Doors are designed to divide spaces, and people; locked doors keep people apart from each other. Tables are designed to bring people together; big tables are symbols of hospitality and grace. The hymn that was commissioned for the 223rd General Assembly, “Draw the Welcome Circle Wider” includes this line: “Doors upended serve as tables where the guests prepare to dine. Justice is their righteous fare, while mercy is their richest wine.” Those words inspired the team that designed and assembled the prayer room for the 223rdGeneral Assembly. Anne Peacock, ministry assistant at Ladue Chapel, started looking for a door that could be used as a table to provide a focal point for prayer and meditation in the prayer room. She contacted a contractor in the congregation who tracked down an unused door. The door was set up in their fellowship hall on saw horses. A local St. Louis artist, Marilyn Smith, was invited to paint the door. Peacock and Smith prayed in the lectio divinastyle … [Read more...]
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Outlook Reporting 28 mins ago
Turning doors into tables
Doors are designed to divide spaces, and people; locked doors keep people apart from each other. Tables are designed to bring people together; big tables are symbols of hospitality and grace. The hymn that was commissioned for the 223rd General Assembly, “Draw the Welcome Circle Wider” includes this line: “Doors upended serve as tables where the guests prepare to dine. Justice is their righteous fare, while mercy is their richest wine.” Those words inspired the team that designed and assembled the prayer room for the 223rdGeneral Assembly. Anne Peacock, ministry assistant… continue reading... -
Editor's viewpoints 43 mins ago
Prayer for Thursday of General Assembly
Holy One of renewed energy, we have reached Thursday. Our feet are hurting, and we are tired. Yet, the work continues. Worship yesterday reminded us that when things became difficult, Jesus went deeper; we should, too. Today, be with us as we go deeper. Help us to find meaningful ways to inspire and equip us for change. We are all called to serve you, God of reconciliation. Our calling is to serve you in all that we do, to be with the suffering, to go to the margins, to listen… continue reading... -
Outlook Reporting 1 hour ago
Convention center dinner in a windowless room or service and relationship building in the streets?
Two years ago, Tony Aja and the leadership of the Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus had a vision. Aja is the moderator of the Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus and pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their vision was to get out of the convention hall and into the streets at the 222ndGeneral Assembly in Portland, Oregon. Rather than having a traditional caucus dinner in the convention center or hotel ballroom, Aja found a local organization to volunteer with. The members of the caucus decided to sponsor a… continue reading...
Parties in Stamford case had tried to expedite process in order to get a ruling on the merits of the case January 1, 1995 Uncategorized110 views The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission -- in sidestepping the question of exactly how deeply a session should be required to probe into the private life of a gay elder who has acknowledged being in a committed, life-long relationship but has declined to say whether he is sexually active -- has put the question off but has not put it to rest.- Ministering with the Earth January 1, 1998 Book Reviews117 views By Mary Elizabeth MooreChalice. 1998. 226 pp. Pb. $19.99. ISBN 0-8272-2323-4 Ministering with the Earth is a quiltwork, both the on-the-ground activity and Moore's book about so ministering. Moore, professor of theology and Christian education at Claremont School of Theology, is fond of the metaphor, suitably pastoral and feminist.
- Remembered Voice: Reclaiming the Legacy of 'Neo-Orthodoxy' January 1, 1998 Book Reviews104 views By Douglas John HallWJKP. 1998. 145 pp. Pb. $18. ISBN 0-664-25772-0 It was in this order. I first read Tillich's Dynamics of Faith. Riveting. Next came The Courage to Be. Gripping. Then I went back and read the first volume of the Systematic Theology. Things began to make sense. Next came Biblical Religion and the Search for Ultimate Reality. Positive.
Proposed per capita increase will go to General Assembly February 9, 2018 Outlook Reporting4 comments LOUISVILLE – With no debate, the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board voted Feb. 9 to approve a sizeable proposed increase in General Assembly per capita – from $7.73 per member in 2018 to $10.71 in 2019 and to $11.45 in 2020.
That would amount to a 39 percent increase from 2018 to 2019 and a 7 percent increase from 2019 to 2020. The proposal now will go to the 2018 General Assembly in June in St. Louis for its consideration.
Ken Godshall, who is chair of the board and a pastor from Kentucky, had voted against the proposed increase Feb. 8 when it came before the board’s executive committee, saying the increase...
Vision and structure, function and dysfunction: Way Forward discerns next steps for the PC(USA) June 18, 2018 Outlook Reporting2 comments ST. LOUIS – Representatives of the Way Forward Commission and the All Agency Review Committee made the case June 18 that a dysfunctional institutional culture at the Presbyterian Mission Agency makes change in the national structure imperative — even raising the possibility that the assembly might consider setting up an administrative commission to take charge of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board.
