Social and political issues and activism

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About this Collection

Church involvement in social and political issues and activism, including civil rights, protests, and war work. Also, social and political reformers connected to the church. See the following related collections: Civil rights, protests, and social reformers; Wars. Featured image: Religious with Rosa Parks, 1963.

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Title:
More Light Churches of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Description:
Brochure describing the More Light Movement and listing More Light congregations.
Subject names:
Carter, Ralph C. (Ralph Campbell)--Archives., More Light Churches Network., Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Presbyterian gays--United States.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:346602
Title:
Eulogies.
Description:
Eulogy for David Sindt written by Chris Glaser in "More Light Update."
Creator:
Glaser, Chris. (author)
Subject names:
Carter, Ralph C. (Ralph Campbell)--Archives., Sindt, David, 1940-1986., Glaser, Chris., Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns.
Topics:
Gay clergy--United States., Presbyterian gays--United States.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:346600
Title:
More Light Churches Network.
Description:
Revised pamphlet (October 27, 1994) describing More Light churches. Includes a letter (circa December 1995) from Lisa Larges to Ralph Carter with Carter's name in braille.
Creator:
Larges, Lisa. (author), Carter, Ralph C. (Ralph Campbell) (addressee)
Subject names:
Carter, Ralph C. (Ralph Campbell)--Archives., More Light Churches Network., Larges, Lisa., Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns.
Topics:
Gay clergy--United States., Presbyterian gays--United States., Blind women--United States.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:346590
Title:
Dan Smith memorial service, 2023.
Description:
Dan Smith was a Presbyterian and Congregationalist minister, longtime pastor of West Hollywood United Church of Christ. He was born 2 February 1953 in Buffalo, N.Y., and educated at SUNY Fredonia and Princeton Theological Seminary. He was a conscientious objector during the American war in Vietnam. He was ordained in 1978 and spent six years installed at First Presbyterian Church (Geneva, N.Y.) before moving to Los Angeles. He took the pastorate of West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles, Calif.) in 1984, becoming the first openly gay minister installed in a PC(USA) congregation. During his tenure the congregation would spearhead AIDS ministry in West Hollywood, and build the Lazarus Project, dedicated to reconciling the church with its LGBTQ community. Smith retired in 2020. He died 12 June 2023.
Creator:
Smith, Daniel Edmund, 1953-2023. (dedicatee), West Hollywood United Church of Christ (Los Angeles, Calif.) (creator)
Subject names:
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles, Calif.), Smith, Daniel Edmund, 1953-2023.
Topics:
LGBTQ+ Presbyterians., Gay clergy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345470
Title:
Holly and KC Clark-Porter oral history, 2023.
Description:
Reverend Holly Clark-Porter and Reverend KC Clark-Porter discuss growing up in Texas; attendance of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; their joint ordination service at First & Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware (Newcastle Presbytery); the pastoral capacities in which they've served the Church; and the barriers they faced during their ordinations and ministerial work. They reflect on the fight for marriage and ordination rights of LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians within the Church. Additionally, KC reflects on coming out as trans and life as a transgender man.
Creator:
Clark-Porter, Holly. (interviewee), Clark-Porter, KC. (interviewee), Shilstut, Natalie. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Clark-Porter, Holly., Clark-Porter, KC., Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary., Presbyterian Welcome (Organization), First & Central Presbyterian Church (Wilmington, Del.)
Topics:
Ordination of gays--Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Homophobia., Same-sex marriage--Religious aspects--Presbyterians., Transgender men.
Geographic subjects:
El Paso (Tex.), Wilmington (Del.), Fredonia (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345294
Title:
Interview of Dean H. Lewis by R. Douglas Brackenridge, Tape 3, Side 1.
Description:
Cassette tape 3, side 1 of an interview recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 11 to 12, 1988. Dean Lewis discusses social pronouncements of the General Assembly and Presbyterians' history of supporting education. Part of a 5 cassette tape set.
Creator:
Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021. (interviewee), Brackenridge, R. Douglas. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). General Assembly., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly.
Topics:
Church and the world., Social policy., Church polity.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345268
Title:
Interview of Dean H. Lewis by R. Douglas Brackenridge, Tape 2, Side 2.
Description:
Cassette tape 2, side 2 of an interview recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 11 to 12, 1988. Dean Lewis discusses the work of the Advisory Council on Church and Society, including the creation of task forces. Lewis also discusses commissioners' resolutions at general assemblies, the General Assembly Mission Council, and other aspects of church polity. Part of a 5 cassette tape set.
