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Presbytery of New Covenant News June 28, 2016
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PC(USA) General Assembly
The Exhausted Middle Way - By Mike Cole, General Presbyter
I leave Portland profoundly exhausted but also profoundly grateful for a General Assembly (GA) that worked tirelessly to find the middle way on numerous issues. Our commissioners were outstanding in their dedication and commitment and leadership in committees and on the floor of the assembly. David Green (Pastor of Conroe, First PC) led the effort to turn aside divestment from fossil fuel and helped the assembly do just that by an 80% vote. That was a remarkable transformational moment in the assembly, which demonstrated that Presbyterians are still reasonable, rational, and relational even as we deal with difficult issues. Here are a few highlights of the GA from my perspective.
The most controversial issue for this assembly was divestment from fossil fuel. There were 31 presbyteries which concurred with an overture to divest immediately from the 31 energy companies in which we hold stock. Thirteen presbyteries supported overtures from New Covenant that supported the work of MRTI (Mission Responsibility Through Investment) to influence their corporate decisions to address climate change more actively. The GA Committee that dealt with these overtures voted in favor of divestment by 55% to 45% and that was their recommendation to the GA. But David was up to the task of taking on the Goliath of the divestment proponents. He and another commissioner authored a minority report that gave the assembly a clear choice between divest now or let MRTI do their work of engagement. The YAADs (Young Adult Advisory Delegates) and others lobbied hard for divestment and were respectful and ever-present.
Those of us who supported the middle way were loosely organized and did our best to identify those who believed divestment to be a disastrous course, but ultimately it came down to the persuasiveness of the minority report and MRTI to convince the assembly that MRTI was on the right track and needed to continue its corporate engagement. Because we were small in number (about 10 self-identified commissioners from other presbyteries), we had no way of knowing the outcome of the vote. When the YAADs voted by a majority to pursue the middle way the assembly was stunned. When the assembly voted by 80% to stay the course with MRTI, the assembly was speechless (something that rarely happens!). It was the most radically unexpected transformation I have ever witnessed at a GA.
Other issues were hotly contested and in each instance the assembly found a way to "thread the needle." One controversial issue was an overture calling for the GA to apologize to LGBTQ/Q (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning) folks for the stances of the church in the past which offended individuals. Instead of apologizing, the assembly voted to express its regret for any offense taken. A report on Israel/Palestine was amended to make it clear that the PC(USA) still supports the two-state solution and that both the governments of Israel and Palestine share blame for the intransigence of peace talks. The assembly didn't turn the current structure inside out, but it did vote to create a special commission to work on revising how the GA does its business every two years. The assembly celebrated the creation of 344 New Worshipping Communities in the last four years. We adopted the Belhar Confession as the newest addition to our Book of Confessions. We elected Co-Moderators, Jan Edmiston and Denise Anderson, and elected J. Herbert Nelson as Stated Clerk, the first African American to hold that office.
All in all, it was a positive assembly, but it was extraordinarily tiring. But that's the way it is with God's work. It's not easy. It's not always fun. But it is fulfilling when it is done right. This GA got it right.
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Director of Music Wanted
Bryan, First PC is looking for a part-time Director of Music; 19 hours per week. Ideal candidate would have five years of experience, formal music/choral education, desire to serve in Reformed faith, and music traditions - classical, traditional, and contemporary. Job duties include directing chancel choir and working with others. Organ proficiency preferred but not required. Compensation is negotiable within limits. Before June 30, send resumes to office@fpcbryan.org.
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Church Administrator Wanted
Houston, Saint Paul PC has a current opening for a church administrator. This hourly-paid position includes benefits for full or 75% time, five days per week. Office hours estimated to be 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. but are somewhat flexible. Experience in office operations, church/non-profit organizations, and use of Quickbooks, Excel, Word, Microsoft Publisher is preferred. Please send resumes with salary requirements by Friday, July 1 to info@saintpaulhouston.org. For more information, call 713-774-7446 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays and ask for Sharon Carey, Interim Church Administrator. www.saintpaulhouston.org
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Surf Shack VBS Sets Available
Baytown, Faith PC has background/decoration sets available for Cokesbury's Surf Shack VBS if any church would like them. Call the church office at 281-422-2938 for more information and to make arrangements.
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Events This Week
Fourth of July Holiday: Mon., July 4 - Presbytery office closed
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Safe Church Facilitator Training - July 26-28
This training is designed for individuals so that they can train other clergy and staff about keeping children safe from sexual harm in the church and in the community. Tues., July 26 and Wed., July 27 from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thurs., July 28 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Interface-Samaritan Counseling Centers, 4803 San Felipe, Houston, TX 77056. Cost per person is $60; includes three days of training + material valued at $450. You may reach registration contact, Fonda Latham of Samaritan Counseling Center of Tyler, at 903-593-9141 and events@scctyler.org. Registration deadline is July 14. Learn more about the training at www.samaritansafechurch.org.
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"Be the Light" Conference - Aug. 8-11
The Go Disciple Live "Be the Light" Conference (formerly known as the Evangelism and Church Growth Conference) is a vibrant gathering of Presbyterians committed to disciple-making, which leads to authentic evangelism, effective church transformation, justice, and church planting through 1001 new worshiping communities. It will be held at the Trade Winds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Explore the theme of "Be the Light" (Matthew 5:14-16) through plenary speakers, workshops, affinity groups, and shared community. On-site check in will begin Monday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m. with welcome and orientation at 5:30 p.m. The conference concludes with worship on Thursday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. Registration deadline is July 15. You may register online at pcusa.org/bethelight.
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Website News
Stated Presbytery Meeting Items
The next Stated Presbytery meeting is Sat., July 16 at Orange, First PC. You can find the call to the meeting letter, meeting toolkit, and a welcome letter from and map to Orange, First PC on the presbytery's website at www.pbyofnewcovenant.org. The meeting packet will be available on the website two weeks prior to the meeting.
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Friends and family of Pearlie Baker - Mother of RE Jean Young of Houston, Pinecrest PC - Pearlie died June 24.
Friends and family of Marion Hargrove - Mother of RE Bill Hargrove of Houston, St. Andrew's and chair of Committee on Preparation for Ministry - Marion died June 24. She was currently a member of Houston, St. Philip PC and had been the PW moderator at Houston, First PC in the 1980s.
TE Kevin Keaton - Board of Pensions of PC(USA) - Kevin's mother-in-law died last week.
For those impacted by the flooding in West Virginia
For the continued work of the PC(USA) and staff
Thanks for our hard-working General Assembly commissioners and attendees
Each week we offer up two congregations and a retired pastor for general prayers. This week please pray for:
- Shiro, Shiro PC
- Houston, Korean Young Nak PC
- Rev. Joseph Kho, retired in Katy
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Copy deadline for next week's Tuesday Connect: Noon Monday. Send announcements to Theodora Pounds.
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The Presbytery of New Covenant, 1110 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
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