Most commissioners stagger wearily to bed after plenary recesses, but not everyone. Young Adult Advisory Delegates (YAADs) have extra commitments at the end of each day.
As commissioners are finishing their day, YAADs are beginning another caucus meeting complete with music, dancing, discussion and exuberance. Energizers followed by worship and music, small group processing and presentations on special issues—their days often end well after midnight.
The 220th General Assembly (2012) has called for a study of health insurance companies to determine if their practices conflict with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s support for universal health care access.
In an action taken early Saturday morning (July 7), the Assembly directed the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) to examine insurance companies’ lobbying expenditures, political campaign contributions, profit margins, premium increases and the percentage of claims that are denied.
Drama overtook Friday morning worship (July 6) as the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community Team (Pittsburgh) enacted a modern version of Mark 2:1-12—the story of the paralyzed man who is lowered through the roof to be healed. With humor and slapstick the skit illustrated the tensions between a woman who wanted only nice young couples in the church and a motley crew who were trying get in to worship. In the drama’s end, Jesus heals and unifies the disagreeing parties.
Christian students around the world are committed to building “an economy of life” and are eager for the churches to join them, a leader in the World Christian Student Federation (WCSF) told the 220th General Assembly’s Ecumenical Breakfast gathering here today (July 4).
“Psalm 24 says that ‘the earth is Lord’s, the earth and all who dwell therein,’” said Luciano Kovacs, a Waldensian (the Protestant church of Italy) and North American regional director for the World Christian Student Federation. “But we’ve sold it to the highest bidder, placed it on the auction table for a few billionaires.”
Working for peace and justice is more important than ever today in “a world that has run amok with violence,” keynote speaker the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson told Presbyterians attending the Peace Breakfast, sponsored by Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, at the 220th General Assembly on July 4.
In a rousing speech titled, “Our Choice: Nonviolence or Nonexistence,” Nelson, who is director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Public Witness, urged Presbyterians to seek “not just earthly power but heavenly possibilities” to bring about change.
The universe is so vast that trying to understand it makes our minds melt. So said Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, speaker at the Science and Faith lunch on Thursday (July 5) at the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
An astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Wiseman is the director of the Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The Company of Pastors, a program of the Office of Theology, Worship and Education (TWE), invited people to lunch with the Rev. David Rohrer, former teaching pastor at University Presbyterian Church (Seattle, Wash.), on Thursday afternoon (July 5) at the 220th GA.
Want a church that is growing stronger spiritually and in numbers? The Acts 16.5 Initiative just might be for you.
The Rev. E. Stanley Ott has presented this program he developed in many presbyteries, and some of the people who have participated gathered for breakfast Friday (July 6) to share their enthusiasm and tell others about it at the 220th General Assembly meeting here.
Leaders of presbyteries gathered for a brief respite from the business of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Thursday evening for the annual Association of Executive Presbyters (AEPs) dinner.
“We exist to offer networking and support to presbytery leaders,” said the Rev. Chaz Ruark, president-elect of the organization. “And yes, we do need to change our name, which means Association of Executive Presbyters.” He drew a chuckle from the crowd when he admitted a major block to a name change is the tradition of decorating the table with stuffed apes at AEPs events.
After two hours of debate and presentations Thursday night (July 5), the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) said no to divestment as part of its position on peace in the Middle East.