Compiled by Outlook staff
There has been a new twist at the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – the creation of a combined consent calendar. That’s the result of a change in the standing rules the assembly approved in 2012 – with the hope the assembly will spend less time on matters on which there’s substantial agreement, leaving more time to wrestle with issues on which the assembly is divided or finds particularly significant.
Consequently, on June 18 – during its first plenary session following two days of committee meetings – the assembly approved a consent agenda with 132 items. Ten items were removed from the consent agenda (any commissioner could ask that an item be pulled from the consent agenda for more discussion) and four items were added. The assembly approved the agenda by a vote of 565-45.
With new procedures in place at this GA, business item which were approved by at least a 75 percent “supermajority” vote from one of the assembly’s 15 committees generally were eligible to be placed on the consent agenda – although committee moderators lifted from the consent agenda items with constitutional implications and those they thought merited more discussion.
Here is a brief synopsis of some notable items the assembly passed via the consent agenda.
Commissioners’ resolution declares “Zionism Unsettled” as not representative of PC(USA)
04-10: Passage of the consent agenda completes efforts within the church to disavow views expressed in “Zionism Unsettled,” a study guide prepared by the denomination’s Israel/Palestine Mission Network. Released in January, the study guide and an accompanying DVD stirred up a firestorm of criticism from Jewish groups and some Presbyterians, who said it gave a distorted picture of Zionism, the historical movement centered on the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Israel.
The Middle East Issues Committee endorsed this resolution by a vote of 54-8.
Pulled from consent agenda: Delay dissolution of Hanmi Presbytery
05-05: This overture was pulled off of the consent agenda as those in the Korean community seek more time before the complete dissolution of Hanmi Presbytery. In light of changing dynamics between mid councils, delay is favored as emerging priorities are changing as these governing bodies continue to live into new visions and missions.
The committee voted in favor of delay 65-2.
Effectiveness of Mid Council Reference Checks to be studied
05-09: Based on a commissioners’ resolution, the PC(USA) Office of Vocation and the Office of the Stated Clerk will study the effectiveness of reference checks and clearance procedures, and consider ways to improve procedures for candidates moving between mid councils. This move will allow mid councils to consider ways in which congregations and leaders are supported while also upholding the denomination’s connectional nature.
This item was unanimously approved in committee with 66 votes.
World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly Delegation Report
07-06: The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations offered numerous recommendations to the assembly, including celebrating and commending the work of the World Council of Churches and connecting to the council’s programs through prayer — specifically regarding reunification of the Korean peninsula, climate change and interfaith relationships.
This item was unanimously approved in committee with 61 votes.
In solidarity with LGBT people at risk around the world
09-20: The assembly approved a Commissioners’ Resolution “On the Global Crisis for LGBT People and Their Families.” The “global crisis for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons and their families in eighty-one countries where homosexuality is illegal and the impact of persecution that threatens their lives, health, and safety” was the rational behind the overture, which the committee passed unanimously.
In addition to the 81countries where homosexuality is criminalized, the death penalty can be imposed for homosexuals in 10 countries.
“Persecution in the form of anti-propaganda laws such as in Russia engenders violence against LGBT persons and hinders HIV-AIDS and human rights work,” the resolution states.
It encourages Presbyterians to hold in prayer those who are threatened around the world regarding this issue, and encourages the Presbyterian Mission Agency to create educational resources that synods and presbyteries could use for further study and action. Finally, it encourages congregations to consider preparations to provide sanctuary, safety and support for LGBT refugees and asylum seekers.
Renewed Opposition to the Death Penalty
09-04: Members of the Committee on Social Justice Issues voted unanimously to approve an overture proposing a “National Moratorium on the Imposition of the Death Penalty.”
The overture, coming out of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, joins with seven previous assemblies in opposing capital punishment, and calls for an immediate moratorium on executions in all jurisdictions which impose capital punishment. It also directs the PC(USA)’s stated clerk, Gradye Parsons, to communicate this action to the President, Congress, and governors and legislators of the 34 states that have persons incarcerated while awaiting execution.
Food Sovereignty for All
09-09: The phrase “food sovereignty” is one that can leave some shaking their heads in confusion – what is it, and why does it matter? “Think of food sovereignty as food democracy,” members of the Committee on Social Justice issues were urged at the beginning of the discussion on the overture On Food Sovereignty for All brought to the assembly by the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.
The overture is a request to pray for those within the food systems of the U.S. and overseas – those who “devote their lives to feeding people but who are often undercompensated and lacking respect.” It also urges the church to study issues of food justice regarding fairness and sustainability through a biblical and Christian lens.
The overture urges support for food sovereignty initiatives such as ‘sponsoring community gardens, hosting farmers markets, community kitchens, market gardens’ and promoting purchase of locally and sustainably grown food. It also asks the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly to join with those working to “end large-scale land grabs.”
Ruth Farrell of the Presbyterian Hunger Program explained the need for such support, particularly in Africa. “In the past two years land the size of France has come under a 99 year lease to other countries to ship food back to their own countries,” she explained. “Countries are also doing this for palm oil or bio fuel – and in so doing this is moving a lot of small farmers off their land.”
Some of those being displaced are Presbyterians, as in the case of Cameroon, where church partners contacted the PCUSA when land more than 200 square miles was leased to a U.S. investment group, forcing local farmers off their land.
On Remedying the Tragic Conditions in the Congo
11-12: Recognizing the results of lawlessness, the vulnerability of women and children in the eastern area of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the gang-related abduction of young girls used as sex slaves, this overture asks the stated clerk, Presbyterian Mission Agency, Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) Committee and local presbyteries and congregations to advocate for the rights of people in the Congo. The assembly’s Peacemaking and International Issues Committee unanimously approved the measure.
Proposed Directory for Worship to go for study and comment
13-02: The Office of Theology and Worship has revised the draft of the Directory for Worship (still Reformed, yet shorter, with improved organization and more flexibility). The draft will be forwarded to the church for study and comment in preparation for sending it to the 222nd General Assembly (2016) for approval. The committee unanimously approved it with 55 votes in favor.
Living Missionally
14-03: This recommendation focused on increasing missional involvement among the churches and mid councils. It encourages integrating social justice, outreach and deeper engagement that will be measured by “tangible metrics.”
This item was unanimously approved in committee with 44 votes.
Assess Impact of Expanded Coal Exports
15-03: Concern over issues related to the ongoing and expanded extraction and export of fossil fuels (particularly coal) from the U.S. for use in Asia led the Presbytery of Seattle to bring this overture regarding the impact of expanded coal export projects on human health and well being.
The overture urges civil authorities to conduct an assessment of the impact of expanded coal export projects in Oregon and Washington on human health and the well being of communities along the Northwest rail lines. The overture also recognizes that regional issues of extraction, pollution, transportation and export have national and global implications for both concerns of environmental justice as well as global climate change.
Promoting Immigration Services
15-04: During debate in the Immigration and Environmental Issues Committee, many spoke to address the crucial resource that this initiative provides as well and the perceived need for a contact person on the national level to assist churches seeking guidance, information and support with immigration concerns. This item acts both to recognize the newly formed Immigrant Defense Initiative and will fill a vacancy in the Office of Immigration.
