wfn.org | First GA holds few surprises for Georgia pastor

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Note #6626 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

12-June-2001
GA01068

First GA holds few surprises for Georgia pastor

by Nancy D. Borst

LOUISVILLE, June 12 - There have been few surprises at her first General
Assembly for the Rev. Carol Scott of Marietta, Ga. In fact, she would like
to be working a little harder.

While in Louisville, she is serving on the 213th General Assembly's
Committee on Bills and Overtures, which sets the Assembly's business agenda.
The General Assembly is the annual business meeting of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).

Scott is sole pastor of Ray Thomas Memorial Presbyterian Church, a
congregation of nearly 700, "mostly teenagers." Her predominately young
congregation keeps her busy trying to figure out how to meet ministry needs
with limited funds.
Funds are limited because families are still working their way up the income
ladder, and also because her congregation has made a firm commitment to
mission giving.

"Several years ago we decided to tithe mission," she said. "Over 10 percent,
no matter what."

The congregation's mission commitment grows by 1 percent each year - no
matter what. Scott therefore comes to the Assembly anxious to do the real
business of the church.

"I come from a congregation eager to move beyond this impasse," she said of
the current debate over ordination and sexuality issues. "No one wants this
to be the defining issue."

Scott suggested the Bills and Overtures Committee's work could be done by
paid staff and thus free more commissioners to be on committees dealing with
Assembly business.

She admitted being a bit disappointed that she did not draw such a
committee. That would be her preference. After all, she is used to working
hard for the church.

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