“It is one thing to say, ‘Let justice roll down like the living waters,’ but it is another to work out the irrigation system,” said Katie Day, quoting from William Sloane Coffin. Day, a parish associate and professor of church and society at Lutheran Theological Seminary, spoke in favor of General Assembly resolution 11-06, “Gun violence, gospel values: mobilizing in response to God’s Call.”[caption id="attachment_21955" align="alignright" width="288"]Committee 11 Social Justice Issues B: the Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World votes unanimously to recommend resolution on gun violence to the General Assembly. [/caption]
MINNEAPOLIS — “Authoritative interpretation” was the phrase of the day Monday (July 5) in deliberations by the 219th General Assembly Church Polity Committee, which dispensed with a dozen recommendations before bogging down because of the most troublesome word of the day: trust.
MINNEAPOLIS Amid discussion that ranged from amicable to acrimonious on Monday (July 5), the Health Issues Committee of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) worked through its business of HIV testing, violence against pregnant women, coerced abortions, and being an HIV- and AIDS-competent denomination.
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.