be able to learn and grow and every parent to be able to provide a home. But the world is complicated, and we don’t always know how to help. Our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), is responding by helping us to connect with our sister churches and by providing resources for all of us through its Matthew 25 initiative.
The July seminars offer an opportunity to learn about PC(USA)’s Matthew 25. Ralph Lowe Jr., Director of Justice Ministries at Pittsburgh Presbytery, will explain how Matthew 25 works to strengthen the engagement of churches in doing God’s work in our world. Mark your calendar and come and be inspired by this exciting new initiative.
About Ralph Lowe
You may remember Ralph Lowe from the first session of our January series, Disparities, Justice, and Loving All Our Neighbors. He serves Pittsburgh Presbytery as the Director of Justice Ministries and staff liaison for the South Branch and West Branch (including Westminster). At the presbytery, he provides leadership to break down barriers that prevent truth, justice, and reconciliation. His vision is to create communities where people of all races come together in love and compassion despite differences. Through various justice ministries, including the Anti-Racism Transformation Team, the Peacemaking Ministry Team, and the Self-Development of People Ministry Team, Ralph seeks to shed light on injustice and inequality while offering hope for a better future. He is the proud husband of Kelli and father of four boys: Jonah, Joshua, Koen, and Korey.
What is PC(USA)'s Matthew 25?
Connecting with other churches
Matthew 25 serves as an avenue to connect with other churches, to come alongside Presbyterian neighbors who are working on similar projects, to learn from one another and support one another.
Information and support
It is also a source of information and support for areas of concern that our denomination has identified as being particularly timely:
Building congregational vitality: A vital church is one that connects the gospel to the vital issues of the day. How do we do this and what are these issues?
Dismantling structural racism by applying our faith to alter the systems, practices, and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice, and oppression of people of color.
Eradicating systemic poverty by acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans, and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.
Engagement
Finally, it is a way to engage with and celebrate all that we are doing to live out this call of Jesus on our lives.
Westminster Seminars Online
Welcome All!
Live on Sundays, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. on Zoom
The Zoom meeting opens at 9:30 a.m. for greetings and conversation. Find the link here or in the Friday church email. Want to catch the seminar online and attend in person worship? Bring your smart phone or tablet to Galbreath Chapel and join the seminar on Zoom. Seating will be limited to ensure your safety.
We extend a warm invitation to folks near and far to join us on Zoom or watch later on the Westminster Seminars webpage.