Good News and Bad News

This is a post, not about the balance between good news and bad news, but how bad news drives good news off the table. Wednesday was a day of much good news, but in the discussion and press, just as in this post, the bad news gets the headlines.

On Sunday afternoon, Tara Spuhler McCabe was installed to the office of vice moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for a two year term. Under our system, the newly-elected moderator selects a person to be vice moderator. The General Assembly confirms that selection or not. In this case the Assembly did by a large, but not overwhelming majority.

Apparently, over the next two days, the blogs, texts, email and tweets concentrated not on her gifts of service to the Church and the Presbyterian community, but on her service of love and compasion to a same-gender couple of her congregation. She brought the Church's presence to a marriage in the District of Columbia where such a marriage is legal. This is contrary to the discipline of the Presbyterian Church in which a marriage is to be exclusively between a man and a woman.

Wednesday afternoon, at the opening of next business meeting of the Assembly, she resigned her office because the controversy over her actions would detract from her ability to serve the church.  This resignation was an act of love for the Assembly and the denomination.

On Wednesday evening Tom Trinidad, from Colorado, was confirmed to the office of Vice Moderator.

The news about the resignation has been and will continue to be the high (low) light of Wednesday's actions.   Lost in this news will be celebrations and joys. For instance:

• The assembly celebrated
  • The service of retired and newly-commissioned missionaries abroad and in the US
  • The 200^th anniversary of two of our seminaries
  • Service of seminary educators
  • New form of worshiping communities
  • Ecumenical worship
• The assembly started the processes to
  • Possibly send the Belhar Confession, a confession based on the struggles for equality in South Africa
  • Send to the presbyteries for consideration a new and more accurate translation from German of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), based on the academic translation work of scholars of ours and two sister denominations
• The assembly celebrates the gifts of Tom Trinidad as Vice Moderator

It is unfortunate that the bad news about the conflicts within the denomination catch with headlines while the work that is being done as the denomination attempts unity without the necessity of uniformity so pushed aside.

This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Thoughtful Christian posted the title to this post on on its Facebook page this morning.  This is a list of a few of the many blessing of the the past few days.

1.  The blessing of the congregation of McKeesport Presbyterian Church, hosts to about twenty of for worship and lunch on Sunday.   I have heard the term "Rust Belt" refer to the social devastation of the decline of the steel industry, but had not seen its effects until yesterday.  It was striking to see rows of houses, two-thirds abandoned.  Most of those in the community who could afford to move away have done so.  Those who could not, remain.

The congregation is working in its  community to serve those in its community and neighborhood.  One way they hope to do so is to be part of a city demonstration neighborhood revitalization project.   Keep the region, city, neighborhood, and congregation in your prayers.   Also, if you know of likely sources of funds to assist in their capital funds drive, communicate suggestions to the church.

2.  The blessings of good Samaritans. Roger's bag with substantially all his need for nine days  in Pittsburgh fell out of the shuttle from the airport.   The bag and contents were delivered to Roger intact by Sunday.  Thanks to those who assisted Roger in the interim and to the person who found and returned the bag.

3.  The blessings of varieties of service.   I am part of the leadership team for one of the committee of the General Assembly.   I am impressed that our moderator, vice moderator, committee assistant, resource coordinator, and I bring different talents, each appropriate for the work of the committee.  Also, Edward reminded me this morning of the numbers and varieties of talents of those who serve to bring us to this spiritual and physical space and to assist us while we are here.

In addition to the varieties of the things we do, we are blessed by the varieties of who we are.  Who we  are includes the varieties of our physical abilities, our backgrounds, and spiritual experiences.   These make the diversity that is the strength of God's kingdom.

For these and many more, for all of our blessings, give thanks.

Thoughts on PC(USA) General Assembly 220 Day 1

Saturday was the first day of the Presbyterian Church (USA) 220th General Assembly, Pittsburgh, PA.  This is the day that the whole community of faith gathers in worship and that the commissioner elect a moderator for the assembly and to be the public face of the denomination for the next two years.

