It’s a big day at the Assembly. We got behind docket last night and so the work has been reordered for the day.

This morning we elected a new Stated Clerk.  Clifton Kirkpatrick is retiring after 12 years of service in his position.  See news story here.

Gradye Parsons is the committee’s recommendation for Clerk.  Their nomination of him began with “Gradye Parsons has many spiritual gifts, experiences, and skills to serve most effectively as the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. These include a strong and abiding faith, a deep love for the church, demonstrated ability to use a vision of the church and a sense of mission in planning and decision making, leadership in new and creative thinking in serving the church of the future, and a breadth of experience at all levels of the church.”  Gradye has worked as the Associated Stated Clerk of the General Assembly for 8 year.

The energy at the Assembly is good but the docket is threating to run very long today with lots of big issues. None-the-less, in the conversations I’ve had, the general consensus is that the Assembly is acting with unity in mind.  Many comments at the microphones mention the desire to stay together.  No one has been nasty

Minority report from Church Order on Deleting G-6.0106b
The committee emphasized their use of discernment and encouraged sessions and congregations to do so as well.  The motion is a request to continue the conversation using the study guide released by the Office of Theology and Worship - sending it out to presbyteries for study. Report here.

The general atmosphere of the of the conversation has a tone of respect.  At least from my seat, near the back of the hall, it appears that commissioners are being very careful with language in order to honor those who disagree.

Complete news stories on these and other decisions are found here.

Don’t forget live video here.  This afternoon looks like it will be lively!