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(Almost) 104 weeks later

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June 18, 2016, was the beginning of an excellent adventure. On election night at the 222nd General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, we declared that – if elected – we had two clear intentions for the next 104 weeks: to cast a vision of hope to the church we love and to hear your stories of faith. At this writing, those 104 weeks are soon coming to an end. As the first co-moderators of any General Assembly, we have found the experience to be life-giving and fun. Our former moderator/vice moderator teams shared responsibilities as well but – as co-moderators – our partnership has been more deliberate. We found that being friends prior to standing as co-moderators served us well in terms of working together and trusting each other. Occasionally we were specifically invited by name, but usually we divided the invitations according to our individual schedules. The two of us were rarely in the same place at the same time. One memorable weekend, however, we were both in Chicago on the same … [Read more...]

Tagged With: ga222 • GA223

The 223rd General Assembly is meeting, so what?

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If a vote takes place in a convention center and no one notices, was a vote cast? Several times in recent months I have visited churches to present a preview of coming attractions to the 223rd General Assembly. I dutifully present with my journalist hat firmly placed on my head, attempting to have a poker face and give the facts and only the facts. But inevitably the first question I am asked is: So what?  Usually the query comes in slightly more polite terms. Something like: How will this impact local congregations? Or: What difference will it make if the General Assembly makes a statement on X, Y or Z? Or, more pointedly: Where is Jesus in all of this? Occasionally, the blunt one in the room asks rhetorically: Who cares? Then my journalist hat must be set aside for other less “objective” accessories. I first go for my editor hat. According to our website analytics data, people do care. The headlines on these matters get clicks. The amount of time spent on the pages indicates … [Read more...]

Tagged With: GA223

GA 30 years ago

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30 years ago — June 1988 Thirty years ago, the 200th General Assembly met in St. Louis. The June issues of the Outlook were full of the news of the time. The National Black Presbyterian Caucus announced the presentation of the Edlar G. Hawkins Award for “extraordinary service in helping to achieve full and equal participation by black Presbyterians” to four people: H. Eugene Fairlough, pastor of Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church in Richmond, California; Robert Coleman, Synod of the Trinity; Jesse C. Swanigan, consultant for McDonell-Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis; and Otis Turner of the denomination’s racial/ethnic ministry unit. The Outlook announced a new editor, Robert Bullock Jr., pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Allen, Texas, to replace retiring editor George Hunt (honored by the assembly for his service to the church). The assembly elected C. Kenneth Hall, pastor of Hill United Presbyterian Church in Butler, Pennsylvania, as moderator and re-elected James E. Andrews for … [Read more...]

Welcome to GA — June 11, 2018

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St. Louis will know the Presbyterians are in town — not just because restaurants are busy and hotels are booked, but because as the commissioners make decisions inside the convention center, others will be on the streets, marching and serving. The Outlook’s“Welcome to GA” issue gives you a glimpse of what to expect as we meet in St. Louis for the 223rd General Assembly. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. (Almost) 104 weeks later Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston reflect on their term as co-moderators of the 222ndGeneral Assembly. More than church as usual in St. Louis Presbyterians attending GA will be involved in Bible study and assembly-related events focused on alleviating systemic racism and injustice in the community. Prayer practices for GA There are several ways to pray for the assembly – in person and from home. Discerning the way through GA Commissioners are called to discern God’s will for the national church. GA and climate changeTwo … [Read more...]

Tagged With: GA223

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