2010

The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was convened by Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator, 218th General Assembly (2008), in Hall B of the Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Preceding the convening of the assembly, Alika Galloway, liturgist, and John Lee, song leader, led the assembly in an opening liturgy.

Moderator Reyes-Chow, Stated Clerk Parsons, Dennis Hughes (moderator of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly), and John Wilkinson (moderator-elect of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly), led the assembly in a Service of Commissioning for Commissioners and Advisory Delegates, which included a litany of enrollment and commitment to faithful fulfillment of their service as commissioners and a charge to commissioners.

Moderator Reyes-Chow recognized Stated Clerk Parsons, who advised the Moderator that Standing Rule D.2. permits that the roll be established by registration. Stated Clerk Parsons recommended that the roll of the 219th General Assembly (2010) be established by the list of those who had registered or would register. Based on pre-registration with the General Assembly Meeting Service, there would be present at this assembly:

712	commissioners from 173 presbyteries
173	young adult advisory delegates
25	theological student advisory delegates
8	missionary advisory delegates
15	ecumenical advisory delegates

The assembly approved that the roll of the 219th General Assembly (2010) be established by the list of those who had registered or would register. Stated Clerk Parsons then informed the Moderator that G-13.0105 of the Book of Order establishes that the “quorum of the General Assembly shall be one hundred commissioners, fifty of whom shall be elders and fifty of whom shall be ministers, representing presbyteries of at least one fourth of its synods.”

Moderator Reyes-Chow informed the assembly that at a later time, before taking any additional votes, a quorum of commissioners present at this assembly would be established by the use of the electronic voting system.

The roll of the General Assembly can be found on page ______.

Stated Clerk Parsons announced that in accordance with Standing Rule B.3., corresponding members are designated and present at the General Assembly. The list of corresponding members can be found on page ____.

Moderator Reyes-Chow welcomed the corresponding members.

The report of the Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area was presented by Chaz Ruark, executive presbyter of the presbytery, and Sandra Hawley and Manley Olson, co-moderators of the local arrangements committee. Participating in the presentations were Donetta Wickstrom, Presbytery of Northern Waters, and Rallah Madison, Presbytery of Minnesota Valley.

Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow called upon Vice-Moderator Byron Wade to assume the chair. Vice-Moderator Wade recognized the Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008), Bruce Reyes-Chow, who presented the report on the work of the Moderator during the last two years. At the conclusion of the report, Moderator Reyes-Chow assumed the chair. Vice-Moderator Byron Wade presented a report of the work of the Vice-Moderator over the last two years.

Moderator Reyes-Chow called upon Carol Adcock, chair of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), who provided a report on the work of the GAMC. Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the GAMC, Roger Dermody, deputy executive director of the GAMC, and Curtis Kearns, executive administrator of the GAMC, participated in the report, including the presentation of videos.

Moderator Reyes-Chow recognized James Madson, moderator of the General Assembly Nominating Committee (GANC), who described the process by which the GANC places names in nomination and the procedure for making nominations from the floor.

Moderator Reyes-Chow called upon Joey Bailey, deputy executive director of Mission Support Services, GAMC, who described the process to be used in identifying items with budget implications and how that process can inform decisions made during the assembly.

Moderator Reyes-Chow and Stated Clerk Parsons led the commissioners through a period of orientation.

Moderator Reyes-Chow called on Stated Clerk Parsons to recommend a committee structure for the assembly.

The 219th General Assembly (2010) voted to approve Item 00-02. [See p. 97.]

Moderator Reyes-Chow recognized Heath Rada, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Business Referral, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Items 01-04 and 01-08. The assembly approved Items 01-10 and 01-11. The assembly approved Item 01-03 as amended by Items 01-10 and 01-11. The assembly approved Item 01-01.

The committee moved Item 01-02. The assembly removed the final response to referral “F. General Assembly Mission Council, Referral 57” (Redevelop Congregational Resource Materials, on the Subject of Reproductive Options) and then approved Item 01-02 as amended. The response to referral 57 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Health Issues and became Item 19-07.

Aleida Jernigan, vice-moderator of the Assembly Committee on Business Referral, presented the remainder of the committee’s report.

The assembly approved Items 01-05, 01-06, and 01-09. Jernigan announced that Item 01-07 was under appeal and would be considered by the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures. [The committee decided, with comment, not to refer Item 01-07.]

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Business Referral. A summary of the report is as follows:

Item 01-01. Proposed Docket of the General Assembly.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 101.)

Item 01-02. Referrals in Progress and Final Responses to Referrals.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment (removed the response to referral “F. General Assembly Mission Council, Referral 57”). (See p. 103.)

Item 01-03. Referrals of Business.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 170.)

Item 01-04. Suspend Standing Rule A.2.a.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 180.)

Item 01-05. Baptism at Opening Worship

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 180.)

Item 01-06. Celebration of Communion on July 4

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 180.)

Item 01-07. San Diego Overture.

The appeal was considered by the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures. (See p. 180.)

Item 01-08. New President and Dean of Johnson C. Smith Seminary.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 181.)

Item 01-09. Invite Representative from the Presbyterian Church of Nicaragua as an Ecumenical Advisory Delegate.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 181.)

Item 01-10. Referral of Item 05-29.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 181.)

Item 01-11. Referral of Item 03-29.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 181.)

Stated Clerk Parsons made several announcements, including a reminder that the deadline for business to be submitted to the assembly was 1:30 p.m., Sunday, July 4th.

Moderator Reyes-Chow called upon Heather Grantham, a theological student advisory delegate from San Francisco Theological Seminary, who offered the closing prayer for this session of the General Assembly.

The assembly recessed at 5:20 p.m.

The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was reconvened by Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator, 218th General Assembly (2008), in Hall B of the Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Michael East, a young adult advisory delegate from the Presbytery of Eastern Oklahoma, and Caroline Sherard, a young adult advisory delegate from the Presbytery of Trinity, led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Moderator Reyes-Chow recognized the Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons for a test of the voting system.

The 219th General Assembly (2010) voted to approve the suspension of Standing Rule H.1.b.(4)(c) to allow for ninety minutes of questions posed to the moderatorial candidates.

Moderator Reyes-Chow welcomed the following former moderators to the platform:

Name Year G.A. Church

Herbert D. Valentine 1991 203rd PC(USA)

John M. Fife 1992 204th PC(USA)

David L. Dobler 1993 205th PC(USA)

John M. Buchanan 1996 208th PC(USA)

Patricia G. Brown 1997 209th PC(USA)

Syngman Rhee 2000 212th PC(USA)

Jack Rogers 2001 213th PC(USA)

Fahed Abu-Akel 2002 214th PC(USA)

Susan R. Andrews 2003 215th PC(USA)

Rick Ufford-Chase 2004 216th PC(USA)

Moderator Reyes-Chow called for the election of the Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as required by Book of Order, G-9.0200, and Standing Rule H.

Dennis Hughes, moderator of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, reported on moderatorial candidate expenses. Hughes noted that the expenses comported with the standing rules.

The Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons described the procedure for the election.

Moderator Reyes-Chow announced that six candidates had declared their intention to stand for election. There were no additional nominations from the floor. The most recent past Moderator present, Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator, 216th General Assembly (2004), met with the candidates backstage and led them in prayer.

Six candidates were placed in nomination: Julia Leeth, Presbytery of Santa Barbara, who was nominated by Hector Reynoso, Presbytery of Mission; Jin S. Kim, Presbytery of the Twin Cities, who was nominated by Rosy Latimore, Presbytery of Detroit; James A. Belle, Presbytery of Philadelphia, who was nominated by John Sweet, Presbytery of Philadelphia; Cynthia Bolbach, Presbytery of National Capital, who was nominated by Danny Murphy, Presbytery of Trinity; Eric G. Nielsen, Presbytery of Northern Waters, who was nominated by Marilyn S. Gamm, Presbytery of The John Knox; and Maggie Palmer Lauterer, Presbytery of Western North Carolina, who was nominated by Heath Rada, Presbytery of Western North Carolina.

Following nominating speeches, each candidate was afforded an opportunity to address the General Assembly for five minutes. Vice-Moderator Byron Wade led the General Assembly in prayer. Stated Clerk Parsons explained the use of the speaker-recognition system. The candidates then responded to questions from the floor. At the expiration of the time allotted for this process, the candidates were escorted from the hall by former Moderator Ufford-Chase. Stated Clerk Parsons explained the electronic voting procedures.

Cynthia Bolbach was elected Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) on the fourth ballot, receiving a total of 325 votes. Of the total votes cast Julia Leeth received 148, James A. Belle received 51, Maggie Palmer Lauterer received 49, Eric G. Nielsen received 37, and Jin S. Kim received 25.

Moderator Reyes-Chow declared that Cynthia Bolbach was duly elected to the office of Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010).

After being escorted back into the hall by former Moderator Ufford-Chase, Moderator-elect Bolbach was accompanied to the platform by family members and friends.

Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons and retiring Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow installed Cynthia Bolbach to the office of Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010). Retiring Moderator Reyes-Chow presented Moderator Bolbach with the moderatorial stole, and with the Celtic crosses that have been worn by all Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Moderators since 1983.

Charlotte Lohrenz led the assembly in prayer for the Moderator.

Moderator Bolbach addressed the assembly briefly.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Stated Clerk Parsons for a special presentation. Stated Clerk Parsons presented retiring Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow with a replica of the Celtic crosses that have been worn by all Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Moderators since 1983. Stated Clerk Parsons also presented ties to retiring Moderator Reyes-Chow and retiring Vice-Moderator Wade.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Larry Moir, a missionary advisory delegate serving in Africa. Moir offered the closing prayer for this session of the General Assembly.

The assembly recessed at 11:00 p.m.

Commissioners, advisory delegates, and other participants gathered for worship in Hall E of the Minneapolis Convention Center. The service featured former Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow preaching. The service included the Sacrament of Communion, the commissioning of mission personnel, the Sacrament of Baptism, and the recognition of military chaplains.

The assembly met in assigned committees from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Commissioners, advisory delegates, and other participants gathered for a reception for Cynthia Bolbach, Moderator, 219th General Assembly (2010); a 4th of July picnic; and fireworks on Nicollet Island.

Commissioners, advisory delegates, and other participants gathered for the General Assembly Breakfast with speaker Phyllis Tickle.

The assembly met in assigned committees from 9:30 a.m. until noon; from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.; and from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Commissioners, advisory delegates, and other participants gathered for morning worship with Taylor Lewis Guthrie preaching.

The assembly met in assigned committees from 9:30 a.m. until noon and from 1:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Commissioners, advisory delegates, and other participants gathered for the Ecumenical Service of Worship in the sanctuary of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Reverend Peg Chemberlin, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Churches and also president of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., preached the sermon.

