Appointments made to Special Committee on the Standing Rules of the General Assembly

The Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis (left) and Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace (right), Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly. Photo by Rich Copley.

The Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis (left) and Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace (right), Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly. Photo by Rich Copley.

The Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have appointed 10 individuals to serve on the Special Committee on the Standing Rules of the General Assembly. An additional appointment is pending. The Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis and the Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace announced the appointments in a letter late last week.

“We are grateful for the faithful individuals who have said ‘yes’ to serve the larger church in this manner. Their willingness to lean into this ministry reflects their acknowledgement that God is doing something new in our midst,” the letter reads. “They are embracing a ‘theology of flourishing and hope’ at a time too often associated with a weariness that breeds cynicism and indifference.”

The special committee was formed during the 225th General Assembly last summer and will work to propose a new set of Standing Rules. Among its tasks will be:

• Reflecting the church’s commitments to unity and diversity as well as full participation and representation
• Assisting the Assembly in “promoting equity throughout its processes and decisions”
• Using language that opens the Assembly to “an expansive understanding of gender”
• Looking at the role of advisory delegates to ensure a continuing voice of constituencies that represent the present and future church
• Promoting broad access and participation in the General Assembly of the whole church
• Providing “permission for spaces that encourage innovation and creativity in the General Assembly’s discernment”
• Simplifying the language of the Standing Rules and Assembly processes “to reflect more fully the 21st-century church” and embodying the flexibility of the current form of government
• Incorporating technology “to promote communication, conversation and discernment” during the Assembly
• Adjusting the scale and complexity of Assembly meetings envisioned in the Standing Rules “for a church that has substantially fewer people and financial resources” 
• Reflecting any decisions of the 225th General Assembly regarding the location and format of future Assemblies.

Read the entire letter and appointments by the Co-Moderators below:

January 26, 2022

Dear Companions On The Journey,

Grace and peace we bring you in the name of Jesus Christ.  In this season of Epiphany  —  a season where light breaks into the darkness —  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 Special Committee on the Standing Rules.  We are grateful for the faithful individuals who have said “yes” to serve the larger church in this manner.  Their willingness to lean into this ministry reflects their acknowledgement that God is doing something new in our midst.  They are embracing a “theology of flourishing and hope” at a time too often associated with a weariness that breeds cynicism and indifference.  You will note that one of two positions for the GA Committee on Representation remains vacant.  When the position is filled, we will share the name of that member.

As always, we offer a special word of gratitude to our staff shepherd, Ruling Elder valerie izumi, Assistant Stated Clerk, along with the contributions from other staff members and the Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena, Moderator of the General Assembly Nominating Committee and General Committee on Representation Co-Moderators Rev. Anna Kendig Flores and Rev. Dr. Eric Thomas.  We are blessed to have these extraordinary gifted partners in ministry.

Friends, the Holy Spirit continues to breathe a spirit of creativity, hope and encouragement within and around us. May we inhale that breath of heaven, and may we exhale “resurrection possibilities” in all we do.  

Unbounded We Thrive,

Special Committee on the Standing Rules of the General Assembly

Jeannie Dixon, Ruling Elder, Florida Presbytery | 225^th GA Commissioner

Byron Elam, Ruling Elder, Mid-South Presbytery | GA Committee on Representation

Kamal Hassan, Teaching Elder, San Francisco Presbytery | Advocacy Committee for Women and Gender Justice

Andy James, Teaching Elder, Greater Atlanta Presbytery | Committee on the Office of the General Assembly

Cindy Kohlmann, Co-Moderator, Teaching Elder, New Castle Presbytery | At-large

Kathy Martin, Ruling Elder, Cincinnati Presbytery | 225^th GA Commissioner

Leanne Masters, Teaching Elder, Homestead Presbytery |Committee on the Office of the General Assembly

Jeff Moles, Ruling Elder, Middle Tennessee Presbytery | At-large

Bisi Shofu, Ruling Elder, Coastlands Presbytery | Racial Equity Advocacy Committee

Adriana Soto Acevedo, Co-Moderator, Deacon, Presbiterio de San Juan | 225^th GA Young Adult Advisory Delegate

Vacancy, GA Committee on Representation