Appointments made to Commission to Unify Office of the General Assembly and Presbyterian Mission Agency

The Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have announced the names of individuals who will serve on the new Commission to Unify the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency. The Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis and the Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace made the appointments in recent days after reviewing the names of more than 115 individuals from across the denomination.

Twelve individuals will serve on the commission, while 13 will serve on the Funding Model Development Team. 

During the 225th General Assembly, commissioners and advisory delegates approved the formation of the commission as well as the development team, which will explore possible funding model experiments for the combined agencies. The team will also explore new ways that the church can promote, fund and partner to fund the ministry of presbyteries, synods and the General Assembly.

In a letter to the church (see below), the Co-Moderators shared their hopes for the commission’s work and asked that an open mind be the foundation for the task ahead.

“At a time where the temptation of cynicism and scarcity define much of the public discourse, we are blessed with conversations reflecting a theology of flourishing — a recognition that God is doing something new in our midst,” the letter reads. “We ask for your grace and patience as they lean into their work on our behalf and on behalf of our denomination.”

The commission is expected to hold its first meeting online next month while the funding model development team is expected to meet in early 2023.

November 21, 2022

Dear Companions on the Journey,

Grace and peace we bring you in the name of Jesus Christ.  We continue to offer prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving for each of you as you faithfully embody the Gospel in places near and far.

We are pleased to announce our appointments to the Commission to Unify the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Funding Model Development Team.  We are grateful for the faithful individuals who have said “yes” to serving the larger church in this manner.  At a time where the temptation of cynicism and scarcity define much of the public discourse, we are blessed with conversations reflecting a theology of flourishing — a recognition that God is doing something new in our midst.

We ask your prayers for the ministry before these two entities.  We ask for your grace and patience as they lean into their work on our behalf and on behalf of our denomination.

A special word of gratitude to our staff shepherd, Ruling Elder valerie izumi, Assistant Stated Clerk for her leadership, as well as the supportive consultations and contributions from the Rev. Anna Kendig Flores and the Rev. Dr. Eric A. Thomas, co-moderators of the General Assembly Committee on Representation, and the Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena, moderator of the General Assembly Nominating Committee.  We are blessed to have these extraordinary gifted partners in ministry.

May this season of Thanksgiving and Advent be filled with resurrection hope as we once again make our journey to the manger, to the one whose light continues to break into the darkness.

Blessings, 

Commission to Unify the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency

Debra Avery, Teaching Elder, Great Rivers Presbytery | Moving Forward Implementation Special Committee
Carson Brown, Ruling Elder, Peace River Presbytery | Young Adult Advisory Delegate, 225^th General Assembly
Dee Cooper, Teaching Elder, Denver Presbytery | Presbyterian Mission Agency Board
David Davis, Teaching Elder, Coastlands Presbytery | Committee on the Office of the General Assembly
Frances Lin, Ruling Elder, San Diego Presbytery | At-Large
Scott Lumsden, Teaching Elder, Seattle Presbytery | Per Capita and Financial Sustainability Special Committee
Emily Martin, Ruling Elder, North Central California Presbytery | Young Adult Advisory Delegate, 225^th General Assembly
Felipe N. Martínez, Co-Moderator, Teaching Elder, Ohio Valley Presbytery | Commissioner, 225^th General Assembly
José Rosa-Rivera, Ruling Elder, San Juan Presbiterio | Per Capita and Financial Sustainability Special Committee
Cristi Scott Ligon, Co-Moderator, Ruling Elder, Middle Tennessee Presbytery | Commissioner, 225^th General Assembly
Bill Teng, Teaching Elder, Peace River Presbytery | PCUSA, A Corporation Board
Kris Thompson, Ruling Elder, National Capital Presbytery | At-Large

Funding Model Development Team

Heidi Bolt, Teaching Elder, Cascades Presbytery | PCUSA, A Corporation Board
Cara Clark, Ruling Elder, Grace Presbytery | Young Adult Advisory Delegate, 225^th General Assembly
Margaret Elliott, Ruling Elder, Salem Presbytery | Committee on the Office of the General Assembly
Wilfredo Garcia, Ruling Elder, New York City Presbytery | Commissioner, 225^th General Assembly
Jeromey Howard, Teaching Elder, Hudson River Presbytery | Presbyterian Mission Agency Board
Ilsun Kim, Teaching Elder, East Tennessee Presbytery | Commissioner, 225^th General Assembly
Patricia Petty Morse, Ruling Elder, National Capital Presbytery | Racial Equity Advocacy Committee
Jeanne Radak, Teaching Elder, Highlands Presbytery | Per Capita and Financial Sustainability Special Committee
Erica Rader, Co-Moderator, Teaching Elder, San Jose Presbytery | Mid Council Leader
Elioreph Rivera-Pagan, Ruling Elder, San Juan Presbiterio | Theological Student Advisory Delegate, 225^th General Assembly
Jacqueline Taylor, Teaching Elder, Baltimore Presbytery | Mid Council Leader
Michael Wilson, Co-Moderator, Donegal Presbytery | Mid Council Leader
Valerie Young, Ruling Elder, Grace Presbytery | Per Capita and Financial Sustainability Special Committee