Letters from the General Minister
A Holy Night, A Holy Place
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister December 19, 2020 Much is made of the inhospitable “no room” response Mary and Joseph encountered as they sought accommodations in Bethlehem. Yet there was a place for them, …
Hopes and Fears
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister December 12, 2019 The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. (Phillips Brooks, 1868) These familiar words from verse one of “O …
The One Who Comes to Stay
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister December 5, 2019 Today our presbytery gathers for its final meeting of 2019. My but how our years together have flown by! At our 2009 December …
The Gift of Thanks
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister November 28, 2019 The Greek word for “thanks” is eucharisto, which we transliterate “Eucharist.” Receiving the gifts of Christ’s body and blood both expresses and elicits …
You Can’t Go Home Again – Or Can You?
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister November 21, 2019 Thomas Wolfe’s final novel, published posthumously, is entitled You Can’t Go Home Again. It explores the disconnect and rejection the protagonist feels from his …
Spiritual but Not Religious
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister November 14, 2019 Last week I was privileged to spend some Continuing Education time, together with Tammy, learning about the rapid rise in our culture of those …
With All the Saints
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister November 7, 2019 Last weekend the Presbyterian Association of Musicians hosted a workshop on the newly revised Book of Common Worship, led by its editor, David Gambrell. …
Possibility Posturing
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister October 21, 2019 I write this from the annual meeting of Mid Council leaders, where we have enjoyed much provocative discussion about new possibilities for being …
Love Incognito?
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister October 17, 2019 For followers of Jesus, some forms of love require that they be exercised incognito. Alas, we often seek to make obvious our forms …
Of Immigrants and Pilgrims
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister October 10, 2019 The story of God’s people in Scripture is marked by repeated emigrations and immigrations. The great father of faith, Abraham, migrated far from …
Goodness and Fidelity
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister September 26, 2019 Nothing could be more rewarding than hearing our Lord’s “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:14-30) Good servants are “good” in two major …
How We Gather
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister September 19, 2019 Today we meet as a presbytery, our annual pilgrimage to the beautiful Crestfield Camp and Conference Center near Slippery Rock. We have settled …
Why Have Presbytery Meetings?
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister September 12, 2019 Our presbytery meets next week, at Crestfield Camp and Conference Center, at 10:00 a.m. on September 19. Why should anyone bother to drive …
Renewing Disciple-Making
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister September 5, 2019 It was the summer of ’93 and the beginning of a new pastoral call, when someone approached me about plans for the upcoming Rally …
Remembering Well
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister August 29, 2019 In the primeval story of Noah and the flood, God promises never again to flood the earth, setting the sign of the rainbow as …