From the Moderator:
Dialogue happens about the divestment issue
Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase has shared on his moderatorial
blog a good experience meeting with Presbyterians in Las Vegas who gathered
to share concerns about the General Assembly’s action last year to explore
the possibility of divestment of stock in companies that support Israel’s
occupation of Palestinian territories.
From Rick Ufford-Chase
on May 5, 2005
Brothers and Sisters,
Just a quick note about a great experience I had two weeks ago.
I was invited to Las Vegas by a committee made up of folks from each of the
churches there. The name of the committee was the "General Assembly Action
Protest Committee," and their stated goal was to explore what might be done
in response to some of the actions taken by the 216th General Assembly last
year in Richmond. Specifically, they were concerned about some of the
language in the resolution on the war in Iraq, the resolution regarding the
decision to begin a process of "phased, selective divestment" of our stock
from companies that are in some way supporting the Israeli Occupation of the
Palestinian Territories, and concerns about the Presbyterian stance on
abortion. Further, there were general questions about how an Assembly action
gets taken, and whether our denomination too often or too easily steps over
the line into furthering a political agenda. Basically, they wanted to cover
all the "hot-button" issues.
Here's what I appreciated.
First, this committee started with a commitment to hear
from people who were present at the Assembly and/or responsible for
interpreting or implementing the Assembly's actions. That's how I ended up
being invited to spend a day with them in Las Vegas. They made it clear that
the purpose of the day was listening and learning, as well as sharing
concerns that folks would come with.
Second, the committee had done its homework. They worked hard to educate
themselves about what had taken place, and what the potential implications
of the actions of the Assembly were. Then, they crafted well designed
questions to get to the heart of their concerns. They shared those questions
with me well before my arrival so that I would be well-prepared to respond
to those things that concerned them most. Their questions were hard-hitting,
but respectful and designed to elicit dialogue.
Third, they put together an agenda for a six hour series of events that
would give us the appropriate forum for an in-depth discussion, and they did
a great job of advertising the event. In the morning session, there were at
least fifty elders, deacons, and pastors from their churches, and in the
afternoon, close to one hundred and fifty Presbyterians showed up to
participate.
Fourth, they crafted the agenda in a way that encouraged us to begin with
what I (and we) are most excited about in the church. That part of the day
was deeply grounded in scripture, and it was all about sharing our
understandings about the exciting work to which God is calling our
denomination.
Fifth, folks were inquisitive and respectful as opposed to combative. At the
end of the day, we didn't all agree about every issue we had discussed, but
we had dialogued in a way that respected our differences and sought honestly
to listen to one another. If felt as if I came away with new friendships and
a solid foundation to continue to learn from one another.
There's a lot to be excited about in our denomination. I'm grateful to these
new friends in Las Vegas for their investment in seeking to follow Jesus and
build the church.
Rick
