reyes-chow :: MODERATOR

219th PC(USA) General Assembly Committee Leadership

 A few weeks ago, I met with various General Assembly Staff in order to select the committee leadership for the 219th General Assembly.  This is a daunting task as I firmly believe that the committee leadership are vital in setting the tone for the committee work at General Assembly.

Not only did I take into consideration your input and my own personal interactions with folks, I also leaned heavily on the recommendations of Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly staff.  I am grateful for the fullness of our denomination and how we can lean on one another to do the work of the greater church.

The process itself is really interesting.  Not only do I have to follow the standing rules regarding representation of men/women, elders/ministers, Presbyteries, Synods and racial ethnicity, I also have to discern leadership based on the less obvious and more subjective traits of theological perspective, personality, etc all in the hopes to choosing moderators and vice-moderators that will be able to graceful lead a diverse group of people through the adventuresome waters of general assembly business.

So after about three hours of conversations, rule checking, prayer and my moving names between committees newsprint sheets, I finally came to leadership slate that I could live with. So it is with deep gratitude that I offer these names up for you to lift in prayer as they accept this call to lead the people of God in discerning the mind of Christ and the will of God at the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Bills and Overtures:

Moderator, Heath Rada (elder, Western North Carolina Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Aleida Jernigan (minister, Cascades Presbytery) 

General Assembly Procedures:

Moderator, Patricia Valentine (elder, Presbytery of the James)

Vice-Moderator, Olanda Carr, Jr. (elder, Charlotte Presbytery) 

Middle Governing Body Issues:

Moderator, Cliff Lyda (minister, Chicago Presbytery) as moderator

Vice-Moderator, James Belle (minister, Philadelphia Presbytery) 

Church Polity:

Moderator, Anne Epling (minister, Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Marcia Rich (elder, North Central Iowa) 

Church Orders and Ministry:

Moderator, Theresa Denton (elder, Middle Tennessee Presbytery)

K.O. Noonoo (minister, John Calvin Presbytery) 

Form of Government Revision:

Moderator, Tim Beal (minister, San Diego Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Jose Capella-Pratts (minister, San Juan Presbytery) 

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations:

Moderator, Michael Livingston (minister, New Brunswick Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Zitta Chapman (elder, Palisades Presbytery) 

Mission Coordination:

Moderator, Julia Henderson (elder, Denver Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Robert Baker (elder, Western Reserve Presbytery) 

Social Justice Issues, Promotion of Social Righteousness:

Moderator, Theresa Cho (minister, San Francisco Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, John Arbuckle (elder, West Virginia Presbytery) 

Social Justice Issues, Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World:

Moderator, James Bender, Jr. (elder, Coastal Carolina Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Kristen Gerling (elder, Donegal Presbytery) 

Civil Union and Marriage Issues:

Moderator, Rick Nutt (minister, Muskingum Valley Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Karla Conditt Daniels (minister, Northeast Georgia Presbytery) 

Peacemaking and International Issues:

Moderator, George Lynch (elder, Pacific Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Sue Trei-Conrad (minister, Indian Nations) 

Middle East Peacemaking Issues:

Moderator, Karen Dimon (minister, Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Laurie Anderson (elder, Heartland Presbytery) 

Church Growth, Christian Education, and Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program:

Moderator, Mindy Douglas Adams (minister, Salem Presbytery)

Tom Letts (minister, Yukon Presbytery) 

Theological Issues and Institutions:

Moderator, Sharon Stanley (minister, San Joaquin Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Irene Pak (minister, San Jose Presbytery) 

Review of GA Permanent Committees:

Moderator, Kenneth Godshall (elder, Hudson River Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Leon Lovell-Martin (minister, Tropical Florida Presbytery) 

Board of Pensions, Foundation, and Publishing Corporation:

Moderator, Effie Bynum (elder, New York City Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Donna Misterly (elder, Riverside Presbytery) 

Health Issues:

Moderator, Ann Kelson (elder, Great Rivers Presbytery)

Vice-Moderator, Bonnie Brown (elder, Missouri River Valley Presbytery) 

Here are also a few more links of interesting.

