Hundreds of employees of the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country are taking a mandatory unpaid furlough this week.

In an effort to overcome a multimillion-dollar deficit, more than 200 staff members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will not be showing up for work beginning Monday.

"The Presbyterian News Service will be closed during the week of May 18-22 as all offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly Council take a mandatory unpaid furlough," the denomination's online publication announced. more >>

Correction appended

Efforts to allow sexually active gays and lesbians to serve as clergy in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) were once again defeated according to votes received so far from 158 of the denomination’s 173 presbyteries.

On Saturday, the 87th, 88th and 89th votes against deleting a "fidelity and chastity" provision in the PC(USA)’s constitution were tallied, effectively giving opponents of the latest efforts the majority needed overturn a highly contested vote last year. more >>

A task force in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) launched an investigation into the conduct of a smaller and more conservative Presbyterian denomination and its alleged solicitation of congregations.

The PC(USA) panel began visiting nine presbyteries where congregations have voted to leave the denomination or are currently considering disaffiliation and joining the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, according to the Presbyterian News Service.

Last summer, the PC(USA) General Assembly approved a resolution to refer an investigation of charges against the EPC to a permanent committee. Charges include "actively pursuing a strategy to persuade Presbyterian Church (USA) churches to disaffiliate with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and be dismissed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church." more >>

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is continuing to make cuts in its staff and offices, with the latest reduction coming from a ministry that raises and manages funds for the denomination.

In efforts to reduce expenses during the economic downturn, the Presbyterian Foundation let go of 13 full-time employees late last month and reduced the number of its regional development offices from 16 to 10.

"The Foundation has not been immune from the effects of the nation’s recession," said Robert E. Leech, president and CEO of the Presbyterian Foundation, in a statement. more >>

Members of a committee in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will gather this week to consider proposed changes, including the removal of a negative reference to homosexual behavior, to a historic document.

The General Assembly Special Committee on Correcting Translation Problems of the Heidelberg Catechism is scheduled to begin a two-day meeting on March 27.

Last June, the General Assembly, which is the highest governing body of the denomination, approved a proposal to begin revising the Heidelberg Catechism – a document of the Reformed Christian faith that is part of the PC(USA)'s constitution. more >>

More than 30,000 English-speaking congregations around the world trace their lineage through John Calvin, the 16th century theologian whose thoughts exerted considerable influence over major religious figures and entire religious movements.

And this year, many will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of his birth. Many more, however, will probably not.

"Many Presbyterians greet the news that 2009 will mark the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth with a yawn, a roll of the eyes or even a derisive snort," writes Joseph D. Small, director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Office of Theology Worship and Education. more >>