Today I received a really nice letter from the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, MO. This letter wasn't asking me to consider anything before the Assembly. It wasn't asking for my support of a particular issue. It had NO AGENDA, which in the PCUSA world these days is refreshing.
The letter indicated that the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, MO would be praying daily for me as a Commissioner to the General Assembly and reiterated the Presbyterian understanding that God alone is Lord of the conscience.
The letter also let me know who the Commissioners from Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery would be and that was fun to see one of my seminary classmates on that list.
I am expecting a lot of GA Related Mail in the next few weeks asking for my support on x,y, or z issue. I'll be listing these items on the list on this blog so who ever reads this blog can see how much mail Commissioners get. I am grateful to know that God alone is the Lord of the conscience and I am thankful that Session of First Presbyterian in Kirkwood is praying for me and all the other Commissioners. We will need those prayers. I also want to thank my brothers and sisters on the other side of the state for making my day today with their kind letter.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Why a Blog
I'm in the age range of that generational cusp between Baby Boomer and Gen X. I'm not a true Xer and I'm not a true Boomer. In addition to being a pastor, I'm also a Social Gerontologist. I am keenly interested in adult development and the social impact of generational differences. I embrace technology easily and thought it blog would actually be fun for me to share my impressions of the General Assembly experience with those who cannot be at the Assembly. Being a Commissioner to the General Assembly is an awesome responsibility and requires hours of preparation. I thought it might be fun to write down my journey of preparation for my own use and since we live in a 'let it all hang out' culture others can also peak into my preparation process.
As of today, May 8, 2008, I know that I have been assigned to be a member of the Bills and Overtures Committee. I know that the first few days of the Assembly will be busy for this committee as we get to consider and distribute to all the other committees the Commissioner's Resolutions that will be brought to the Assembly or drafted in the first days. Commissioner's have the opportunity to sign TWO Commissioner's Resolutions that bring business before the Assembly. The Bills and Overtures Committee also hears grievances and gets to determine when and if public hearings on various issues take place. It's process work. Not glorious but someone has to do it.
As of today, May 8, 2008, I know that I have been assigned to be a member of the Bills and Overtures Committee. I know that the first few days of the Assembly will be busy for this committee as we get to consider and distribute to all the other committees the Commissioner's Resolutions that will be brought to the Assembly or drafted in the first days. Commissioner's have the opportunity to sign TWO Commissioner's Resolutions that bring business before the Assembly. The Bills and Overtures Committee also hears grievances and gets to determine when and if public hearings on various issues take place. It's process work. Not glorious but someone has to do it.
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