• Leadership Press Release
• 219th Geneal Assembly Website
• My Unofficial 219th GA Twitter List (let me know if you will be there and I'll add you to the list)
• Top 5 reasons I am looking forward to GA

Top 5 reasons I am looking forward to General Assembly

Over the past few weeks I have met with both the Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) in Minneapolis and the meeting arrangements staff of the Office of the General Assembly. and while those do not sound like thrilling meetings, I must say, the sweet aroma of our bi-annual gathering is beginning to fill the air.   Sure . . . it is just one giant presby geek-fest and one could argue that it is one more way that we can pretend that we are more influential than we really are or use to be . . . but, gosh darn-it, I do loves me some General Assembly. 

Yes, there will always be ways we can improve the ways in which we discern and decide, but I do think that this gathering helps us to experience one more manifestation what we claim as Presbyterians: we discern the mind of Christ and the will of God, together.

So while there will be plenty of opportunities to debate some of the structures and logistics, let me just give you some updates and teasers.

ONE: Gradye's Hopes . . . At a recent meeting of the OGA, Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk expressed his hopes by sharing these words, "By the end of the 219th GA it is my hope that . . .

1. Commissioners and advisory delegates will have a deep sense that what they have done will further the mission of Christ in the world.
2. Those who were in any way a part of the assembly will be the first in line of Presbyterians who talk about their faith with a contagious enthusiasm.
3. The spirit in which decisions were made at the assembly will be a prayerful and careful witness of decision-making for the whole church.
4. Commissioners and advisory delegates will return home from the assembly with a deepened awareness of the length and breadth of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); that they are a part of something much larger than themselves.
5. A clearer, common calling to a changing “church” will have begun to come into focus, along with a desire across our church to look beyond ourselves to a world in great need, and busy ourselves with the mission of the gospel: making disciples, feeding the hungry, welcoming the outcast, encouraging the fainthearted, working for peace – all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I have greatly appreciated Gradye's thoughtful, deliberate and faithful ways he has approached his first couple years as Stated Clerk and look forward to the ways he will help to guide the future movement and transformation of our General Assembly.

TWO: Worship Theme and Preachers . . . as some may know the Moderator is mandated to preach at the opening worship service and to choose the preachers for all but one of the daily worship services. I have selected and confirmed the four preachers that I am mandated to choose.  And while there will be a fuller press release to come, their names are: Hakeem Jerome Jefferson, Taylor Lewis Guthrie, Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario and G. Christopher Scruggs.*  Feel free to check out the Facebook Announcement for more info.

In addition to the scripture for the General Assembly, Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water. - John 7:38 and each preacher's supporting texts, I have also given the following as a general theme for the worship services:

Nurtured by our past, Embracing the future: Our worship time will honor and lift up the great theological and liturgical movements that have grounded us over the centuries as well as allow us opportunities to experience the many manifestations of worship experiences that are being born out of our rich heritage.

I am looking forward to the work of the various local worship committees as they help to create a joyful and worshipful space for the people of God.

THREE: Social Media . . . I have been encouraged by the conversations that we have been having about the use of Social Media during General Assembly by commissioners, those attending on behalf of groups and those simply observing the work of the church.  While one response to the dramatic rise of Social Networking activity in the church certainly could be to try and stop it, it looks like we'll be taking the posture of helping folks to use it well.  I know there are conversations going on about helping folks to use these technologies in ways that enhance the the GA experience rather than distract or take away from it.

There has already been some preliminary work being done on this so if you are interested in the process at this early stage, I would encourage you to check out the GA 219 Website. And if you are a twitter-type, be sure to follow @presbyGA for updates as well as OGA tech/web staff person, Randy Hobson.**  Also be sure to tag your tweets with #ga219 to stay part of the conversation.  Needless to say, I think this is a good move on our part as we lead and model healthy and compelling ways to engage in ministry.

FOUR: Minnesota . . . I spent a little time in Minneapolis with the COLA, toured the convention center and walked the downtown neighborhood.  Except for all the crazy Vikings and Packers fans wandering the streets - jokes people, jokes - it should be a great location for General Assembly.  Everything seems fairly accessible, there is a variety of food options and most housing seems to be walking distance. There will certainly be more info coming, but until then, please be sure to lift up in prayer all those good Presbyterians in the Twin Cities area who are preparing for our arrival.