The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was reconvened by Cynthia Bolbach, Moderator, 219th General Assembly (2010), in Hall B of the Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Moderator Bolbach expressed appreciation to the five candidates for General Assembly Moderator.

Eric Thomas, a theological student advisory delegate from Johnson C. Smith Seminary, led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Heath Rada reported that the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures examined the Minutes of the General Assembly from the time of its convening on Saturday afternoon, July 3, through the end of business on Sunday, July 4 [Items 02-02, 02-03, 02-06, 02-07, 02-08, 02-09 02-10], and found them in order. [See pp. 185–86, 188.] [There is no Item 02-04.] The assembly received for information Item 02-01. [See p. 185.] The assembly approved Item 02-05. [See p. 186.]

Moderator Rada, Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, recognized Patricia Valentine, moderator, Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures, for a report on financial implications on the per capita budget of actions taken at this assembly. Valentine announced that the total financial implications of actions recommended by assembly committees amounted to: $156,985 for 2010; $404,743 for 2011; and $109,793 for 2012. On Saturday morning, the committee will present to the assembly its final recommendation for balancing the per capita budget for 2011 and 2012.

Moderator Rada, Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, recognized Julia Henderson, moderator, Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination, for a report on financial implications to the mission budget of actions taken at this assembly. Henderson reported the total financial implications of actions under consideration by the assembly for the mission budgets were: $52,087 for 2010; $307,861 for 2011; and $227,183 for 2012. On Saturday morning, the committee will present to the assembly its final recommendation for balancing the mission budget for 2011 and 2012.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Martha Bettis Gee, staff of the General Assembly Mission Council. Bettis Gee introduced a video on the Decade of the Child. The assembly joined in a litany for the Decade of the Child.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Olanda Carr Jr., vice-moderator of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures. Carr led the assembly in an orientation of the keypads for voting.

Moderator Bolbach introduced Landon Whitsitt, minister commissioner, Presbytery of Heartland, whom she appointed Vice-Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010). The assembly confirmed Landon Whitsitt as Vice-Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) and Moderator Bolbach and Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons led a service to install him into the position.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Mindy Douglas Adams, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Church Growth, Christian Education, and PILP (Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program), for a report from the committee. The consent agenda was approved: Items 15-01 (approved as amended), 15-02 (approved), 15-05 (approved), 15-06 (approved), 15-07 (approved), 15-11 (approved), 15-12 (approved), 15-13 (referred to GAMC). Moderator Douglas Adams recognized Jay Hudson, president, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, Inc. (PILP). Hudson presented a report on the work of PILP. The assembly approved Item 15-03 as amended. Moderator Douglas Adams recognized Thomas Letts, vice-moderator, Assembly Committee on Church Growth, Christian Education, and PILP. Vice-moderator Letts introduced Items 15-04 and 15-08. Items 15-04 and 15-08 were approved. Moderator Douglas Adams introduced Item 15-09 and Item 15-10. Item 15-09 and Item 15-10 were approved.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Church Growth, Christian Education, and Presbyterian Publishing. A summary of the report is as follows:

[Consent agenda items are indicated by an asterisk. Items with financial implications are indicated by a dollar sign ($).]

*Item 15-01. On Transferring Community Church of Seattle from the Presbytery of Seattle to the Presbytery of North Puget Sound.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. . (See p. 1151.)

Amend the second paragraph of the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“Note: It is understood the effective date [is January 1, 2011] [will be upon favorable action of the General Assembly].”

*Item 15-02. On Establishing the United Church of the San Juans in Ridgway, Colorado, as a Union Church.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1151.)

*Item 15-05. Confirm Election of PILP Board of Directors

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1158.)

*Item 15-06. Partnership Covenant Between the General Assembly of the PC(USA) and the Historically Presbyterian Racial Ethnic Institutions.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1158.)

*Item 15-07. Approve the List of Colleges and Universities as Related to the PC(USA).

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1162.)

*Item 15-11. On Establishing the Christ Community Church in Cortland, New York, as a Union Church

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1180.)

*Item 15-12. On Establishing the United Church of the Plains as an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Union Church.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1181.)

*Item 15-13. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Assisting the Emmanuel Church of Tirana in Planting Churches and Forming a New Reformed Denomination in Albania.

That the recommendation is referred to the General Assembly Mission Council (and its office of World Mission). (See p. 1181.)

Item 15-03. Renew Commitment to Help Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 1153.)

Amend Recommendation 2.d. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“d. Grow in Diversity: Welcome everyone. Learn from others. Reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of God’s peoples in the world [including leadership] (Gal. 3:26–29; Rev. 7:9–10).”

Item 15-04. Presbyterian Multicultural Network (PMN) Church Growth Report

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1154.)

$Item 15-08. Task Force to Study Racial Ethnic and New Immigrant Church Growth.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1163.)

[Financial Implication: (2010) $17,970 (2011); $27,205 (2012); $9,735 (Per Capita—GAMC).]

$Item 15-09. On Convening a Conversation to Develop a Strategy for Addressing Hispanic/Latino Participation at All Levels of the Church

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1164.)

[Financial Implication: (2010) $0; (2011) $13,310; (2012) $13,310 (Per Capita—GAMC]

Item 15-10. Youth Task Force Report

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1165.)

II. Committee Final Action and Report to Plenary

[The items listed below were acted upon and approved by the assembly committee. No further action is needed, and is here for information only.]

Item 15-A. Women of Faith Awards—GAMC. (See p. 1183.)

The Assembly Committee on Church Growth, Christian Education, and PILP reports to the 219th General Assembly (2010) that the awards were acknowledged and will be presented to the recipients at meetings of their respective presbyteries.

Item 15-B. Sam and Helen Walton Awards, 2009. (See p. 1185.)

Item 15-C. Minutes, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program.

That the minutes are approved.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Sharon Stanley, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Theological Issues and Institutions, for a report from the committee. The assembly approved the consent agenda: Items 16-02 (approved), 16-04 (disapproved), 16-05 (approved), 16-07 (approved), 16-09 (approved), 16-13 (approved). Moderator Stanley introduced Item 16-10, approval of Stephen A. Hayner as president of Columbia Theological Seminary. Item 16-10 was approved. At Stanley’s request, Moderator Bolbach recognized Stephen A. Hayner. Hayner addressed the assembly briefly. Moderator Stanley introduced Item 16-14, approval of Paul T. Roberts as president and dean of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary. Item 16-14 was approved. At Stanley’s request, Moderator Bolbach recognized Paul T. Roberts. Roberts addressed the assembly briefly. Moderator Stanley introduced Item 16-15, approval of Michael Jinkins as president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Item 16-15 was approved. At Stanley’s request, Moderator Bolbach recognized Michael Jinkins. Jinkins addressed the assembly briefly. Item 16-08 was approved. Item 16-06 was approved with amendment and with comment. Item 16-03 was disapproved. At Stanley’s request, Moderator Bolbach recognized Dawn DeVries, moderator, General Assembly Special Committee on the Heidelberg Catechism. Item 16-11 was approved. At Stanley’s request, Moderator Bolbach recognized Jane D. Douglass, moderator, General Assembly Special Committee on the Belhar Confession. Item 16-12 was approved as amended. Item 16-01 was approved.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Theological Issues and Institutions. A summary of the report is as follows:

[Consent agenda items are indicated by an asterisk. Items with financial implications are indicated by a dollar sign ($).]

*Item 16-02. On Amending W-4.4000 by Adding Prayer.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1192.)

*Item 16-04. On Amending W-4.4006 to Include Questions to the Presbytery.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 1197.)

*Item 16-05. Nominees to the Mountain Retreat Association Board.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1198.)

*Item 16-07. Permission to Theological Institutions to Celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1201.)

*Item 16-09. New Trustees to PC(USA) Theological Institutions.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1207.)

*Item 16-13. Term “Offices” in W-4.4001b of the Directory for Worship.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1219.)

Item 16-10. Approve Stephen A. Hayner as President of Columbia Theological Seminary.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1208.)

Item 16-14. Dean of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary—From the Committee on Theological Education.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1220.)

Item 16-15. President of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary—From the Committee on Theological Education.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1220.)

Item 16-08. On Approving the Revised Covenant Between the General Assembly of the PC(USA) and El Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1201.)

Item 16-06. Baptism Requirement for Participation in Lord’s Supper.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment and with comment. (See p. 1198.)

1. Amend the title of Item 16-06 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“Item 16-06. [Baptism Requirement for Participation in Lord’s Supper] [On Baptism and the Lord’s Supper].”

2. Amend the first two recommendations so that Recommendation 1. becomes 2. and Recommendation 2. becomes 1., with other changes as marked: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[2.] [1.] That the approach to the Lord’s Table always be gracious and invitational, not scrutinizing membership credentials, but extending Christ’s welcome to the people of God.

“[1.] [2.] That [the practice of extending] the invitation to the Lord’s Supper [be gracious and hospitable] [to “all the baptized faithful” (W-2.4006; see W-2.4011) be maintained], remembering that “access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love” (W-2.4011).”

3. Amend Recommendation 4 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“4. That [unbaptized] [not yet baptized] persons who present themselves at the Lord’s Table be warmly received and promptly [instructed] [invited into conversation] on the significance of the sacraments, in order that their hunger for spiritual nourishment might be met by a gracious invitation to Christ and to Christian life through baptismal discipleship.”

Comment: This statement is offered as pastoral advice.

Item 16-03. On Amending W-2.3008b Regarding Baptism of Children.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 1193.)

$Item 16-11. Report of the General Assembly Special Committee on the Heidelberg Catechism to the 219th General Assembly (2010).

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1209.)

[Financial Implications: [(2010) $12,075; (2011) $23,900; (2012) $3,110—OGA Per Capita]

Item 16-12. Report of the Special Committee on the Belhar Confession

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 1213.)

Amend the recommendation with the addition of the following two paragraphs: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[Scripture references should be added by footnotes, using those references found in earlier versions of the Belhar Confession published by the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. The “Accompanying Letter” customarily included with the Belhar Confession should be printed in The Book of Confessions as a background document without confessional status.]

“[To direct the General Assembly Mission Council and its Office of Theology and Worship to create a fully inclusive language version of the Belhar Confession for the Web similar to the inclusive language version of The Confession of 1967.]”

Item 16-01. On Commending Confessions that Uphold the Oneness of All Believers, and Discontinuing Efforts to Include the Belhar Confession in The Book of Confessions.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 16-12. (See p. 1189.)

Moderator Bolbach recognized Heath Rada, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures.

