A ruling elder and management consultant from upstate New York, Arthur K. Fullerton, has joined the group of those seeking to lead the 2020 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Fullerton is planning to stand for moderator of the 2020 General Assembly, which will be held virtually in June. He has informed the Office of the General Assembly of his intent to stand for the office— although his presbytery, Albany Presbytery, has not formally endorsed him. The presbytery had been planning to vote on endorsing Fullerton at its meeting March 17, but that meeting was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the next meeting not scheduled until May 30. Julia Henderson, interim director of assembly operations for the PC(USA), wrote that “while it is customary for presbyteries to endorse commissioners standing for moderator it’s not required,” and that by Fullerton formally stating his intention to stand for the office, “he is a candidate.” Fullerton has not … [Read more...]

The General Assembly Committee on Business Referral has approved the proposed docket for the online General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to be held in June — and the list of business items to be considered during plenary sessions on June 19, 26 and 27. That list includes items considered “critical and core” for the PC(USA)’s work over the next two years — including such things as approving budgets and confirming the appointments of denominational leaders. But the assembly will be asked to refer overtures and many other items to the General Assembly in 2022 — a recognition that an online assembly conducted on computers needs to operate differently than a week-long, in-person event would have. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PC(USA) General Assembly is meeting virtually this year, instead of in-person in Baltimore, and the length of the meeting will be abbreviated. The Business Referral committee met May 5 during the General Assembly Leader Briefing – with … [Read more...]