The Assembly has begun!  Current Moderator Joan Gray opened the first business meeting with prayer. Current Stated Clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick led the Assembly in the opening litany.    The theme is from Micah To do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.

Participating in the Assembly are:

752 commissioners from 173 presbyteries
173 youth advisory delegates
25 theological student advisory delegates
8 missionary advisory delegate

as well as loads of ‘others’ - observers, staff, exhibitors, GA junkies… the estimates are that there are about 3500 Presbyterians gathered.

Commissioners, Advisory Delegates and Visitors were welcomed by a number of people in a number of ways. One of the most interesting however was a video welcome from the COLA (Committee on Local Arrangements).  We are in the heart of Silicon Valley a place where “today challanges tomorrow” and “the question is not ‘why’ by ‘why not’?”  Here in the Valley “we zig not zag.”  ‘This is the place that has changed the way the whole world works  - the spirit of innovation is growing everywhere in this valley.  It all starts with an idea.  What’s yours?”

As Presbyterians from around the country try to figure out how to be the church together and how to be the church of the future, these ideas from the world of technology about how to ‘be’ in the world seem quite relevant.

What would church look like if we embodied the spirit of innovation?
What does a zigging church look like?