Thursday, June 22, 2006
That was a short night. The last time I looked it was just after 1 AM. Then the alarm went off at 5:25 AM. The Sheraton provided a secured room for our luggage in their ballroom. Of course I showed up early to beat the rush. The ballroom appeared to be setup, but I could not leave anything as there was no one there. So much for being early this morning. After I checked my luggage in I made a beeline for the other side of the complex as the meeting this morning is in the lower level of the convention center which in walking distance is about 3 or 4 blocks.
After morning worship we were opened by the co-moderators for the YADs, Christy Fisher and Justin Wood.
Moderator Gray then prayed for those in the armed forces as well as others who are serving our country as well as their families. We prayed for those who have lost someone and we prayed for peace. We prayed that we may all be peacemakers. We also prayed for the chaplains that are ministering to those in the armed forces. We prayed for the day that we would all be home and that all will be made new.
Moderator Gray spoke to us pastorally and asked that we do the same when talking with others after the General Assembly. We need to have open dialogue and also work together to grow the church. We should also tell them not to believe everything that they hear in the media. She also asked that we not leave this assembly with any grudges.
Deborah Block then addressed the assembly from the floor and she read the Birmingham Pledge:
There was a motion from the floor:
That the sermon and the following prayer be posted on the PCUSA website which was accepted with a round of applause.
The Moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures told us that the minutes are in order and any remaining minutes will be approved by mail.
The Moderator of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures (Financial Implications), Vince Thomas, provided the report from the committee. We needed to approve the revised budgets and per capita rates for 2007 and 2008. This was done after the explanation of the financial implications report. After several questions the question was called and seconded. A motion was made from the floor that was seconded:
Consider sending all reports electronically.
The question has been called on the motion and passed by hand vote. The amendment passed. The motion as amended passed. The committee recommended that the assembly approve the per capita increase. Vince moved that this be accepted. There was no discussion so we voted to approve the motion and it passed. The final item did not need assembly approval as the committee approved the commissioner’s vouchers and this just needed to be reported. This concluded the report.
The Moderator of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination (Financial Implications), Elder David Norton, provided their report to the assembly. Item 08-REV recommends the assembly approved increases be accepted. The change was moved by the committee, there was no discussion, and the item was accepted on consensus. This concluded their report to the assembly.
Moderator Gray turned the floor over to co-moderators for the YADs, Christy Fisher and Justin Wood. Christy then led us in a fun round. Justin then presented Moderator Gray with a gift from the YADs. Christy then called up the Stated Clerk and the Vice-Moderator to whom they presented a gift as well. Justin then asked that the YADs thank all of the commissioners that helped them and that the commissioners thank any YADs that helped make this time more enjoyable.
A recommendation was then made by Elder Rick Ufford-Chase. A motion to reconsider was made and seconded which was followed by debate. This is in regards to Item 11-01 from the committee for Peacemaking and International Issues. The motion to reconsider involves the following statement from Item 11-01:
The 217th General Assembly believes that the PC (USA) should use the greatest possible care in speaking to or with a sovereign nation on any matter including how to handle protecting its borders or matters of national defense.
Moderator Gray then ended debate and we voted to the request to reconsider down, the item stands as voted on yesterday.
Introductions of the new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the General Assembly Council and the new Moderator and Vice-Moderator for the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly followed.
The YADs from the Committee on General Assembly Procedures presented a thank you to the Committee On Local Arrangements. Next was the OGA thanks to the 2006 Local Committee by Dennis Cobb, Assistant Stated Clerk. The Stated Clerk, Clifton Kirkpatrick then thanked the GA staff. And finally it was time for the Introduction of San Jose Committee on Local Arrangements. Bob Bowles, Moderator of the Committee on Local Arrangements from the Presbytery of San Jose was introduced by Moderator Gray. Bob gave greetings from the 2008 Local Arrangements Presbytery of San Jose. He then shared with us a video that they had prepared first on San Jose and then the Spirit of San Jose. There were a few announcements before we closed in prayer. Moderator Gray then declared us adjourned. My next post will be after we get home as I thought this one would be, but there was free Wi-fi at the Birmingham airport.
