Afterward – Thursday, June 21, 2018
Update from Commissioner Paige Porter-Buhl
GA 223 was a whirlwind of conversation, new friends, earnest faces, and visionary ideas, beginning the moment I stepped into the baggage claim at the St. Louis airport. There volunteers gathered newly arrived participants together and shepherding us into busses to the various hotels. My seatmate on the bus was a volunteer worker from the Gaza border, elsewhere on the bus was a missionary from… somewhere… but our conversation was cut short as we were hurried to our seats.
The days were unexpectedly grueling. Substantive ideas, both new and old, both interconnected and independent, seemed to float through every conversation and overtures, enticing one’s mind to stay active and nimble. One’s body was primarily still: sitting at a table at plenary, sitting at a table in committee, sitting at a table for meals, always sitting from early in the morning until late at night. Posting the blog entries on the Presbytery Musings page for all the delegates at GA was a delightful activity, and so was knitting, but neither could substitute for a long leisurely walk or jog. About every other day I was able to hit a treadmill for a few minutes, but it didn’t seem enough. In a humorous mood I considered suggesting for the next GA that they install treadmills in the huge plenary hall along with the tables and chairs for those of us who like to keep moving, but that’s not the most realistic of suggestions.
The stories told by overture advocates in the Social Justice committee room seemed to come straight out of biblical times, reminiscence of the people who approached Jesus with their pleas, often one by one – a father pleading for a son, a young boy bravely standing up on principle, visionary women sharing with us their experiences of hope and change. We stayed at our seats through each story, asked questions that often seemed impersonal. The system seemed to embody the stern grimace of justice more than the gentle touch of mercy, yet there were those who sat at the back of the room who were there to hug, to listen to care. They too were a part of the system so that justice and compassion worked in tandem, neither forgotten.
Worship was both gloriously emotionally moving and utterly intellectually fascinating. Sounds and colors, fabrics of different textures, music and spoken voice all blended together to a whole. I eagerly stayed through the last moments of the closing worship, though many had to leave to catch early planes and other transportation home. I wanted to savor every moment. As exhausted as I was, I was reluctant to leave.
I had homework to read overtures and resolutions before the event, and as I flew back on Sunday, I realized how much homework I have before me afterwards to share ideas, liturgical snippets, research odd references to books that I had yet to read. It may take me fully the two years to unpack all the meanings and ramifications, and – by then – it will be time for us to send another group of people to GA, and the cycle will begin again.
-Paige
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Day 8 – Sunday, June 24, 2018
Update from Commissioner David Lee
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What A Week in St. Louis at the 223rd General Assembly of the PC(USA)!
There were wonderful intentions this week to ‘post’ a number of times. I appreciate my fellow GA attendees on their excellent efforts to do just that. GA is an amazing week that is exhilarating and exhausting, challenging and very rewarding. It’s a week of theological and ecclesial stretching for each commissioner and for the Body of Christ that is the PC(USA). There are so many experiences with such depth that one would be hard pressed to remember even a portion of them. Amazing worship experiences, amazing people with remarkable skills who are doing ministry locally and globally in remarkable ways.
GA is about many things. For many it’s a rare opportunity to ‘catch up’ with people from your past. For me it was a delight to see a few people I haven’t seen since the day I graduated from Union Seminary. One of them, a pastor now serving in Milwaukee name Jim, was the very first person I met on that campus about 41 years ago. We were both at UTS on a ‘discernment weekend’ and both spent the next four years, as friends, in the midst of our theological education.
On Tuesday afternoon, as we were waiting for the “Hands and Feet” initiative march to the St. Louis jail to protest an unjust system of ‘cash bail,’ I was approached by a young man who asked if I was David Lee. I told him ‘yes’ and he introduced himself as “Daniel.” Daniel, all grown up and at the GA as a young pastor serving a church in Illinois was a child in my arms 27 years ago when I was serving the Concord PC in Statesville, NC. What an amazingly gratifying experience. To meet a living embodiment of the commitment of that church to its baptismal vows was for me a thrilling moment.
At GA you watch transitions take place as Moderators who have served faithfully for two years pass the mantle, not to mention the stoles and the gavel, to newly elected moderators who will do the same for the next two years. Outgoing moderators, the Revs. Denise Anderson and JanEdminston congratulated and installed the new Co-moderators, The Rev. Cindy Kohlmann of the Presbytery of Boston and Northern New England and Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintron-Olivieri from a church in the Presbytery of Tropical Florida (Miami). The new moderators immediately took up the mantle and presided over an historic week in St. Louis.