FIVE: I'll be done . . . While this has certainly been a tiring adventure, my spirit is filled with joy as I hold this office on your behalf. There are still eight more months of conversations to have, but I have noticed that some of the questions and interactions have shifted in tone as we move towards the final stages of my term.  I will say that I am excited and eager to move on to the next steps in my life and ministry, but before then, there are still many conversations to have, dreams to flesh out and coffee to drink.  You can't get rid of me that quickly!

I think that is it for now.  Please pray for the movement of Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of the myriad of people who are preparing for our gathering . . . just about eight months away: staff, commissioners, advisory delegates, advocacy groups, observers, presenters and everyone else.

Peace - Bruce

*The preacher for the ecumenical service who is invited by the Office of the General Assembly has not been confirmed as of this date.

** If you ARE a Presbyterian twitter type, here are two docs you might be interested in: one, a list of self-identified Presbyterians on Twitter and, two, an Open Source list of Presbyterian Ministries on Twitter.

GA Youth Task Force seeks your input on "model" youth programs

[image: Youth Trienium 2010]

Below is a letter from The Model Programs Team of the General Assembly Task Force on Youth Ministry.   They are seeking input about model programs that are being used in Youth Ministry throughout the Presbyterian Church. In addition to programs that are already in place, they are also interested in hearing ideas for programs that could be implemented in the future.

Wondering: What is a model program?

While the definition is multi-faceted, a model program is usually something novel, whether simple or complex, that works in your church and from which other churches might learn and benefit. A model program might be fluid, adaptable, and/or organic. It facilitates faith formation, development, and experience, as well as fellowship and community. Keeping in mind that the following list is open to interpretation, we are especially interested in model programs for youth that address or fall under the following categories:

• Peace
• Environment
• Parents
• Mentoring
• Activism
• Mission
• Leadership development
• Hospitality
• Faith formation/development
• Faith enrichment

If you have a Model Program in mind, please provide us with a short description of the program, as well as contact information (website, email address, a phone number, etc). You might also include ideas on how your program might be adapted to fit other churches (larger, smaller, etc).

We are excited about learning more about what the youth of the PCUSA are up to! And most of all, we recognize the value that this information might have for congregations across the United States. On behalf of the entire Task Force, thank you!

Leave you ideas here or email your model programs to gamodelprograms@gmail.com.

Traveling, Big Tent, Social Media and Tweet-ups

[image: Erin Dunigan]

Greetings all.  I hope folks are doing well as the summer months begin.  While I have no delusions that folks are waiting with baited breath for my blog postings, my apologies for slacking a bit on this blog.  I will try and do better in the future*. 

Here are a few quick updates in the mean time . . .

HOSPITALITY - Since my jaunt through the Mid-West, I have had the privilege of spending some time with a few other Presbyteries.  In May I visited New Castle Presbytery anchored by a wonderful time with Carl Mazza and the launch of a the Mary Randall Center at Meeting Ground.  I also spent a few days with the five South Carolina presbyteries held at Presbyterian College.  Meetings were held on the PC campus as well as on the grounds of Thornwell Home for Children.  Needless to say, while there are certainly common questions that every Presbytery is asking about its future, there is a great deal of hospitality and powerful ministry taking place.  Thank you.

BIG TENT - No doubt you have already heard much of the feedback from this first ever attempt at a large Presbyterian gathering of multiple conferences.  Byron's reflection on The Big Tent is extremely complete and thoughtful.  Just as cynical as the next long time church person, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people that ended up taking part in the gathering, over 1,500, as well as the generally positive tone of conferees.  I can't imagine how stressful and difficult it was to bring together 10 different events - with different cultures, personalities and histories - with all of the logistics involved.  Kudos to so many who worked on this event.  I think the most interesting aspect of the event was that, except for business plenaries, this felt a great deal like a General Assembly.  Again, no event is perfect, but I think it is safe to say that this gathering met the expectations and I, for one, hope it happens again in 2011.  Here are some great pics by official photographer, Erin Dunigan.

SOCIAL MEDIA - At The Big Tent, I was asked to lead a workshop by The Presbyterian Communicators Network.  While we only had about an hour, I THINK it went well as I tried to walk through some of the cultural shifts that have created some of our current technologies and how these changes may impact the church. Many folks offered some great insights both from the room itself as well as those who responded to a Facebook Status Update.  For those of you there, here is THE OUTLINE for the time.