Rada moved that the docket for this session be amended to include the report of the Assembly Committee on Review of General Assembly Permanent Committees since the assembly was running ahead of schedule. The assembly approved the docket as revised.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Kenneth Godshall, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Review of General Assembly Permanent Committees, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Items 17-Report 1 (1–8): Report on the Review of the Committee on Theological Education (COTE).

At Godshall’s request, Moderator Bolbach recognized Cynthia Campbell, president of McCormick Theological Seminary to make a presentation. Campbell presented the Award for Excellence in Theological Education to Barbara Wheeler, former president of Auburn Theological Seminary. The assembly approved Items 17-Report 2 (1–6): Report on the Review of the General Assembly Nominating Committee. The assembly approved Items 17-Report 3 (1–7): Report on the Review of the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations. The assembly approved Items 17-Report 4 (1–7): Report on the Review of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Review of GA Permanent Committees. A summary of the report is as follows:

I. For Plenary Action

Report 1: Report on Review of the Committee on Theological Education (COTE).

That the recommendations are approved. [See p. 1251.]

The Assembly Committee on Review of General Assembly Permanent Committees:

1. Commends the Committee on Theological Education (COTE) for its work, accomplishments, and insights gained in providing a self-study. The Review Committee was impressed with COTE’s discussions, openness, and willingness to listen to ideas and questions, and was also impressed with COTE’s high attendance at review meetings.

2. Urges COTE to continue the important conversation begun in the Raising Leaders document, particularly in the areas of exploring the changing leadership needs of the Presbyterian churches.

3. Encourages COTE to further explore issues involving commissioned lay pastor formation and relations between theological schools and middle governing bodies partnerships.

4. Commends the recent reorientation of the agenda of COTE toward various emerging themes important to the life of the church and theological education as constructive and adaptive to the rapidly changing nature of the world, church, and theological institutions.

5. Encourages COTE to find ways to address issues associated with theological education by and for Presbyterians beyond the Presbyterian seminaries and covenant partners. These issues may include evaluating the educational and formational quality of programs enrolling Presbyterian students. They may also involve opportunities for appropriate ecumenical collaboration.

6. Encourages COTE to continue to explore opportunities to develop additional funding, particularly in support of students and reducing the indebtedness of beginning clergy.

7. Encourages COTE to explore current trends as to where Presbyterian pastors are receiving theological education.

8. Recommends that the following report of the Review of the Committee on Theological Education be approved.

Membership: Voting members of the committee include thirteen ministers and elders elected to represent the church at large, two of which are liaisons from the General Assembly Mission Council, and a representative, usually the president, from each of the ten seminaries related directly to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Corresponding members include representatives from Auburn Theological Seminary and the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico; a representative of the Omaha Seminary Foundation, and representatives of two non-Presbyterian seminaries invited by the committee. The COTE is staffed by the Office of Theological Education in the Theology, Worship and Education ministry area of the General Assembly Mission Council.

A. Fidelity to Mission and Partnership

1. Does COTE as it was created by the church serve and support the church’s mission in a particular area? Does COTE exhibit a constant faithfulness to and in fulfillment of its servant role in the life of the PC (USA)?

Based on COTE’s self-study and report, COTE appears to be doing even better now than in the past and exhibits faithfulness to doing even better in the future. The COTE shows increasing faithfulness to their mandate even with strained resources.

2. Do the basic processes of COTE demonstrate fidelity to the mission and accountability procedures set forth in its establishing deliverance, charter, or mandate from the assembly? Does COTE exhibit leadership in guiding the church in engagement with the work and resources in which COTE acts?

The COTE’s basic operational process demonstrates fidelity to mission and accountability. The COTE has gone “above and beyond” in their accomplishment of their assigned mission. The review committee members were encouraged by the listening approach that the representatives from COTE used. They demonstrated the importance of “raising leaders,” and we encourage that continuation. We appreciate COTE’s many collaborations with ecumenical entities outside of the PC(USA).

3. Does COTE exhibit practical cooperation with the other agencies or committees of the church in areas of overlapping responsibility and opportunity?

The COTE collaborates well with the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns, General Assembly Mission Council, Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examination of Candidates, Committee on the Office of General Assembly, Presbyterian Tentmakers, Urban Theological Educators Roundtable, Worldwide Ministries, and the National Hispanic Caucus.

4. Does the COTE provide timely responses to directives and requests from the General Assembly?

Based on the information we have received, COTE has been fully accountable to assembly requests.

B. Effectiveness of Services

1. Does COTE have a defined and consistent process for completing its work?

The COTE has become more collaborative and imaginative, rather than merely responsive in its process. The COTE’s manual of operations and other policies and procedures are a good example of this consistency.

2. Does COTE have a regular process of self-evaluation of its services?

Yes. COTE self-evaluates every year, and the high number of seminary presidents who attended the committee meeting and were engaged and genuinely interested in the review committee’s thoughts was impressive. The COTE is self-reflective.

3. Does COTE employ a strategy for effective communication with the church-at-large?

The COTE needs to reach the congregations about financial support and the Theological Education Fund (TEF). The review committee would like COTE to continue to pursue support all the way to the individual congregational level every year through any means possible.

4. Does COTE utilize current and emerging technologies to enable it to fulfill its mission?

The COTE is increasing the use of digital media to more effectively communicate with congregations. The COTE should continue to explore and use effectively new media. The electronic newsletter is growing in subscriptions and there is increasing interest in COTE’s blog and other social network (e.g. Facebook). We commend COTE’s actions in making thank-you phone calls to TEF donors.

5. Does COTE have a developed vision and plan for its work in light of its historic mandate and the emerging issues before, and the context of the PC(USA)?

Yes, a collaborative plan is in place that is being guided by forthcoming recommendations from the following projects: Joint Committee on Leadership Needs; a continuing Self-Study Task Force charge to clarify the mission and role of COTE, advise the committee on possible adjustments to the membership and structure of COTE, possible recommendations on stated meeting norms, and new ways to better coordinate seminary resources; a review of the Theological Education Fund; and research conclusions by PC(USA) Research Services and an independent firm contracted by COTE that are each currently conducting research with key constituents.

Report 2: Report on Review of the General Assembly Nominating Committee.

That the recommendations are approved. [See p. 1263.]

The Assembly Committee on Review of General Assembly Permanent Committees:

1. Commends the General Assembly Nominating Committee (GANC) for its work, accomplishments, and insights gained in providing a self-study. Affirms the GANC for creative thinking, a superior presentation, and its efforts to present the information through a variety of imaginative and experiential learning modes.

2. Shares the concerns expressed in the self study concerning increasing age diversity among nominees, particularly among younger Presbyterians. The Review Committee encourages the GANC to continue its efforts to recruit nominees from the younger cohorts and to explore recruiting opportunities in campus ministries, Presbyterian colleges, and seminaries.

3. Recommends that the GANC include clerks of session and presbytery nominating committees in its communications in order to expand the pool of potential nominees and to increase awareness of service opportunities at the national level.

4. Urges General Assembly entities to consider re-nominations as the exception, rather than the rule and applied only to those members whose continued service is clearly beneficial to on-going or projected work in order to assist the GANC in making its careful nominations.

5. Recommends that the GANC engage the entities it serves in seeking creative and flexible opportunities for Presbyterians to participate in their work beyond the confines of current set terms and work patterns.

6. Recommends that the following report of Review of the General Assembly Nominating Committee be approved.

Report of Review of the General Assembly Nominating Committee

Mission: The mission of the General Assembly Nominating Committee is to propose nominees to such boards, agencies, and committees as the General Assembly shall from time to time designate. The GANC’s singular and essential task is to assist the General Assembly in discerning God’s call for particular individuals to serve the church in special ways. The GANC understands through its process of careful nomination and election that it assists the organization and structure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to live more faithfully as the Body of Christ.

A. Fidelity to Mission and Partnership

1. Does the GANC, as it was created by the church, serve and support the church’s mission in a particular area? Does the GANC exhibit a constant faithfulness to and in fulfillment of its servant role in the life of the PC (USA)?

Yes. The GANC does its work faithfully and carefully, seeking to represent the breadth of diversity of the PC(USA).

2. Do the basic processes of the GANC demonstrate fidelity to the mission and accountability procedures set forth in its establishing deliverance, charter, or mandate from the assembly? Does the GANC exhibit leadership in guiding the church in engagement with the work and resources in which the GANC acts?

Yes. The GANC study shows an awareness of the opportunities and challenges of discerning men and women who are called to service among General Assembly bodies.

3. Does the GANC exhibit practical cooperation with the other agencies or committees of the church in areas of overlapping responsibility and opportunity?

Yes. The committee works closely with the various General Assembly entities and was affirmed in the study and in our meetings.

4. Does the GANC provide timely responses to directives and requests from the General Assembly?

B. Effectiveness of Service

1. Does the GANC have a defined and consistent process for completing its work?

Yes. The GANC creatively led the committee through an exercise describing the breadth, depth, challenges, and opportunities in the committee’s work, including insight into the complex process of providing nominees for service on General Assembly boards, agencies, and committees.

2. Does the GANC have a regular process of self-evaluation of its services?

Yes, there is on-going evaluation of GANC nominating processes.

3. Does the GANC employ a strategy for effective communication with the church-at-large?

Yes. The GANC has increased its communication to middle governing bodies and the committee encourages the GANC to continue to improve communication across all levels of the church.

4. Does the GANC utilize current and emerging technologies to enable it to fulfill its mission?

Yes. The GANC uses a variety of emerging technological tools including Web pages, texting, Twitter, and more.

5. Does the GANC have a developed vision and plan for its work in light of its historic mandate and the emerging issues before and context of the PC (USA).

Based on its report, the GANC is deeply aware of its mandate and the challenges and opportunities in recruiting and nominating servant leaders for the denomination.

Report 3: Report on Review of the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations (GACER).

That the recommendations are approved. [See p. 1244.]

The Assembly Committee on Review of General Assembly Permanent Committees:

1. Commends the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations (GACER) for its work, accomplishments, and insights gained in providing a self-study, including the following:

a. affirming the clear focus of identity and mission in the Reformed tradition and the way it continues to faithfully articulate the Reformed and Presbyterian identity, while promoting awareness of the unity of the Church catholic;

b. maintaining positive relationships with other denominations and continuing to seek new ways of building relationships;

c. remaining true to our history and our calling to live out the biblical and confessional requirements for unity and reconciliation;

d. having a clear awareness of our changing social context both nationally and globally;

e. affirming the formation of new partnerships with faith based and secular ministries of compassion and justice;

f. evidences an awareness of the new context for ministry in terms of immigrant churches and changing demographics;

g. working collaboratively within the context of General Assembly entities;

h. being mindful of the funding conditions that currently prevail and is working cooperatively with other General Assembly agencies in sharing what needs to be done to fulfill their collective ecumenical commitments, and

i. being recognized as leaders in ecumenism by other denominations and councils.

