wfn.org | Assembly Committee Addresses Theological Issues and Institutions

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

GA99078 
23-June-1999 
                   Assembly Committee Addresses 
               Theological Issues and Institutions 
 
FORT WORTH-The ongoing debate on inclusive language dominated the 
proceedings of the Assembly Committee on Theological Issues and 
Institutions, Monday, June 21.  After struggling to understand the subtle 
nuances as to which Book of Order wording was stronger, both overtures 
concerning inclusive language (99-24 and 99-60) were disapproved for 
recommendation to the General Assembly.  A minority report is expected.   
     Other business conducted included the authorization of the celebration 
of the Lord's Supper at the denomination's national conference centers, the 
Presbyterian Center, and at a variety of special events.  Overture 99-5 
inviting church members to renew their Baptismal vows as the next 
millennium begins was affirmed for recommendation to the Assembly, 
following a discussion of the appropriateness and significance of the 
millennium relative to this event. 
     An amended version of Overture 99-13 designating a date on the 
Presbyterian Planning Calendar as a "Day of Prayer for Nuclear Peace" was 
also approved in committee.  The amendment involved changing the date of 
August 6 in the original overture to "July 24 or the day the first bomb 
exploded" (in Alamagordo, N.M.). 
     It was discovered that the correct date was July 16, and that an 
explanatory comment was desirable.  The comment approved by the committee 
reads as follows: "The date of July 16 was chosen because on that day in 
1945 the first nuclear bomb was detonated in Alamagordo, N.M.. This day, in 
effect, opened up the nuclear age and was a precursor to the dropping of 
the nuclear warheads on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  We remember all people and 
their families who have been or will be victimized by nuclear warfare.  We 
pray without ceasing for cessation of all warfare among human beings." 
     The proposed special days and seasons, 21.094-.099, were also 
approved. 
     Following a panel of representatives from our theological 
institutions, the new trustees to the theological institutions were 
approved.  A recommendation to endorse "New Song" as a youth ministry music 
resource for the denomination and to commend its use to the whole church 
was approved with the recommendation that it be made a priority to make 
multi-cultural and multi-lingual editions of the resource. 
     Docket items approved on Tuesday, June 22, included the minutes of the 
Committee on Theological Education and the Study of Urban Theological 
Education.  A motion that the Committee on Theological Education have up to 
ten minutes to recognize Dr. James H. Costen for excellence in theological 
education was passed unanimously.  Another unanimous motion was to express 
in writing the appreciation of the committee to the seminary 
representatives for participation in the panel discussion. 
     CR 99-7, on instructing the General Assembly Council, Congregational 
Ministries Division, to include both Reformation Sunday and Reformation Day 
in the 2001 Presbyterian Planning Calendar, was amended by adding that 
October 31 be designated as Reformation Day and that the Sunday immediately 
preceding it be designated as Reformation Sunday.   
     Further, that the GAC instruct the appropriate programming agency to 
develop program materials to support the programmatic emphasis of 
Reformation Sunday, and that the Congregational Ministries Division 
instruct the appropriate responsible entity to move Mental Illness 
Awareness emphasis from October 28 to January 21, or another Sunday 
appropriate for this programmatic emphasis. 
 
Emily Enders Odom 
Sue Boardman 

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