Belated…..

Owing to the combination of very long final plenary sessions, difficulty finding an internet connection, and a long travel day on Saturday, I am only now getting around to one final report on (not from) G.A.   And even if you/anyone takes the trouble to check into this blog at this late date, it will like contain info that you already have from other sources. Nevertheless, if only for my own benefit, here are brief highlights frrom the last full day of the 219th General Assembly:

Approved – proposal to insure theological diversity on GA Nominations; approved Mid-East peace report: “Breaking Down The walls”; approved extending Board of Pensions coverage for domestic partners of presbyterian employees; approved instructing Board of Pensions to no longer pay for abortions; disapproved plan for expanding role of CLPs.

So now the 219th is history. Now we will likely hear and share various interpretations of actions taken, of actions that were not taken, and of the impact on our denomination. My hope is that instead of squeezing GA actions into our own preconceived positions and biases, instead of summing up the 219th in a win/lose frame of understanding, we will prayerfully consider how God is speaking to us through each action that was either approved or disapproved…and remember that we will have a chance to cast a vote one way or another at the presbytery level (probably) at our February 2011 meeting.

One final note: our commissioners were a very attentive, positive-minded, committeed to the process group. I was proud to be represented by them. I don’t know how they voted – don’t want to know. But I do know that they each approached their task in a very prayerful manner, and that they felt genuinely honered and blessed to be there – as much at the conclusion as at the beginning of their work. I thank God for their witness, and anticipate their report at our October meeting of Presbytery.

Much Action

Long Day,…couldn’t sleep, decided to pass this along at this late hour.Much of this you may well already have, so I’ll share this withoutcomment.

Actions taken, to disapprove:1.) overture to create flexible (non graphic) Korean -speaking prez/synod.; 2.)proposal to redifine marriage.

Actions taken, to approve1.): a G.A. Commission to consider possible reconfiguration of synods or presbyteries, but only on the initiation of G.A. actions, or upon request of particular synods or presbyteries;2.) establishment of formal dialogue with Seventh Day Adventist Church;3.) invitation to Evangelical Presbyterian Church to engage in a bilateral dialogue concerning vrious aspects of the complicated relationship between PC(USA) and EPC;4.) approval and recommendation to presbyteries a revised BoO ordination statement to replace G-6.0106b which says ” The governing body responsible for ordination…shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for…the office. The exam shall include…a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation. Governing bodies shall be guided by scripture and the confessions in applying standards…” (A minority report was defeated.)The report of this committee went on to say, “The integrity of the church demands that those who will serve in ordained service meet high standards – always seeking to live according to the life and teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”;5.) a resolution regarding a call to “stand with immigrant  Presbyterians in their hour of need…” (reference to immigration laws like the one in Arizona);6.) report of Special Committee to study issues of civil union and marriage (approved with minority report attached).

A comment I overheard: ” It takes courage to stand up to one’s enemies. It takes more courage to stand up to one’s friends.”

A prayer: “Today we have heard many voices speaking of the need for us to come together as one. Many overtures and ideas have been presented,  and advocated on the basis of being the way for us to finally find that unity within the denomination. Perhaps all will fail. Perhaps all should fail…even while, amazingly, we still stay together,… if then we finally realize that only God can bring us together and keep us together. We are only One, in Christ.         Lord, we believe. help us in our  unbelief. Amen.

A

Actions of the day:

Photos from Tuesday Dinner

Photos from Tuesday night’s dinner gathering of Coastal Carolina folks. (again posted by Laura L for David)

The rest of the table at Tuesday Dinner

Coastal Carolina Dinner group

Commissioners at Tuesday Dinner

Many non-commissioners have an assigned seat in the hall. Here is David's.

3 Major Actions

After about 51/2 hours of deliberations this afternoon and evening in plenary sessions, three major actions were taken:

1. Approve recommendation to send proposal to presbyteries for inclusion of Belhar Confession in PC(USA) Book of Confessions. The Confession originates in South Africa with amajor focus on racism and the unity.

2. Approve report of Special Committee on Heidelberg Catechism – to continue and expand its work on a complete retranslation of this Confession which is already a part of our Book of Confessions.