2. Encourages GACER to live constructively with the tension between the academic and the practical in matters pertaining to ecumenical relationships.

3. Encourages an increased programmatic focus, within budgetary constraints.

4. Encourages strengthening ecumenical reception at the local level, within budgetary constraints.

5. Encourages the on-going dialogue between GACER, Office of the General Assembly (OGA), and General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) toward clarifying the work of ecumenical and interreligious relationships as well as strengthening the relationships between these General Assembly entities in the most cost-efficient way possible.

6. Encourages GACER to work to increase an understanding of the difference between ecumenical relationships (Christian to Christian) and interreligious (Christian to other religions) throughout the PC(USA) and within budget constraints.

7. That the following report of the Review of the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations be approved.

Mission: The mission of the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations (GACER) is to lift up ecumenical involvement and work as central to the gospel and key to the life of the church. We encourage the church to remain open to the working of God’s Spirit among people of other religious traditions in their individual and corporate lives. The GACER connects the ecumenical efforts of all governing body levels of the church and provides a common point for all ecumenical efforts with those beyond our church.

A. Fidelity to Mission and Partnership

1. Does the GACER as it was created by the church serve and support the church’s mission in a particular area? Does the GACER exhibit a constant faithfulness to and in fulfillment of its servant role in the life of the PC(USA)?

Yes, GACER serves and supports the PC(USA)’s mission in the area of ecumenism and is faithful to its servant role in the life of the PC(USA).

2. Do the basic processes of the GACER demonstrate fidelity to the mission and accountability procedures set forth in its establishing deliverance, charter, or mandate from the assembly? Does the GACER exhibit leadership in guiding the church in engagement with the work and resources in which the GACER acts?

Yes, GACER has provided leadership and guidance to the General Assembly and its agencies on new opportunities to strengthen the relationships with other faith communities. Yes, GACER is held accountable through regular annual and regular reports to GAMC, which also reviews its minutes. Further GACER submits a biannual agency summary to the General Assembly.

3. Does the GACER exhibit practical cooperation with the other agencies or committees of the church in areas of overlapping responsibility and opportunity?

Yes, GACER cooperates and collaborates with the Office of the General Assembly (OGA), the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), and other agencies of the General Assembly.

4. Does the GACER provide timely responses to directives and requests from the General Assembly?

B. Effectiveness of Services

1. Does the GANC have a defined and consistent process for completing its work?

2. Does the GACER have a regular process of self-evaluation of its services?

3. Does the GACER employ a strategy for effective communication with the church-at-large?

Yes, to an extent, but the committee encourages GACER to work on creative ways to communicate up to the local congregations.

4. Does the GACER utilize current and emerging technologies to enable it to fulfill its mission?

Yes, GACER is continuing to use and explore emerging technologies through the use of its website, staff blog, and is exploring emerging technologies.

5. Does the GACER have a developed vision and plan for its work in light of its historic mandate and the emerging issues before, and context of, the PC(USA)?

Yes, GACER has developed numerous dialogues, initiatives and relationships that conform to its historic mandate and emerging issues.

Report 4: Report on the Review of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.

That the recommendations are approved. [See p. 1221.]

The Assembly Committee on Review of General Assembly Permanent Committees:

1. Commends the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) for its work, accomplishments, and insights gained in providing a self-study.

2. Affirms that the church’s social witness is an essential part of the church’s identity and that ACSWP plays a key role in equipping us to engage in that social witness.

3. Affirms the effort to strengthen the relationship between ACSWP and General Assembly Mission Council.

4. Recommends training for ACSWP’s committee members and staff as they work with the public and the media to ensure appropriate and accurate communications.

5. Recommends that ACSWP work with Office of Communication of the General Assembly Mission Council to improve communication with the whole church, especially younger people, utilizing emerging technological tools.

6. Although we recognize that it is not the mandate of ACSWP to disseminate information, we recommend that ACSWP work with Research Services to better understand why certain members of the church have a better understanding of ACSWP’s work and use that as a basis for better communication with congregational leaders.

7. Recommends that the following report of Review of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy be approved.

Report of Review of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy

Mission: The mission of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) is to develop, interpret, and monitor policies that encourage and challenge the church and society to reflect and act in faithful response to God’s call to do justice. The ACSWP serves the leadership of the General Assembly and General Assembly Mission Council by providing carefully reasoned arguments and forceful theological justifications for the church’s response to critical social issues. The ACSWP focus on policy development rather than program implementation differentiates it from other ministry areas and brings greater interaction with the Office of General Assembly.

Membership: Twelve members are elected by the General Assembly commissioners upon nomination by the General Assembly Nominating Committee or from the floor. Three are already elected members of the General Assembly Mission Council, so there is an intentional overlap for strong coordination and communication with the church’s central direction-setting body. In addition to the customary diversity considerations, members are chosen for areas of expertise including social ethics, international affairs, economics/business, science/medicine, law, and biblical studies; usually several members have served or are serving in the pastorate.

A. Fidelity to Mission and Partnership

1. Does the ACSWP as it was created by the church serve and support the church’s mission in a particular area? Does the ACSWP exhibit a constant faithfulness to and in fulfillment of its servant role in the life of the PC (USA)?

Yes. They were able to do this with reduced staff and funding.

2. Do the basic processes of the ACSWP demonstrate fidelity to the mission and accountability procedures set forth in its establishing deliverance, charter, or mandate from the assembly? Does the ACSWP exhibit leadership in guiding the church in engagement with the work and resources in which the ACSWP acts?

Yes. The ACSWP provides advice and guidance on social issues after consulting many perspectives. They have exhibited leadership on issues impacting the church. Not only have they responded to the requests made of them, they have initiated six resolutions, study papers, and social involvement reports.

3. Does the ACSWP exhibit practical cooperation with the other agencies or committees of the church in areas of overlapping responsibility and opportunity?

For the most part they have done this. We were impressed with the advice and counsel memos generated. The ACREC (Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns) and ACWC (Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns) gave them high marks. However, in a recent example it might have been beneficial if ACSWP had sought input from an organization related to the work that ACSWP was doing. This would have been beneficial to both groups.

4. Does the ACSWP provide timely responses to directives and requests from the General Assembly?

The ACSWP has responded in a timely manner given the complexity of the subjects and the budget and staff constraints.

B. Effectiveness of Services

1. Does the ACSWP have a defined and consistent process for completing its work?

Yes. They have a six-step process to complete the work.

2. Does the ACSWP have a regular process of self-evaluation of its services?

Yes. The ACSWP provides a regular update to all General Assemblies. Following each assembly the committee conducts a thorough two-year self-review. They also bring to the General Assembly the minutes of all the meetings that took place during the preceding two years. There is a Review of GA Permanent Committees every six years.

3. Does the ACSWP employ a strategy for effective communication with the church-at-large?

While it is not in their mandate to disseminate the reports they are asked to create, they do a commendable job of sharing their work with other entities.

4. Does the ACSWP utilize current and emerging technologies to enable it to fulfill its mission?

Yes. The ACSWP uses emerging technologies such as a website and multimedia. They have 4,000 members on their e-list who receive regular updates.

5. Does the ACSWP have a developed vision and plan for its work in light of its historic mandate and the emerging issues before and context of the PC (USA).

Yes. Although it is difficult to plan for emerging issues, ACSWP has a vision and a process in place that allows them to respond when a need arises.

II. Committee Final Action and Report to Plenary

[The items listed below were acted upon and approved by the assembly committee. No further action is needed, and is here for information only.]

Item 17-A. Minutes, Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.

That the minutes are approved.

Item 17-B. Minutes, General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations.

That the minutes are approved.

Item 17-C. Minutes, Committee on Theological Education.

That the minutes are approved

Stated Clerk Parsons reminded the assembly that this was the last day that the General Assembly Exhibit Hall would be open.

Moderator Bolbach recognized the Reverend David Baak of the Reformed Church in America, who led the assembly in prayer. The assembly recessed at 5:35 p.m. to reconvene at 7:30 p.m.

Roy Howard, minister commissioner from the Presbytery of National Capital, led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Moderator Bolbach called on Jay Rock, coordinator for Interfaith Relations, General Assembly Mission Council, to introduce ecumenical guests. Rock introduced Dr. Mohammed El-Sanoui, from the Islamic Society of North America, and the Reverend Jennie Lightfoot, from the Lake Superior Band of Ojibway, who brought greetings to the assembly.

Commissioners, advisory delegates, and corresponding members were given an opportunity to speak out on issues outside the deliberative mode of the assembly for fifteen minutes, with one-minute limits on individual speeches. Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons instructed the assembly on the procedure to be followed during the time allotted for the speak-out. Moderator Bolbach then recognized persons, who spoke on various concerns.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Aleida Jernigan, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, who recommended an amendment to the docket. The assembly amended the docket to proceed to consider the report from the Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations immediately following the report of the Assembly Committee on Form of Government Revision.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Carol Adcock, moderator of the General Assembly Mission Council, to introduce the Growing the Church Deep and Wide video.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Julia Henderson, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination, for a report from the committee. The assembly approved Item 09-10. The report of the committee was arrested. [For the rest of the report, see pp. 71, 80.]

Vice Moderator Landon Whitsitt assumed the chair. Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Tim Beal, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Form of Government Revision, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Item 07-01 with amendment and answered Items 07-02, 07-03, 07-04, 07-06, 07-07, 07-09, 07-10, and 07-12 with its action on Item 07-01. The assembly disapproved Item 07-05. In response to Item 07-11, the assembly approved an alternate resolution. [Note: There was no Item 07-08.]

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Form of Government Revision and the committee report is as follows:

[Items with financial implications are indicated by a dollar sign ($).]

Item 07-01. Recommendation 1, Form of Government Revision

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 485.]

1. Amend Footnote 1 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through.]

“ ‘Throughout this document and the Form of Government, the capitalized term ‘Church’ refers to the Church Universal, the Church as it is called to be in Christ; [the lower-case term “church” refers to denominations,] except as part of a title (i.e. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)). [In place of the vernacular use of “church” to denote a congregation of believers, the term “congregation” is used.]’”