Creator:
Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021. (interviewee), Brackenridge, R. Douglas. (interviewer)
Subject names:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Advisory Council on Church and Society., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Advisory Council on Church and Society., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education. Department of Church and Society., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). General Assembly Mission Council.
Topics:
Church and the world., Social policy., Church polity.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345267
Title:
Letter from John H. Grosvenor to the Presbytery of Washington City, July 24, 1963.
Description:
Letter from John H. Grosvenor, Jr., Moderator of the Presbytery of Washington City. In his letters, he asks all pastors and clerks of session in the Presbytery to address their congregations in support of the upcoming March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Creator:
Grosvenor, John H. (author)
Subject names:
Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985--Archives., Grosvenor, John H., March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963 : Washington, D.C.), United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Presbytery of Washington City., Morrison, William Angus, 1915-, United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Religion and Race.
Topics:
Civil rights demonstrations--Washington (D.C.)--1960-1970., Civil rights--Religious aspects--Christianity.
Geographic subjects:
Washington (D.C.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345262
Title:
Telegram from William A. Morrison to President John F. Kennedy, June 30, 1963.
Description:
Telegram from William A. Morrison, General Secretary of the Board of Christian Education, to President John F. Kennedy. Urges the President and the White House to organize a conference on civil rights issues in the country.
Creator:
Morrison, William Angus, 1915- (author), Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963. (addressee)
Subject names:
Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985--Archives., Morrison, William Angus, 1915-, Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963., March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963 : Washington, D.C.), United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly (175th : 1963 : Des Moines, Iowa)
Topics:
Civil rights demonstrations--Washington (D.C.)--1960-1970., Civil rights--Religious aspects--Christianity.
Geographic subjects:
Washington (D.C.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345260
Title:
Letters from Gayraud Wilmore to the Commission on Religion and Race.
Description:
Letters from Gayraud Wilmore, Executive Director, to members of the Commission on Religion and Race regarding their upcoming meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.
Creator:
Wilmore, Gayraud S. (author)
Subject names:
Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985--Archives., Wilmore, Gayraud S., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Religion and Race.
Topics:
Civil rights--Religious aspects--Christianity., Race relations--Religious aspects--Christianity., 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing, Birmingham, Ala., 1963.
Geographic subjects:
Birmingham (Ala.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345255
Title:
United Presbyterian Commission on Religion and Race.
Description:
Outlines the purpose, composition, and authority of the newly formed UPCUSA Commission on Religion and Race.
Subject names:
Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985--Archives., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly (175th : 1963 : Des Moines, Iowa), United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Religion and Race., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education.
Topics:
Civil rights--Religious aspects--Christianity., Race relations--Religious aspects--Christianity.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345248
Title:
Letter from Rev. Thomas Kilgore to Dr. Eugene Carson Blake, July 30, 1963.
Description:
Letter written by Rev. Thomas Kilgore of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom to Dr. Eugene Carson Blake, Stated Clerk of the UPCUSA. In the letter, Rev. Kilgore urgently asks for financial support for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Creator:
Kilgore, Thomas, 1913-1998. (author), Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985. (addressee)
Subject names:
Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985--Archives., Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985., Kilgore, Thomas, 1913-1998., March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963 : Washington, D.C.)
Topics:
Civil rights demonstrations--Washington (D.C.)--1960-1970., Civil rights--Religious aspects--Christianity.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345245
Title:
Interview of Dean H. Lewis by R. Douglas Brackenridge, Tape 2, Side 1.
Description:
Cassette tape 2, side 1 of an interview recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 11 to 12, 1988. Dean Lewis discusses the functions of the Advisory Council on Church and Society and the processes of establishing task forces. Part of a 5 cassette tape set.
Creator:
Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021. (interviewee), Brackenridge, R. Douglas. (interviewer)
Subject names:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Advisory Council on Church and Society., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Advisory Council on Church and Society., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Task Force to Study Homosexuality.
Topics:
Church and the world., Social policy., Church polity.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344680
Title:
Interview of Dean H. Lewis by R. Douglas Brackenridge, Tape 1, Side 1.
