Noticed, named, known and needed: A vision for nurturing young people Chris Dela Cruz explores how listening can be an act of faith formation, challenging churches to create spaces where young people feel noticed, known, valued and empowered to shape their communities.

Noticed, named, known and needed: A vision for nurturing young people

Chris Dela Cruz explores how listening can be an act of faith formation, challenging churches to create spaces where young people feel noticed, known, valued and empowered to shape their communities.

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Next week: Give yourself an hour to slow down, listen and notice. Join Merideth Hite Estevez and the Presbyterian Outlook for “Art Is How God Loves Us” — an experiential webinar exploring how beauty can reconnect us to God, ourselves and one another. 📅 Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. ET 🎟️ $10

Art is how God loves us: How beauty connects and restores us

Explore how art and beauty can reconnect us to God, ourselves and one another in this experiential webinar with author and oboist Merideth Hite Estevez.

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Failure happens. But failure doesn’t have the final word. For our February Outlook, we’re seeking submissions about disappointment, resilience, second chances, discovery, grace, and maybe even humor — and the faith that carries us forward when plans fall apart. 🔗: buff.ly/D45WCIa

Faith formation without easy answers Vernon Gramling shares what 12 years of leading small groups taught him about making room for honest questions and doubt.

Faith formation without easy answers

John Smith shares what 12 years of leading small groups taught him about making room for honest questions and doubt.

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Wendell Berry, writer and farmer, was extolled by many as a modern-day prophet His writings touched on conservation, community and belonging, and he acquired legions of fans beyond environmental studies — including many scholars of religion.

Wendell Berry, writer and farmer, was extolled by many as a modern-day prophet

His writings touched on conservation, community and belonging, and he acquired legions of fans beyond environmental studies — including many scholars of religion.

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Failures of Forgiveness: What We Get Wrong and How to Do Better Myisha Cherry argues that it is more fruitful to view forgiveness as a journey, not a single decision, writes Paul Dornan. #Repost @princetonupress.bsky.social

Failures of Forgiveness: What We Get Wrong and How to Do Better

Myisha Cherry argues that it is more fruitful to view forgiveness as a journey, not a single decision, writes Paul Dornan.

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🎉 ⭐️ Pre-orders for the new Presbyterian Outlook Advent Devotional, Dear Pastor, are open! Are you learning to wait? Are you looking for something real? Are you cautiously hopeful? There's something for you in this year's offering. ⭐️ Purchase now, and your devotion will be available on Nov. 6th.

Dear Pastor: Advent Letters

Explore "Dear Pastor: Advent letters," an Advent devotional featuring real-life questions and pastoral reflections on hope, peace, joy and love.

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Cripping Youth Ministry: An Intersectional Vision for Working With Disabled Youth Cripping Youth Ministry is a bold, honest call to dismantle ableism and build inclusive faith communities, writes Amy Pagliarella. @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social

Cripping Youth Ministry: An Intersectional Vision for Working With Disabled Youth

Cripping Youth Ministry is a bold, honest call to dismantle ableism and build inclusive faith communities, writes Amy Pagliarella.

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Honoring the gift of LGBTQIA+ youth for the church Queer and trans youth are gifts to the church. Here are five ways congregations can turn affirmation into meaningful practices of belonging, advocacy and celebration, writes Cody J. Sanders.

Honoring the gift of LGBTQIA+ youth for the church

Queer and trans youth are gifts to the church. Here are five ways congregations can turn affirmation into meaningful practices of belonging, advocacy and celebration, writes Cody J. Sanders.

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Two educators on the future of lay ministry Christy Williams and Brittany Porch reflect on the shrinking path for nonordained Christian educators and youth workers — and what the PC(USA) risks when it fails to invest in those called to faith formation.