Worship each year is awesome and inspiring.   Inspiration comes from the numbers of people worshiping and taking the Lord's Supper together and, this year, for the out-going moderator's presence and sermon.   This spring, Moderator Cindy Bolbach had an abdominal tumor removed.  She continues to struggle to regain her health. Her presence at worship and the evening business session was as inspiring as the worship message of stepping out in faith to serve others.

In contrast to the previous two assemblies, this year there were no apparent malfunctions in the electronic voting system.   The hardware and software vendors and the denomination staff have worked out the bugs that detracted from the work at hand in San Jose, CA, and Minneapolis, MN, in 2008 and 2010.

The election of a moderator is the first of the opportunities for the 688 commissioners to be advised by approximately 200 advisory delegates (youth, theological students, missionaries, and ecumenical guests) and then seek to do the will of God in their work of the assembly.

In the past I've observed generational shifts in the advice given by the various groups of advisory delegates.   There were about 6 ecumenical delegates, 15 missionary delegates, 20 theological students, and 160 youth (ages 17 - 25).  In the past I was able to observe trends in that the ecumenical delegates advised on one candidate and the other groups were increasing less supportive of that candidate and more supportive of another.   This year three of the four groups supported a single candidate very strongly.

Voting continues without further discussion until one candidate receives a majority of the commissioners' votes cast.   This year moderator Neal Presa was elected on the fourth ballot.   He started with the overwhelming support of three of the four groups of advisory delegates and 38% of the commissioners.   On the final ballot he received the votes of 52% of the commissioners.

Today is a day to worship in the various churches of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, to elect a Stated Clerk, the chief administrative officer of the denomination, and meet our committees for the first time.

More to follow as I have time.

General Assembly Business Overview

The PC(USA) General Assembly follows a pre-set sequence of  doing business.  On Saturday, following opening worship, the assembly will meet in the evening the GA elects a Moderator to be the leader of the assembly and of the church for the next two years, until the General Assembly meets in Detroit, MI in mid-June, 2014.  

On Sunday, following worship, there will be a short business meeting in the afternoon to elect a Stated Clerk (chief administrative officer) for a four year term.  This year there is no drama in this election as the incumbent, Gradye Parsons, is the only candidate.  In the evening the 20 committees each meet to get acquainted with each other and may start to consider some of the business assigned to the committee.

On Monday and Tuesday the committees will continue to meet and consider the business.  The committee work will result in recommendations to the full General Assembly plenary sessions.  None of the committee recommendations will be final until acted on by the plenary sessions.

The work of the full assembly starts on Wednesday.   Each day, Wednesday through Friday, includes three business sessions and worship.   Some of the work of the full assembly will be the subject of local, national, and religious press reports.  

The final plenary session, mostly to consider the budget implications of the prior actions, and closing worship will be on Saturday.   Most of us return to our homes on Saturday and Sunday.

For those who wish to follow the business of the General Assembly either to see what's going on or to check the accuracy of press reports, go to the same site the commissioners and delegates use, http://pc-biz.org

If you have questions or comments please make them here and I will try to respond.

The many blessings of service

I volunteered to serve as a parliamentarian for a committee at General Assembly,  starting June 30, a week from today.

I was appointed to the committee that reviews, among others, Presbyterian Publishing. I am reviewing Louis Weeks, A Sustainable Presbyterian Future. This is an excellent resource for congregations on ways be relevant by returning to our Presbyterian roots of ministry shared by teaching and ruling elders.

I look forward to more discussions in committee,  small groups, and plenary.

If we can be free to explore our roots and be open to change, there can be hope for the New Church.

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Week of Commitment and Joy

The first week of June, following Pentecost and Trinity Sunday, for me was a week of a variety of commitment, learning, and joy.   Spiritually uplifting and physically demanding.  Spiritually uplifting frequently comes with physically demanding.

