Horizons: November/December 2025
November/December 2025
Always Reforming
Some of the most beloved issues of Horizons are the ones that examine who we are and what we believe. As Presbyterian Women has long been committed to Bible study, the Bible 101, 201 and 301 series (in 2007, 2011, 2014) offered valuable resources for understanding original context, types of writing and the stories that shape our faith. Issues celebrating Presbyterian Women’s milestones and programs (anniversaries or triennial Churchwide Gatherings and USA Mission Experiences, to name a few) have also been reader favorites. It’s inspiring to look back at tentative first steps—pictures of leaders moderating their first meetings or descriptions of new programs and ministries. Not surprisingly, the issues that show us who we are not just as Presbyterian women, but as Presbyterians more broadly (2002, 2017) also have been reader favorites.
We can get tunnel vision about the church’s mission, even in a connectional church. But looking at our shared history, our confessions, our constitution reminds us that as people of faith, more unites us than separates us. That’s true from one coast to the other, or one century to another.
As Reformed Christians, Presbyterians affirm “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei, that is, ‘The church reformed, always to be reformed according to the Word of God’ in the power of the Spirit.”* In context, these words follow a declaration about the role of our confessions—that they are statements about who we are, what we believe, and where we recognize the need to be the hands and feet of Christ.
At the 225th General Assembly (2022), commissioners voted to form a special committee for drafting a new confession to be considered for inclusion in the Book of Confessions. In light of this work, Horizons invited contributors to share their insights about the process of reformation—personally, congregationally, systemically, denominationally. Their reflections are a beautiful testament to the way that God is at work in and through us, and the many ways that we can share God’s love with the world.
—Sharon Dunne Gillies, Managing Editor
*Book of Order, The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part II, F-2.02.
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Features
Gathering, Examining and Co-creating: The Art of Collage and the Ongoing Practice of Reforming
Rev. Dr. Mihee Kim-Kort reflects on the ways that what’s old can become new, and what’s new can enlighten us about our centuries-old faith. She describes how our church motto—“the church reformed, always being reformed according to the Word of God”—urges a spirit of openness to change and faithfulness to God.
Awakening to Abolition
Kristen Young shares how her faith inspired her to social activism, including the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for police and prison reform and/or abolition. She shines a light on how a punitive mindset has created unjust structures, and how personal and systemic shifts can support transformative justice and create lasting, meaningful change.
Celebrating 70 Years
Lifelong Presbyterian and retired mission co-worker Rev. Dr. Sue Hudson traces how her faith, gender and call have shaped her life. She outlines where she crossed paths with Yodagawa Christian Hospital, a PW Birthday Offering grant recipient.
PW Resources
Ducking into the End of the Year
Carissa Herold
Celebrate the Gifts of Women
Creating Home and Places of Possibilities: Women of Determination and Faith
Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
Fellowship of the Least Coin
Liza B. Lamis
Anna H. Bedford Bible Study Resource
Rev. Dr. Shannan R. Vance-Ocampo offers reflections and questions for use in studying Lessons Five, Six and Seven of the 2025–2026 PW/Horizons Bible study, Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ, by Rev. Dr. Rhashell D. Hunter.
Departments
Devotion
Changing and Growing
Cecilia Amorocho Hickerson
Unpacking the Theme: Scripture Study
Confession, Hope, Discernment: Receiving and Sharing God’s Love
Rev. Jeniffer Rodríguez Michel
After the Offering
Making Miracles Haven Opens Doors for Mothers in Need
Sarah Halsell
Supporting Mission
Together in Service: Mission with Hands and Hearts
Faithful Parenting
Ashes and Aspirations
Rev. Melanie Marsh
What One PW Is Doing
A Celebration and a Relationship
Anne Bromby
Mosaic
News and Information about Presbyterian Women and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Books
Pages Worth Turning
Stories from the Ages
A Wider View
Hillary Moses Mohaupt