3. Approval of new Form of Government report with some amendments, to go now to presbyteries for vote.

There were, of course, differences of opinion on each of these matters, but each one of these actions were approved by a comfortable majority.

The nomination of Linda Valentine for another 4 year term as Exec. Dir. of the G.A. Mission Council was also approved.

Pray for the Commissioners as the issues and debates become more intensely contested.

Shifting Gears

Committee work winding down, shifting gears for the beginning of full plenary sessions tomorrow.

Three things that are impressive: 1.) our Commissioners are working hard, and maintaining a positive spirit; 2.) many Commissioners are able to report that the atmosphere and deliberation of their Committee work has expanded their thinking and in some cases changed their minds on an issue they had studied before coming to GA; 3.) Youth Advisory Delegates are offering thoughtful ideas and comments, and are being encouraged and well received by most Commissioners. “Surely the Lord is in this place.”

Proud Moments

Today is the day when the hard work of prayerfully grinding out the business of the Committees to which Commissioners have been assigned…begins in earnest. Not much to report on except that we have been able to connect with at least 5 of our 8 PCC Commissioners…hard at work.

So this gives me the opportunity to report on a couple of instances when I have been proud to see reference to our beloved Presbytery. One was actually Saturday, in the openning session of the full General Assembly. A dozen or so Presbyteries were recognized by name for their commendable mission commitment. One was Coastal Carolina. Then today, in the Committee that is dealing with the future of Synods and Presbyteries, an advocate speaking in behalf of an overture, called out Coastal Carolina and another of our sister presbyteries in NC (Salem) as examples of how some presbyteries have changed the traditional model, and restructured in order to reach out more effectively to support congregations……………I was proud!

Worship

It was a worship spectacular with a grand processional fanfair featuring a variety of symbols out of the native American tradition, a choir of (I would guess) 200 voices, orchestra, organ, guitars, flutes, drums, a powerful sermon by the out-going Moderator of GA, Bruce Reyes-Chow,  a baptism, and a communion service…with the benediction by the Moderator of the 219th, elder Cynthia Bolbach.

Spiritually stirring, emotionally draining – the kleenex I quickly stuffed into my pocket as I rushed out of the hotel room for worship, ..was not nearly enough.

A New Moderator

Well, after almost three hours, four rounds of voting, and trouble with the wireless voting mechanisms, the 219th general assembly elected a new Moderator. She was the only elder among the 6 candidates: Elder Cynthia (Cindy) Bolbach. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Va. Among her list of credits, was serving as Inter General Presbyter a few years back at National Capital Presbyter. She is an attorney, a jurnalist. And she has a sense of humor.

The questions from the floor to the candidates were thoughtful and timely, and all gave a good account of themselves. I look forward to having her visit our Presbytery perhaps sometime over next year.

Now, beginning tomorrow afternoon, the serious committee work begins. But not untill after an uplifting worship service in the morning – or more correctly, later on this morning.

David

Images from the First Plenary

As the meeting is called to order our commissioners have found their seats and are getting their computers on the special network. Photos and this post are by Laura Lupton with David’s permission!

Seated in the Plenary Room - Day 1

My computer is working!

Day 1 - seated in the large meeting room

Other folks from Coastal Carolina that we have seen here include Kevin Hay, Helen Locklear, Lee Hinson-Hasty, an elder from Morehead City….  there may be others too… thank you for your continued prayers.

Day One

I’m thinking about the old Heinz commercial, behind which played the song, “Anticipation…”. It is now 10:55am local time, in anticipation of GA convening with the first business session at 1:30 in the pm. The Commissioners are huddled in various preliminary meetings…in anticipation of their Committee work. The 6 candidates for GA Moderator are being increasingly visable…in anticipation of the election tonite. There are many people here, representing many different interest groups and agendas. Hopefully, prayerfully, we are all leaving room for anticipating – waiting and not knowing – how the Holy Spirit will be moving in, among and through the proceedings.

“Now we are the people of God, but it does not yet appear what we shall be.” (I John)

David