2. Amend the third paragraph of “F-1.0404 Openness” as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘a new openness in its own membership, becoming in fact as well as in faith a community of women and men of all ages, races, ethnicities, and [worldly] conditions, made one in Christ by the power of the Spirit, as a visible sign of the new humanity;”

3. Amend G-1.0102 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘The polity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) presupposes the fellowship of women[,] [and] men[,] [with their] [and] children united in covenant relationship with one another and with God [through Jesus Christ]. The organization rests on the fellowship and is not designed to work without trust and love.”

4. Amend the fourth paragraph of G-1.0201 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘[They shall be] [At its sole discretion the presbytery may then] declare[d] [them] an organized congregation of the presbytery[.] [and] [The congregation] shall [then] proceed to the election of ruling elders and, if they so decide, deacons. The presbytery shall prepare, examine, ordain, and install these newly elected persons. Presbytery shall continue to work closely with the congregation in securing pastoral leadership, in plans for the service and witness of the congregation, in coordinating its work with other congregations, in counseling concerning incorporation and bylaws for the congregation conforming to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and in giving other forms of support and encouragement that will strengthen the mission of the congregation in the larger life of the denomination.”

5. Amend G-1.0303c as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“c. Reaffirmation of faith, for persons previously baptized in the name of the triune God [and having publicly professed their faith].”

6. Amend G-1.0504 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘The installed pastor shall ordinarily moderate all meetings of the congregation. If it is impractical for the pastor to preside, he or she shall invite another teaching elder who is a member of the presbytery or a person authorized by the presbytery to serve as moderator. If there is no installed pastor, [or the installed pastor is unable to moderate and/or to name another moderator,] the presbytery shall make provision for a moderator.”

7. Amend G-2.0105 by adding a footnote to read as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“2.0105 Freedom of Conscience

“It is necessary to the integrity and health of the church that the persons who serve it in ordered ministries shall adhere to the essentials of the Reformed faith and polity as expressed in this Constitution. So far as may be possible without serious departure from these standards, without infringing on the rights and views of others, and without obstructing the constitutional governance of the church, freedom of conscience with respect to the interpretation of Scripture is to be maintained. It is to be recognized, however, that in entering the ordered ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), one chooses to exercise freedom of conscience within certain bounds. His or her conscience is captive to the Word of God as interpreted in the standards of the church so long as he or she continues to seek, or serve in, ordered ministry. The decision as to whether a person has departed from essentials of Reformed faith and polity is made initially by the individual concerned but ultimately becomes the responsibility of the council in which he or she is a member.[12]

“[12. Very early in the history of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, even before the General Assembly was established, the plan of reunion of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia contained the following sentences: ‘That when any matter is determined by a majority vote, every member shall either actively concur with or passively submit to such determination; or if his conscience permit him to do neither, he shall, after sufficient liberty modestly to reason and remonstrate, peaceable withdraw from our communion without attempting to make any schism. Provided always that this shall be understood to extend only to such determination as the body shall judge indispensable in doctrine or Presbyterian government.’ (Hist. Dig. (P) p. 1310.) (Plan of Union of 1758, par. II.)]”

8. Amend G-2.0401 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘Ruling elders and deacons are men and women elected by the congregation from among its members. The nomination and election of ruling elders and deacons shall express the rich diversity of the congregation’s membership and shall guarantee participation and inclusiveness (F-1.0403). Ruling elders and deacons shall be nominated by a committee elected by the congregation, drawn from and representative of its membership. Congregations may provide by their own rule for a congregational nominating committee[, provided that the committee shall consist of at least three active members of the congregation, and shall include at least one ruling elder who is currently serving on the session. The pastor shall serve ex officio and without vote.]. [When no other provision is made, this committee shall include at least one ruling elder who is currently serving on session, and the pastor shall serve ex officio without vote]. When elections are held, full opportunity shall always be given to the congregation for nomination from the floor of the congregational meeting by any active member of the congregation. A majority of all the active members present and voting shall be required to elect.”

9. Amend G-2.0501 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘Teaching elders (also called ministers of the Word and Sacrament) shall in all things be committed to teaching the faith and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). They may serve in a variety of ministries, as authorized by the presbytery. When they serve as preachers and teachers of the Word, they shall [“rightly explain the Word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) and shall] [preach and] teach the faith of the church, so that the people are shaped by the pattern of the gospel and strengthened for witness and service. When they serve at font and table, they shall interpret the mysteries of grace and lift the people’s vision toward the hope of God’s new creation. When they serve as pastors, they shall support the people in the disciplines of the faith amid the struggles of daily life. When they serve as presbyters, they shall participate in the responsibilities of governance, seeking always to discern the mind of Christ and to build up Christ’s body through devotion, debate, and decision.”

10. Amend G-2.0504a as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘The installed pastoral relationships are pastor, co-pastor, and associate pastor. A teaching elder may be installed in a pastoral relationship for an indefinite period or for a designated term determined by the presbytery in consultation with the congregation and specified in the call. When a congregation determines that its strategy for mission under the Word so requires, the congregation may call additional pastors. Such additional pastors shall be called co-pastors or associate pastors, and the duties of each pastor and the relationship between the pastors of the congregation shall be determined by the session with the approval of the presbytery. When a congregation has two pastors serving as co-pastors, and the relationship of one of them is dissolved, the other remains as pastor. The relationship of an associate pastor to a congregation is not dependent upon that of a pastor. An associate pastor is [ordinarily] not eligible to be the next installed pastor of that congregation.”

11. Amend the second paragraph of G-2.0504b as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘Titles and terms of service for temporary relationships shall be determined by the presbytery. A person serving in a temporary pastoral relationship is invited for a specified period not to exceed twelve months in length, which is renewable with the approval of the presbytery. A teaching elder employed in a temporary pastoral relationship is [ordinarily] not eligible to serve as the next installed pastor, co-pastor, or associate pastor.”

12. Amend G-2.0703 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘The order for that service[of worship] [found] in the Directory for Worship [(]W-4.4000[)][,] shall be followed.”

13. Amend G-2.0803–.0806 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘2.0803 Call Process

“ ‘According to the process of the presbytery and prior to making its report to the congregation, the pastor nominating committee shall [obtain approval] [receive and consider the presbytery’s counsel] on the merits, suitability, and availability of those considered for the call. When the way is clear for the committee to report to the congregation, the committee shall notify the session, which shall call a congregational meeting.

“ ‘[2.0804 Dissent

“ ‘[On the election of a pastor, if it appears that a substantial minority of the voters are averse to the nominee who has received a majority of the votes and that they cannot be persuaded to concur in the call, the moderator may recommend to the majority that they not prosecute the call. If the congregation is nearly unanimous, or if the majority insist upon their right to call a pastor, the moderator shall forward the call to the presbytery, certifying the results of the vote and any other facts of importance. The moderator shall also inform the person being called of the nature and circumstances of the decision.]

“ ‘[2.0805] [2.0804] Terms of Call

“ ‘[Text remains unchanged.]

“ ‘[2.0806] [2.0805] Installation Service

“ ‘When the congregation, the presbytery, and the teaching elder (or candidate) have all concurred in a call to a permanent or designated pastoral position, the presbytery shall complete the call process by organizing and conducting a service of installation. Installation is an act of the presbytery establishing the pastoral relationship. A service of installation occurs in the context of worship. The [order for that] service [of worship] [outline found] in the Directory for Worship[,] [(]W-4.4000[)][,] shall be followed.”

14. Amend G-2.0901 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘An installed pastoral relationship may be dissolved only by the presbytery. Whether the teaching elder, the congregation, or the presbytery initiates proceedings for dissolution of the relationship, there shall always be a meeting of the congregation to consider the matter and to consent, or decline to consent, to dissolution[, unless the presbytery expressly finds that the church’s mission under the Word imperatively demands dissolution of the relationship without such a meeting].”

15. Amend G-2.0905 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘After the dissolution of the pastoral relationship, former pastors and associate pastors shall not [offer] [provide] their pastoral services to members of their former congregations without the invitation of the moderator of session.”

16. Amend the title, G-2.10, as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘G-2.10 COMMISSIONING RULING ELDERS TO [LIMITED] [PARTICULAR] PASTORAL SERVICE”

17. Amend G-2.1002 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘A ruling elder who seeks to serve under the terms of G-2.1001 shall receive such preparation and instruction as determined by the presbytery to be appropriate to the particular commission. The ruling elder shall be examined by the presbytery as to personal faith, motives for seeking the commission, and the areas of instruction [mentioned previously] [determined by presbytery]. A ruling elder who has been commissioned and later ceases to serve in the specified ministry may continue to be listed as available to serve, but is not authorized to perform the functions specified in G-2.1001 until commissioned again to a congregation or ministry by the presbytery.”

18. Amend Paragraph 2 of G-3.0103 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘Each council shall develop procedures and mechanisms for promoting and reviewing that body’s implementation of the church’s commitment to inclusiveness and representation. Councils above the session shall establish by their own rule [committees or entities] [committees on representation] to fulfill the following functions: to advise the council regarding the implementation of principles of unity and diversity, to advocate for diversity in leadership, and to consult with the council on the employment of personnel, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity in F-1.0403. [A committee on representation should not be merged with another committee or made a subcommittee of another committee.]”

19. Amend the sixth paragraph of G-3.0106 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘The funding of mission similarly demonstrates the unity and interdependence of the church. The failure of any part of the church to participate in the stewardship of the mission of the whole church diminishes that unity and interdependence. All mission funding should enable the church to give effective witness in the world to God’s new creation in Jesus Christ, and should strengthen the church’s witness to the mission of God.

“ ‘Each council above the session shall prepare a budget for its operating expenses, including administrative personnel, and may fund it with a per capita apportionment among the particular congregations within its bounds. Presbyteries are responsible for raising their own funds and for raising and timely transmission of [per capita] funds to their respective synods and the General Assembly. Presbyteries may direct per capita apportionments to sessions within their bounds[, but in no case shall the authority of the session to direct its benevolences be compromised].”

20. Amend the second paragraph of G-3.0109 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘A committee shall study and recommend action or carry out decisions already made by a council. It shall make a full report to the council that created it, and its recommendations shall require action by that body. Committees of councils higher than the session shall consist of both teaching elders and members of congregations, [in approximately equal proportion] [with at least one half being members of the congregation].”

21. Amend the second, third, and fourth paragraph of G-3.0109b(6) as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘[Commissions] [A commission] of presbytery, synod, or General Assembly shall be composed of ruling elders and teaching elders in numbers as nearly equal as possible and sufficient to accomplish their work. A quorum of any commission shall be established by the designating council but in no case shall be less than a majority of its members (except as limited by D-5.0204).

“ ‘[Commissions] [A commission] of a session shall be composed of at least two ruling elders, and a teaching elder in an installed or temporary relationship with the congregation governed by that session or a ruling elder commissioned to pastoral service.

