WELCOME
|
FAQs on actions
|
|
ASSEMBLY in brief 2010
Newly elected Moderator Cynthia Bolbach. —Photo by Danny Bolin
With an unusually large number of contentious issues on the agenda, the 219th General Assembly (2010) — with the theme “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38) — could have been a stormy crossing. Th at it wasn’t is a tribute to the spirit of civility and unity that predominated among the 712 commissioners and 200 advisory delegates who diligently adhered to their commissions “to discern the mind of Christ.”
They were also well-served by two calm and competent leaders — Moderator Cynthia Bolbach and Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons. While no Assembly produces consensus on many issues, the 219th General Assembly demonstrated Presbyterian governance at its best — elders, ministers and advisers worshiping, laughing, praying, singing, studying, debating and navigating potentially treacherous waters together to seek the best way forward for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Read more.
Downloadable version.
Welcome all to the 219th General Assembly (2010)
Blogs
Several commissioners and advisory delegates have been invited to blog about their experience of the General Assembly.
Stated Clerk's Column: The gift of community
May 1, 2012 3:59 p.m.
The following is an account popular in the storytelling world and passed along in William White’s Stories for the Journey (Augsburg Press, 1988).
People in a remote village purchased a television set. For weeks, all of the children and all of the adults gathered around the set morning, afternoon, and night watching the programs. After a couple of months, the set was turned off and never used again.
Stated Clerk's Column: April 2012-Monthly column featuring Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons
March 30, 2012 2:29 p.m.
Zippy was a thoroughbred horse that competed in ninety-nine races and never won. Ever. He was finally banned from rack tracks “for the protection of the betting public.”
Stated Clerk's Column: March 2012-Monthly column featuring Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons
March 2, 2012 2:07 p.m.
I want to salute those silent and often unseen sisters and brothers who have the call of being a church janitor. The position may have a different name where you are, but the functions are the same.
It does not matter whether your congregation’s calendar is filled with daily programs and activities in your building or the space is used just a few times during the week. Someone, paid or volunteers, keeps it clean.
Stated Clerk's Column: February 2012-Monthly column featuring Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons
February 1, 2012 1:38 p.m.
Who taught you in Sunday school? I can remember most of my teachers, which included my parents. My father taught the rowdy third-grade boys and my mother, the more mature sixth graders.
Mrs. Arnold corralled the kindergarteners on Sunday after teaching first grade in public schools during the week. She was infinitely kind and had x-ray vision for any good impulse. She was intolerant of meanness. She was an advocate for play and joy. She relayed Bible stories as if she was actually there – and, well, she did seem old.
