Greetings — I will be live blogging most plenary sessions of the PC(USA)
General Assembly.  I apologize to those with e-mail feeds or a feed
reader since you will probably only get the first section of the post
since I’ll be adding updates throughout the session.  Also, if you are
reading this on a browser live you will also need to refresh the screen
since I don’t have push technology on my blog.  It’s tough being Web
1.99999 in a Web 2.0 world.  Thanks for your patience.

This is not the only source on the web for this event.
The PC(USA) official webcast can be found at http://www.pcusa.org/ga218/schedule/streaming-schedule.htm
There is also a live blogging site at http://www.scribblelive.com/Event/PCUSA_General_Assembly_218

[My commentary will be in brackets]

Comments from overnight:
Asking around it is still not clear exactly who was protesting outside the Assembly hall yesterday but it was an outside organization who told anyone who walked by in no uncertain terms that if they were associated with the PC(USA), no matter what their theological leanings, they were going to Hell.  This was because of the denominations positions on GLBT individuals.  Cliff reported that the police were called but the protesters were within their free speech rights if they stayed in the area they were in.

I also found out why my lungs hurt:  The late news showed the smoke from the fires up north blowing over the Bay Area.  And a change in wind direction won’t help since then we will get the smoke from the fires in the other direction.

Thursday Morning, June 26, 2008
The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
8:20 AM 
— The commissioner chairs are filling up.  People are filing in.  The observer section is about one-tenth full.

8:30 — The Assembly is gaveled to order and opened in prayer with a three-part song based on Micah 6:8 and prayer

8:36 — Ecumenical greetings from Reformed/Reconstructionist Jewish representative and the Buddhist Churches of America

8:43 — Bruce thanks everyone for all the parliamentary advice, solicited and not.

8:44 — Bills and Overtures: Recommends that time per speaker be reduced from three to two minutes.  [The time crunch is starting early this year]  Passes on voice vote but a notable no vote.

8:45 — Financial implications:  No items yesterday had financial implications.

8:46 — Stated Clerk reviews procedures for acting on nominations when there are challenges.

8:49 — Mission budget financial implications:  Bruce had skipped it.  There were some financial implications, but as the committee moderator said “even without the report we’ll spend money anyways.

8:51 — Nominating Committee Report:  Awaiting Assembly action later today item 00-01 Z, Y and Z [got to love the business numbering] will not be voted on now.

All unchallenged nominees are approved on a voice vote.

Challenge of Stewart Pollock by Darly Fisher-Ogden for ACC.  Speakers here still get three minutes.
Stewart Pollock approved

Challenge of A. Bates Butler by Edward Glady for GAPJC
Ecumenical delegates favored the challenger, commissioners approve Mr. Butler

Challenge of Bradley Copeland by Kenneth Working for GAPJC [This is a challenge for my synod’s seat.  I don’t know Mr. Copeland, but I greatly respect Mr. Working]
YAADs advise Ken Working; Commissioners elect Mr. Copeland by 58%.  [That is close for a floor challenge.]

Challenge of H. Clifford Looney by Ted Fairfield for GAPJC
Mr. Looney approved by a wide margin

9:29 — Two minute break

9:33  [Bruce is serious about this being two minutes]
Challenge of Lois Clarke by James Mead for the Foundation Board
Advisory: Committee nominee by a wide margin; Commissioners: The same, Clarke by 80%

Challenge of Karen Garrett by J. Oscar McCloud for the Foundation Board
Advisory 2/3 – 1/3 for Garrett; Commissioners 71% for Garrett

Challenge of Doug McArthur by Gay Mothershed for the Foundation Board  [Gay serves on the Council for Certification of Elders.  That is a new one on me.  A quick Google search brings up nothing quickly]
[Bruce once again stumbles on Rev. Janet Schlenker’s name.  She reply’s to call her Janet.]
Question from the floor about the letters following each nominee’s name.  Those are the diversity information that most of us take for granted and read in our sleep.
Advisory vote for nominee by a wide margin.  Commissioners the same – 75% for McArthur

From the Moderator of the 217th GA – Nominees to the GA Nominating Committee
Three are challenged

Challenge of William King by Catherine Purves for the Nominating Committee
[Both speakers presented their nominees very well]
Advisory vote divided:  YAAD and TSAD close, Missionary overwhelmingly for King, Ecumenical overwhelmingly for Purves
Commissioners: Purves by 53% – First challenger to win

Challenge of Joan Carpenter by Phyllis Spielmann for the Nominating Committee
[I know Joan as chair of our synod nominating committee and she is a very hard worker.  I don’t know much about Phyllis.]
Advisory vote strongly for Carpenter; Commissioners elect Carpenter by 75%
[And on a personal note, I now need to find a new member and chair of our synod nominating committee.]