TWEETUPS - There were probably 30-40 folks who were tweeting the Big Tent.  You can track some of the highlights from the various events by following the Twitter hashtag, #bigtent.  A few of us gathered throughout the event to meet in person for the first time or simply to see who else is participating in this particular medium.  As promised, here is the list of Twitterers who attended the Tweetups.  I know there were many more  of you out there, so if you were not able to join us, feel free to add your name!

1. lscalon
2. andyjames
3. itsmeellie
4. rexespiritu
5. pammarino
6. andrewyb
7. mayog
8. bawade
9. willymac4
10. leehh
11. melissalynn24
12. tallnoe
13. drjohnmcgarey
14. ajamor
15. michwithtwins
16. lmcheifetz
17. revjaz
18. jonmphillips
19. edunny
20. jacobolton

That's it for now.  Again, I'll try to be better about blogging here, but as always feel free to follow me on Twitter or FaceBook for more regular interaction.

* Coming soon are posts on young adult volunteers, Presbyterian bloggers unite, making official statements and reflections on the half-way point.

Young Adult Interns where are you?

Throughout the past 20 years of my involvement in General Assembly type activities, I have always known about the Young Adult Intern program in Louisville.  Most of my personal experience was usually with the intern who worked with Youth and young Adults, but you would be surprised at how many leaders in the church have gone through this program.  And while the programs size has ebbed and flowed over the years, the passion and energy with which the inters serve have rarely been questioned.

First // Lets hear it from the Young Adults Intern alumni.  If you have been a Young Adult intern, let us know, share a story, and/or otherwise put a face to the program.

Second //  It is time for the next class of Interns to step up, so if you are interested in being part of the class of 2009, please visit the Young Adult Intern webpage where you can get an application as well as see a picture of the gorgeous class of 2008!

Possible internship include:

• Mission Service Recruitment
• Racial Justice and Advocacy
• United Nations Office
• Women's Advocacy
• Young Women's Ministry
• Enough for Everyone
• Multicultural Ministries

And of course there is a Facebook Group for Young Adult Interns as well as Young Adult Volunteers.

Moderator Monday: Task Force Appointments

As many of you know, one of the privileges and responsibilities of the moderator as a result of most General Assemblies is to appoint people to the various Task Forces, Study Groups and other bodies created by each General Assembly.  Coming out of the 218th General Assembly I will have the sole or shared responsibility to appoint members of eight different committees or task forces totally nearly 100 people.

Some of the Task Forces appointments have language in them about consulting with other agencies and such, but ultimately I am responsible for the appoints that have been charged to me.   For this reason, I turn to you all to help me expand the pool of folks from which I may choose members of various committees.  To help you understand the process that I will take in selecting, here are some brief comments followed by the process that I would ask you to follow should you wish to submit a name. 

Please keep in mind that this is not an application process, but more an acknowledgment that the more folks that we help to connect to one another the better we serve our calls to be part of the community.  Every moderator goes about this process in a ways that fits his/her discernment style, this is the way I feel most comfortable in tackling this task. 

Also, let me pre-emptively apologize to those who I will not be able to select at this point and time.  Your selection or non-selection is not a reflection on the entirety of one's call/ministry but more about the how one's experiences and gifts may fit into particular group at a particular time in a particular way.  Not having yet made these decisions, I can promise you that these will not be easy, but I will do so with great care. 

Some thoughts about how I will choose:

• How I will get names: Networking and relationship-building are central to building community, so I make no apologies that many of the appointments will be people with whom I have had some kind of personal interaction.  This does not mean that they will be my close friends or "in line" with any set theological/ideological matrix but that I have had some kind if interaction where I can discern whether this is a person I believe would be an effective member of the group.  This will most likely include an email exchange and/or brief phone call during my discernment process.  With this said, I will also relay on the discernment of others so I will enlarge the pool through submitted names, appropriate denomination staff recommendations, friends of friends and self-submitted interest.
• How I will choose: Again this process is not one that is an application nor am I given much more guidance other than I make some appointments "in consultation with" particular agencies of the General Assembly. With this in mind and fully knowing that there will be some disagreements in my appointments, I will do my best to be as fair as possible.  As I gather names I will give each name a time for prayer, will contact references, make contacts via phone/skype/eMail and be sure to do my due diligence for each team.
  