That was a short night. The last time I looked it was just after 1 AM. Then the alarm went off at 5:25 AM. The Sheraton provided a secured room for our luggage in their ballroom. Of course I showed up early to beat the rush. The ballroom appeared to be setup, but I could not leave anything as there was no one there. So much for being early this morning. After I checked my luggage in I made a beeline for the other side of the complex as the meeting this morning is in the lower level of the convention center which in walking distance is about 3 or 4 blocks.
After morning worship we were opened by the co-moderators for the YADs, Christy Fisher and Justin Wood.
Moderator Gray then prayed for those in the armed forces as well as others who are serving our country as well as their families. We prayed for those who have lost someone and we prayed for peace. We prayed that we may all be peacemakers. We also prayed for the chaplains that are ministering to those in the armed forces. We prayed for the day that we would all be home and that all will be made new.
Moderator Gray spoke to us pastorally and asked that we do the same when talking with others after the General Assembly. We need to have open dialogue and also work together to grow the church. We should also tell them not to believe everything that they hear in the media. She also asked that we not leave this assembly with any grudges.
Deborah Block then addressed the assembly from the floor and she read the Birmingham Pledge:
There was a motion from the floor:
That the sermon and the following prayer be posted on the PCUSA website which was accepted with a round of applause.
The Moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures told us that the minutes are in order and any remaining minutes will be approved by mail.
The Moderator of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures (Financial Implications), Vince Thomas, provided the report from the committee. We needed to approve the revised budgets and per capita rates for 2007 and 2008. This was done after the explanation of the financial implications report. After several questions the question was called and seconded. A motion was made from the floor that was seconded:
Consider sending all reports electronically.
The question has been called on the motion and passed by hand vote. The amendment passed. The motion as amended passed. The committee recommended that the assembly approve the per capita increase. Vince moved that this be accepted. There was no discussion so we voted to approve the motion and it passed. The final item did not need assembly approval as the committee approved the commissioner’s vouchers and this just needed to be reported. This concluded the report.
The Moderator of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination (Financial Implications), Elder David Norton, provided their report to the assembly. Item 08-REV recommends the assembly approved increases be accepted. The change was moved by the committee, there was no discussion, and the item was accepted on consensus. This concluded their report to the assembly.
Moderator Gray turned the floor over to co-moderators for the YADs, Christy Fisher and Justin Wood. Christy then led us in a fun round. Justin then presented Moderator Gray with a gift from the YADs. Christy then called up the Stated Clerk and the Vice-Moderator to whom they presented a gift as well. Justin then asked that the YADs thank all of the commissioners that helped them and that the commissioners thank any YADs that helped make this time more enjoyable.
A recommendation was then made by Elder Rick Ufford-Chase. A motion to reconsider was made and seconded which was followed by debate. This is in regards to Item 11-01 from the committee for Peacemaking and International Issues. The motion to reconsider involves the following statement from Item 11-01:
The 217th General Assembly believes that the PC (USA) should use the greatest possible care in speaking to or with a sovereign nation on any matter including how to handle protecting its borders or matters of national defense.
Moderator Gray then ended debate and we voted to the request to reconsider down, the item stands as voted on yesterday.
Introductions of the new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the General Assembly Council and the new Moderator and Vice-Moderator for the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly followed.
The YADs from the Committee on General Assembly Procedures presented a thank you to the Committee On Local Arrangements. Next was the OGA thanks to the 2006 Local Committee by Dennis Cobb, Assistant Stated Clerk. The Stated Clerk, Clifton Kirkpatrick then thanked the GA staff. And finally it was time for the Introduction of San Jose Committee on Local Arrangements. Bob Bowles, Moderator of the Committee on Local Arrangements from the Presbytery of San Jose was introduced by Moderator Gray. Bob gave greetings from the 2008 Local Arrangements Presbytery of San Jose. He then shared with us a video that they had prepared first on San Jose and then the Spirit of San Jose. There were a few announcements before we closed in prayer. Moderator Gray then declared us adjourned. My next post will be after we get home as I thought this one would be, but there was free Wi-fi at the Birmingham airport.
So Great A Cloud Of Witnesses!
Because of Him,
Terry
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