Sixty-eight overtures from presbyteries and synods have qualified for consideration by the 221st General Assembly (2014) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Assembly runs June 14-21 in Detroit.
This year, for the first time, overtures must have concurrence from one additional presbytery or synod in order to qualify for Assembly consideration. Eight overtures did not receive the required concurrence.
The complete list of overtures ― including the order in which they were received by the Office of the General Assembly, the Assembly business item number and Assembly Committee to which they have been assigned, the working title and the presbytery or synod that submitted them:
Ovt 001: 06-01 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending G-2.0104b. by Replacing “Guided by” with “Obedient to” in Reference to Scripture and the Confession ― from East Tennessee Presbytery.
Ovt 002: 12-01 (BOP, PILP, PPC and Foundation) ― On Amending G-2.0504b. to Require Participation in the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA) ― from Kiskiminetas Presbytery.
Ovt 003: 03-01 (General Assembly Procedures) ― On Issuing a Request to Teaching Elders to Participate in the Administrative Costs of the Church by Paying Per Capita ― from Albany Presbytery.
Ovt 004: 12-02 (BOP, PILP, PPC and Foundation) ― On Directing the Board of Pensions in the Distribution of Pension Benefits of Church Leaders and Administrators of Churches Leaving the PC(USA) ― from Tropical Florida Presbytery.
Ovt 005: 03-02 (General Assembly Procedures) ― On Amending G-3.0106 to Allow Presbyteries to Limit Payments of Per Capita ― from Detroit Presbytery.
Ovt 006: 06-02 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry ― On Amending G-4.0206a. Regarding the Sale or Encumbrance of Property Given to a Local Congregation as a Gift ― from Lake Michigan Presbytery.
Ovt 007: 09-01 (Social Justice Issues) ― On Taking Meaningful Action to Reduce Gun Violence ― from National Capital Presbytery.
Ovt 008: 12-03 (BOP, PILP, PPC and Foundation) ― On Publishing the Current List of Churches Certified as Relief of Conscience Churches ― from National Capital Presbytery.
Ovt 009: 06-03 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending G-2.0509, Renunciation of Jurisdiction ― from Greater Atlanta Presbytery.
Ovt 010: 06-04 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending G-2.0803, the Call Process and Background Checks ― from Greater Atlanta Presbytery.
Ovt 011: 10-01 (Civil Union and Marriage Issues) ― On Amending W-4.9000 Concerning the Church’s Role in Legal Marriage and Services of Christian Covenant ― from Lehigh Presbytery.
Ovt 012: 06-05 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending G-2.0509, Renunciation of Jurisdiction ― from Western Reserve Presbytery.
Ovt 013: 04-01 (Middle East Issues) ― On Reviewing General Assembly Policy Regarding the Two-State Solution in Israel Palestine ― from San Francisco Presbytery.
Ovt 014: 04-02 (Middle East Issues) ― On Divestment from Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions ― from San Francisco Presbytery.
Ovt 015: 09-02 (Social Justice Issues) ― On Entering a Two-Year Season of Reflection on the Plight of Unwanted Children, and Appointing a Special Committee on Abortion Review ― from South Alabama Presbytery.
Ovt 016: 09-03 (Social Justice Issues) ― On Encouraging Use of the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation ― from New York City Presbytery.
Ovt 017: 04-03 (Middle East Issues) ― On Engaging Presbyterian to Witness for Palestinian Human Rights and for Ending the Occupation of Palestine ― from Grace Presbytery.
Ovt 018: 15-01 (Immigration and Environmental Issues) ― On Divestment From Fossil Fuel Companies ― from Boston Presbytery.
Ovt 019: 06-06 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending G-3.0301 Regarding the Minimum Number of Operating Sessions and Teaching Elders In Presbytery ― from Eastern Oregon Presbytery.
Ovt 020: 03-03 (General Assembly Procedures ― On Amending G-3.0500 to Give YAAD’s Voice And Vote and to Rename Them “Youth Adult Commissioners” ― from the Synod of the Covenant.
Ovt 021: 10-02 (Civil Union and Marriage Issues) ― On Amending W-4.9000, Marriage ― from Cascades Presbytery.
Ovt 022: 04-04 (Middle East Issues) ― On Supporting Middle East Peacemaking ― from New Covenant Presbytery.
Ovt 023: 06-07 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending D-10.0103–Referral to Investigating Committee ― from Genesee Valley Presbytery.