Description:
Cassette tape 1, side 1 of an interview recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 11 to 12, 1988. Dean Lewis discusses his upbringing as a Southern Baptist in Missouri, his attendance of Yale Divinity School, his time as a pastor in Springdale, Arkansas, and his career leading up to his time in the Office of Church and Society. Part of a 5 cassette tape set.
Creator:
Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021. (interviewee), Brackenridge, R. Douglas. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021., Yale University. Divinity School., William Jewell College., Niebuhr, H. Richard (Helmut Richard), 1894-1962., First Presbyterian Church (Springdale, Ark.)
Topics:
Church and the world., Social policy., Church polity.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344362
Title:
Interview of Dean H. Lewis by R. Douglas Brackenridge, Tape 1, Side 2.
Description:
Cassette tape 1, side 2 of an interview recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 11 to 12, 1988. Dean Lewis discusses the history of the Department of Social Education and Action (SEA), the Department of Social Education and Evangelism, and the Office of Church and Society and the work of the Office of Church and Society throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Part of a 5 cassette tape set.
Creator:
Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021. (interviewee), Brackenridge, R. Douglas. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021., Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education. Department of Social Education and Action., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education. Department of Social Education and Action., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education. Office of Church and Society., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education. Department of Church and Society., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Advisory Council on Church and Society., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Advisory Council on Church and Society.
Topics:
Church and the world., Social policy., Church polity.
Geographic subjects:
South Africa.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344318
Title:
Conversations with Metz Rollins and Will Campbell, Tape 1, Part 1.
Description:
Metz Rollins speaking about the civil rights movement at Ghost Ranch (Abiquiú, New Mexico) on July 19, 1983. Rollins speaks about the history of the civil rights movement in the United States, his time in Tallahassee, Florida (including his arrest for aiding Florida A&M University students in the Tallahassee city bus boycott), his time in Nashville, Tennessee (including his participation in the Nashville sit-ins), and the Freedom Rides organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Part 1 of 12.
Creator:
Rollins, J. Metz (Joseph Metz), 1926- (speaker)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Advisory Council on Church and Society--Archives., Rollins, J. Metz (Joseph Metz), 1926-
Topics:
Civil rights movements--United States., Civil rights workers--United States., African American clergy., African American Presbyterians., Civil rights demonstrations.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344307
Title:
Charlotte and Gustave Sindt articles and obituaries, 1978-1995.
Description:
Articles and obituaries for Charlotte and Gustave (Gus) Sindt, the parents of David Sindt, an openly gay Presbyterian pastor, leader, and activist.
Creator:
Young, Caroline. (author), Burson, Pat. (author), Ganzel, Rebecca. (author), Scott, Cynthia. (author)
Subject names:
Sindt, David, 1940-1986--Archives., Sindt, David, 1940-1986., Sindt, Charlotte., Sindt, Gustave.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Parents of gays--United States.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344297
Title:
Letters from Cesar Chavez and James J. Cochran to Dean H. Lewis, 1974.
Description:
A March 21, 1974 letter from labor activist Cesar Chavez and a January 24, 1974 letter from James J. Cochran of the Presbyterian Lay Committee.
Creator:
Chavez, Cesar, 1927-1993. (author), Cochran, James J. (author), Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021. (addressee)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Advisory Council on Church and Society--Archives., United Farm Workers of America., Chavez, Cesar, 1927-1993., Presbyterian Lay Committee., Cochran, James J., Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021.
Topics:
Church and the world., Agricultural laborers--Labor unions.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344293
Title:
Statement of Resignation to the General Assembly Mission Council of the United Presbyterian Church, USA by the Reverend Leon E. Fanniel, Executive Director.
Creator:
Fanniel, Leon, 1930-2018. (author)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Advisory Council on Church and Society--Archives., Fanniel, Leon, 1930-2018., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly Mission Council.
Topics:
Church and the world., African American Presbyterians., African American clergy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344287
Title:
Letter to U.S. Congress from the Board of Christian Education, April 29, 1964.
Description:
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate from the Board of Christian Education's Joseph J. Copeland and Margaret E. (Maggie) Kuhn regarding the Becker Amendment (H.J.Res. 693), April 29, 1964.
Creator:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education. (creator), Copeland, Joseph J. (author), Kuhn, Maggie. (author)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Advisory Council on Church and Society--Archives., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education. Office of Church and Society., Kuhn, Maggie., Copeland, Joseph J., United States. Congress.
Topics:
Prayer in the public schools--Law and legislation.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344285

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