“ ‘[The] [A] commission shall keep a full record of its proceedings and shall submit that record to the council for incorporation into its records. Actions of a commission shall be regarded as actions of the council that created it. A commission may be assigned additional duties as a committee, which duties shall be reported and handled as the report of a committee.”

22. Amend the first paragraph of G-3.0201 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘The session is the council for the congregation. It shall be composed of those persons elected by the congregation to active service as ruling elders, together with all installed pastors and associate pastors. All members of the session are entitled to vote. The pastor shall be the moderator of the session, and the session shall not meet without the pastor or designated moderator. [If there is no installed pastor, or if the installed pastor is unable to invite another moderator, the presbytery shall make provisions for a moderator.] Presbyteries shall provide by rule for moderators when the session is without a moderator for reasons of vacancy or inconvenience.”

23. Amend G-3.0202f as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘f. send to presbytery and General Assembly requested [financial contributions,] statistics[,] and other information according to the requirements of those bodies[, as well as voluntary financial contributions].”

24. Amend G-3.0203 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘The session shall hold stated meetings at least quarterly. The moderator shall call a special meeting when he or she deems necessary or when requested in writing by any two members of the session. [The business to be transacted at special meetings shall be limited to items specifically listed in the call for the meeting.] There shall be reasonable notice given of all special meetings. The session shall also meet when directed by presbytery. Sessions shall provide by rule for a quorum for meetings; such quorum shall include the moderator and either a specific number of ruling elders or a specific percentage of those ruling elders in current service on the session.”

25. Amend G-3.0204a as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘There shall be rolls of baptized, active, and affiliate members in accordance with G-1.0401, G 1.0402, and G-1.0403. The session [may] [shall] delete names from the roll of the congregation [when requested to issue a certificate of transfer of membership to another congregation; when a member requests that his or her membership be terminated; when a member joins another congregation or otherwise renounces the jurisdiction of the session; when a member has moved or otherwise ceased to participate in the ministry of Christ’s Church as defined in G- 1.0304 for a period of not less than two years and after efforts on the part of the session to encourage the member to return to meaningful participation have failed, and after provision of written notice; or when a member dies.] [upon the member’s death, admission to membership in another congregation or presbytery, or renunciation of jurisdiction. The session may delete names from the roll of the congregation when a member so requests, or has moved or otherwise ceased to participate actively in the work and worship of the congregation for a period of two years. The session shall seek to restore members to active participation and shall provide written notice before deleting names due to member inactivity.]”

26. Amend the first paragraph of G-3.0301 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘The presbytery is the council serving as a corporate expression of the church within a certain district and is composed of all the congregations and teaching elders within that district. [Teaching elders and ruling elders should be present in numbers as equal as possible.] The presbytery shall adopt and communicate to the sessions a plan for determining how many ruling elders each session should elect as commissioners to presbytery[, with a goal of numerical parity of teaching elders and ruling elders]. This plan shall require each session to elect at least one commissioner and shall take into consideration the size of congregations as well as a method to fulfill the principles of participation and representation found in F-1.0403 and G-3.0103. Ruling elders elected as officers of the presbytery shall be enrolled as members during the period of their service. A presbytery may provide by its own rule for the enrollment of ruling elders serving as moderators of committees or commissions.”

27. Amend G-3.0301a as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘a. provide that the Word of God may be truly preached and heard. This responsibility shall include organizing, receiving, [and] merging[, dismissing, and dissolving] congregations in consultation with their members; overseeing congregations without pastors; establishing pastoral relationships and dissolving them; guiding the preparation of those preparing to become teaching elders; establishing and maintaining those ecumenical relationships that will enlarge the life and mission of the church in its district; providing encouragement, guidance, and resources to congregations in the areas of mission, prophetic witness, leadership development, worship, evangelism, and responsible administration to the end that the church’s witness to the love and grace of God may be heard in the world.”

28. Amend the title, G-6.02, as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“G-6.02 INTERPRETING THE CONSTITUTION[: THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION]”

29. Amend the third paragraph of G-6.02 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘All questions requiring an interpretation by the General Assembly of the Book of Order arising from councils of the church shall be communicated in writing to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly no later than 120 days prior to the convening of the next session of the General Assembly. The Stated Clerk shall refer all such questions of interpretation to the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, except those pertaining to matters pending before a judicial commission. The Advisory Committee on the Constitution shall communicate its report and recommendations to the next session of the General Assembly[, no less than sixty days prior to the General Assembly].”

30. Amend G-6.04b as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘b. The Stated Clerk shall refer all such proposals to amend the Book of Order to the Advisory Committee on the Constitution (G-6.02), which shall examine the proposed amendment for clarity and consistency of language and for compatibility with other provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). [At least sixty days prior to the meeting of the General Assembly,] [T][t]he advisory committee shall report its findings to the General Assembly along with its recommendations, which may include an amended version of any proposed constitutional changes as well as advice to accept or decline the proposals referred to the committee. The General Assembly shall not consider any amendment until it has considered the report and any recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution.”

Item 07-01., Recommendation 2, Advisory Handbook for Councils for the Development of Policies and Procedures Required by the Form of Government.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 524.]

1. Amend the “Policies and Procedures Guide for the Work of the Session” by adding a new row 9 as follows (to follow the 8th row containing “G-1.05”): [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[G-1.0502]

“[Meetings of the congregation shall be called by the session, by the presbytery, or by the session when requested in writing by one fourth of the active members on the roll of the congregation. Adequate public notice of all congregational meetings shall be given. Congregations shall provide by their own rule for minimum notification requirements and give notice at regular services of worship prior to the meeting.]

“[Has the congregation decided on what adequate notice will be for their meetings?]”

2. Amend the first row of “Policies and Procedures Guide for the Work of the Presbytery” as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“F-1.0403

“G-3.0103

“Councils above the session shall establish by their own rule [committees or entities] [committees on representation]to fulfill the following functions: to advise the council regarding the implementation of principles of unity and diversity, to advocate for diversity in leadership, and to consult with the council on the employment of personnel, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity in F-1.0403.[A committee on representation should not be merged with another committee or made a subcommittee of another committee.]

“Does the presbytery choose to retain an entity comparable to the current Committee on Representation (COR) to serve this purpose? If a COR is retained, what is the appropriate makeup of such a committee in its context? If this responsibility is lodged with another presbytery entity, how will the presbytery approve its plan for complying with the church‘s commitment to inclusiveness and representation? How and on what basis will the presbytery review the committee’s implementation of its plan?”

3. Amend the first row of “Policies and Procedures Guide for the Work of the Synod” as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“F-1.0403

“G-3.0103

4. Amend the first row of “Policies and Procedures Guide for the Work of the General Assembly” as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline

“F-1.0403

“G-3.0103

Item 07-02. On Amending 3.0109 of the Report of the Form of Government Task Force to Allow Flexibility in the Composition of Committees.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 07-01, Recommendation 1, of this report. [See p. 549.]

Item 07-03. On Adding a New G-3.0303¯Relations with Other Presbytery and Ecumenical Partners to the Proposed Form of Government.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 07-01, Recommendation 1, of this report. [See p. 550.]

Item 07-04. On Commending the Work of the FOG Task Force to the Church for Additional Study and Discernment.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 07-01, Recommendation 1, of this report. [See p. 552.]

Item 07-05. On Developing the Form of Government as an Enabling Constitution Instead of a Manual of Operations.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 553.]

Item 07-06. On Amending G-3.0103 and G-3.0111 of the New Form of Government.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 07-01, Recommendation 1, of this report. [See p. 556.]

Item 07-07. On Receiving the Report of the FOG Task Force and Posting a Draft on the Website Inviting Presbyteries to Propose Specific Amendment to the Present Form of Government.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 07-01, Recommendation 1, of this report. [See p. 559.]

Item 07-08. [There is no Item 07-08.]

Item 07-09. On Amending the G-3.0103 of the Report of the Form of Government Task Force.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 07-01, Recommendation 1, of this report. [See p. 564.]

Item 07-10. Amendment to Proposed Form of Government.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 07-01, Recommendation 1, of this report. [See p. 565.]

$Item 07-11. Effect of a Major Revision of the Book of Order on Previous Authoritative Interpretations.

In response to Item 07-11, the 219th General Assembly (2010) approved the following resolution: [See p. 566.]

“The Assembly Committee on Form of Government Revision recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010) empower the Moderator to appoint a Special Committee on Existing Authoritative Interpretations of the Book of Order. The special committee shall be composed of six members recommended by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, the Advisory Committee on the Constitution (ACC), and the Office of the General Assembly, and charged to make recommendations to the 220th General Assembly (2012) concerning the status of specific existing authoritative interpretations of the Constitution based on the Status of Authoritative Interpretations as shown below:

“Status of Authoritative Interpretations

“While the status and applicability of any authoritative interpretation is subject to the judgment of the assembly, it is the considered judgment of the ACC that if this proposal to amend the Form of Government were to be approved, generally speaking the status of authoritative interpretations would vary according to the relationship of newly approved language to previous language.

“1. If language approved in the Constitution explicitly restates the content of existing authoritative interpretations, it is no longer an authoritative interpretation but is incorporated into the Constitution.

“2. If language is approved that is identical to, or essentially the same as the language of constitutional provisions that have already been interpreted, current authoritative interpretations would continue in force. The ACC believes this would apply, for example, to authoritative interpretations regarding current G-6.0106b, G-6.0108, G-8.0201, and G-9.0404d.

“3. If language is approved that is substantively different from currently interpreted constitutional language, clarification from the General Assembly would be required as to the status and applicability of existing authoritative interpretations through the provisions of G-13.0103r.

“4. If language is approved that contradicts the substance of an existing authoritative interpretation, the current interpretation would have no effect.

“5. If language is approved that totally removes a constitutional provision that has been authoritatively interpreted, the authoritative interpretations attached to that provision would be removed as well.”

[Financial Implications: 2010: $0; 2011: $9,660; 2012: $0 (Per Capita-OGA)]

Item 07-12. On Receiving the Report of the Form of Government Task Force, Dismiss the Task Force with Thanks, Taking Specific Actions on the Report‘s Recommendations.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 07-01, Recommendation 1, of this report. [See p. 570.]

The following commissioners filed a dissent from the action taken on Item 07-01 of the Assembly Committee on Form of Government Revision: Daniel McBride, Presbytery of Shenango; Jeff Ogden, Presbytery of Stockton; Stephen K. Stelle, Presbytery of Shenango; and Lee Wagoner, Presbytery of Shenango.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Pearl Kim, young adult advisory delegate from the Atlantic Korean Presbytery, who offered the closing prayer for this session of the General Assembly.