Ovt 024: 10-03 (Civil Union and Marriage Issues) ― On Issuing an Authoritative Interpretation of W-4.9000 to Affirm Pastoral Discretion in Performing Marriage Ceremonies ― from Heartland Presbytery.
Ovt 025: 06-08 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending G-2.0401 to Allow Presbyteries to Elect and Ordain Persons as Commissioned Ruling Elders ― from San Diego Presbytery.
Ovt 026: 09-04 (Social Justice Issues) ― Regarding a National Moratorium on the Imposition of the Death Penalty ― from Greater Atlanta Presbytery.
Ovt 027: 10-04 (Civil Union and Marriage Issues) ― On Issuing an Authoritative Interpretation of W-4.9000 to Affirm Pastoral Discretion in Performing Marriage Ceremonies ― from East Iowa Presbytery.
Ovt 028: 05-01 (Mid Councils Issues) ― On Consultation Before Possible Reorganization of Synod or Presbytery Boundaries ― from Homestead Presbytery.
Ovt 029: 09-05 (Social Justice Issues) ― On a Two-Year Study to Discern How to Advocate for Effective Drug Policies ― from San Francisco Presbytery.
Ovt 030: 04-05 (Middle East Issues) ― On Calling for a Boycott of All Hewlett-Packard Products ― from New Brunswick Presbytery.
Ovt 031: 11-01 (Peacemaking and International Issues) ― On Peace Discernment ― from Baltimore Presbytery.
Ovt 032: 06-09 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending F-2.05, G-2.0105, and W-4.4003c to Clarify What is Meant by Essentials of the Reformed Faith ― from Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery.
Ovt 033: 10-05 (Civil Union and Marriage Issues) ― On Amending W-4.9001, Christian Marriage ― from Midwest Hanmi Presbytery.
Ovt 034: 09-06 (Social Justice Issues) ― On Advocating for Financial and Political Reform ― from Santa Fe Presbytery.
Ovt 035: not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Amending G-3.0109 Regarding the Requirement for Parity in the Composition of Committees ― St. Andrew Presbytery.
Ovt 036: 10-06 (Civil Union and Marriage Issues) ― On Rescinding the 1991 Authoritative Interpretation Concerning Teaching Elders Performing Marriages for Same-Gender Couples And Sessions Permitting such Ceremonies in their Facilities ― from New Castle Presbytery.
Ovt 037: 08-01 (Mission Coordination) ― On Support for the IMCK Endowment and the Endowment Concept ― from New Castle Presbytery.
Ovt 038: 09-07 (Social Justice Issues) ― On Gun Violence Prevention ― from Hudson River Presbytery.
Ovt 039: 06-10 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending G-1.0403, Affiliate Congregational Membership for Teaching Elders ― from Twin Cities Area Presbytery.
Ovt 040: 11-02 (Peacemaking and International Issues) ― On Turning Attention to the Plight of the Church That is Suffering Due to Sectarian Violence and Persecution in Egypt and Other Parts of the World ― from Pittsburgh Presbytery.
Ovt 041: 11-03 (Peacemaking and International Issues) ― On Removing Cuba from the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism ― from Long Island Presbytery.
Ovt 042: 06-11 (Church Polity and Ordered Ministry) ― On Amending G-3.0403(c) to Allow Churches to Realign with Other Established Presbyteries within the PC(USA) ― from Beaver-Butler Presbytery.
Ovt 043: not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Ending Discriminatory Policies in the Boy Scouts of America ― from New York City Presbytery.
Ovt 044: 11-04 (Peacemaking and International Issues) ― On the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) ― from Genesee Valley Presbytery.
Ovt 045: not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Amending G-2.0402 Regarding the Retraining of Ruling Elders and Deacons ― from Genesee Valley Presbytery.
Ovt 046: not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Creating a New Authoritative Interpretation Regarding the Dismissal of Congregations to Ecclesiastical Bodies of Other Denominations ― from San Gabriel Presbytery.
Ovt 047: 10-07 (Civil Union and Marriage Issues) ― On Creating a Task Force to Identify Common Ground and Reconcilable Differences with Respect to Same Gender Marriage ― from Eastern Korean Presbytery.
Ovt 048: 11-05 (Peacemaking and International Issues) ― On Lifting All Travel Restrictions for U. S. Citizens Traveling To Cuba ― from St. Augustine Presbytery.
Ovt 049: 09-09 (Social Justice Issues) ― On Food Sovereignty for All ― from Greater Atlanta Presbytery.
