1

One!
One day left!
Muah-ah-ah!

As we count down to the final day before #ga221, let's take a look at one of the first (and most important) things the Assembly will do as a group: elect a Moderator.

You can spend time perusing their individual websites: Kelly Allen, Heath Rada, and John Wilkinson.

OR (or maybe in addition to) you can check out the post from a former Moderator himself: (the man, the myth, the legend) Bruce Reyes-Chow.

10 questions with each candidate for Moderator.
(Click on a picture to read their answers.)

Each Moderatorial candidate also has a Vice-Moderator tapped to run with him/her.
John Wilkinson:  MaryAnn McKibben Dana
Heath Rada:  Larissa Kwong Abazia

Kelly Allen:  Leslie King 

(It used to be that a Moderator was elected and then selected a VM. But that has changed this year.)

(See?? We CAN change!)

2

Two days. Can you believe it?








Already, Detroit is starting to fill up with PC(USA)-related folks who are settling in for the week.

And many more will be joining their ranks. 

We commissioners will be busy with meetings and such but there are lots of other things to do and to see in the Motor City for family of commissioners or visitors and observers.

One of the great parts of our church is that we DON'T meet in fancy, expensive places like New York or LA. But rather, we pick cities (like Pittsburgh and Detroit) that can use the influx of cash that comes with an Assembly. (Usually close to $2 million PLUS what folks spend on their own.)

Right in front of our very eyes, we see possibility of redemption is unfolding--we see a city struggling to rebuild like Corinth and Jersulaem did after being destroyed.

It reminds me of this:

I am Beaver-Butler Presbytery ... Eva Barr

I am a ruling elder at Mill Creek Presbyterian Church in Hookstown, PA. I am also a commissioned ruling elder but I am not currently serving a church. Instead, I work in the Central Valley High School in the Learning Support Program, mainly with seniors in the science program.

I am serving on one of the committees that's receiving A LOT of attention at #ga221--"Middle East Issues."

I am most looking forward to seeing how decisions are made at the national level, and how involved Scripture and prayer are in these decisions.

Where will I look for Jesus? I expect to find Jesus in the hearts, voices, and attitudes of many of the participants.

I am Beaver-Butler Presbytery ... Mark Plumb

I am an EMT, a grandfather, and a commissioned ruling elder pastoring  the Fountain Park Church.

I will be spending a good deal of time and energy working with Committee #5: Mid-Council Issues.

Of all the things about #ga221, I am most looking forward to the times of worship and seeing many old friends.

Where will I be looking for Jesus? I know it sounds naive, but as a gathering of the Body of Christ, I expect to see Jesus reflected in every aspect of GA.

If you'd like to read more about my reflections on #ga221, feel free to check out my personal blog: The Plumb Line.

I am Beaver-Butler Presbytery ... Allison Bauer

I am the Teaching Elder currently calling the Frankfort Presbyterian Church home. I am also the 2014 Moderator of Beaver-Butler Presbytery.

In preparation for #ga221, I have spent many hours sifting through (and having conversations with others about) the overtures for the committee to which I have been assigned: #9 "Social Justice Issues."

This will be my third official General Assembly--I was a YAAD in Fort Worth, TX and a Theological Student Assistant in Denver, CO--so I have a little bit of experience with this process. Of all the parts of GA, I have to say that I am most looking forward to the AMAZING singing and music that happens when thousands of people worship together in one big room.

Where will I be looking for Jesus at ga#221? Well, a wise guy once said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with them." So I guess any time I'm gathered with others, I'll be looking for Jesus. (I should probably also spend a little bit of time making sure people see Jesus in me ... instead of always looking for Him in others.)

I am Beaver-Butler Presbytery ... Mauri Smith

I am a Teaching Elder currently serving the North Sewickley Presbyterian Church.

The good folks of Committee #11 (Peacemaking and International Relations) and I will be spending lots of time together at #ga221.

I am looking forward to meeting brothers and sisters in the PC(USA) from across the country and getting firsthand experience in being a part of the work of the national church.

