Missions
Refugee Families Thriving
This is an update from Matthew 25 Ambassador Linda Butler on the Afghan refugee families who have settled in Birmingham and are being supported by SHPC members through Inspiritus. Gul Bakht, Nasir, Omid, and Arman Akbary are so appreciative of the opportunity to build a life in Birmingham. Omid (second grade) and Arman (kindergarten) continue to thrive at Hall Kent Elementary in Homewood. Arman gets sad when there is a holiday or weather event and he doesn’t get to go…
Progress and Challenges in Madagascar
Here is a condensed version of a winter 2025 update from our mission partners in the island nation of Madagascar. Dan and Elizabeth Turk, mission co-workers serving in Madagascar whom we support, send their greetings! PC(USA)’s partner church, the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, whose initials in the Malagasy language are FJKM, continues its holistic work to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of the Malagasy people. The Fruits, Vegetables, and Environmental Education Program (FVEE) that Dan works…
PC(USA) Immigration Statement
Below is a statement on the PC(USA)’s stance on the issue of immigration, which SHPC has sought to live out in our own context. You can find more information about our denomination’s work here. Guided by our faith’s call to welcome the stranger and belief in the inherent dignity of all people, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) actively advocates for and works toward more just immigration laws and processes. The work and ministry of PC(USA) offices, advocates, and partners enable the…
An Expression of Gratitude
In 2009, South Highland began supporting an orphanage in Zimbabwe called the Lovemore Home, through the Outreach Foundation of the PC (USA). Due to economic and other factors, the home was forced to close in 2014, leaving many young people in a difficult situation. But our church was able to maintain contact with some of the boys, following and supporting their progress through the educational system. The letter below, sent to South Highlander Lee Cooper, is from one of the…
Building a Life in Alabama
Inspiritus, Birmingham’s local refugee resettlement organization, has been active in Birmingham for three years now and has settled 326 refugees in our area. For most of the first year, the new arrivals were from Afghanistan but now they are from all over the world. The Akbary family fled Afghanistan on August 24, 2021, and arrived in Birmingham in January of 2022. They were welcomed by Inspiritus and a care team of South Highlanders. This care team relationship has evolved over…
Presbytery Ponderings on Matthew 25
Some thoughts from Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley—January 2024 Greetings, friends, As you know, the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley is part of the PCUSA’s Matthew 25 initiative. As of today, 1,180 congregations have embraced the vision. In addition, 96 mid councils and 66 groups have committed to helping our denomination become a more relevant presence worldwide. The Matthew 25 invitation focuses on Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the sheep and goats…
Partnering to Relieve Homelessness
Avery Rhodes, Founder and Executive Director of Birmingham’s Community on the Rise, spoke to a warm and wonderful SHPC crowd at a special Chili After Church event on Sunday, January 28, 2024. Community on the Rise works with people experiencing homelessness in our community. Their truly problem-solving approach embraces survivors by celebrating their strengths and gifts, providing housing in the beautiful Marigold House, and offering a full range of counseling and gainful employment in an eco-friendly business. All to help…
Update on Our Afghani Friends
by Laura Chapman Editor’s Note: We received word near the end of August 2023 that the Akbarys’ asylum application has been approved. Thanks be to God! It’s been 2 years since our Afghan allies, including the Akbary family, fled Afghanistan due to the fall of their government to the Taliban. They were invited to live in the United States and, with the help of resettlement organizations like Inspiritus and friends like many of you, they are moving forward and successfully…
Matthew 25: An Imperative
When Columbia Theological Seminary president Dr. Victor Aloyo visited South Highland in May 2023, he made a big impression with impassioned preaching and teaching. One highlight of his visit was a Sunday School class where he spoke on the topic of “Matthew 25: An Imperative,” highlighting the importance of understanding Jesus’ teaching in Matthew’s gospel. If you missed the class, you may watch the Zoom recording below.
Thinking Outside the Toolbox
I was quite moved during the construction of a Habitat home for the Tonnesha Banks family last fall. On my first day at the build, I noticed a blessing written on a stud in a wall. The next week there were more prayers and blessings written on the frame of the house. This continued for several more weeks until the frame was covered over with sheet rock and siding. God’s presence can be found in every room of the Banks’…
Inside Matthew 25 at SHPC
South Highland has now completed two years as part of the Matthew 25 Initiative. The goals for this initiative are described on the Presbyterian Mission website. Our group of Matthew 25 Initiative advisors are known as the M25 Ambassadors. In-person and Zoom meetings occur quarterly. At the 2016 Together for the Gospel Conference, historian-theologian-author Jemar Tisby spoke of the essential elements of all genuine racial reconciliation, an A.R.C. of Racial Justice (also economic and social justice). Tisby said there must…
New Year’s Resolutions
Are you looking for ways to keep your New Year’s Resolutions? The Matthew 25 Initiative suggests you consider volunteering to assist migrants arriving in Birmingham in January. Trinity West in Homewood expects to receive and assist these migrants in arranging their travel plans from Birmingham to other cities to unite them with their sponsors. Trinity West Homewood is the location. Volunteers will greet the migrants, provide them with food and warm clothing, assist them in contacting their sponsors in other…
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