MINNEAPOLIS — "Lucy in the sky with diamonds" echoed down the hall from Committee 15 early Monday morning (July 5) at the 219th General Assembly (2010). Presbyterians passing by peaked into the room and a few said, “I wish I was in that group!” The 55 members gathered in the room to consider overtures and reports regarding church growth, Christian education, and the Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program, Inc.
MINNEAPOLIS — “Let us hear about this crazy thing God is doing with the church.” That was the invitation of Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly, to the capacity crowd at the 219th General Assembly (2010) breakfast July 4. His invitation was illuminated later by the breakfast’s speaker, Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence; How Christianity is Changing and Why.
After more than two hours of debate, commissioners on the 219th General Assembly Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee decided not to recommend that the Assembly accept the paper “Christians and Jews: People of God.”
MINNEAPOLIS — While other General Assembly participants were retiring to their rooms following Saturday, July 3's late-night Moderator election, Caroline Sherard and Michael East were just getting their second wind.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Bills and Overtures Committee of the 219th General Assembly (2010) on July 4 referred 12 of 14 commissioner resolutions to committees.
MINNEAPOLIS — Four women were honored July 4 for their passion, dedication, and faithfulness at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Women of Faith Awards breakfast at the 219th General Assembly.
MINNEAPOLIS — After discussing the issue in detail and making some amendments, the Middle Governing Bodies Issues Committee of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved a recommendation for a new commission to work with middle governing bodies. The full General Assembly will consider the recommendation to create the new commission in plenary session later this week.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues of the 219th General Assembly voted 47-8 today (July 5) to recommend that the General Assembly approve the final report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage.
One of two General Assembly committees focusing on social justice issues considered three economic-related issues on July 5, its first full day of deliberations.[caption id="attachment_21939" align="alignright" width="315"]Dr. Tom Gillespie speaks to Committee 10 regarding the report “Neither Poverty Nor Riches.”[/caption]
MINNEAPOLIS – Members of the Committee on Theological Issues and Institutions have voted to recommend churchwide adoption of the Belhar Confession to be added to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Book of Confessions.