The week started with an overnight trip to Louisville, for three days filled (7:30 AM to 9:00 PM Monday and Tuesday) with background, training, worship, and fellowship for committee and other leaders at General Assembly.   I am impressed with the varieties of gifts of those who will be helping the commissioners to discern the will of Christ for the church.

Louisville to Pendleton is not the most direct flights, similar to those from other parts of the country.  The commitment shown by those attending the sessions represent the dedication to Christ and the church of those for whom General Assembly is part of their mission to reinforce the church.  I look forward to playing a small part in helping the commissioners in their work.

After my return on Thursday morning and a few hours at my "day job," others and I traveled to Dayville for discussions with members of the Dayville Community Church session about that congregation's unique mission in the close-knit community in which they serve.  I was impressed with commitment to Christ, community, and mission.   I value the advantages of community shown by the Presbyterian system.  Unfortunately, with the distances between congregations in the presbytery and the schedule of meetings, some congregations have difficulty being as connected as other.   We need to work harder at keeping the connections.

I pray that the work of the General Assembly and the Dayville congregation continue to serve Christ in their particular ways.

Remember that the cost is sometimes worth the result

Sometimes travel is difficult.  However, it is easier to take if the result is worth the effort.  The visit to Louisville has had a cost in travel aggravation, but it is worth it.

The trip from Pendleton included an uneventful auto journey, three flights, all delayed by times ranging from 90 minutes to over three hours, one re-routing that should have caused a piece of baggage to not make the flight, much anxiety, and arrival at the meetings 30 minutes late instead of 2 hours early.

In the end, it is great to meet so many servants of the Presbyterian Church (USA) who are willing to serve in committee leadership positions.  Each of 20 committees has a moderator and vice moderator and a backup staff of a committee assistant, parliamentarian, and resource coordinator who come to Louisville for three days so that the committee can be effective and get its work done in three days of General Assembly.  

Doug, Emily, Amy, Frank, and I are working well together and I look forward to helping in a small way to move the work of the Presbyterian Board of Pensions, Foundation, and Publishing Company forward.

Tuesday we will learn more about the "nuts and bolts" of functioning during General Assembly, and on Wednesday we will work to developing a work plan for the committee.

I pray that we will help the commissioners to discern the will of God in the work of the denomination.

General Assembly Leadership Training

I leave on Sunday evening, June 3, for three whirlwind days in Louisville.  After an overnight set of flights from Pasco, trough San Francisco and Washington, DC, I'll get to Louisville at 10:00 in time for training session that start at 1:30 PM.   On Wednesday I'll return, arriving at Pasco at midnight.

The training is for committee leadership and staff for General Assembly that begins June 30.  I will be parliamentarian to committee 20 - Pensions, Foundation, and Presbyterian Publishing.   There had been one controversial matter on the agenda, having to do with medical benefits of Pension Board for same-sex partners.   That item has been withdrawn.   As this is the first time I've had a helping role in committee, I look forward to little to tax my skills.

At the training I will get to meet the committee moderator, vice moderator, and the other support folks.  I We will also have training not only in our own roles, but in what each other team member does. 

As a presbytery clerk, I've been an observer to the action of three past General Assemblies.  I'm looking forward be being able to help in some small way.

I hope to have additional postings during or after the training and during General Assembly.

The next two General Assemblies are in Detroit, MI, in 2014 and Portland, OR, in 2016.  I hope I can attend one or both.

Please pray for the commissioners, delegates, and staff of the General Assembly as they prepare for and attend this bi-annual assembly. 

Blessings of Travel

ElRae and I are in Newport, OR, for a long weekend between a short speaking opportunity to the Oregon City Attorney's Association and some dental work in Portland on Tuesday.