Mark Hostetter, moderator of the Way Forward Commission created by the 2016 assembly, responded to a question a Way Forward Committee (the entity of this 2018 assembly) member for this assembly raised las...
Assembly approves child protection policy June 23, 2016 Outlook Reporting2 comments PORTLAND, Ore. – The General Assembly Procedures committee only had time to present one item of business from its report before the 2016 General Assembly adjourned for the evening June 22 – but it was a matter of both deep significance and emotional resonance.
The assembly voted on Item 03-14, a policy created for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults. The committee’s moderator, Mary Lou Cox, introduced the item by shari...
Turning doors into tables
Tagged With: GA223
Prayer for Thursday of General Assembly
Holy One of renewed energy, we have reached Thursday. Our feet are hurting, and we are tired. Yet, the work continues. Worship yesterday reminded us that when things became difficult, Jesus went deeper; we should, too. Today, be with us as we go deeper. Help us to find meaningful ways to inspire and equip us for change. We are all called to serve you, God of reconciliation. Our calling is to serve you in all that we do, to be with the suffering, to go to the margins, to listen to those in pain, to hear their stories and to make a commitment to corporately admit our sins and strive to do better. This is our work at the 223rd General Assembly. In plenary, in committee reports, in our guiding actions, in forming new task forces, in all that we do here today, may we be bold in our actions, trusting your transforming vision for us. Guide us in moving forward to continue to do this work together. Raising our voices to you, our God of all, we pray, Amen. … [Read more...]
Convention center dinner in a windowless room or service and relationship building in the streets?
Two years ago, Tony Aja and the leadership of the Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus had a vision. Aja is the moderator of the Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus and pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their vision was to get out of the convention hall and into the streets at the 222ndGeneral Assembly in Portland, Oregon. Rather than having a traditional caucus dinner in the convention center or hotel ballroom, Aja found a local organization to volunteer with. The members of the caucus decided to sponsor a mission service project at a Portland homeless shelter. This was such a successful and meaningful event that they took the same spirit to the 223rdGeneral Assembly in St. Louis and planned another evening of service in lieu of a hotel or conference room dinner. This idea fit perfectly into the larger theme of the General Assembly and the “Hands and Feet” initiative. Members of the caucus reached out to a St. Louis … [Read more...]
“Do we want to make a statement, or do we want to make a difference?”– Commissioners opposed to divestment draft minority report
After the Environmental Issues Committee voted (with 35 in favor and 20 opposed) to recommend that Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) fully divest its holdings in fossil fuel companies, commissioners opposed to the recommendation began crafting a minority report. A draft of the minority report has been submitted to the Office of the General Assembly (OGA). The minority report recommends: “In place of item 08-01, which calls for divestment and ceases the MRTI [Mission Responsibility Through Investment] engagement process, we move that the 223rdGeneral Assembly (2018) approve item 08-08 which continues the MRTI engagement process.” Item 08-08 is Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI)’s report before the General Assembly. It details how MRTI evaluates corporate responsibility on issues of climate change, and outlines MRTI’s plan to continue engaging with fossil fuel companies until the next General Assembly in 2020. If certain corporations continue to have a poor stance on climate … [Read more...]
Humans of GA: Young commissioner edition
Rebecca Wind was at General Assembly four years ago as a Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD). This year, she returns to the assembly as a ruling elder commissioner. At 25 years old, she is one of the youngest commissioners in attendance. She comes from Syracuse, New York, where she attends Isaiah’s Table, a 1001 New Worshipping Community providing breakfast and worship for people living with homelessness or food insecurity. As one of about 15 people who attend and provide leadership for Isaiah’s Table, Rebecca is deeply involved in her faith community, and the broader community of the Presbytery of Cayuga Syracuse. As an NWC, Isaiah’s Table has had to be dependant on other churches around the presbytery for support of their mission and vision. Various churches across the presbytery have stepped up and offered everything from volunteers and food, to kitchen appliances and a place to gather. The church’s story and Rebecca’s story are intrinsically linked, and her passion for the … [Read more...]
Assembly affirms Moffett as next PMA director, passes mental health overture
ST. LOUIS –A new executive director for the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Support for mental health education. Theologically-driven acts of justice. As plenary drew to a close on Wednesday June 20 at the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Mission Coordination committee presented their business. Committee moderator Walter Rockenstein acknowledged that the Cuba Mutual Mission Agreement (item 10-16), was passed on the consent agenda. Rockenstein invited Ary Fernandez, the General Secretary of the Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Cuba, to address the assembly as part of the committee report. Fernandez offered an overview of the scope and work of the church in Cuba, and the importance of the mutual mission agreement that was approved. He thanked the church for passing the agreement and asked for continued work by the church to end the embargo, travel ban and travel restrictions. Next Rockenstein presented Presbyterian Mission Agency 2019–20 Mission … [Read more...]
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