Where will I be looking for Jesus? I expect to find Him in our times of worship and prayer, and in the relationships with fellow believers in our denomination.

I am Beaver-Butler Presbytery ... Josh McElhaney

I am a member of the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa, PA.

I am a YAAD (Young Adult Advisory Delegate) currently enrolled at Slippery Rock University.

At #ga221, I'll be serving on the Committee #6: "Church Polity and Ordered Ministry."

This is my first General Assembly, and I am looking forward to hearing the different opinions on these issues and working through them.

Where will I be looking for Jesus? Everywhere--I expect to find him everywhere and in everything.

3

(Written by: Allison Bauer)

THREE. DAYS. LEFT.

Suitcases are being dusted off, snacks are being purchased, and last minute questions are being asked ... even if it is taking a while to get some answers! 

Soon and very soon PC(USA) commissioners and advisory delegates (PLUS legions of support staff and volunteers) will begin the journey to Detroit for #ga221. 

But it's not just those chosen by God and elected by their Presbyteries who are preparing for GA. Even folks who will be watching from afar are preparing and reflecting. 

Jack Haberer (editor of The Presbyterian Outlook) has written an editorial entitled, "In the Lions' Den" which describes our philosophical identity as Presbyterians and historically what has been important to us. 

Haberer adopts the story of Daniel being thrown into the lions' den and the miraculous "shutting" of the lions' mouths as a narrative for #ga221. 

(Did they fall asleep? Were they knocked out? Did they turn into over-sized housecats? What happened??Inquiring minds want to know!)   

Part of our heritage as Presbyterians is speaking truth to power, like Daniel spoke truth to King Darius. He writes, "Where some other churches shun all matters political, we read the biblical commands both to love neighbors and to break chains as requirements to engage the public square." And, "We Presbyterians also have been people of superior education, of high scholarship and often (but not always) of profound wisdom." 

These days, I'm not so certain the Presbyterian Church has the kind of clout that Daniel had though--he held a position of great power in the king's government and so had the king's ear on many matters. The PC(USA) may have at one time had that same sort of power and influence, but our influence is waning as our reputation for being such bitter disagreers grows. How effective is our voice today? Will the overtures calling for letters and petitions being written and sent to the President, the Congress, and the Senate really do any good? 

With God, all things are possible, I suppose. (But we're certainly not helping much, though.) 

4

Four days until #ga221 begins!

Last night, the #BBP5 gathered for a time to get to know each other a little better, to ask questions, and to pray. (We also discovered that NO ONE has started packing yet!!)

We are eager for the Assembly to begin and to look for WHERE and WHEN and HOW Jesus is at work in the Presbyterian Church. [There are those who may be skeptical that Jesus is still hanging around in the PC(USA) but it is our belief that He is present and active.] We EXPECT to see Jesus all over the place, and we hope this blog will be a way for us to share those experiences with you, our friends and family back home.

Commissioners and advisory delegates will begin #ga221 with "Riverside Conversations" at 8:30AM on Saturday, June 14 where we will have a chance to hear presentations on the issues garnering the most attention in this Assembly.

Be praying for the #BBP5, friends--we need to be blanketed with your prayers for energy and patience, wisdom and encouragement, and perhaps most of all, eyes to see and ears to hear God's will for His church.

The Motor City

Get the App!

If you're not able to be in Detroit, but want to keep an eye on what's going on at #ga221, check out this Guidebook app that will give you ALL the good stuff you want to know! (Follow the directions on how to find the General Assembly guide.)

Also, if you're interested in checking out the overtures and other business of the Assembly, keep this open on your computer. (Of course, there's an app for that too--you can download it from the iTunes app store--search for "PC-BIZ.")

5

Five, count 'em F-I-V-E, days until the start of #ga221 in Detroit, MI!

The 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) officially convenes with Opening Worship and Communion at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, June 14, in Hall D at the Cobo Center. Neal Presa, moderator of the 220th General Assembly (2012) will preach.

If you would like to watch the festivities as they unfold, you can check out the livestream here.