Two educators on the future of lay ministry

Christy Williams and Brittany Porch reflect on the shrinking path for nonordained Christian educators and youth workers — and what the PC(USA) risks when it fails to invest in those called to faith…

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Widening the story: The Outlook partners with FāVS News The Presbyterian Outlook is partnering with FāVS News to strengthen independent journalism and broaden our coverage of the church in the Pacific Northwest.

Widening the story: The Outlook partners with FāVS News

The Presbyterian Outlook is partnering with FāVS News to bring readers more local voices, regional perspectives and independent religion journalism.

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Affirming Black children’s full humanity Moving toward programs that affirm Black children’s full humanity is crucial for justice, writes Chris Burton.

Affirming Black children's full humanity

Moving toward programs that affirm Black children’s full humanity is crucial for justice.

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A church worthy of Gen Z Teri McDowell Ott argues that instead of trying to "figure out" Gen Z, churches should ask what kind of church is worthy of their trust. @terimott.bsky.social

A church worthy of Gen Z

Teri McDowell Ott argues that instead of trying to "figure out" Gen Z, churches should ask what kind of church is worthy of their trust.

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Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, directs $200k to help its neighbors overcome financial barriers The church is investing in organizations with established expertise in housing instability, predatory lending, medical debt and lack of access to identification. @pcusa.bsky.social

Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, directs $200k to help its neighbors overcome financial barriers

Rather than creating new programs, the church is investing in organizations with established expertise in housing instability, predatory lending, medical debt and lack of access to identification.

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Addressing the hurt that also feels holy PC(USA) pastor and researcher Erin Raffety and neurodivergent director of ministry Ellen White discuss how neurodivergent youth are reshaping youth ministry in innovative, faithful ways. #Repost #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

Addressing the hurt that also feels holy

PC(USA) pastor and researcher Erin Raffety and neurodivergent director of ministry Ellen White discuss how neurodivergent youth are reshaping youth ministry in innovative, faithful ways.

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Practicing joy when the world is falling apart Joy is not the result of turning a blind eye to the brokenness of ourselves and our world; instead, joy is confidence in the power of love. — Tom Are Jr. #Repost

Practicing joy when the world is falling apart

Joy is not the result of turning a blind eye to the brokenness of ourselves and our world; instead, joy is confidence in the power of love. — Tom Are Jr.

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Large Presbyterian churches see post-pandemic growth — and changing patterns of belonging Presbyterian congregations in Spokane and Bellevue reflect a national trend: Large churches are drawing new worshippers even as Sunday attendance becomes less frequent and engagement takes new forms.

Large Presbyterian churches see post-pandemic growth — and changing patterns of belonging

Presbyterian congregations in Spokane and Bellevue reflect a national trend: Large churches are drawing new worshippers, particularly young families, even as Sunday attendance becomes less frequent…

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The ministry of showing up: Charlotte pastor starts nonprofit after suffering traumatic brain injury Eleanor Shell experienced the power of sustained care from Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church. Now, she’s helping others navigate the “long middle” of healing and grief through Borrowed Hope.

The ministry of showing up: Charlotte pastor starts nonprofit after suffering traumatic brain injury

After a life-changing accident, Eleanor Shell experienced the power of sustained care from Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church. Now, she’s helping others navigate the “long middle” of healing and grief…

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Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost — September 27, 2026 Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders asks the church a pointed question, writes Rob Lowry. Will we merely profess the gospel, or do the hard work it demands?

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost — September 27, 2026

Matthew 21:23-32 challenges Christians to move beyond good intentions and live the gospel boldly. A lectionary reflection.

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Comma, humility In his review of Ellen Jovin’s "Rebel with a Clause," Andrew Taylor Troutman highlights how grammar, approached with humor and humility, can foster empathy and connection. #Repost

Comma, humility

Andrew Taylor Troutman reviews Ellen Jovin’s Rebel with a Clause, showing how grammar can spark empathy, humor, and human connection.

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After fires on the Warm Springs Reservation, a congregation looks to what’s next Fires destroyed six homes and killed roughly 200 cattle on the Warm Springs Reservation in central Oregon. Warm Springs Presbyterian Church says it’s staying for the long recovery.

