Leaders from our denomination will gather this year in Minneapolis on July 3-10 for PC(USA)'s 219th General Assembly. Held every other year, the meeting is attended by commissioners elected by presbyteries, half ministers and half elders, as well as many other observers. During its committee meetings and general sessions, the body considers questions of government and policy that affect the entire denomination. Of particular interest this year are questions concerning a new form of government, ordination standards, Christian marriage and civil unions and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

There are many resources available online to help you follow the action at the 219th GA:

Background - visit the PC(USA) website's General Assembly page for answers to general questions about the organization and function of General Assemblies.

219th General Assembly Home Page - Start here for information specifically about this year's gathering. You'll find dozens of links about every aspect of the meeting, plus frequently updated news stories when developments occur.

Committees and Overtures - Follow the business of the assembly, including live video of some general sessions, at PC-Biz. This is the online tool that will be used by commissioners and others during the assembly, but is also available to observers not at assembly.

Major Topics - Presbyterian Outlook, an independent and well-respected church news magazine, is sponsoring a series of pre-GA online briefings the five Tuesdays in June at 2 p.m.  The fee is $9.95 per briefing, but free for all General Assembly commissioners and delegates. Upcoming sessions are:

• June 8: New Form of Government with Dan Williams (Pro) and Gale Watkins (Con)
• June 15: Ordination Standards (Fidelity/Chastity) with Tricia Dykers-Koenig (change) and Jerry Andrews (retain)
• June 22: Christian Marriage - Civil Unions with Jim Szeyller (Pro) and Bill Teng ( Con)
• June 29: Christians...and Jews...and Muslims with Jay Rock, Charles Wiley and Joe Small

Visit Presbyterian Outlook's website to register for the briefings.

Theme - the Presbyterian Leader has published a study on the theme of the assembly, "Rivers of Living Water," by Matthew Skinner. Material by Presbyterian Leader is usually only available to subscribers, but this well-respected online resource has made this study available free of charge. Visit their website to create a free account.

Who's Who - Here's the commissioner list and the list of moderators and vice moderators for each committee.

Making the Great Connection: Your Preaching and Your Leadership

Continuing Education for Lay Pastors

The last workshop in the Great Connections series will be offered August 27 and 28 in Urbana, Ill.

Cost is $125, which includes overnight lodging, take-home workshop materials and meals. Click here for more information. Deadline to register is August 8.