Paddling Furiously

A very full day of deliberations, debate and voting.  Started with morning worship in which a terrific lineup of missionaries and young adult volunteers were commissioned. Very cool.  Then, into the big hall for a day of "fun" business and grueling debate with motions, amendments, substitute motions, perfecting the main motion, perfecting the substitute motion, speaking to motion, calling the question and voting.
The Moderator and crew warmed us up slowly with "low emotional impact" issues and tested the voting technology. Everyone was pretty tired and slow to get hit their stride. At one point the electronic voting system "went down."  YAADS (Young Adult Advisory Delegates) were invited by the Moderator to lead us in a wake up/distractionary "energizer."  It worked and the electronics were revived, too.

                                                   Commissioning of Missionaries and Mission Volunteers.

A number of high stakes issues were deliberated. A lot of standing in line to speak on the floor and overcoming bright lights and mic echo.  There was a good bit of obvious strategizing- but fortunately breaks of hymn singing and prayer broke up the momentum for such politicking and refocused our purpose

                   An Elder Commissioner speaks out on a motion. (Our rainbow stoles look pretty good, too.)

Commissioners were greeted by a quiet message from supporters for the Marriage Study as we entered for the evening's business. (Fox News and others were on deck to see what we'd come up with...)

The morning and afternoon sessions began with a "Speak Out" - kind of like the Sunday morning sharing of joys and concerns, only on the GA level.  Looks like the Vice Moderator is about to be consumed, however.

            The Moderator and Clerk consider an action - and yes, that is a bobble head  John Calvin at the Clerk's right hand.

And, good news friends, many of the overtures that we were concerned about DID pass by evening's end. (Ask me or Janet Hoover about the "funny story" related to this.)   But - more to come tomorrow, stay tuned.

(and, Jay W. - thanks for that little "note" of encouragement!)

We Have a Moderator

After many ballots and fussing with electronics, a new moderator and vice moderator were elected after 10 pm this eve. Cindy Bolbach of Capital Presbytery will lead us through the rest of the week and the next two years.
"John Calvin" was present for the installation.

Learning to Paddle

So, our first Business Session, after initial worship and commissioning,  was learning about how the GA business will work, hearing from GA Mission Council, and figuring out how to vote and address the Moderator.  Cool. Loved the "interactive" part.  We all found our seats and got our computers wired up. Now we can paddle the waters of GA.

Stated Clerk Harry bought us all free trade choc bars. Yum.

Liz votes with her assigned wireless unit.  No, it won't change the channel...

Packing the Backpack for PCUSA General Assembly

Heading out to Minneapolis for the big Pres Church USA 219th General Assembly as an Elder Commissioner for the Presbytery of Utica. What does that mean? Voting member. Read lots of stuff on line and in the mail before I go. Get my computer gear ready. Get my head clear and my ears open. Fill a small vessel with water from Otsego Lake- the Glimmerglass- the source of the Susquehanna River- to take to fill the font of the spiritual waters from all over the country. Listen, pray, discern, voice, vote.

Rivers of Living Water is the GA theme and the life source for all of that discernment, active listening and embracing the many people of God.

Why "Leaning Downsteams?" In whitewater canoeing and kayaking, the way to shoot the rapids is to lean downstream. Counter intuitive? Sometimes it is. My mantra for the week will be to lean downstream into God's streams of many living waters of light, love, justice and peace.

My fellow travelers from the Presbytery of Utica are Youth Advisory Delegate, Liz Williams; Clergy Commissioner, Rev. Janet Hoover; and Stated Clerk, Harry Young.

Will I/we be successful? Stay tuned.