On Sunday morning we went to worship “GA” style with commissioners boarding buses to attend churches with the bounds of Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery which hosted the GA. The Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) did a fantastic job all week, but none more evident than the coordination of almost 1000 commissioners and guests boarding buses to be taken to churches for worship and then lunch. The hospitality of the people in and around St. Louis and in these churches was incredible. I attended the Grace Presbyterian Church in Crystal City, Mo., which also happened to be the home church of one of my parishioners at Highlands. A small town church with a big heart hosted 20 of us from the GA and fed us spiritually and physically with apparent great joy.
Beginning Sunday evening the GA is divided amongst a number of committees which consider hundreds of overtures submitted for Prebyteries across the country. Rather than discussing what was considered I would offer that this process is grueling and challenges each commissioner and advisory delegate to read, study, debate and debate some more, vote and then send overtures back to the whole body for consideration. It’s a testimony to our dedication to the polity of the church and our desire to do things ‘decently and in order,’ even if it takes all night.
On Tuesday afternoon at the invitation of the Stated Clerk we were invited to participate in a march to the St. Louis City detention center to protest by our presence the inequitable system of ‘cash bail’ that has hundreds incarcerated and awaiting trial who are unable to post ‘cash bail. It was a blistering day and hundreds of Presbyterian delegates and friends took to the streets of St. Louis. We were an amazing variety of sizes, colors, languages, genders, etc.
United by the singular purpose of expressing in the living, breathing, corporate boy of the GA what we believe to be an unjust system of detention while awaiting trial that includes for many being sent to what is known as the ‘work house’ which is a medium security facility housing over 500 ‘inmates’ none of who have been to trial. People, many of whom have been arrested for misdemeanors, even traffic violations, are kept until trial if unable to post bail, sometimes for months. Jobs are lost, families are affected, and these people in spite of our ‘presumption of innocence’ spend time in jail. In the months preceding GA and at the Assembly offerings were gathered to help post bails for many of these inmates. Our stated clerk, J. Herbert Nelson, delivered $47,000.00 to help secure bail for people incarcerated and awaiting trial.
Wednesday through the final worship of the GA on Saturday morning is a whirlwind of action which such an array of reports and decisions as to be mind boggling. In one moment we are discussing the plight of native American churches in need of support and in the next we hear reports concerning the question of divestiture in fossil fuel. We talk about, pray about and debate items as important as family leave and then moments later have serious discussions about the Middle East. What is consistent about all of these reports, overtures, suggestions and request for new policies for the PC(USA)? The passion and fervor of these presenting, supporting and sometimes opposing these programs, changes, and new directions for our denomination. Even still, underlying all of that, is the definite belief in the fact that in the midst of the process the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is moving us ever forward, always reforming, always seeking the will of God in each decision. Not all decisions are popular. Most were met with great enthusiasm and joy. Some left people wondering, sad and disappointed. But if we believe in the Lord of our polity we must believe that God is in control, even of the GA of the PC(USA).
– Dave
Day 8 – Sunday, June 24, 2018
Update from Commissioner Paige Porter-Buhl
The plane’s wheels hitting the runway at the Gainesville Regional Airport jolted me awake.
-Paige
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Day 7 – Friday, June 22, 2018
Update from TSAD Forrest Foxworth |
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Day 7 – Friday, June 22, 2018
Update from TSAD Forrest Foxworth |
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Emma spoke to the GA Plenary three times. Below are Emma’s notes for one of the speeches. |
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Day 7 – Friday, June 22, 2018
Update from Commissioner Paige Porter-Buhl
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Mary with Mission Co-worker Leisa ToniAnn Wagstaff from South Sudan and Mission Co-worker Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta from Indonesia on a break during our long Thursday afternoon session – Paige
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Day 7 – Friday, June 22, 2018 Update from TSAD Forrest Foxworth |
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Day 6 – Thursday, June 21, 2018
Update from Commissioner Mary Brown
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Day 6 – Thursday, June 21, 2018 Photo Update from Joe Rigsby |
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Day 5 – Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Update from Commissioner Mary Brown Myself and fellow Commissioner Rev. Paige Porter-Buhl getting ready for worship service! -Mary |
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Day 4 – Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Photo Update from YAAD Emma Cottrell At the “No Cash Bail Rally.” For more about the rally, check out this article from the PC(U.S.A.) website.
