June 21, 2014
To the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.
The 221st General Assembly (2014) of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) adjourned today after a full week of discussion, debate, prayer and discernment. The week
also was enveloped in worship, celebrations, fellowship and glory to God. The Assembly,
anchored on the theme “Abound in Hope” (Romans 15:13), was a resounding confirmation that the
PC(USA) is alive, well, and fully engaged in being faithful to God.
Tough issues were tackled and challenging decisions were
made. These actions were not done lightly, and
each commissioner and advisory delegate carefully and
prayerfully worked in committee and as a full
body in plenary. Now, over the next two years, members of
the 221st Assembly and other leaders in the
church will be about the business of interpreting and
guiding people through the decisions made. We hope
you, too, will be ambassadors for the Assembly’s work, and
we offer ourselves and our colleagues as
resources.
Now, some highlights:
Relating to the world
• The Assembly approved the “Educate a Child, Transform the
World" campaign, recommended
by the Presbyterian Mission Agency. This is a call on the
whole church to join in a movement to
provide quality education to 1 million children in the U.S.
and around the world in the next four
years – as a way to alleviate poverty.
• The Assembly approved a measure to divest from three
corporations – Caterpillar, Hewlett-
Packard and Motorola Solutions – it believes are not in
compliance with the church’s policy on
socially responsible investing. The decision is a
significant step in the denomination’s policy that
says it should not profit from “non-peaceful pursuits.” This
does not constitute divestment from
Israel – the church maintains significant investments in
companies that do business in Israel.
Relating to our communities
• The Assembly approved “The Interreligious Stance of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).” This
statement is the result of work by Presbyterians, Christians
of other denominations, and
representatives of many faith traditions to study how
Presbyterians should best engage with
people of different faiths.
• Recommendations that the PC(USA) advocate measures to
prevent gun violence won resounding
approval. The GA’s decision calls for such actions as the
formation of support, healing and
advocacy groups for those who have experienced gun violence
in their families; and opposition to
“stand your ground” and other legislation that may entitle
gun owners to shoot before taking
alternative measures.
• The Assembly celebrated the nearly 250 new worshipping
communities in more than 100
presbyteries that have been counted since the last General
Assembly. Clearly this is a movement
of the Holy Spirit, giving the promise of renewal and
rebirth throughout the church.
• For nearly 200 years, the Presbyterian church has served
as one of the greatest forces for mission
in the world. In that spirit, the Assembly endorsed an
initiative to encourage Presbyterians to go
beyond the walls of their congregations and increase their
engagement in service to their
communities and the world. By “living missionally,” we are
intentionally joining in God’s
transformations of societal injustices by following Christ’s
example of service through faith,
hope, love, and witness.
Relating to each other
• The Assembly approved a recommendation to allow teaching
elders pastoral discretion to
perform “any such marriage they believe the Holy Spirit
calls them to perform,” where legal by
state law. The body also passed a recommendation to change
language in the Book of Order to
indicate that “marriage involves a unique commitment between
two people, traditionally a man
and a woman.” Our prayer is that together, through our
covenant with one another, the PC(USA)
can move forward on this issue in love and with respect.
• The Assembly overwhelmingly voted to add the Confession of
Belhar to the PC(USA)’s Book of
Confessions. The action must now be ratified by a majority
of the presbyteries within the next
year.
Specific language on all of the Assembly’s actions is
available on PC-biz (www.pc-biz.org). Assembly in Brief, a more detailed compilation of the Assembly’s
decisions, will be available for download next week at www.pcusa.org/ga221.
Jesus clearly tells us in John 13: 34, “Just as I have loved
you, you also should love one another.” Agape
love for those in our world, in our communities, and for
each other is essential in these days ahead. We
don’t all agree, yet we must find paths to peace and
reconciliation using the unconditional love of God as
our guide.
Our charge to you now is to go forth with the actions of the
221st Assembly, living missionally as the
church beyond walls, and engaging in the process of working
together with churches in the task of
reconciliation. We look forward to working with you.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Ruling Elder Heath K. Rada
Moderator, 221st General Assembly (2014)
The Reverend Larissa Kwong Abazia
Vice Moderator, 221st General Assembly (2014)
The Reverend Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Ruling Elder Linda Bryant Valentine
Executive Director, Presbyterian Mission Agency