• Representation: In addition to the regular categories to ensure balanced representation (age, gender, ethnicity, geography, etc.) I will also give great effort to engage folks who are new to denominational involvement at the General Assembly level.
• Other thoughts: Rarely in our process is there so much direct authority given to one person.  I do not take this lightly and continue to commit to be as transparent as possible in the process.

What I need if you wish to submit yours or another person's name please include the basics:

• Name
• Task Force
• Demographics: Age, Gender, Ethnicity, theological geographic location, etc.
• Contact info: eMail, Facebook, Blog, Phone, Skype, etc.

Helpful additional information:

• Brief statement describing the gifts, skills, perspectives and/or experience that would make you/him/her a valuable addition to the task force;
• Self-described theological perspective: How would you describe yourself theologically?
• Personal Information Form, C.V. and or resume;
• Previous General Assembly service;
• Any info regarding denomination affiliation's current involvement in the life of the PC(USA) and or other known relationships that would be helpful for me to know as I try to build a broad representation of the church.  Affiliation/s will not determine inclusion or exclusion, but the transparency would be greatly appreciated;
• Once all appointments have been made and the way be clear, I will publish the task force appoints and appropriate contact info for each group.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION

• Unless otherwise noted on the specific group, to be safe, please try to submit names to the pool by August 15th so I can make appointments by the end of August.  While I will do not foresee making any more appointments - see 04-13 - until after that date, I will begin making contact and building possible groups as names come in.  Again, this is not a strict application process so if you are not sure about any of this, please ask.
• Please submit all info to: breyeschow at gmail dot com.

And in case you did not memorize all the Task Forces and Study Groups generated by the 218th General Assembly, here is a summary.

Item 04-13 // Form of Government
Specifics: 11 total members include continuing members of the original Form of Government task force.
Action: New members of this expanded task force are to be chosen from the 218th General Assembly (2008) Assembly Committee on Form of Government Revisions by the Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008), in consultation with the moderator and vice moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008) Assembly Committee on Form of Government Revisions.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT POSSIBLE NAMES: due to calendaring needs of the Form of Government task force these appointments have already been made and the committee will begin it's work in the next few week.  These appointments were made inline with the instructions above. 

Item 04-13 // Marriage and Civil Unions Special Committee
Specifics: 15 members, representing diversity and theological balance, report due 2010
Action: Direct the Moderator of the General Assembly to appoint a special committee, representing the broad diversity [and theological balance] of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to study the following, and report to the 219th General Assembly (2010), including any policy recommendations growing out of the study:

a.  The history of the laws governing marriage and civil union, including current policy debates.
b.  How the theology and practice of marriage have developed in the Reformed and broader Christian tradition.
c.  The relationship between civil union and Christian marriage.
d.  The effects of current laws on same-gender partners and their children.
e.  The place of covenanted same-gender partnerships in the Christian community.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT POSSIBLE NAMES: see above

Item 08-21 // The Restricted Funds Resolution Committee (RFRC)
Specifics: seven members as set below
Action: The Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008) shall appoint a Restricted Funds Resolution Committee (RFRC) comprised of:

• two representatives designated by the Foundation Board;
• two representatives designated by the General Assembly Council; and,
• three persons appointed by the Moderator who are not involved in either agency, and have an understanding of the applicable principles in both Reformed theology and civil law.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT POSSIBLE NAMES: see above

Item 09-16 // Climate for Change Task Force
Specifics: eight members as stated below; interim report to the 219th GA (2010); final report to the 220th GA (2012)
Action: Direct the Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008)—in consultation with the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns, the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns, the associate for Cultural Proficiency, and the General Assembly Nominating Committee—to appoint a Climate for Change Task Force composed of eight members.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT POSSIBLE NAMES: see above

Item 11-28 // Middle East Study Group
Specifics: nine members as stated below
Action: [The 218th General Assembly (2008) requests that the Moderators of the 218th, 217th, and 216th General Assemblies (2008), (2006), and (2004) select a nine-member committee from a broad spectrum of viewpoints from PC(USA) members] to prepare a comprehensive study, with recommendations, that is focused on Israel/Palestine within the complex context of the Middle East.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT POSSIBLE NAMES: end of August