We had the pleasure of worship at the First Presbyterian Church of Newport.   It was an additional pleasure to learn that Rev. Eric Chavis of the Presbyterian Foundation was the guest preacher.  We appreciated his message of stewardship of all our resources.  Seeing Rev. Chavis reminded me to remember to invite him to presbytery meetings in October or April.

Blessings come in many ways, including seeing friends in when each of us is away from home.

Presbytery Newsletter #1

The Stated Clerk has distributed the presbytery's first bi-email monthly newsletter.  This newsletter was distributed to 56 people on the presbytery's mailing list.   Newsletter included information on the March mission trip to Birmingham, Alabama and the April presbytery meeting.

The next newsletter will be distributed in mid-July.  It will include more information about presbytery mission activities and some highlights from the 220th Presbyterian General Assembly held in Pittsburgh, PA, June 30 to July 7.

To be on the mailing list for future newsletters, click on the "subscribe" button in the left column.

Presbytery meeting, April 20-21

At its meeting on Friday and Saturday, the presbytery provided additial grants, to Tutuilla Church for the lost  and found youth ministry, LaGrande First Pesbyterian church for Koininia House, and Lostine First Presbyterian Church.

The presbytery also heard reports from the Birmingham mission team and Shared Ministry director Rona Peterson about communicating with current and prospective members and the public.

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Presentation on Church Communications in 21st Century

Rona Peterson giving good presentation on church communications. Good references to Glo Bible and other resources.

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General Assembly Perspective (4/14)

I have been to three PC(USA) General Assemblies (2003, 2008 & 2010).  I've become somewhat of a junkie.

As an observer, I don't get to engage in committee or plenary debate, but I do observe the policy-setting deliberation as it happens.

This year I have the privilege of observing from a different perspective.  I will be a parliamentarian and recorder for one of the 20 committees. I have been assigned to the committee on the Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Foundation, and Presbyterian Publishing. As the Board of Pensions operates the church's medical insurance program for ministers and others we will be involves in some limited medical insurance concerns.  The broader policies of health insurance will be discussed in other committees.

I look forward go being forced to pay close attention to the minutiae of a narrow part of church policy.

I hope to make regular reports in June and the first week of July.

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Spring Presbytery Meeting, April 20-21, Hermiston

The spring meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Oregon will be April 20-21 at Faith Presbyterian Church, Hermiston.

For more information go ro

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PPux4nR98lYhIjErQ_i4zek_-SDy_Ya7-H7pnpL6YZc/mobilebasic?pli=1

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Presbytery Council Meeting, Monday, March 12,

The Eastern Oregon Presbytery Council will meet

Monday, March 12, 2011

1:30 PM

Conference phone call

More information is available here

Pete Wells
EOPStatedClerk@gmail.com

Presbytery Meeting Feb 18 at Tutuilla

The February Presbytery meeting will be Feb. 18, 10 AM to 4 PM at the Tutuilla Presbyterian Church.

For more information for to
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FzbXFxy&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFWCfm6VH-irlQTsiH9sW0v7-XZGQ

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Here is an interesting commentary on the role of Presbyteries and Synods

http://landonwhitsitt.com/2012/01/24/my-hopes-for-the-mid-council-commission-report-presbypost/

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Annual Mission Emphasis meeting, February 18, Tutuilla Presbyterian Church

The annual mission emphasis meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Oregon will be

Saturday, February 18
10 AM to 4 PM
Tutuilla Presbyterian Church

Ministers, Commissioned Pastors, Commissioners from Churches, Mission Advocates, and 2012 Mission Trip to Birmingham are especially invited to attend.  Others, too, are encouraged to attend.

Additional information, including the complete agenda, is available Here

Meeting of Presbutery Council, Friday, Jan. 20, 9 AM by conference call

The Eastern Oregon Presbytery Council will meet by telephone conference call on Friday, Jan. 20, at 9:00 AM, Pacific Time.

The call-in number, agenda, and other information is available HERE