The assembly recessed at 9:45 p.m.

Vice Moderator Landon Whitsitt led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons for announcements on various topics.

Moderator Bolbach called on Patricia Valentine, moderator of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures, for a report on financial implications.

Valentine reported that the total financial implications to per capita budget of actions approved on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, were $30,045 for 2010; $74,075 for 2011; and $26,155 for 2012. The total financial implications of actions recommended by assembly committees, but not yet considered by the assembly, amounts to: $113,230 for 2010; $309,153 for 2011; and $72,723 for 2012.

Moderator Bolbach called on Robert Baker, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination, for a report on financial implications.

Baker reported that no actions approved on Wednesday had financial implications on the mission budget. The total financial implications to mission budget of actions recommended by assembly committees, but not yet considered by the assembly, amounts to: $52,087 for 2010; $307,861 for 2011; and $227,183 for 2012.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Mark Koenig, coordinator for the Peacemaking Program, and Laura Mariko Cheifitz , director of Leading Generations Initiative of the Fund for Theological Education, to introduce a video in honor of the anniversary of Presbyterian Peacemaking.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Jim Madson, moderator of the General Assembly Nominating Committee, for a report from the committee. Stated Clerk Parsons reviewed the Standing Rules for nomination from the floor and outlined the procedure for considering the nominations.

Madson withheld Items 00-01M.4 and 00-01M.5 until after the report of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination. Madson announced that challenges were presented to 00-01L.9, 00-01N.7, and 00-01T.1. The assembly elected all nominees that were uncontested.

Challenged nominations were considered as follows:

00-01L.9 [General Assembly Committee on Representation]: Madson placed the name of Heather Walchar in nomination for election to the General Assembly Committee on Representation, class of 2014. Commissioner Julie Leveranz nominated Kathryn Dianne Bell from the floor to replace the committee nominee and spoke to the nomination. Lita Simpson spoke to the nomination of Walchar. The assembly elected Walchar.

00-01N.7 [General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission]: Madson placed the name of Arnold Rots in nomination for election to the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, class of 2016. Commissioner Faith Jongewaard nominated Margaret MacLeod from the floor to replace the committee nominee and spoke to the nomination. David Bennett spoke to the nomination of Rots. The assembly elected MacLeod.

00-01T.1 [Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Advisory Committee]: Madson placed the name of Pete Berlowitz in nomination for election to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Advisory Committee, class of 2012. Commissioner Wells Kilgore nominated Ken McKenzie from the floor to replace the committee nominee and spoke to the nomination. Madson spoke to the nomination of Berlowitz. The assembly elected Berlowitz.

The report was arrested. [For remainder of report, see p. 49.]

Moderator Bolbach recognized Cliff Lyda, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Middle Governing Body Issues, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Item 04-06 as amended and with floor amendment. The assembly answered Item 04-05 with its action on Item 04-06. The assembly voted to disapprove Item 04-02 with comment. The assembly disapproved Item 04-04, approved Item 04-01, Recommendations 1.–2., referred Item 04-02, Recommendations 3.–4. to the Office of the General Assembly, and disapproved Item 04-03.

Lyda introduced James Belle, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Middle Governing Body Issues, to present a portion of the report.

The assembly approved Item 04-07 as amended and disapproved Item 04-08.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Middle Governing Body Issues and the committee report is as follows:

[Items with financial implications are indicated by a dollar sign ($).]

I. For Plenary Action

$Item 04-06. On Appointing a General Assembly Commission on Middle Governing Bodies.

That the recommendation is approved with amendments. (See p. 274.)

1. Amend the first paragraph of Recommendation 5 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“5. [In response to actions] [By direction] of the 219th General Assembly (2010), or upon request of the presbytery and synod, the commission is authorized to act as the General Assembly according to”

2. Add a Recommendation 7 to read as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[7. The actions of the commission shall require a two-thirds majority for approval.]”

[To see the floor amendments, see pp. 274-75.]

[Financial Implication: (2010) $47,667; (2011) $89,555; (2012) $36,570—OGA–GAMC Per Capita]

Item 04-05. On Creating a Special Committee to Explore the Roles and Relationships of Synods and Presbyteries to Each Other, to the Agencies, and to Congregations.

That the recommendation is answered by action taken on Item 04-06. (See p. 272.)

Item 04-02. On Amending the Book of Order by Deleting Chapter 12 to Eliminate the Middle Governing Body of the Synod.

That the recommendation is disapproved with comment. (See p. 259.)

Comment: The commissioners are referred to the action taken on Item 04-06.

Item 04-04. On Amending G-11.0000 to Provide Flexibility in Presbytery Membership.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 268.)

Item 04-01. On Amending G-12.0100 and D-5.0101 Regarding Synod Function.

That Recommendations 1 and 2 are approved with amendment; Recommendations 3 and 4, as amended, are re-ferred to the Office of the General Assembly. (See p. 257.)

1. Amend Recommendation 2. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“2. Shall a new section, G-12.0104, be added to the Form of Government to read as follows:

“Two or more synods sharing common boundaries, with the approval of a two-thirds majority of the presbyteries in each of the synods, may share administrative services [and form a shared permanent judicial commission, with the membership of the commission being proportional to the number of presbyteries within each participating synod. Each synod shall pay the costs for processing a judicial case arising within its bounds].”

2. Insert a new Recommendation 3 as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[3. That the following phrase ‘and form a shared permanent judicial commission, with the membership of the commission being proportional to the number of presbyteries within each participating synod. Each synod shall pay the costs for processing a judicial case arising within its bounds’ be referred to the Office of the General Assembly for revision and report back with recommendation to the 220th General Assembly (2012).]”

3. Refer current Recommendation 3 [amended to be Recommendation 4], to the Office of the General Assembly for revision and report back with recommendation to the 220th General Assembly (2012).

Item 04-03. On Amending G-12.0000 Regarding Creation of a “New Synod.”

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 262.)

Item 04-07. Report of the Special Committee on the Administrative Review of the Synod of Boriquén in Puerto Rico and Its Constituent Presbyteries (SCARB).

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 276.)

1. Amend Recommendation A.1. as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“1. Create an administrative commission to oversee the work and mission of the Synod of Boriquén and the Presbyteries of San Juan, the Northwest, and the Southwest (the Synod) and, if necessary, to intervene in that work. [Should the assembly approve Item 04-06, the commission recommended in Item 04-06 shall be designated as the Administrative Commission for this recommendation.]”

2. Amend Recommendation A.2. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“2. [In creating an administrative commission, the 219th General Assembly (2010) authorizes the commission to designate a subcommittee composed largely of the current members of the Special Committee on the Administrative Review of the Synod of Boriquén (SCARB), with the further ability to supplement that subcommittee with no more than two additional persons, bringing the composition of SCARB to no more than seven members, to work with the Synod in implementing the directions of the administrative commission and providing guidance to the administrative commission in its designated roles] [The charge for SCARB shall be extended for two years, and SCARB shall be reconstituted by the Administrative Commission as a subcommittee of the commission, and the commission shall be empowered to appoint current members of SCARB and sufficient additional members to meet the requirements of G-9.0501b. The subcommittee shall work with the Synod of Boriquen in implementing the directions of the Administrative Commission and shall provide guidance to the Administrative Commission in its designated roles.]”

3. Amend Recommendations B.1. and B.2. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[1. The 219th General Assembly (2010) authorizes the administrative commission to dissolve the Synod of Boriquén and the Presbyteries of San Juan, the Northwest, and the Southwest (the Synod), if after further study, and before the next General Assembly, it determines such action to be appropriate.] [If, after further study, and before the next General Assembly, the Administrative Commission determines such action to be appropriate, the 219th General Assembly (2010) authorizes the Administrative Commission be granted the authority to assume original jurisdiction of the Synod of Boriquen for the limited purpose of taking actions necessary to merge the Synod of Boriquen with a synod of the PC(USA) on the mainland, including the authority to divide, unite, or otherwise combine presbyteries or portions of presbyteries previously existing. G-12.0103k.]

“[2. The 219th General Assembly (2010) authorizes the administrative commission to create a new governing body structure in the Commonwealth under the jurisdiction of a synod on the mainland of the United States of America, should the commission determine that the dissolution of the current governing body structure is no longer tenable or unable to effectively move into the future.]”

[Note: Recommendation B.2. is answered by the action taken on Recommendation B.)

4. Amend Recommendation C. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[The 219th General Assembly (2010) grants the administrative commission the authority to facilitate, direct, and oversee the process of identifying and nominating new, or renewed, leadership in the Synod, particularly the positions of stated clerks and synod executive, should it be determined to retain the current structure. Likewise, should the decision be to create a new middle governing structure, we recommend that the administrative commission be granted the authority to facilitate, direct, and oversee the process of identifying and nominating persons to fill the leadership positions of stated clerk(s) and executive(s), as appropriate; and, in either instance, further grant the commission the authority and latitude to designate a subcommittee to act on its behalf in these matters.] [The 219th General Assembly (2010) grants the Administrative Commission the authority to facilitate, direct, and oversee the process of identifying and nominating new or renewed temporary leadership in the Synod of Boriquen and/or its constituent presbyteries. In replacing current leadership, the Administrative Commission shall afford fundamental fairness and due process in the spirit of G-9.0705.]”

5. Amend Recommendation D. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[We recommend that the commission facilitate and oversee a canvass, poll, or survey to determine whether there exists a sufficient movement seeking disaffiliation from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) [the PC(USA)]]. [Recommend that the Administrative Commission assess the degree of interest within the Synod of Boriquen and its constituent presbyteries and congregations in their continuing relationships with the PC(USA).]”

6. Amend Recommendation E. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The 219th General Assembly (2010) directs the PC(USA), as a structure, and primarily the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) and the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) [to] explore and develop ways for the denomination to [more effectively] relate with the Synod [of Boriquen and its presbyteries] and its congregations [in a more effective manner].”

Item 04-08. On Organizing a Non-Geographic Korean Language Presbytery.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 288.)

Moderator Bolbach called upon Stated Clerk Parsons for announcements. Parsons announced that the offering from the opening worship was $33,189.58, to be shared among the Global Alliance Against Trafficking Women, the Human Trafficking Roundtable, and the Presbyterian Clearwater Forest.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Donna Chavez, minister commissioner from the Presbytery of Heartland, who offered the closing prayer for this session of the General Assembly.

The assembly recessed at 12:15 p.m.

Dakota Santana-Grace, young adult advisory delegate from the Presbytery of San Gabriel, led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Moderator Bolbach recognized commissioner Heath Rada, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, for a report from the committee.

