ST. LOUIS — Craig Howard, presbytery executive of Giddings-Lovejoy, brought greetings and welcome on behalf of the presbytery. “Church, it is time now for the frozen chosen to thaw out! It is time now to be on fire for God,” Howard said.
Howard shared a video highlighting some of the work and mission of the presbytery. In the video, Deborah Krause, a pastor in Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery, said that it was young people crying out in the streets of Ferguson calling for justice that created change. “Ferguson created a way for us to focus our efforts and focus on fighting structural racism. … Ferguson became an awakening.”
Co-moderators’ report
Jan Edmiston and Denise Anderson, co-moderators of the 222ndGeneral Assembly, addressed the assembly and said that during their time of serving as co-moderators of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), ills were still ever present. Anderson reminded participants of: the race-charged Charleston shooting; indigenous people fighting for water rights; protests in Charlottesville; and LGBTQ siblings demonized and targeted by political leaders.
Anderson said: “Our culture had not come as far as we thought they had. Yet, PC(USA) Christians are responding to and working within these difficult times.” She gave several examples including:
- The Presbytery of Peace River in Florida — supporting the rights of farm workers.
- The Synod of the Sun — making meaningful connections and fighting against human trafficking and homelessness.
- Throughout Michigan – supporting mission in Grand Rapids and mobilizing anti-racism work in Detroit.
But there was some levity: Laughter rose up in the assembly hall when a photo of Barbie dolls appeared that bore a resemblance to Anderson and Edmiston. Anderson joked, “That is really us in that picture, y’all!”
Edmiston said: “This denomination is on the frontlines for justice for all people, and we couldn’t be more prouder of you.” Anderson echoed this sentiment and said: “However … we must acknowledge that there is still work to do. We will always have work to do.” Anderson closed their report saying, “This denomination is in good hands because it is in God’s hands.”
During the opening plenary, the three acting co-executive directors of the Presbyterian Mission Agency provided commissioners with a quick introduction to the agency’s work – from responding to hurricanes and wildfires, to providing a response to gun violence, to ministry with new immigrants and communities of color.
Presbyterian Mission Agency update
Barry Creech, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s director of policy, administration and board support, said the agency is presenting for the assembly’s approval a balanced budget for 2019 and 2020, and a Mission Work Plan with emphases on addressing structural racism and white supremacy; poverty; and congregational vitality.
The acting leadership team introduced Diane Givens Moffett, whose election as the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s new president and executive director the assembly is being asked to confirm.
Moffett – who until accepting this new call served as a pastor in North Carolina – addressed the assembly briefly, telling the commissioners that “God is good and God is love, and we are called to be love with skin on it. It takes a moment to accept Christ, but a lifetime to become a Christian.”
Moffett thanked the commissioners for the partnership the agency has with congregations and mid councils across the church. “We have a lot of work to be done, and we have a great God to do it with,” she said.
Commissioner orientation
Three Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) led commissioner orientation. Maura Drewry said, “Open yourself for change even if it scares you.”
Simon Doong said, “Remember to trust in God, don’t be afraid to take the leap, to have that difficult conversation, or to listen to that other point of view.”
Patrick Long invited commissioners to “go into the unknown even if you are familiar with procedures, it’s a new week, a new space, fresh topics, and new neighbors in Christ.”
J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the PC(USA), introduced the members of the platform and noted that there are:
- 538 commissioners from 171 presbyteries;
- 142 Young Adult Advisory Delegates;
- 16 Theological Student Advisory Delegates’
- 8 Missionary Advisory Delegates’
- 14 Ecumenical Advisory Delegates’
- The average age of commissioners is between 41-65.
To become familiar with the voting devices, advisory delegates and commissioners were asked their ages:
- Under 20:
- 1 percent of commissioners
- 60 percent of Young Adult Advisory Delegates
- 21-41
- 10 percent of commissioners
- 40 percent of Young Adult Advisory Delegates
- 100 percent of Theological Student Advisory Delegates
- 41-65
- 53 percent of commissioners
- 100 percent of Mission Advisory Delegates
- 60 percent of Ecumenical Advisory Delegates
- Over 65
- 36 percent of commissioners
- 40 percent of Ecumenical Advisory Delegates
Current Louisville Presbyterian Theological Student, Teresa Larson, a Theological Student Advisory Delegate (TSAD) from Lake Michigan Presbytery closed opening plenary in prayer.
with additional reporting by Leslie Scanlon
