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General Assembly News



Stories from Saturday, June 28, 2008

The strength to transform

Stories from Friday, June 27, 2008

Assembly calls for peacemaking in Israel/Palestine

Comfort My People: a new comprehensive statement on serious mental illness

Assembly approves mental health policy, study on HIV/AIDs and updated resources on problem pregnancies

Photo of a man hugging a man in congratulations The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick congratulated the Rev. Gradye Parsons, newly-elected Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. Photo by Danny Bolin

Assembly leaves definition of marriage unchanged

Assembly approves new social creed, the first in a century

Philippine church leaders face death for advocating change

Sweet hour of prayer

Reaching outward is key to growth

Who is that masked man?

Walking humbly takes courage, preacher says

Assembly proposes amendment to delete G-6.0106b and replace it with a new version

Gradye Parsons elected General Assembly stated clerk


Stories from Thursday, June 26, 2008

ga218/images/praying.jpg The Assembly joined together in prayer. Photo by Joseph Williams

Assembly starts process toward revising Heidelberg Catechism

Committee on General Assembly Procedures makes its reports

Assembly approves revisions to descriptions and timing of ordination exams

Assembly elects more than 200 persons to fill board, agency and committee slots

Mission Initiative campaign announces surprise $33 million

Assembly rejects fifth special offering to fund mission personnel

Worship Committee hopes future committees can learn from its experience

Youth seek to serve

Equip future pastors to teach theology, Juengst says

We’re still ‘imagining what God will do through Christian education,’ says Mendenhall

Assembly remembers Ben Lacy Rose

Spirit makes evangelism easier, says Hoey

FOG revision sent for study to churches and presbyteries

What has Silicon Valley to do with God?

Islamic leader wishes to build bridges of understanding

Walking humbly? We aren’t good at that, preacher says

Her grandfather started YADs

Taylor addresses multicultural church dinner

One More Day…

Marj Carpenter was ‘born to be a reporter’


Stories from Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Photo of many people seated at tables in front of laptops Commissioners and advisory delegates followed discussion of a human sexuality resource on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Joseph Williams

Assembly approves five Youth Committee items

Melva Costen wasn’t sure reunion would work

Three winners in youth video contest announced
ymiLIVE victors each to receive $25,000 endowment

Assembly seeks expanded coverage for children with congenital disabilities
Annual ‘relief of conscience’ report also sought from Board of Pensions

Interfaith guests share perspectives on cooperation

Peacemaking — ‘a calling for a lifetime’

Assembly calls for tolerance in relations with Jews, Muslims

Two church growth strategies, new sexuality resources approved

The Rev. Byron Wade is 218th General Assembly vice-moderator

Jorge Lara-Braud, pastor, theologian, fighter for the poor dies at 77

Histories of American West ‘ignore the role religion played’

Power of nonviolence lies in action, speaker says

Prayer essential for action on ecology

PPC highlights new commentary, Feasting on the Word

Scouting changes lives, says seminary-bound teen

Award recipient says ‘do your work and expect the Holy Spirit’

Learning the ‘dance of partnership’ in world health

Two men remember two historic reunions

‘I am a Palestinian. I have no bombs.’ — Archbishop Chacour

I wanted it demolished on all our heads

Leech, Lewis confirmed to head Foundation, Publishing House

Three chaplains tell their stories

‘Our children are already there,’ says Buchanan

Joe Small honored with festschrift

Kim calls Presbyterian Church to set aside privilege

Let needs of the world set agenda, theologian says


Stories from Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Photo of a woman dressed in white singing. Her arm is raised.
Psalmist Mary D. Williams sang at the Hungryhearts Gospel Blues Breakfast, sponsored by the General Assembly Council Office of Spiritual Formation. Photo by Danny Bolin

Committee recommends leaving per capita intact

Committee reaches compromise between Foundation and GAC

Committee recommends action on HIV/AIDS, serious mental illness and health care reform

21st-century psalmist gives voice to the emotion of faith

Health Issues Committee acts on abortion overtures

Belhar Confession study receives approval

Peacemaking actions provide diverse witness

Committee to recommend four ecumenical agreements

Committee explores using generative thinking approach

Committee to refer FOGTF report to churches and presbyteries

Committee rejects new definition of marriage

Committee to bring motions to support youth ministry

Committee approves new social creed

Committee to recommend adolescent sexuality resources

Church Orders votes 41-11 to recommend deletion of G-6.0106b

Committee reworks ordination exam descriptions, timing

It’s God, stupid

Committee recommends major new ecumenical policy statement

Church transition is a time to find new ways, group told

Woman to be ordained as minister of the arts

Transformation is beyond quick fixes, pastor says

Church Orders and Ministry recommends new authoritative interpretation on ‘scrupling’
Proposal would allow ordaining bodies to consider conscientious objection to G-6.0106b

Find your ‘thin place,’ Daniel tells worshipers


Stories from Monday, June 23, 2008

Photo of two worshipers with their hands clasped.
Worshipers passed the peace at the Monday evening worship service. Photo by Joseph Williams

Committee recommends dialog with Muslims

Presbytery and synod bounds binding

‘Committee on committees’ hears about ordination exams, racial and ethnic concerns, judicial process

New Youth Committee begins discernment

Membership vows, compassion stir discussion

‘Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing’ Sweeps PHEWA Awards

Health Issues Committee considers abortion policies

Committee approves fifth PC(USA) special offering

Snyder describes the amount of U.S. gun violence as 'obscene'

