Hello all,

The committee work began Sunday afternoon (the 4th, although my committee had met Friday to get started) and really gathered steam today.  I only caught a glimpse of Mary Ellen Keller Monday twice, and one of Mariana Berbert Sunday.  I’ve caught up with Michael Lukens occasionally (and needed to get polity clarification from him); I’ve also seen Lucy Rupe .  So today you will get my notes only – no impressions from everyone else.

As I’ve mentioned, my committee is the Form of Government revision committee – this is the committee that is taking the work of the Form of Government Task Force, as well as overtures from presbyteries in support of the revised Form of Government and presbyteries who oppose the revisions.  We are charged with deciding what to do with the work of the Task Force, who was charged by prior GA’s with developing a new form of government (the first part of the Book of Order) that would provide more flexibility to fit a variety of circumstances, with the hope that the result would resemble a constitution more than a manual of operations.  Many of us have worked with the Book of Order for a long time, are familiar and comfortable with it.  But the goals are admirable, and seem good for the church – mandating  functions rather than structures, so that presbyteries and sessions can find way to do what is required in ways that work for their circumstances: standards are not eliminated!

Naturally, any time a change of this scope is proposed, there is a lot of anxiety and resistance.  One idea behind the new Form of Government is to begin to rebuild trust in our denomination by substituting relationships for regulations.  The visions is to have that people engage with one another and with God as we discern how to best accomplish a given goal in our circumstances – rather than merely providing long lists of requirements!

And here is the exciting part — it is happening even as we work together on this committee!  Already, we have people of all sorts of backgrounds and  experiences, working together just as the Form of Government Task Force envisioned that people would.  We are working hard, and getting to know one another.  Many many amendments to the proposed FOG have been voted on, and it is exciting that factions haven’t formed on the committee.  Each vote is different, as we all seek to serve Jesus Christ faithfully, rather than hew to some line of some group.  God is present everywhere, of course, and in Minneapolis, at General Assembly, we are not only aware of God’s presence, but depending on the work of the Spirit!

Today all the committees will finish their work.  Tonight the Rev. Dr. Michael Lukens will be honored with the formal presentation of the Fred Jenkins award he was given in 2009.  Tomorrow the full assembly begins to meet in plenary sessions again (which you can follow on the internet – go to the new, redesigned pcusa.org website to learn how).

Please continue to pray for us all.

Peace, Rev. Susan Zencka