Challenge of Roger Howell by Charles Youther for the Nominating Committee
Advisory vote strongly for Howell;  Commissioners elect Howell by 71%

That concludes the nominating reports.
[The results were typical for GA, one challenger was elected.  My gut reaction is that this was more challenges than normal.  But the two major bodies were the Foundation Board and the Nominating Committee indicating were the “hot points” are this year.]

10:25 – The Stated Clerk is called on for comments about the process of amending from the floor

10:27 – One minute stretch

10:28 – Bruce “We are doing a chronos minute not a kairos minute”
Committee 13 – Theological Issues and Institutions
Resume arrested report
Consent Agenda approved

Item 13-06: Heidelberg Catechism
There is a minority report
The committee chair speaks to “initiating a process” so the committee at least intends the constitutional process

Minority report argues that changing the current version will not change anything and lead to years of fighting.

Stated Clerk gives the review of the minority report/substitute motion process.  He also explains the Book of Confessions amendment process and that this must go through it.

Perfecting the main motion.
(Instead of perfecting the main motion the commissioners are asking financial questions.)
There are no amendments.  The main motion is declared perfected.

Perfecting the substitute motion
A commissioner asks to have some theological background on this and asks former GA Moderator Jack Rodgers to speak to it.  (Former moderators are corresponding members and have the privilege of the floor.)
The substitute motion is declared perfected with one clarifying amendment.
And the lines at the microphones are getting long.

The debate on the two motions begins:
Jack Rodgers speaks about the history of the translation and the story about the phrase inserted by two translators.  Confessional documents should not be about the theological controversies at the time of translation but at the time of writing.

10:55 [One hour left in the morning session and we may not finish Committee 3 since Belhar is still to come.]
One commissioner is shut off when he uses up his time.
Another brings up the “elephant in the room” and that this is just a subtle attempt by progressives to shift the denomination.
Those favoring the main motion pretty much appeal to the integrity of the translation
Those favoring the minority report appeal to the historic nature of it, that the translation is compatible with the original author’s intent,
A YAD speaks about our constantly reforming theology and how without it the Moderator nor Vice-moderator would be serving there now as they are racial-ethnic

Move to call the question:  Succeeds by 85%
Prayer
Advisory delegates generally in favor of main motion
Commissioners: Main motion by 71%

Now debating the main motion
Similar arguments as before.
Question about the Greek in the Corinthians passage one of the disputed passages depends on.  Request Prof. Gagnon respond.  He would need to be granted the privilege of the floor.  Debate moves on.
Don’t let doctrine inform confessions, let confessions inform doctrine (that is an argument against)
Against – People in the pews don’t care
Professional translator – Unethical to insert your own words

Move the question – Passes by voice vote
Vote on the Main motion:  Advisory delegates mostly 3/4 yes; Commissioners: 60% yes

Motion that 13-06 answer 13-04, 13-05, and 13-10.

Item 13-07 as amended:  Belhar
No discussion, passed on voice vote
[That one slid by]
Clerk informs the Assembly what they just did
Call for division
Electronic:  Advisory 80% yes; Commissioners 76% yes
[Boy, did I mis-judge that one!  I was expecting some debate.]
Commissioner arises to question lack of announcement about what was being done.

11:39
Item 13-13: Study guide for the Trinity paper
Passes on voice vote

Concludes Committee Report

Committee 8 takes the stage
Bills and Overtures moves going to the Memorial Minutes for Ben Rose and begin with Committee 8 after lunch< br>Change in docket approved
11:42
Memorial for the [Very ] Rev. Dr. Ben Rose [if we used such terms]

I will end here as we will shortly adjourn for lunch