The 2001 GA

As we approach the 213^th General Assembly, we will offer all the news we can find about overtures that are being prepared, and other developments. If you have news to add, or comments on what you find here, please send a note!	You can also visit the official web site for the 213^th General Assembly
Witherspoon board expresses concern about the Moderator's proposal for a study commission [5-28-01] The Presbyterian Forum agrees with Witherspoon?!? [5-31-01] On their "update" web page, the Presbyterian Forum, which was founded in 1997 with the goal of achieving political change (toward the Right) in and through the Presbyterian Church, announces that "The Witherspoon Society Is Right."
General Assembly moderator Syngman Rhee has endorsed a proposal to create a "theological commission" to try and steer the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through the current differences in the Presbyterian Church. [5-17-01]
Candidates for Moderator respond to Witherspoon questions [5-15-01] One of the first acts of the 213th General Assembly will be the election of a new Moderator. To help our readers weigh this important choice, the Witherspoon Society has asked each of the four candidates to respond briefly to four questions that reflect Witherspoon concerns — and, we believe, concerns of the wider church.
We have added the list of overture titles as published by the Office of the General Assembly, with links to the full text of each overture, on the official GA website. Where we have received comments on particular overtures, we'll provide links to those comments. And we welcome more comments on any of them! Just send a note, but please make clear which overture you're commenting on.
You're invited to check out some comments from the Witherspoon Society on the various overtures relating to G-6.0106b. [5-9-01] *And we share a few thoughts on overtures related to other* matters, as well.** [5-12-01]
Overture 01-60, from Susquehanna Valley, asks for action to protect biodiversity and prevent the mass extinction of species. [5-12-01]
Voices of Sophia announces that their General Assembly breakfast will be on Tuesday, June 12, at 7:00 AM, in the Galt House Hotel. Featured speaker is Joan Martin, associate professor of Christian Social Ethics at the Episcopal Divinity School. They add: "You can depend on a fun time to see old friends, meet new ones, celebrate together and be challenged through Joan's wisdom. Request tickets when you register for General Assembly on-line or by calling 888-728-7228, ext. 2417 and ask that an order form be sent to you by FAX, or use email - gameetingservice@ctr.pcusa.org. The deadline is May 25th, and in past years the breakfast has been sold out. [5-2-01]
ACC comments on overtures dealing with G-6.0106b The Advisory Committee on the Constitution has also published its response to Request 00-3, from the 212^th General Assembly, which sought clarification about the obligations of a nominating committee in relation to G-6.0106b. [4-28-01]
Governing body moderators to gather this weekend in Louisville GA moderator Syngman Rhee hosts parley on "unity and diversity" with Jack Haberer as keynote speaker. [5-1-01]
Reparations may be an issue at GA John E. Harris notes that the issue of reparations for slavery will come to the 2001 General Assembly through a report from the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns. It includes a recommendation for the formation of a task force to study reparations for African-American and other groups "who have experienced significantly disparate treatment" through U.S. history. [4-24-01] Check out earlier reports on the question of reparations.
Two Santa Fe overtures would offer a "middle ground" by asserting respect for freedom of conscience. [4-27-01]
Shannon Webster, EP of Sierra Blanca, writes to The Layman about Overture 25 as a legitimate expression of concern about the Left Behind series -- and as a proper expression of the Reformed tradition. [4-19-01]
Battle over PC(USA) ordination standards is expected to dominate General Assembly [4-19-01] Presbyterian reporter Jerry Van Marter has prepared the first in a series of reports about the coming Assembly, aimed at folks who don't spend all their waking moments fussing about the PC(USA). If your first reaction to his headline is "Well, duhh!", just remember his intended audience. He offers a quick survey of the entwined issues of ordination and sexuality, and notes the potential for a split in the church. He also reminds readers that we will talk about other important concerns as well, including domestic violence, ministries in higher education, strategies for supporting new pastors (and thus reducing the burnout rate), and ecumenical relations (with a focus on the Roman Catholic Church).
