We Have Begun!

Beginning with worship the elders, ministers, young adults, seminary students, mission coworkers and ecumenical representatives were commissioned to service as Commissioners and Advisory Delegates to the 219^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). So, it has begun . . . we are now officially commissioners and officially doing “business”.

After commissioning came orientation when we heard a series of presentations about the range of programs of the denomination and other items we should be aware of (including the always fun “Financial Implications Report of Proposed Actions” and how to use the wireless voting system).

We heard from the Stated Clerk (Gradye Parsons), Committee on Local Arrangements, Moderator of the 218^th GA (Bruce Reyes-Chow), Vice-Moderator of the 218^th GA (Byron Wade), General Assembly Mission Council (GMAC) (Linda Valentine – Executive Director), General Assembly Nominating Committee (GANC), and the Committee on Business Referrals. And, we had our first official actions of the GA when we approved assignment of overtures to committees.

The orientation continued with an open time in the exhibit hall for commissioners and advisory delegates only. When we had an opportunity to visit with the various agencies of the PC(USA) and have a light buffet dinner.

Then we reconvened in the plenary hall for the major item of business for today . . . election of the Moderator of the 219^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Each of the six candidates for moderator had someone give them a five-minute nominating speech. Then the candidates got to give their own five-minute speeches before there was a 90-minute period for Q & A of the candidates.

After some glitches with the electronic voting system and several ballots (special thanks to Linda Long for the bubbles which helped to fill the time), Elder Cindy Bolbach from the National Capital Presbytery was elected Moderator of the 219^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Rev. Landon Whitsitt from the Heartland Presbytery was elected the Vice-Moderator. Congratulations to Cindy and Landon as well as all the other candidates!

As their parting gifts, Bruce and Byron were not only given the traditional official gifts for their service they were also both given neckties since they both avoid them as much as possible.

We have begun our journey together. Tomorrow (or is later today . . . either way on Sunday) we will start with an opening worship service which will include communion and a BAPTISM! So until the morning may God be with you all!

PS – There is no internet access in the plenary hall or the committee rooms (only intranet access), so postings will probably be limited to a single post at the end of the day.