Committee has soul-searching discussion of war in Iraq

Form of Government Revision Committee weighs options before it

37 presbyteries recognized as tops in mission giving

HIV pastor stands in solidarity with those who are marginalized

We’re all pro-child and pro-mother

Mission Coordination and Budgets Committee endorses Dallas covenant

Committee approves changes to 1962 Heidelberg translation

Remember 'Thank you Jesus' moments

Pastor advocates ‘speedboat ministry'

Marj remembers dramatic vote contest

Watching World Trade Center, she knew she would become a chaplain

Sermon leads man to homelessness

Committee recommends Jay Hudson for another term, approves PC(USA) schools and Walton Awards

Musician David LaMotte inspires 900 Presbyterians on 'World-changing 101'

Exhibit Hall offers an eclectic mix of things Presbyterian — and not


Stories from Sunday, June 22, 2008

Photo of a man playing bagpipes. He is dressed in traditional Scottish tartan.
A bagpiper welcomed worshipers to the San Jose Civic Auditorium. Photo by Danny Bolin

The Witherspoon Society breaks bread, gives and receives

Ground church in “first-order concerns,” says Labberton

Commissioners submit 13 resolutions

Drama reveals saga of Katrina victims, responders

Long lines, green lions, mariachis and guacamole
Moderator’s Reception provides view to the future

New Form of Government seeks flexibility, Assembly told

Supporters celebrate renewed spirit for world mission work

Gradye Parsons is committee’s nominee for stated clerk
Jones, Koster, Tarbell are also vying to be Kirkpatrick’s successor

Overcome fear with love, says former M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell

Visit MoM while you’re at the General Assembly

Women of Faith celebrate three visionary women

Powerful worship unites Assembly in two sites

Torrens remembers exuberance
Reunion reflections


Stories from Saturday, June 21, 2008

Photo of the Reyes-Chow family
Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow was joined on stage by wife Robin Pugh; daughters Annie, 4, Abby, 7, and Evelyn, 11; father, Bill Chow; mother, the Rev. Sarah Reyes; and stepfather Joel Gibbs. Photo by Joseph Williams

Iraqi church leader describes survival struggle
One-third of Christians have fled country, archbishop says

San Jose churches show how to go 'green'

New GA moderator holds post-election press conference
Reyes-Chow finds Internet “part of my way of being”

Commissioners to have indoor, tented space for prayer

‘Recognize the face of God in everyone,’ Gervis says
More Light Presbyterians’ speaker presses for full equality

Retired GA administrator attends 50th Assembly

Reyes-Chow elected moderator of 218th GA
San Francisco pastor wins second ballot victory

World mission personnel honor 6 mission co-workers

Kirkpatrick receives Outlook’s Thompson Award

Walton Award winners announced
Four new church developments honored for innovative ministry

218th General Assembly summary — Saturday, June 21
Transcript of Presbyterian News Service VoiceLine recording

Kirkpatrick, Valentine praise renewal, collaboration
PC(USA) poised for growth and greater unity, leaders tell Assembly

Florida group hops cross-country train to boost support for campus ministry

Make Micah 6:8 real right here, COLA moderator tells Assembly

Stated Clerk releases 2007 PC(USA) statistics
General trend of fewer members, higher giving continues


Stories from Friday, June 20, 2008

Photo of the General Assembly Council booth in the exhibit hall
The General Assembly Council shares Christ’s mission with a booth featuring a video wall. Photo by Joseph Williams

Chalice artist molds his heart into clay

Tours range from Cannery Row to Silicon Valley

Micah’s call rings across the Internet

New San Jose Presbytery exec cheers Micah theme

Two sites, one service
Sunday’s opening worship to be held simultaneously in two locations

Welcome to San Jose
From Ohlones to Silicon Valley, San Jose has seen dramatic change

West Virginia pastor dies in apparent homicide

Presbyterians know the way to San Jose
1,300 local volunteers welcome 3,500 visitors to 218th General Assembly


Pre-Assembly News

General Assembly backgrounder: Heidelberg Catechism
30 seminary faculty support ‘corrected’ translation of German confession

General Assembly backgrounder: Form of Government
Revised polity intended to be simpler, less regulatory and 'missional'

PPC adds more book signings at General Assembly

General Assembly backgrounder: stated clerk election
Three challenge committee nominee Gradye Parsons for top post

General Assembly backgrounder: world mission
Groups seek wider embrace of ‘Dallas Covenant’

New leaders, new mission collaboration to highlight 218th GA
Perennial issues — ordination standards, Middle East, abortion — also on San Jose docket

General Assembly backgrounder: Israel-Palestine
Investment-monitoring panel recommends continued engagement; some presbyteries propose stronger action

General Assembly backgrounder: church growth
New commitments seek three-pronged strategy, African-American growth

Nebraska elder is fourth candidate for moderator
Roger Shoemaker is leader of PC(USA)’s Czech Mission Network

National Capital Presbytery endorses GA moderator candidate
The Rev. Bill Teng seeks to restore ‘sense of hope’ in denomination

Bruce Reyes-Chow is second candidate for GA moderator
San Francisco Presbytery endorses new church development pastor

Homeless ministry founder is third candidate for GA moderator
The Rev. Carl Mazza is endorsed by New Castle Presbytery

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