PITTSBURGH, June 30, 2012 – Just before the 2012 General Assembly convened Saturday morning, General Assembly participants were invited to participate in Riverside Conversations, a series of discussions centered on key issues coming before this 
week’s assembly.
In one of those sessions, Gradye Parsons, the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council, offered some of their thoughts on the state of the PC(USA).
The theme for this assembly is “Walking, running, soaring in hope,” drawn from Isaiah 40:31. Parsons and Valentine modeled their remarks on this theme, noting some of the ways the PC(USA) is moving inspiring, equipping, and connecting the church for Christ’s mission. They offered examples of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s emergency response following the tornado in Joplin, Missouri, and the denomination’s collaboration with the international body of Christ through the World Council of Reformed Churches.
The highlight of their report focused on two PC(USA) initiatives: For Such a Time as This and 1001 New Worshipping Communities. The For Such a Time as This program connects new pastors seeking their first call with underserved churches which might otherwise find it difficult to find or afford a full-time pastor, providing mentoring and support for recent seminary graduates who are able to offer leadership for small churches, often in rural areas.
Parsons and Valentine reported widespread enthusiasm for the denomination’s initiative of establishing 1,001 new worshipping communities in ten years (some top church leaders walked the halls of the convention center in Pittsburgh wearing 1,001 logo shirts on the assembly’s first day). During this week’s plenary sessions, videos highlighting a few of these new communities will be shown. They are also available online.
Roger Dermody, the denomination’s deputy executive director for mission, said he believes the goal of starting 1,001 new worshipping communities to be very attainable – and possibly a springboard for the PC(USA) to continue to grow and thrive.
Those attending the Riverside conversation also were given a chance to offer their personal stories of hope, written down on cards provided to them. The General Assembly Mission Council will share those offerings with the broader church as part of its promotional efforts.