Item 13-06 // Heidelberg Catechism
Specifics: 15 members appointed by the Moderator
Action: Appointment of a Special Committee of Fifteen to study the accuracy of the current translation of the Heidelberg Catechism.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT POSSIBLE NAMES: see above

Item 13-07 // Belhar Confession Committee
Specifics: 15 members as stated below
Action: Direct the Moderators of the 216th, 217th, and 218th General Assemblies (2004, 2006, and 2008)—in consultation with the Stated Clerk, the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC), the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, and the Office of Theology and Worship—to initiate the process described in G-18.0201b by appointing a committee[, separate from any committee assigned to the Heidelberg Catechism,] to consider amending the confessional documents of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to include the Belhar Confession in The Book of Confessions and to report to the 219th General Assembly (2010).

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT POSSIBLE NAMES: see above

Item 17-3NB // Youth Ministry Study Group
Specifics: 15 members (10 youth, 5 adults) as stated below
Action: The 208th General Assembly (2008) directs the Moderator of the General Assembly to appoint a task force to seek input from youth, young adults, and adults to continue the dialogue begun at this assembly; find and present model programs; and focus on the needs and development of youth ministries, and report back to the 219th General Assembly (2010) specific recommendations for designing and conducting various youth ministries under a “new vision” for youth. The task force would be composed of ten youth and young adults, ages 15–21, and five adult mentors. The task force would meet four times prior to the 219th General Assembly (2010).

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT POSSIBLE NAMES: see above

 

218th GA Churchwide Letter, Part II

Sometime this morning this letter was sent out to Middle Governing Bodies, Presbyterian New Services, etc.  Please consider posting the letter - with or without analysis and comment - on your blogs, church websites, etc.

To Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In a letter to you on June 28, we began to tell the story of our 218th General Assembly.  Our goal was to provide you a timely summary and perspective on issues that we sensed would draw the greatest immediate attention.  In that first letter, we outlined the assembly’s actions and our church’s next steps in a continuing story, the outcome of which is known only to God.  Most importantly, we infused our letter with our strong and abiding hope for the future ministry and witness of our Presbyterian Church (USA), because we are a Good News people.

We hope that you will share with us a bold and unabashed hope, firmly grounded in the solid foundation of our faith, that is daily confirmed for us in seeing how God is at work in and through our PC(USA).  Every day, we hear story after story of new churches and fellowships, of immigrant and multicultural ministries, of large churches joining with smaller ones to support and encourage each other.  Everywhere there is a new and growing hunger to hear and to tell the Good News.  The commitment to “Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide” – overwhelmingly approved by the assembly – grew out of that very hunger to say “no” to a climate of decline and say “yes” to declaring a church wide commitment to participate in God’s activity in transforming the PC(USA).

With this letter, we invite you to continue to celebrate with us good news of our General Assembly and of our Presbyterian Church.  We ask you to join us in giving collective voice to the hope, the passion, and the future that has the power to unite us as Presbyterian Christians:

• As noted, the assembly overwhelmingly adopted a churchwide commitment to “Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide,” encouraging synods, presbyteries, sessions, and all agencies, entities, and networks of the PC(USA) to foster the growth of Christ’s Church in the areas of evangelism, discipleship, servanthood, and diversity. This commitment builds on the many initiatives that are already under way in so many places – and calls on all parts of the church to start new congregations and transform existing ones; to nurture immigrant, racial ethnic and multicultural fellowships and congregations; to reach out through mission; and to deepen discipleship.

• In a related action, the assembly also enthusiastically approved a strategy for church growth for African American congregations.  We see this as a call to action, and, more importantly, to collaboration.  With the previous initiative, this comprehensive strategy invites us all to partner together in growing Christ’s Church Deep and Wide in the many ways we are called to achieve great things for God.

• The “Invitation to Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission,” an historic document which emerged from the Worldwide Mission Consultation held earlier this year in Dallas, was boldly affirmed by the assembly.  Covenanting to live and serve together, committing to working cooperatively, celebrating diverse Presbyterian approaches to mission, sharing responsibility for educating and preparation of all Presbyterians for mission and seeking and supporting more mission personnel, are among the statements in the invitation. Nearly 200 individuals and groups had endorsed this covenant before it was brought to the assembly and adopted. The committee that recommended it to the assembly read the text of the invitation aloud, making it a statement of faith, a powerful affirmation of our Presbyterian commitment to mission.  We encourage you to do likewise.

