Sunday at GA

Today began as most Sundays do for many of us – joining together in worship, giving thanks to our God and sharing in the sacrament of Holy Communion.  The difference for those here in San Jose is that today our congregation grew.  I have heard estimates that between 5,000 and 8,000 people were in attendance at one worship this morning.  The congregation was housed in two buildings, a mile apart, but worshiped together with their own worship leaders, two 225-member choirs, two orchestras and one simultaneous live broadcast between the two venues.

After worship, the afternoon was spent with a variety of events.  Some people went on tours around the area. Some spent the afternoon visiting booths in the exhibition hall, and some caught up on the reading they need to do for their committees.  Most of my afternoon was spent in a luncheon sponsored by the Presbyterian Media Mission and the Presbyterian Communicators Network.  The keynote speaker at the luncheon was actor and activist Mike Farrell, best known as Dr. B.J. Hunnicut on the TV show M*A*S*H*.  Mike is a great humanitarian and spoke about the many injustices in our world that involve torture of our fellow human-beings.  After his presentation, Mike opened the floor to questions and later made himself available for photos and the signing of his new book, Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist.

The late afternoon business meeting included the nomination of candidates for Stated Clerk.  The person who is voted into the office will follow outgoing Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick.  The process in introducing the nominees was very similar to the process of the Moderator election last night, but nominations from the floor are not allowed.  The Stated Clerk Nomination Committee presented Rev. Gradye Parsons as their nominee. Other nominees included Rev. Winfield Jones, Rev. Edward Koster and Rev. Dr. William Tarbell. The election will be held on the next to the last day of the assembly meeting – Friday morning, June 27.

The day ended for most people with General Assembly Committee Meetings.  Each commissioner and delegate has been randomly assigned a committee to attend.  They will study the issues at hand, discuss ways to solve them, discern God’s will, and bring proposed resolutions to the General Assembly to be voted on.  There are 17 committees, with the Seattle Presbytery having representatives in nine of them.  Tonight I dropped in on the Social Justice Issues committee.  Just as I entered the room they were beginning a video from the ministry Living Waters for the World.  This is a ministry, sponsored by the Synod of Living Water, that serves as a resource to churches of all denominations, civic organizations and others in mission, enabling them to provide clean water to their partners in need.  The video we watched is very powerful and viewable on their website.  I highly recommend that you take some time to watch it. God may speak to you to partner with them.

Well the day is over, and it is time to rest. 

Good night and God bless you,

Heidi Francis
Communications Director, Seattle Presbytery 

Bruce Reyes-Chow is New Moderator

The first order of business was conducted last night.  As the commissioners, delegates, middle body governing staff, and observers gathered in the General Assembly meeting room, we were introduced to the four nominees for the GA218 moderator.

The process began with an introduction of each nominee, followed by an “election” speech given by the person officially nominating the candidate.  The candidates were Rev. Carl Mazza (New Castle), Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow (San Francisco), Elder Roger Shoemaker (Homestead), and Rev. Bill Teng (National Capitol).  After the (+/-) five minute speeches were given, the nominees then gave their acceptance speeches. It was at that point that the assembly began to get a real view of what each nominee was like and understand their personal vision for the future of the PC (USA).

At the end of the acceptance speeches, the floor was open to commissioners and delegates who had questions of the nominees.  Questions were not aimed at any particular nominee, and each nominee took turns answering every question.  The questions ranged from “How will your congregations be tended to if you become moderator?” to “What is your stance on inclusion?”  During the question/answer period the room began to buzz.  Some questions were answered more directly than others, but I believe the tables turned when Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, in addressing a question about inclusion stated that he doesn’t want to dance around an elephant in the room, but would rather address it directly.  He was the first candidate to openly state that he is for inclusion of all who are called to be ordained, regardless of sexual orientation.  He also stated that he knew that there are others who oppose that stance, and even though they may not agree, he believes that as discerning Christians, each are being guided by the Holy Spirit and they must now work together to understand the will of God.

Once the question/answer period was over, the delegates were asked to vote. (Their vote doesn’t count, but it is important in giving us a view of where they stand.)  Their vote was strongly in favor of Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow.  Then the commissioners voted.  A moderator must win by at least 51% of the vote.  After the first ballot, Rev. Reyes-Chow had won 48% of the vote.  A second ballot was taken, where he won the position of Moderator of the 218th General Assembly of the PC (USA).

Greetings from Sunny San Jose

Our flight arrived in San Jose Friday evening.  We were greeted by a group of hospitality volunteers, who helped us carry our luggage to a nice, air-conditioned, chartered bus, and from there we were taken to the front door of our respective hotels.  

Once inside the hotel, there was another group of volunteers who greeted us, welcoming us to their lovely home town. As we walked further into the lobby, there was no mistaking that the Presbyterians had arrived.  Amidst the local band that was playing, and the bridal party posing for photos, were swarms of people wearing name badges and carrying bulging totes with the Micah 6:8 verse printed on the side.  Waiting to take the elevator to their rooms, people with a variety of accents were sharing their stories about where they were from and how they arrived at GA.

After we settled into our rooms, we walked the block to the San Jose Convention Center.  Entering the convention center is a bit like entering Disneyland. There aren’t any rides or hats with mouse ears, but one does have the sense that they have arrived at a place of excitement and change.  The movers and shakers of the church are here – not just the people with titles, but more importantly, the people who are here on behalf of the presbyteries. The ones who are charged with attending business meetings, discussing issues and then voting to determine how the issues will affect the future of the church.

God’s presence is felt here. We can feel it in the hospitality of the people. We can see it in the seriousness that the commissioners have in discerning God’s will.  And, most importantly, it is evident in the love and respect that people are showing for each other.  No matter what stance one may take on a particular issue, people come together in the common knowledge that we are all here to serve our Lord and Savior.

All my bags are packed….

It’s Thursday evening – my bags are packed, I have fresh batteries in the camera, my boarding pass is printed, and I’m ready to leave for GA.  After spending Friday morning in the Presbytery office, I’ll head to the airport and begin a week of adventure.

It is my goal to bring to you updates on decisions that are made regarding changes for our denomination, along with a peek at what goes on at a GA meeting from my observations.  In addition to the business meetings, worship services, and display booths, the week at GA includes a myriad of organization sponsored meals, historical tours, stories about ministries around the country, and so much more.

Keep watching this blog and the blog of EP Scott Lumsden.  Between the two of us, I’m hoping you will be well informed and feel like you, too, have had a GA experience.

This week, please keep the commissioners, delegates, and presbytery staff in your prayers.  They are: Steve Aeschbacher; Rick Boogaard; Randy Butler; Gary Ireland; Hannah Kahl; Jesse Mabanglo; Emily McGinley; Jim Patten; Ryan White; Barbara Ranta; Heidi Francis; Dennis Hughes; Scott Lumsden; and Jerry Poole.

In God’s grace,

Heidi Francis
Communications Director | Seattle Presbytery

 

Do justice, Love kindness, Walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:8