Underwear and socks: simple gifts, simple necessities. Presbyterian Women (PW) in the three hosting presbyteries (Twin Cities Area, Minnesota Valleys, and Northern Waters) collaborated to organize this year’s Gift Project for the 219th General Assembly (2010).

Tom Bogart says he’s so new as president of Maryville College, he’s still wearing the price tag.

“When we say the ‘new president,’ there must be an anti-shoplifting tag on me or something,” Bogart joked.

Having assumed his position on July 1, Dr. William “Tom” Bogart, a former dean of academic affairs and professor of economics at York College of Pennsylvania, hit the ground running by traveling here to take part in the 219th General Assembly (2010).

The Moravian Church minister said she senses the world is “watching, waiting and yearning for a new vision of community.” This community, she explained, is not based on “sameness or agreement.” Instead, she said, the community being sought is “based on a transcendent relationship in the midst of our diversity.”

Baptism is the “ultimate call and response” to God, preacher Taylor Lewis Guthrie told worshipers Tuesday at the 219th General Assembly’s worship service.

On Tuesday, the 219th General Assembly Committee on Theological Issues and Institutions dealt with overtures and recommendations ranging from proposed amendments to the Directory for Worship to approval of nominations of seminary presidents to revising the covenant relationship between the PC(UCA) and El Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico.

On Tuesday, the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues: The Promotion of Social Righteousness unanimously approved “Explore the Intersection of Gender and Race,” a resolution to study the position of women of color in church and society.

The Rev. Catherine Snyder has seen firsthand the pain and hurt felt by individuals and communities because of gun violence.

The Peace and International Issues Committee of the 219thGeneral Assembly (2010) recommended Tuesday that the PC(USA) engage in a study of “new approaches to active peacemaking and nonviolence.”

A commission to oversee the work of the Synod of Boriquen (Puerto Rico) and its three presbyteries is being recommended by the 219th General Assembly Committee on Middle Governing Body Issues.

The Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues voted Tuesday (34-18-2) to recommend to the full Assembly changing the definition of marriage in the Directory for Worship from “a woman and a man” to “two people.”