• For the first time in 50 years, the assembly voted to increase the number of mission personnel serving as the hands and feet of Christ around the world.  The good news is that those who are called to serve will be "saving lives" not just by providing urgent medical care or implementing holistic ministries, but by preaching the gospel, often in places where it has never been heard. With the support of Presbyterians, this commitment will extend our collective outreach in mission around the world.

• Realizing that worship is our response to God’s love for us and that we pray for God to “put a new and right spirit within [us]” (Ps. 51:10), Presbyterians also covenanted at this assembly to gather in Solemn Assemblies over the coming years, worshiping God and seeking God’s healing for the church.

• Called by Jesus Christ to be peacemakers, the assembly continued to boldly affirm that stance around the world. The assembly called for “responsibly” bringing the troops home from Iraq, continuing peacemaking with Israelis and Palestinians, and supporting human rights in Zimbabwe, the Philippines, North Korea and Colombia.

• 752 commissioners and nearly 3000 other participants in San Jose were joined by more than 13,000 people who logged in and watched on line - a 21st century General Assembly!

As God’s story, entwined with ours, continues to unfold following this General Assembly, we find ourselves newly energized for the work to be done in the weeks and months ahead.  The Good News, which we received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, calls us to immediate action.  Empowered by the Spirit, we invite you to answer the carry out the work called for by Christ’s commands and the Church’s actions:

• Recommend gifted people to serve as mission co-workers. We need your wisdom and your help in identifying qualified. [www.pcusa.org/msr]
• Hold Solemn Assemblies in your congregation or presbytery. A website with resources will be available soon through the General Assembly Council’s Office of Theology and Worship.
• Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide. Visit [www.deepandwide.net] and [www.presbygrow.net] to find ideas for growing the church and contribute your own.
• Support the work of mission around the world. There are countless opportunities for Presbyterians to invest in and pray for the good work the church is doing. [www.pcusa.org/mission]

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  And isn’t that Good News?

The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow               
Moderator of the 218th General Assembly       

Elder Linda Bryant Valentine [BLOG]
Executive Director, General Assembly Council

The Rev. Gradye Parsons 
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

Thanks to Bill, Carl and Roger - A confession

Grrrrrrr.  I hate when I am so blatantly reminded of my transgressions.

My confession is this. Not once during General Assembly did I thank or acknowledge Roger, Carl or Bill for answering their calls to stand for Moderator. My mother raised me better than that.  Not good, and I am profoundly sorry.

While there were certainly some unspoken GA "club rules" and traditions that I may have intentionally or unintentionally bucked, this was NOT one of them.  So many reasons could be offered for this slight: being overwhelmed, arrogance, forgetfulnesses, etc., but none of which justified forgetting to thank these three men for what had been a draining previous six months.  Regardless of where we stand on issues, our styles, whatever, they deserved to be recognized for their diligence, their ministry and their commitment to serving Christ in the PC(USA) and the world.

So better late than never. 

Roger - Thank you for bringing your directness during the discourse.  No one could ever doubt you for putting it all out there and saying what you thought.

Bill - Thank you for your demeanor and depth of thought.  Many people felt that your calm sense was an asset to the conversation.

Carl - Thank you for your compassion.  The passion with with you challenged all of us to see Jesus in front of us will stay with me forever.

After spending six months in relationship with these folks, I know that none would ever expect a public confession.  I have offered a personally apology privately to Bill, Carl and Roger.  Still, I offer this confession to the community for when I do not treat people with grace and respect that sin is between me and my God, so my confession is lifted to God and I trust the brokenness is healed through Christ.

This will not be the last time I mess up, but will strive not to make it a habit.

Thanks be to God.

Opening Speech Text

Here is the text from my opening statement on Saturday.  Did anyone get it on video suitable to upload to Youtube?  Let me know.  In the mean time . . .

INTRODUCTION – my FAMILY

The Lord be with You.  Response

As I stand here before you today after having lived the life of “candidate for moderator” over the past six months, I can tell you that more than once I have said to myself, both out loud and in my head, “What are you thinking?”  The very idea that I, this 39-year-old, father of three, earring wearing, pastor of some funky urban new church should or could stand for moderator is utterly ridiculous.

