Some reflections on the process.

Since this is my first GA, this has been quite a learning experience for me.  The details of how the Assembly works are complicated.  For example Wednesday afternoon, the Stated Clerk gave a lengthy tutorial on how to to use the microphones which may not seem that complicated but in order to be excruciatingly fair, we have to have a process and procedure for everything - and I do mean everything including where to stand in line, how to get recognized on the floor, and how to make motions, amended motions, substitute motions, and perfect motions.

Commissioners vote several different ways - sometimes by a show of hands, sometimes by voice and sometimes on keypads with 8 seconds to register their votes.  If you are logging into PC-Biz you’ll see that sometimes there is a vote count listed (that’s when electronic voting is used).

And as I’ve mentioned before wireless signals in the hall are not working well.  The technology folks have been working hard to get commissioners connected but… well… its hasn’t been going that well and those of us without vote (in the back half of the hall where there is supposed to be wireless access) are disconnected more often than we are connected.  I imagine it is even more frustrating for those who are not following on a laptop.  It’s hard to keep up with the overtures, amendments and motions without seeing some of it in writing.

I’m also struck by the fact that much of the discussion on overtures on the floor is rehashing what has already been worked over (and in some cases over and over) in committee. While I understand and appreciate the democratic nature of our process and think that sometimes it can work very well - allowing all voice to be heard, once the committees have done their work, there needs to be some level of trust!

Many of us are frustrated with that part of the process.  How can we balance the need for all voices to be heard and the need for a less cumbersome and repetitive process?  Any ideas out there?  Anyone?!

More pictures has been posted here.

I was too tired to write last night.  The Assembly begin to meet in plenary yesterday afternoon at 2:30.  The energy was good and we moved the through the docket quickly in the beginning.

After prayer, the Rev. Dr. Byron Wade was introduced as the Vice Moderator of the 218th GA.   The Assembly confirmed Byron and installed him, ending the installation service with the sining of the doxology… it really is something to 3000 people singing togehter.

Kirkpatrick welcomed everyone back to the floor of the Assembly and said that he hoped we were feeling real comfortable in our seats because we’re going to be spending a lot of time in them over the next couple of days. And indeed, Commissioners are scheduled straight through for business meetings from now until Saturday noon.

Which leads me to this.  If you, sitting in Wisconsin (or wherever) want to watch the Assembly you can do that as long as you have a DSL line.  GA is streaming live video during the plenary sessions.  You can find the video by going to pcusa.org and clicking on picture of the movie camera on the right hand column.  Even though the technical difficulties have been many, the video seems to be working well and without too many interruptions.

I’m not going to report out all the decisions made - that’s already been done by the New Service here.

There is an interview Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow here by the folks at at DAIO.

Being here is like being in the twilight zone.  It feels as though we’ve been here for weeks on end.  Committees worked most of the day today - lucky ones finishing their work on time but some going back to work late into the night.

Some of the Winnebago folks were able to gather for dinner together tonight but it was short and sweet for some who had to rush back to committee.  (We were all jealous of the YADS who were whisked off to Santa Cruz for the evening.

Updates in all the usual places - here, here and here.

Stephen Wright, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Wausau is blogging here and here.

Great set of pictures here.

Plenary starts tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 and it looks like there will be very few dull moments.  Stay tuned.

After an awesome 5 day drive across this diverse country we settled in at a motel, a ten minute bus ride from the Convention Center hosting General Assembly.  This location is mentioned because the bus ride to and from the assembly has been an eye opening experience.  More on that later.

 We got up bright and early to learn about Women Concern Issues at the Hot cakes Hot Issues breakfast.  Wow! We received a 3 ring binder full of issues submitted by presbyteries and agencies of the church. GA procedures, church polity, ministry, government revisions, mission, health, peacemaking, church growth and Christian Education, theological issues and more.  We have our work cut out if we want to get to the various committees dealing with these concerns.

We attended the More Light Presbyterian dinner.  We experienced a group of people who are seeking more light on the topic of inclusion.  The goal of MLP is to see that everyone has equal rights in the church.  They are followers of Jesus and seek to follow him.  At the dinner, those in attendance were surprised to be included in the marriage of the gay couple who had just received an award for their work/business, Reach and Teach, the Peace and Socal Justice Learning Company in Daly City.  The pastor, who had presided over their union 18 years ago, signed the State of California marriage license after they recited their vows to each other.  This was witnessed by the same two individuals who were with them 18 years ago.

We met 3 general secretaries from three African countries at the World Mission Luncheon and a couple commissioned to go to Malawi for three years to work with orphans of HIV parents who have died.  MISSION , TRUST and LOVE  are words we hope will find their way back to our churches and translate into efforts to act on them.  Local congregations need to let mission become personal and coordinate with the greater church so that mission can be coordianted and truly helpful.

Yes, we have attended worship, general GA meetings, and observed committee meetings.

As for the bus rides: on our 10 minute rides back and forth we have been impressed by the kind, friendly, helpful bus drivers, the many nationalities, cultures and languages, people going and coming from work filling the buses early in the morning to late at night.  They board the bus walking, riding bikes(to be put infront of the bus)with walkers, motored carts, canes, etc.  We have witnessed numerous gestures of kindness by fellow passengers to each other bridging racial, age and sexual lines.  Riding this bus each day has put a real life outlook to this GA adventure.  We have only just begun this week journey.  Keep this Church in your prayers as the commissioners work through all their assigned duties. Ted and Mary

Wow am I tired.  And I didn’t work nearly as hard as our commissioners did! Commissioners met today in their various committees - all day from right after breakfast until… well, a few of them are still meeting (it’s 10:30pm as I write this).

Commissioners started the day at breakfast with David Lamotte - singer, song writer and activist who also happened to be the keynote at our Winnebago Presbytery fall camp last year.  Read more here.

After breakfast it was off to committees for some but the rest of us were free to explore the Exhibition Hall, Mission Tours and Affinity Group Lunches.  Presbyterians do know how to eat. And there was something for everyone.

Committees will continue to meet tomorrow and plenary will begin meeting again on Wednesday.  That’s when committees will begin presenting their work to the Assembly and the votes will begin to fly!

So stay tuned… but meanwhile check out a few of these places:

From the moderator

Details on the election of the moderator I took notes but these are MUCH more coherent

Some of you may already be Presbyterian Outlook readers - they’ve recently merged with a site called DAIO (standing for - what else? Decently and in order) and have a great blog with lots of news here.

That should keep you busy but don’t forget to check the pcusa.org/ga218 updates as well.  They can be found here.