Greetings — I will be live blogging most 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 pushing update 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.
Saturday Morning, June 21, 2008
The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
10:00 — The commissioner chairs are filling up. People are filing in. The soothing background music is playing. (I could have done with great hymns of the faith) And camera operators are ready.
There has been some questions this morning about internet access. It turns out that there is WiFi in the hall, but you can only get to PC-biz
10:01 The Assembly is called to order with the gavel and prayer by the Moderator of the 217th GA, the Rev. Joan Gray. Including a long period, a couple of minutes, or silence.
10:04 — Cliff Kirkpatrick leads a litany followed by the Servant Song. Interesting this was also used in opening by the Church of Scotland GA this year. Except with stings instead of keyboard.
10:12 — Commissioners and delegates are asked and answer the questions of “commissioning”
Another prayer, litany, and hymn “Come O Spirit, Dwell Among Us” sung to Ebenezer.
10:20 — The General Assembly is now commissioned and we move on to formalities.
A quorum is declared, corresponding members seated, and welcome from COLA.
10:30 — Move on to promotional videos and official welcome and gift to Moderator and Vice-moderator: hand-crafted wooden boxes.
10:41 — Robert Wilson assumes the gavel and Joan Gray gives the moderator’s report with her usual humor.
We then have the report of the Vice-moderator and we are not up to the GAC report
The GAC church growth segment highlights the Highlands Church in Paso Robles, California, which has recently become the “poster child” for church planting in this day and age.
11:20 — Move on to Nominating Committee and an overview of the nominations from the floor process for challenging committee nominees
11:25 — Finance overview and financial implications. They are listing what is covered under per capita, but there are possible changes to what budget items can be covered by per capita before this GA. But the possible change to the mission budget, to the tune of an increase of $13,000,000, that would be caused by the proposed shift is presented as either full disclosure, or maybe a threat.
11:35 — The morning agenda has been concluded. The afternoon is orientation so I probably will not live blog that. Maybe a post or two of other business, but live blogging will resume this evening for the Moderator election.