Commissioners to the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Wednesday (July 4) requested that the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) study concerns about per capita giving raised in an overture from the Presbytery of Detroit.

“Peacocks” led the singing from the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God, at the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation's breakfast for 125 people Wednesday (July 4) at the 220th General Assembly.

David Eicher, editor of Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal, thanked the 15 members of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS) for their nearly four years of service. They are called peacocks as a play on the committee's acronym.

By a nearly three-fourths majority, the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) today (July 5) rejected a proposal that would allow the creation of non-geographic presbyteries “for particular missional purposes.” The vote was 480-169.

The Rev. Tod Bolsinger of Los Ranchos Presbyery, chair of the General Assembly Commission on Mid Councils that brought the recommendation, said the intent of the commission “was to bring a genuine plan for transformation, a radical reordering because the world is changing rapidly and our structures are not.” He called the proposal “experimentation for a limited period of time under the strict supervision of existing geographic presbyteries.”

The National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) sold more tickets to its July 3 dinner at the 220th General Assembly than expected — a reflection of the “rejuvenation” occurring across the caucus, said the Rev. Arlene Gordon, president of the group.

“NBPC is in a new day,” Gordon said. “We are very much alive.”

The 220th General Assembly today (July 4) approved the list of affiliated colleges, universities, and secondary schools as recommended by the Theological Issues, Institutions and Christian Education Committee.

The Assembly also approved the committee’s request that the General Assembly Mission Council, with the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, develop a clear definition of what it means to be considered a “Presbyterian affiliated” school. Currently there is no guideline for affiliation.

Continuing a 175-year tradition, the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Wednesday evening (July 4) commissioned 152 Presbyterian mission co-workers and young adult volunteers who have accepted assignments since the previous General Assembly.

The commissioning was held in the state where, in 1837, Presbyterians established their first national denominational mission agency. Presbyterian World Mission traces its heritage to that board formed in Philadelphia.

A local chef's idea prompted the whole-hog success of Monday's (July 2) dinner sponsored by the Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF) and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s International Health and Development Program (IHD) here at the 220th GA.

“The goal of this was to help build community,” said Pam Ator, MBF development staff person who organized the event.

After 90 minutes of spirited debate, the Church Growth and Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (PILP) Committee approved a motion that recommends the 220th General Assembly declare a churchwide commitment to ignite a movement that results in the creation of 1001 worshiping communities in the next ten years.

On Wednesday morning (July 4) at the Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) breakfast, PFR Executive Director Paul Detterman exuberantly led those gathered in singing beloved old standards such as “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” and “Blessed Assurance.” Those present responded with robust harmonization, singing with evident pleasure.

The new vice moderator of the 220th General Assembly said he “shares a passion for sacramental unity” with the moderator, the Rev. Neal D. Presa.

The Rev. Tom Trinidad, pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., was confirmed and installed as vice moderator Wednesday evening, July 4, following the resignation of his predecessor, the Rev. Tara Spuhler McCabe, earlier in the day.