Ovt 050: 15-02 (Immigration and Environmental Issues) ― On Affirming the Importance of Sustainable Development and the Precautionary Principle ― from Southern New England Presbytery.
Ovt 051: 07-01 (Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations) ― On Distinguishing Between Biblical Terms for Israel and Those Applied to the Modern Political State of Israel in Christian Liturgy ― from Chicago Presbytery.
Ovt 052: Not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Amending G-3.0106 to Require Congregations to Pay Per Capita ― from Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery.
Ovt 053: Not referred for lack of a concurrence ― A Resolution of Spiritual and Material Support for the Persecuted Church ― from Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery.
Ovt 054: 12-04 (BOP, PILP, PPC and Foundation) ― On Directing the Board of Pensions to Study Allowing Small Churches to Participate in the Benefits Plan Based on One-Half of the Current Median Salary Formula ― from Santa Fe Presbytery.
Ovt 055: 11-06 (Peacemaking and International Issues) ― On Authorizing a Consultative Process to Provide Guidance for the Church’s Response to the Dramatic Changes Taking Place in Cuba ― from Santa Fe Presbytery.
Ovt 056: 15-03 (Immigration and Environmental Issues) ― On Affirming a Programmatic Review of the Impact of Expanded Coal Export Projects on Human Health and Well Being ― from Seattle Presbytery.
Ovt 057: 05-02 (Mid Councils Issues) ― On the Reconfiguration of Synod Boundaries ― from the Synod Boriquen in Puerto Rico.
Ovt 058: 15-04 (Immigration and Environmental Issues) ― On Recognizing the Presbyterian Immigrant Defense Initiative to Affirm, Promote the Civil and Human Rights of Immigrants in Our Communities ― from Central Florida Presbytery.
Ovt 059: 04-06 (Middle East Issues) ― On Affirming Occupation-free Investment in Palestine ― from Mackinac Presbytery.
Ovt 060: 09-10 (Social Justice Issues) ― On a Study of End of Life Issues ― from the Synod of the Covenant.
Ovt 061: 04-07 (Middle East Issues) ― On Adopting the Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) Recommendation on Divestment ― from the Synod of the Covenant.
Ovt 062: 05-03 (Mid Councils Issues) ― On Transferring Han Yang Presbyterian Church from Hanmi Presbytery to the Presbytery of San Fernando ― from the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii.
Ovt 063: 11-07 (Peacemaking and International Issues) ― On Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide ― from Los Ranchos Presbytery.
Ovt 064: not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Divestment from Fossil Fuel Companies ― from Palisades Presbytery.
Ovt 065: 09-11 (Social Justice Issues) ― Affirming the Importance of Maternal and Child Nutrition over 1000 Days ― from National Capital Presbytery.
Ovt 066: 09-12 (Social Justice Issues) ― On Providing a Trauma Crisis Counseling Consultation to Train in Best Practices in Caring for Survivors of Homicide Victims ― from Nevada Presbytery.
Ovt 067: not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Advocacy Against Factory Farming ― from Monmouth Presbytery.
Ovt 068: 11-12 (Peacemaking and International Issues) ― On Helping to Remedy the Tragic Conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ― from Boston Presbytery.
Ovt 069: 13-08 (Theological Issues and Institutions) ― On Celebrating the 500th Birthday of John Knox ― from Eastern Korean Presbytery.
Ovt 070: not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Requesting PC(USA) Seminaries to Require Master of Divinity Degree Course Work in Evangelism at Part of the Core Curriculum ― from Mississippi Presbytery.
Ovt. 071: there is no Ovt 71.
Ovt 072: 05-05 (Mid Councils Issues) ― On Delaying the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii’s Overture Requesting Dissolution of Hanmi Presbytery, and Creating a New Administrative Commission ― from Hanmi Presbytery.
Ovt 073: 05-06 (Mid Councils Issues) ― On Forming a Task Force to Study How Korean Speaking Churches Can Develop into Healthy Members of the PC(USA) ― from Midwest Hanmi Presbytery.
Ovt 074: 05-07 (Mid Council Issues) ― On the Dissolution of the Presbytery of Hanmi —from the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii.
Ovt 075: 05-08 (Mid Council Issues) ― On Transferring Coudersport Presbyterian Church from the Presbytery of Northumberland to the Presbytery of Lake Erie ― from the Synod of the Trinity.
Ovt 076: not referred for lack of a concurrence ― On Advocating Legislation to Regulate Ammunition ― from Detroit Presbytery.