Auburn Affirmation movement opens a new (web) page Stimulated by a sermon preached last fall by the Rev. David Bos, a group has gathered to shape a response to current efforts to narrow the theological and moral scope of the Presbyterian Church. Following the model of the Auburn movement of the 1920s, a number of people are drafting a statement which they promise will soon be published on this site. The site is still under construction, but it already offers the text of Bos's sermon, and the sermon by Harry Emerson Fosdick, "Shall the Fundamentalists Win?" It also includes the text of the 1924 Auburn Affirmation. The authors conclude with an invitation to "watch these pages in the next few days for your opportunity to 'sign on' to Re-Affirm, in the spirit of Auburn." Visit the new web site. [4-17-01]
Looking for alternative housing at General Assembly? [4-4-01] This note was recently posted to the PresbyNet meeting hosted by the GA Committee on Local Arrangements: If you are in search of housing outside of the Assembly Hotels -- such as Bed and Breakfast Inns, campgrounds, private homes, and churches - information can be mailed or faxed. Reach COLA at (502)459-4268, or e-mail loucola1@aol.com. Thanks to diligent Web-watcher Mitch Trigger
We have a new page listing all available information on overtures to the 213th General Assembly. The official GA website has begun listing overtures, with links to the text of each one. Texts of detailed rationales and advisory opinions will be added later. [4-4-01]
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick shared with GAC his expectation of what will be the "top 10 issues" at the coming General Assembly. [3-2-01]
The Witherspoon Society has responded positively (if not speedily) to the "Call to the Church" issued by 113 middle governing body executives.
The Reformed understanding of the freedom of conscience has been discussed as presbyteries have debated Amendment O, but is a matter of far broader import. For one thing, numerous overtures to the 213^th General Assembly deal with G-6.0106b on the basis of conscience. Dr. Sarah Melcher looks at Calvin's Institutes to help us consider this issue. [3-13-01]
The Presbytery of Santa Fe has passed two overtures, one calling for freedom of conscience in dealing with G-6.0106b, the other for the granting of waivers to congregations that "cannot apply the requirements of G-6.0106b justly and equitably." *The Layman* offers a different view, that conscience must not be left free.**
Heartland Presbytery has approved an overture to the 213th General Assembly to replace G-6.0106(b) with an affirmation of the responsibility of sessions and presbyteries in matters of ordination.
Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy completes work on major policy paper on domestic violence, drops recommendation for a domestic Violence Office Other ACSWP papers making their way to General Assembly include resolutions on small arms control, Year of Mobilization against Racism, Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations, caregiving for older adults, and U.N. special session on "The Future of the Child in the 21st Century"
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, on Saturday, January 13, 2001, passed two overtures dealing with G-6.0106(b), for consideration by the 213th General Assembly. The Presbytery also acted to endorse Sandra Hawley, an elder from Bloomington, Minn, and former member of GAC, as a nominee for moderator of the 213^th General Assembly. (2001).
San Gabriel Presbytery endorses Jack Rogers as Moderator of the 213th General Assembly. Click here for a more complete report from Presbyterian News Service.
Outlook urges rejection of Amendment O as "bad polity" [1-5-01] In the January 15 issue of Presbyterian Outlook, editor Robert Bullock has joined with William Stacy Johnson to recommend the Amendment O should be rejected by the presbyteries -- partly as an "act of unity" on an issue about which Presbyterians are still not of one mind, and also because the amendment is "unnecessary." Click here for more, and for a link to the full editorial on the Outlook web site.
For more information and analysis on Amendments O and A, click here.
For background on G-6.0106b ... As we approach the 2001 General Assembly, the "fidelity and chastity" amendment, now G-6.0106.b in our Book of Order, will clearly be a focus of discussion. At the risk of adding more words to an already over-abundant supply, we offer here three essays that were written in 1996, before and after the passage of Amendment B.
Nominations are being sought for Restorative Justice Award, with a deadline of March 15, 2000. The award honors Presbyterian individuals or groups who are making outstanding contributions to direct-service ministries or to advocacy efforts to change the criminal justice system in the U.S.
Presbyterians Together, a coalition formed for the purpose of passing Amendment O, is distributing a packet of materials in support of their case. Rollin Kirk, pastor of North Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, Minnesota, offered comments on the material.
113 Executive and General Presbyters have issued a Call to the Church to seek a "third way" that does not create "winners and losers," but works to realize the peace, unity and purity of the church. Covenant Network has stated its support for the Call to the Church, affirming that the dialogue it seeks can best happen in presbyteries. More Light Presbyterians have stated their support for the Call to the Church, calling for a dialogue which " The Coalition isn't interested in any "third way," but in the Bible alone. Their answer, in brief, appears to be "Nyet." The Bible stands as the sole source of knowledge for them, and no further discussion seems to be a possibility.
Peaks Presbytery executive Andy Sale joins Colorado elder Nancy Maffett as candidate to lead 213th General Assembly
Are you working on overtures for the 213th General Assembly? Here's some practical advice from the Office of the General Assembly.
Baltimore Presbytery passes Overture to Delete B.13. (Demonstration Ban)
An overture has been passed by the Presbytery of New York City, seeking to reverse our denomination's prohibition on ordained service by gay and lesbian persons.
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick has listed the overtures that were referred by the 212th General Assembly to the 2001 Assembly, on the basis of the "period of study and conversation" dealing with unity and diversity.