The Committee on Peacemaking and International Issues at the 219th General Assembly (2010) heard an overview Sunday of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program during the committee’s opening session.

The Peacemaking Program has its roots in a statement called “Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling,” affirmed by the two predecessor denominations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the early 1980s, said the Rev. Mark Koenig, coordinator of the Peacemaking Program. The statement “recognized that Presbyterians had been seeking peace for many years,” Koenig said. “It called us to renew our peacemaking ministries.”

While other Assembly participants were retiring to their rooms following Saturday’s late-night Moderator election, Caroline Sherard and Michael East were just getting their second wind.

As the meeting room vibrated with the driving beat of energizers, the Young Adult Advisory Delegates co-moderators – elected from a field of 15 on Friday evening by the 161 YAADs of the 219th General Assembly (2010) – prepared to motivate and inspire their cohorts.

By unanimous vote, the Mission Coordination Committee of the 219th General Assembly (2010) recommended that Linda Bryant Valentine be confirmed to a second four-year term as executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC).

The Assembly will vote on the recommendation later in the week.

The Rev. Chuck Proudfoot worked in Minneapolis on Sunday. He also preached at the worship service of his congregation, Community Presbyterian Church, 1,600 miles away in Payson, Ariz.

The Bills and Overtures Committee of the 219th General Assembly (2010) on Sunday referred 12 of 14 commissioner resolutions to committees.

Stewart Pollock of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution (ACC) told the Form of Government Revision Committee on Sunday that the proposed revision to the Form of Government “would be a healthy thing and lead to new opportunities for the church.”

Pollock said, “We believe the Form of Government Task Force accomplished the task given to them in their charge by the 218th General Assembly (2008).”

A birthday song for the Rev. Philip Keevil of First Presbyterian Church in Reading, Penn., started off the Presbyterians Pro-Life (PPL) luncheon Sunday as part of the 219th General Assembly (2010).

Four women were honored Sunday morning for their passion, dedication and faithfulness at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Women of Faith Awards breakfast at the 219th General Assembly (2010).

Elder Joyce Uyeda, the Rev. Elizabeth Knott, elder Elona Street-Stewart and the Rev. Margaret Howland were recognized for their years of ministry in areas ranging from youth ministry to working for justice for Palestinians.

More than 400 years separate the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belhar Confession, two doctrinal statements being presented for consideration to the 219th General Assembly (2010).

The Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, launched the opening session of the Committee on General Assembly Procedures on Sunday by summarizing the work of the Office of the General Assembly. Parsons highlighted a recent leadership study done in partnership with the Committee on Theological Education and the General Assembly Mission Council.

Citing trends observed by Daniel Aleshire, executive director of the Association of Theological Schools, Parsons noted that two growth areas for the ministerial profession are “home-raised,” or homegrown, associates and bi-vocational ministers.