Along the Road: A Podcast for PC(USA) Leaders

In this PC(USA) General Assembly year, become introduced to process of overture creation through the experiences shared by Susan DeGeorge and Gregory Simpson of Hudson River Presbytery. 

Hello church people! In our effort to highlight new things Presbyteries are thinking and acting in their ministries, we have as our guests Annika Lister Stroope, Administrative Executive and Stated Clerk; Amgad Beblawi, Ministry and Mission Executive; and Ian McMullen, Pastor to the presbyteries. Mid council leaders whose roles have been transformed in an effort of various presbyteries in Iowa to...

Jake Jacobs, Executive Director of Camp Henry in Newaygo, MI, shares the story of a path away from cultural appropriation to forming relationships, challenging us to look at our own ministries and continue to take steps toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. 

Our churches serve as places of community, warmth, and spiritual nourishment. Yet in the world in which we live, work, and worship, the importance of physical safety and security cannot be overlooked. Mike Kirk, General Counsel, PCUSA, A Corp, and Jim Kirk, Associate for Disaster Response, US Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, share ways in which ruling elders and sessions can be proactive about ch...

Simon Doong, of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and co-host  of A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast , shares a part of his call story and some of the spiritual practices through which he has experienced discernment along his journey.  

Join Jessica Vazquez Torres and Tricia Dykers-Koenig  as they engage in an open dialogue about the impacts of our commitment to diversity, participation, and representation. Groups engaging this issue may want to also return to two previous Along the Road podcasts on participation and representation (3/8/23 and 3/22/23) as additional resources as well as access the Theology of Representation, a do...

While the liturgical season of Advent provides a time of waiting and noticing, these times can extend far beyond the weeks leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth. Sarah Moore-Nokes, PC(USA) teaching elder and certified coach, shares about the significance of these holy practices as we serve as spiritual leaders in the church. 

Your feedback is invaluable! Please take time to share in the short survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/DMaazwMH86 Jessica Vazquez Torres , National Program Director, Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training and Tricia Dykers-Koenig , Associate Director for Mid Council Relations, Office of the General Assembly explore how using The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity as a theological frame...

The PC(USA) is often called a connectional church. Ruling Elder Marta Pumroy joins the podcast to share her story of connecting with various councils of the church and how other ruling elders might also serve beyond the local congregation. Interested in other ways of serving? Seek opportunities within General Assembly committees through the General Assembly Nominating Committee process at www.pcus...

As councils fulfill their responsibilities to nurture a covenant community of disciples of Christ, how might their decision-making processes be influenced by the effects of past trauma on individuals and groups? Join Ruling Elder Laurie Griffith, Associate Stated Clerk, and Associate Director for Constitutional Interpretation as she shares how trauma-informed decision-making not only fosters a sen...

Bruce Grady, Executive Presbyter for New Hope Presbytery provides a reflection on the story of the Road to Emmaus, reminding all of us to recognize Jesus and sense the presence of the Lord in our ministries as we live in hope. 

Megan Acedo (YAD, Youth Advisory Delegate, 2003), Anwi Fomukong (YAAD, Young Adult Advisory Delegate, 2022) and Marta Pumroy (TSAD, Theological Student Advisory Delegate, 2022) share how they became aware of the opportunity to servenand the rich experiences and the lasting impact of their pivotal roles as advisory delegates.   YAADs must be between the ages of 18-23  on June 25, 2024. Presbyteries...

Kristen Gaydos and Sonia Prescott from the Presbyterian Historical Society share the story of the Presbyterian origin of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and the ways that this story and others like it are preserved for re-telling.  Read more about the highlighted story at https://www.history.pcusa.org/blog/2015/10/trick-or-treat-unicef and find out more about the ministries of the Presbyterian Historica...

Join Ruling Elder, Willye Bryan and Prince Solace, Director of Community Outreach, Lansing First Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Lake Michigan as they share the work and ministry of the Justice League of Greater Lansing, Michigan.  Willye and the work of the Justice League exemplify W-3.0502, the Directory for Worship's encouragement for ruling elders to speak the charge that calls t...

Whether a relatively new Presbyterian or born and raised in the denomination, join PC(USA) Acting Stated Clerk Bronwen Boswell in a conversation about who we are as Presbyterians. 

The Office of Immigration Issues plays a crucial role in supporting and assisting mid councils, congregations, ministers, and religious workers from other countries who are called to serve in the United States. Join Teresa Waggener, Assistant Stated Clerk, Manager of Legal Services and Immigration Attorney, Office of the General Assembly as we together navigate the complexities of immigration law...

Jerrod Lowry, General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of Coastal Carolina Presbytery, explores the importance of self-care and the intentionality of how we are filling ourselves. 

 We often prioritize the importance of academic learning and knowledge and the hierarchy of the written word.  Do these values align with the core value that "the unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the church's membership [F-1.0403]" where different ways of knowing and embodied learning might also be valued? Join Kate Trigger Duffert, Office of the Ge...

As we kick of Season Two, be inspired by some of the youngest members of the body of Christ as we hear from Rachel Pedersen, Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministry at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and learn more about how we can connect to the joy and wonder that children can bring to our ministries. 

Our hosts reflect on the First Season of "Along the Road" - the joy, the things that impacted them, the guests, the purpose.  We would love to hear how you have been Nourished and have enjoyed our Encounters. Send us your reactions, experience, and suggestions to alongtheroad@pcusa.org and you can fill out an online survey for the podcast at https://forms.office.com/r/VRWSawwAVd

Join Rev. Dr. Rebecca Davis, Professor of Christian Education and Director of the Masters of Arts in Christian Education Program at Union Presbyterian Seminary | Richmond & Charlotte,  as we explore the Directory for Worship and its importance as a theological and polity foundation that it essential for ecclesial formation and thinking theologically. 

Consider a variation on the ancient spiritual practice of examen by using aspects of one of the constitutional questions and reflect upon how we can learn from those in other generations. Neil Myer, Director of Christian Education at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and Campus Minister with UKirk at Michigan State University joins us to talk about it all. 

It may be hard to imagine how the Book of Order might inspire a  journey of faith but it was an integral part of deepening the faith and an invitation to engage together in a covenantal community of faith for our guests Tim Cargal, Associate Stated Clerk and Associate Director, Ministry Leadership Development, Office of the General Assembly; Fran Lane-Lawrence, Executive Presbyter|Stated Clerk, Pr...

Join deacon, ruling elder, and presbytery moderator, Shani McIlwain, in her inspiring story of connection to the larger church and the gifts of preaching as a church leader. 

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) places great emphasis on the importance of nurture and care in the ministry of presbyteries. In fact, the Book of Order (G-3.0307) speaks of the presbytery's role as Pastor, Counselor, and Advisor to Its Ministers of the Word and Sacrament and Congregations (as well as commissioned ruling elders and certified Christian educators) in terms of the presbytery&apo...