wfn.org | Oldenburg and Kirkpatrick Offer Praise

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99016 
19-June-1999 
 
        Oldenburg and Kirkpatrick Offer  Praise 
 And Perspectives as 211th General Assembly Opens in Fort Worth  
 
 
FORT WORTH-Only one surprise, that consideration of a recommendation from 
the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures be delayed until Wednesday's 
plenary, came in the opening session of the 211th General Assembly in Fort 
Worth Saturday. 
     Otherwise the Moderator and the Stated Clerk brought good news of the 
denomination and the broader Christian faith, as reflected in their 
experiences during the past year.  
    The recommendation that only one three-minute speech may be made to 
support nomination to fill a vacancy on a General Assembly Committee was 
temporarily lost  when commissioners overwhelmingly accepted a motion from 
the floor to delay consideration of the item. 
   At precisely 4 p.m. Douglas Oldenburg called the Assembly to order with 
a prayer of thanksgiving for the awesome privilege of serving as its 
Moderator and asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning the 
mind of Christ through the coming days.   
   During the ensuing orientation Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk, 
announced that evening  fireworks from the roof of the convention hall 
would mark the Assembly's opening and the election of a new moderator much 
as smoke from the Vatican announces election of a pope.  Orientation 
exercises acquainted commissioners with voting procedures and showed that 
502 commissioners, 159 youth advisory delegates, 23 theological seminary 
advisory delegates and 5 ecumenical advisory delegates were present. 
   Oldenburg first emphasized the importance of worship, "part and parcel 
of all we do and say," by announcing Sunday's communion-commissioning 
service and later daily worship leaders, securing these being  one of a 
Moderator's duties. He described them, not only as outstanding preachers 
but as representing different theological perspectives within the 
denomination 
   Oldenburg's observations, as he traveled throughout the denomination, 
included more Presbyterian activity in Habitat for Humanity, higher morale 
and more trust among Louisville staff, and a common passion for unity 
within diversity, expressed by a major conference held in April. Vice 
moderator James Mead reported on that conference, which he chaired and 
described as hopeful even though not being all it could have been. 
   Oldenburg then recognized Glenn Puder,  a retired pastor now living in 
California's Napa Valley, and donor of one million dollars earmarked for 
New Church Development. He cited global progress in concern for children, 
an encouraging increase in Bible study, and successful visits to Mexico, 
China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan as well as to the World Council of Churches 
in Harare.  
   An anecdote about meeting "lots of nice cats" opened Kirkpatrick's 
report of significant breakthroughs in ecumenism during the year. These, he 
found, were highlighted by  the agreements  uniting Presbyterians with 
ELCA, RCA and UCC denominations as a new model in unity, one focused on 
shared ministry rather than structure.  
   "We're at the edge of a new millennium in ecumenism," he concluded. 
"It's flourishing at the grass roots and Presbyterians are leading the way. 
 
By Midge Mack 

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