Live blogging the Wednesday evening session… If you are following along live you will want to hit refresh periodically to reload the post. (And please excuse the typos as my fingers fly.) The proposed docket for the rest of the Assembly was approved by the Assembly this afternoon. This evening’s agenda is simple — besides the usual boilerplate of Bills and Overtures and ecumenical greetings there is the election of a new Vice-Moderator and the Report of the Committee on Theological Issues, Institutions, and Christian Education (Committee 17).

The house band is providing music for singing before the gavel

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM and opened with scripture, prayer circles and a concluding prayer from a TSAD.

The opportunity for a speak-out was put to the commissioners and while they were divided they did affirm by cards and then voice vote that they did not want a speak-out tonight.

We move on to ecumenical greetings from Latin America, a representative from Honduras as the spokesman.

The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly makes a statement regarding the Vice-Moderator’s resignation. Will review the situation and the standing rules. Invite all to be in prayer during the Assembly.

The Moderator introduces the Vice-Moderator nominee TE Tom Trinidad.

Mr. Trinidad makes comments about the situation back at his home with the fires around Colorado Springs and the present “exigencies” in the church.

There is a motion from the floor to suspend the rules to have a discussion about the circumstances that led to the resignation of the Vice-Moderator. The Stated Clerk points out that it is actually a motion to adjust the docket.

Question to the Moderator about his and Mr. Trinidad’s views. Moderator points out it is not what we are talking about but does confirm they have different views on currently key points.

The debate then turns to whether to adjust the docket.
Moderator calls for the sense of the house and gets a sea of orange
The question is called
Shall the Assembly adjust the docket for 20 minutes? 322 yes, 323 no! 17 abstain (votes)

Return to the Vice-Moderator question

Commissioner at microphone “I just ask that we don’t use the doggone cards!”

Return to the Vice-Moderator question (again)
Advisory delegates – more abstain than vote “No”
Commissioners – Vice-Moderator Trinidad elected 80% yes, 12% no, 8% abstain

The new Vice-Moderator is installed

Long-term missionaries are recognized by Hunter Farrell. Michael Kruse and Linda Valentine introduce Young Adult Volunteers and Mission Partners. There is a service of commissioning.

8:00 PM

Committee on Theological Issues, Institutions and Christian Education – Committee 17
Total of 8 action items – thee (4, 5 and 7) on the consent agenda

Item 17-01 – Parenting initiative
Committee recommends disapproval with comment
Commissioner moves to limit all further statements to 2 minutes – with 85% yes gets the >2/3 it needs.
Item approved on voice vote

Item 17-02 – Amending the “setting of the service” of ordination and installation of teaching elders
Committee brings an alternative recommendation that they believe “meets the intent of the original overture” Mostly cleaning up language
Approved on voice vote

Item 17-08 – Approval of list of seminaries and covenant partner schools
Approve with comment – consider developing language about what exactly it means to be Presbyterian
Approved on voice vote

Item 17-03 – Renewal of Covenant Relationship of Auburn Seminary with the PC(USA)
Previous term was five years, this is for ten years. Uses the new language of “Council”
Approved on voice vote

Item 17-06 – Request to approve Presidents of Theological Seminary
Comments by the new presidents:
Rev. Yamada of McCormick Theological Seminary
Rev. McDonald of San Francisco Theological Seminary
Approved on voice vote

Information items – Reviewed COTE minutes and concurs with celebrating the bicentennials of Union Presbyterian Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary
Heard from the president of Union and the Chair of the Board of Princeton. (Robert Bohl first spoke of the importance of all PC(USA) seminaries.)
Video about the new digitization project at Princeton
Video promoting Union Presbyterian
Concludes the report of the committee

Announcements
Adjourned with prayer about 8:50 PM