After fires on the Warm Springs Reservation, a congregation looks to what’s next

Fires destroyed six homes and killed roughly 200 cattle on the Warm Springs Reservation in central Oregon. Warm Springs Presbyterian Church says it’s staying for the long recovery — even as it…

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📚️ Sign up for the Presbyterian Outlook's monthly books newsletter Page Turners, and we'll enter you in a drawing for a free book from Rowan Williams! 🔗 : buff.ly/qbOaTQ4

‘No one wants to rock the lifeboat’ Is the church stuck in a lifeboat? Presbytery leader Sue Krummel thinks we should be asking "Why?" instead of seeking appeasement. #Repost

'No one wants to rock the lifeboat'

How can parishes escape from the lifeboat and begin being the church in a way that moves forward in the current culture.

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Board of Pensions launches CREDO expansion Ministers who have attended previous CREDO conferences are invited to return. @pcusa.bsky.social

Board of Pensions launches CREDO expansion

Ministers who have attended previous CREDO conferences are invited to return.

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The Nine Asks: Creating Safer and More Courageous Spaces [The Nine Asks] serves as a great tool for personal growth and development. — Sarah S. Scherschligt #Repost @wjkbooks.com

The Nine Asks: Creating Safer and More Courageous Spaces

[The Nine Asks] serves as a great tool for personal growth and development. — Sarah S. Scherschligt

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Love, Loss and Endurance: A 9/11 Story of Resilience and Hope in an Age of Anxiety "It’s up to each of us to recognize spiritual craziness when we see it and to do what we can to stop it or, at minimum, point it out." —Christine Chakoian #Repost #September11th

Love, Loss and Endurance: A 9/11 Story of Resilience and Hope in an Age of Anxiety

Bill Tammeus Front Edge Publishing, 244 pages The story of 29-year-old Karleton Fyfe’s death on September 11, 2001, is personal to me. I learned of it through the author’s sister; Karleton’s Aunt…

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Grace Over Guns: Pursuing Peace in a Militarized World Cara Meredith reviews Ben Daniel’s "Grace Over Guns," a compelling call to embrace the gospel of grace, challenge cultures of violence, and pursue peace in a militarized world.

Grace Over Guns: Pursuing Peace in a Militarized World

Cara Meredith reviews Ben Daniel’s "Grace Over Guns," a compelling call to embrace the gospel of grace, challenge cultures of violence, and pursue peace in a militarized world.

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Pastoral prayer for the anniversary of 9/11 "As we look back and recall where we were, who was with us and how we felt that fateful day, may those vivid memories compel us to acts of kindness, words of love and demonstrations of community." — Jill Duffield #Repost #September11th

Pastoral prayer for the anniversary of 9/11

You have permission to use this prayer in worship as written or adapted for your context. Please credit Jill Duffield and Presbyterian Outlook.

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A chapel near ground zero was a relief center after 9/11. Now, an exhibit honors its victims. A new origami installation strings 2,977 paper cranes: one for each person killed in the attacks. The 'Ever Present' exhibition also features artifacts left there in the months after 9/11. #September11th

A chapel near ground zero was a relief center after 9/11. Now, an exhibit honors its victims.

A new origami installation strings 2,977 paper cranes: one for each person killed in the attacks. The 'Ever Present' exhibition also features artifacts left there in the months after 9/11.

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A Pilgrimage into Letting Go: Helping Parents and Pastors Embrace the Uncontrollable Andrew and Kara K. Root challenge us to let go of our need for control and discover a more trusting, faithful relationship with God. Philip J. Reed reviews their latest book. #Repost @brazospress.bsky.social

A Pilgrimage into Letting Go: Helping Parents and Pastors Embrace the Uncontrollable

Andrew and Kara K. Root challenge us to let go of our need for control and discover a more trusting, faithful relationship with God. Philip J. Reed reviews their latest book.

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