Monday, October 31
Brazil, continued
In the 1960s and 1970s, Brazil was ruled by a military dictatorship. During this period the military established censorship, closed the Congress, practiced torture, and suppressed with arrests and disappearances those who fought for the return of democracy.
The National Board of the IPUB meets with the pastor of a new church plant in Acre.
During this same period, the leaders of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPB) were very conservative. They closed seminaries, eliminated presbyteries, defrocked pastors, and turned over to the military leaders those who fought for the restoration of freedom. Those who defended the ordination of women or participated in ecumenical acts were persecuted and expelled. In this context, the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPUB) was organized by leaders who had been expelled from the IPB.
The IPUB was born in 1978 with complete openness to the ordination of women, ecumenical relations, and social responsibility. However, the evangelistic zeal was weak. Today, the IPUB preserves its identity and democratic spirit, its sense of public responsibility, and its view that it is but one part of the body of Christ. Therefore, ecumenism is a commitment that it will not compromise.
At its General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2008, the IPUB reaffirmed that the preaching of the gospel is the number one priority of the church. Nothing can replace the church's duty to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savior of all men and women.
– The Rev. Jose Roberto Cavalcante, stated clerk, United Presbyterian Church of Brazil
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB): The Rev. Dr. C. Timothy Carriker, curriculum designer and education consultant, Marta Carriker, delegations coordinator
United Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPUB): Farris Goodrum and Thelma Goodrum, seminary professors, evangelism and social outreach, Center of Theological Formation Richard Shaull
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Craig Smith, GAMC
Dottie Smith, GAMC
Prayer
God of unity and diversity, you stand with all who suffer and call us to prophetic and evangelistic ministries. Empower the members and leaders of the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil to be faithful and bold witnesses of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 5; 145
First Reading Nehemiah 6:1-19
Or alternate First Reading Ezra 3:1-13
Second Reading Revelation 10:1-11
Gospel Matthew 13:36-43
Evening Psalms 82; 29