And then I think about my family. 

I think about my grandparents who, in the 1940’s, came to the United States from the Philippines, gifted me with my Presbyterian roots and, through their work, sacrifice and hope, dreamt for the next generation, blessings even beyond their own imagination.

They would not think this is ridiculous at all.

Despite great cultural and social obstacles of the day, when it came to the future of their family, they embodied the words that were spoken to Abraham as he and Sarah balked at the possibility of birthing the future at such an advanced age.  They were reminded that, nothing is too hard or too wondrous for God.

My wife and I find those words comforting as we think about the future of our own family.  We certainly have high expectations and hopes for our three young daughters, but even dreaming about their future is frightening in today’s world.  We want so desperately to know, to understand and to protect them as they move into the next stages of their lives.  But the world, as you know, is changing so fast and in so many ways that we as parents must come to grips that we may never fully understand what the future holds for them.

But yet, like the generations before us, we too are compelled to trust in God because we have been reminded again and again in Scripture and in life that, in the face of our own fears, doubts and insecurities, nothing, nothing is too hard or wondrous for God.

our PRESBYTERIAN FAMILY
Our Presbyterian family is not much different.  We too have fears, dreams and expectations for the next generation.  Brothers and sisters, I ask you tonight, as we gaze into the future,

• What are God’s dreams for the Presbyterian Church (USA)? 
• What are the dreams we have for those who have yet to experience Christ through our ministry? 
• What are the dreams that are even beyond our own imagination? 
• What do we think is too hard or too wondrous for God?

As we try to answer these questions for our church family, we do this in the same rapidly changing world that frightens anyone striving to embrace and nurture the next generation.  This is a context that is drastically different than the world and culture that you and I are used to.  And while there are certainly some things in the world that need to be confronted, our church family must take seriously new ways communities interact about life, faith and culture.

• We hear voices that have moved from mere tolerance of opinion to genuine appreciation of the other.
• We see discernment that no longer demands loyalty to simplistic polemics of liberal or conservative ideology.
• We experience moments when the embracing of common values is greater than even those things that seem to be unconquerable disagreements.
• We are inspired by dreams, hope and change that are not merely lofty goals, but realities woven in the fabric of life and faith.

These are the new realties of being family and community today.  If the church responds to these realities by stepping out in faith rather than clinging to survival, just imagine what our church could look like in this new day, this new world, this new time, this new opportunity to be Christ in the world.

• To be a church family that thrives more on the nature of our relationships than the number of dollars or members we report;
• To be a church family that is joined together by the covenantal bond of Christ rather than the contractual relationship of property or pension;
• To be a church family that sees God’s best in one another before being so sure of our human worst.
• To be a church family that cares more about being faithful than being right;

If we, the church, can embrace these ways of being and these ways of interacting, I have no doubt that we will be able to live into a future in which we are a vibrant and inspiring presence in the world.

CONCLUSION
As I stand before you my friends, my family, our church, despite the obstacles in our path, the questions we are afraid to ask, the human brokenness that gets in our way, I would not be standing here today if I did not believe that God has great things in store for this Presbyterian family.

If you are so led by the Holy Spirit to elect me as your moderator, know that I will bring all my passion, hope, energy and commitment to this family and our journey together.

For if we simply open ourselves up to the possibilities of the future, we will not only dream our wildest dreams, but together, compelled by the grace-filled life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will know, live and share those dreams with one another and with the world.

For again, my sisters and brothers, my Presbyterian family, as we move into the future, believe at the core of your soul, nothing, nothing, nothing is too hard or wondrous for God.  AMEN.

The Moderator Life - Day 2

It is midnight on the second day of being the Moderator.  I am getting a little worn out from all the meet-n-greets and ready to start moving this group gracefully through some tough waters.  While I have been bringing greetings to folks and just hanging out, the commissioners have been in meetings and getting to the work of the day.  I am probably just jealous.  In terms of my blogging, I have had many a good blogging thoughts throughout the day, but getting back so late and tired, most have slipped away and I can't remember what they were.  Oh well, Wednesday will come soon enough.  No promises on more and more in depth blog posts other than, "I am still here."