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Day 3 – Monday, June 18, 2018
Update from TSAD Forrest Foxworth Committee work has begun! -Forrest |
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Day 3 – Monday, June 18, 2018 Update from Commissioner Paige Porter-Buhl |
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The work starts here in a half hour.
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More than half the room is designated for overtures advocates, resource people, press and observers – Paige
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Day 2 – Sunday, June 17, 2018
Update from Commissioner Paige Porter-Buhl
– Paige
Day 2 – Sunday, June 17, 2018
Update from Commissioner David Lee
– Dave
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Day 2 – Sunday, June 17, 2018 Update from TSAD Forrest Foxworth |
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Day 2 – Sunday, June 17, 2018 Update from Commissioner Mary Brown |
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On my way with other commissioners to Third Presbyterian Church in St. Louis – Mary |
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Day 2 – Sunday, June 17, 2018 Update from Commissioner David Lee |
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Day 1 – Saturday, June 16, 2018 Update from TSAD Forrest Foxworth |
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The St Augustine crew is ready!! – Forrest |
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Sandra, one of two parliamentarians assigned to microphone 1, is also ready! |
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Day 1 – Saturday, June 16, 2018 Update from Commissioner David Lee |
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Day 1 – Saturday, June 16, 2018 Update from TSAD Forrest Foxworth |
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Seats are filling up! It’s almost time!!! – Forrest |
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Day 1 – Saturday, June 16, 2018 Update from Commissioner David Lee |
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Day 1 – Saturday, June 16, 2018
Update from Stated Clerk Sandra Hedrick, GA Parliamentarian |
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A preview of the main meeting room for General Assembly – Our delegation will be seated at these two tables. – Sandra
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Day 1 – Saturday, June 16, 2018 Update from Joe Rigsby |
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Our delegation at the Synod of South Atlantic Breakfast 7:30 AM |
Day 1 – Saturday, June 16, 2018
General Assembly begins today. Here is some information about the people attending.
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Arrival – Friday, June 15, 2018 Update from Commissioner David Lee |
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Its exciting to see the PCUSA emblazoned on the sign outside America’s Center… we need to be on more signs… – Dave |
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Arrival – Friday, June 15, 2018
Update from Stated Clerk Sandra Hedrick, GA Parliamentarian |
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Arrival – Friday, June 15, 2018 Update from TSAD Forrest Foxworth |
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Landed in St Louis with a bunch of things to do… but first, BBQ. #priorities – Forrest |
Preparations – Thursday, June 14, 2018
Update from Commissioner Paige Porter-Buhl
Until about a week ago, I thought of General Assembly in the abstract as a bureaucratic machine, an engine chugging along, mostly silent, but with the occasional warning whistle or mechanical groan, an engine which has the purpose of keeping the wheels of our denomination ever-moving towards the future.
I volunteered to participate as a cog in this machinery in part so I could grow my knowledge of this denomination, which has been so much a part of my adult life, and in part because I thought it would be a semi-vacation, an early-summer break in the everyday challenges of my life as pastor, software developer, and parent.
After I received my committee assignment and I was sent information about the overtures and issues with which I needed to become conversant, the seriousness of the week ahead began to sink in.
Sometime around then, I also learned that they entire event would likely be broadcast for all to see. Then a fellow St. Augustine clergy person, upon hearing that I was going to GA, advised me in a rather loud and expansive voice: to – “don’t do stupid!”
Confronting my own growing nervousness, I began to worry that the week might become an exercise in witnessing my own or other’s social anxiety, narcissism or, worse, I’d become a witness to deep divisions and intractable conflict. What was I getting into?
Then to my astonishment, during the training event last week, I heard someone I deeply respect who has attended several GA sessions describe the experience of GA as “One of the most joyful experiences of my life, an experience in which I felt whole.” What I remember most is not her words but how her face changed while she spoke them. I could see her face relax, her eyes sparkle with a calm joy, as for a moment she seemed lost in a memory, some moment maybe among many, from a previous General Assembly session.
What is General Assembly? An abstract bureaucratic machine as I first thought? A time of self-conscious apprehension, conflict and/or grand-standing, as I had begun to fear? Or a place to find glimpses of joy, wholeness, connectedness and purpose?
While I pray for wisdom and discernment while I study the resources provided to me and pack my luggage in preparation for the trip, this is the question on my mind.
-Paige