wfn.org | Orientation Continues in Plenary

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

15-June-1997 
GA97025 
 
                    Orientation Continues in Plenary 
 
                             by Midge Mack 
 
SYRACUSE--"Hello there, 2-0-9," teased Moderator Pat Brown, following with 
a firm declaration for the Assembly's second business session to be in 
order. She called Ronald Johnson, Theological Advisory Delegate from 
Dubuque Seminary to offer an opening prayer. 
 
Robert Craig, moderator of the Bills and Overtures committee reported 
previous minutes to be in order and offered another 'humor byte' for the 
day: "when in doubt, mumble; when in trouble, delegate." 
 
    Kris Sammons, chair of the General Assembly Local Arrangements 
Committee, welcomed commissioners again to "salty Syracuse" and described 
her committee's endeavors in preparation for the 209th Assembly. With Vice 
Chair Donna Pair, she presented salt-glazed bowls, the 209th's symbol, to 
outgoing moderators The Rev. John Buchanan and Gay Mothershed and to Stated 
Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick. 
 
    Later in the meeting Moderator Pat Brown received a gavel and strike 
plate crafted from Adirondack cherrywood made in nearby Manlius, by the L. 
and J.G. Stickley Corp., and also a salt-glazed bowl, crafted by Utica 
master potter Vincent Clementi, who  created the chalices used at the 
morning communion service. 
 
    The afternoon's first  video documented linkages of faith, history and 
geography among the six New York presbyteries co-hosting the Assembly, 
depicting the 18th century arrival of Scotch Irish settlers and the roles 
these early Presbyterians played in the building of the Erie Canal, 
subsequent battles against slavery featuring the first "underground 
railroad" transporting slaves to freedom in Canada,  for women's rights, 
and for a later "underground" transporting Central American refugees also 
to Canadian freedom. 
 
    Youngil Cho, moderator of the General Assembly Council and Frank Diaz, 
interim executive director of the Council were introduced, in turn 
presenting their associate directors and ministry division chairs before 
showing videos. One of these documented the work of the Council, another 
humorously yet clearly  explained the mission funding systems of the 
church, and the division of "GA dollar," concepts which commissioners must 
deal with for the next six days. 
 
    Sandra Crawford, chair of the General Assembly Nominating committee 
introduced a final video presenting  the system of nomination of persons to 
serve on 32 committees, councils and boards of the General Assembly. 
 
    The session was closed with a prayer reading by E.E. cummings presented 
by Vicki Fogel Mykles from the Synod of the Rocky Mountains, editor of 
Assembly in Brief. 

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