The assembly amended the docket and suspended the Standing Rules to limit the length of speeches to two minutes.

Vice Moderator Landon Whitsitt assumed the chair.

Commissioners, advisory delegates, and corresponding members were given an opportunity to speak out on issues outside the deliberative mode of the assembly for fifteen minutes, with one-minute limits on individual speeches. Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons instructed the assembly on the procedure to be followed during the time allotted for the speak-out. Vice Moderator Whitsitt then recognized persons, who spoke on various concerns.

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Kate Weber, director of nongovernmental organizations, UNICEF U.S.A., to address the assembly in celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of UNICEF.

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Michael Livingston, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved the consent agenda: Items 08-05 (approved), 08-11 (approved), 08-01 (approved). The assembly approved Items 08-07, and 08-10. The assembly approved Item 08-08 as amended, approved Item 08-06 as amended, and approved Item 08-02 as amended. The assembly approved Item 08-09 as amended and with comment, answered Item 08-03 with its action on Item 08-09, and approved Item 08-04 as amended and with comment.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations and the committee report is as follows:

[Consent agenda items are indicated by an asterisk.]

*Item 08-05. Invitation to Send Ecumenical Advisory Delegates to the 220th General Assembly (2012).

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 601.)

*Item 08-11. On Celebrating the Dedication of Clinica Tzeltal Momos de Christo in Chiapas, Mexico.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 629.)

*Item 08-01. On Referring the Covenant to Adopt the Lund Principle, and its Codicil, to the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 575.)

Item 08-07. Dialogue with Seventh-day Adventists.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 613.)

Item 08-10. Full Participation in Christian Churches Together.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 627.)

Item 08-08. Review of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches/Caribbean and North American Area Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 614.)

1. Amend the paragraph before Recommendation 2 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“As WARC has affirmed these callings, [they are to] [the PC(USA) is to]”

2. Amend Recommendation 4 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“4. [Integrate and interpret] [Encourage a study of] the Accra Confession and the historic commitments, along with the life and work of the WCRC/CANAAC, throughout PC(USA), its congregations and presbyteries.”

Item 08-06. On Relationships Between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 601.)

1. Amend Recommendation 5 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“5. Acknowledge the unique complexity of the relationship between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, given the fact that the ecclesial roots of many churches, members, and ministers [now in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church lie in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its antecedent denominations] [are historically interwoven between these congregations].”

2. Amend Recommendation 7 by striking the text and renumbering Recommendations 8–9 as 7–8 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[7. Direct the Office of the General Assembly to develop resources to support presbyteries with congregations and/or ministers engaged in a process of discernment or undergoing the process of dismissal, in light of denominational learnings in the recent past.]

“[8.] [7.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[9.] [8.] [Text remains unchanged.]

Item 08-02. On Removing the Confusing and Theologically Incompatible Call for Presbyterians to Engage Other Faiths.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 577.)

“ ‘3. Build on this understanding by calling for further dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, viewing each other [as equals] [with equal respect], and learning from one another to”

2. Amend the fourth bulleted item of Recommendation 1 as follows:

“ ‘• recognize differences[, celebrate diversity] [respect diversity];”

3. Amend the third paragraph (bulleted item) of Recommendation 2 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘• To encourage congregations of these faiths to celebrate religious holidays together, setting aside days of worship during which there can be congregational suppers, and dialogue groups. [To encourage congregations of these faiths to set aside times to come together for meals, dialogues, and to plan ways they can work together‘ (Minutes, 2008, Part I, p. 507).]”

Item 08-03. Approve the Paper “Christians and Jews: People of God.”

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 08-09 of this report. (See p. 580.)

Item 08-04. Approve “Toward an Understanding of Christian-Muslim Relations.”

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 589.)

1. Amend Recommendation 2.d. as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“d. encouraging Presbyterians to come to know and befriend their Muslim neighbors, and to talk in-depth with them about matters of shared concern, life and faith, and the questions each has about the other[, to implement a program of shared community experiences that might include sharing meals, cultural events, and activities in mosques and churches together, and to develop an educational program that includes inviting a Muslim leader to offer instruction in a church and a Christian leader to offer instruction in a mosque].”

2. Amend Recommendation 3.c. as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“c. calling for the development, through this process, of a fuller study articulating a theological understanding of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to be presented for consideration of the 221st General Assembly (2014). This process shall include broad consultation including representatives of the national Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus and partner churches in majority Muslim countries [and other significant bodies both Muslim and Christian].”

3. Amend Recommendation 4.b. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“b. asking appropriate bodies of the church, and individual Presbyterians, to identify and speak out against bigotry[,] [and] prejudice[, discrimination, and violence] against Islam and Muslim peoples of all cultures, especially in the United States;”

Item 08-09. On Referring “Christians and Jews: People of God” and “Understanding Christian-Muslim Relations.”

That the recommendation is approved with amendment and with comment. (See p. 625.)

Amend Recommendations 1 and 2 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“1. [Postpone the reports] [Refer the report] from the Offices of Interfaith Relations and Theology and Worship entitled: “Christians and Jews: People of God[,]‘ [and “Understanding Christian-Muslim Relations” until such time as funding is provided by the General Assembly for the appointment of a special committee of the church, to be appointed by the moderator, [back to the Office of Interfaith Relations and Theology and Worship] to rewrite [both] [the] report[s] after broader consultation to include the National Middle East Presbyterian Caucus, PC(USA) partner churches and agencies in the Middle East, relevant mission networks of the PC(USA), the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns, and the Advisory Committee for Social Witness Policy.

“2. That correspondence about [these two] [this] report[s] between the National Middle East Presbyterian Caucus and the General Assembly Mission Council, and between the Israel-Palestine Mission Network and the General Assembly Mission Council be sent to [this special committee] [these offices and committee working on the revised paper].”

Comment: The committee endorses the intent of “Christians and Jews, People of God” enhancing Christian and Jewish relationships. We also encourage PC(USA) congregations to employ A Theological Understanding of the Relationships Between Christians and Jews (1987, OGA-88-071) as a resource until a better resource is perfected.

Moderator Cindy Bolbach assumed the chair.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Theresa Denton, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry, for a report from the committee.

Denton introduced K.O. Noonoo, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry, to present a portion of the report.

The assembly referred Item 06-19 to the Office of Vocation with a report deadline of at least 180 days before the 220th General Assembly (2012) and approved as amended Item 06-01.

Denton continued presentation of the report and moved the committee recommendation on Item 06-09. A minority report was introduced. The minority report was perfected. The main motion was perfected. Moderator Bolbach put the question to the assembly, “Shall the minority report become the main motion?” The minority report was defeated.

The assembly approved Item 06-09.

The report was arrested. [For the rest of the report, see p. 46.]

Moderator Bolbach recognized Theresa Cho, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues A: The Promotion of Social Righteousness, to present a portion of the report. [Note: Items 10-04 and 10-05 were moved to 11 Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues–B: The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World as Items 11-09 and 11-10.]

In response to Item 10-01, the assembly approved an alternate resolution. The assembly approved Item 10-09 as amended and approved Item 10-10 as amended.

Cho introduced John Arbuckle Jr., vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues A: The Promotion of Social Righteousness, to present a portion of the report.

The assembly approved Item 10-08, approved Item 10-07 as amended, and approved Item 10-11 as amended and with comment.

Cho presented the remainder of the report.

The assembly approved Item 10-02 as amended, approved Item 10-06 as amended, approved Item 10-03 as amended, approved Item 10-14 as amended, approved Item 10-12 as amended, and approved Item 10-13 as amended.

Cho reported that the committee had taken final action on Item 10-A.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues A: The Promotion of Social Righteousness and the committee report is as follows:

[Items with financial implications are indicated by a dollar sign ($).]

Item 10-01. On Protesting the Blatant Disregard for the Sanctity of Our Lord’s Name in Motion Pictures and Public Broadcasting.

In response to Item 10-01, the 219th General Assembly (2010) approved the following resolution: [See p. 725.]

“The General Assembly strongly condemns the gratuitous trivialization of the use of the name of the Lord in the media and directs MRTI to communicate this condemnation to any companies in which it owns stock that own media content or media distribution companies and asks the appropriate office of the General Assembly to make available materials for use by local congregations for conversations with children, youth, and adults to help them determine the effects of media content for their lives.”

$Item 10-09. Living Through Economic Crisis: The Church’s Witness in Troubled Times: A Social Involvement Report for the 219th General Assembly (2010).

That the recommendation is approved as amended. [See p. 733.]

Amend Recommendations 1–3 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through.]

“1. That the Stated Clerk be requested to send a copy of this social involvement report to each [pastor] [congregation] in the denomination.

“2. That the appropriate PC(USA) ministry area or areas, including the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), [the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns, and the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns,] be directed to develop a study for the 220th General Assembly (2012) that assesses the long-term implications of our current economic trends and practices, including their impact on the church itself, and provides appropriate recommendations for consideration by members, congregations, presbyteries, and local, state, and federal government. This assessment should center on the role of fairness and justice in our economy, with particular attention to growing inequality, the decline of the middle class, the tax structure, the shifting makeup of the labor force and its effects on employee rights, the role of regulatory agencies in protecting the public interest, and access to environmental resources that is equitable and sustainable. [The study should also reflect the concern of the impact of the economic crisis on women and incorporate case studies of both women and men.]

“3. That congregations be invited to create within their midst ways of supporting [individual, unemployed persons and, if appropriate, their families][persons and families impacted by unemployment, under-employment, and economic downturn].”

[Financial Implication: (2010) $9,045; (2011) $27,885; (2012) $3,110 (Per Capita—GAMC)]

Item 10-10. Neither Poverty Nor Riches: Compensation, Equity, and the Unity of the Church.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 742.]

Amend Recommendations 2.c.–k. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[c. Direct the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), as a matter of justice,]

“[(1) to implement in its personnel policies the directive to provide ratios between highest-paid and lowest-paid church employees, both salaried and non-salaried, which was directed to the General Assembly Council by the 207th General Assembly (1995) in the policy statement, God’s Work in Our Hands, (IV. Implementation Action Plans, A.4.b.(1)) (Minutes, 1995, Part I, p. 438); and

“[(2) to establish the goal of achieving, in a reasonable period of time, a 5:1 ratio between highest-paid and lowest-paid church employees beginning with new General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) positions, understanding this to be a partial return to earlier policy and a practical embodiment of missional solidarity.]

“[d.] [c.] Direct the General Assembly Mission Council to convene the leadership of all six agencies related to the General Assembly to review together the fourteen current principles of compensation in the ‘Report from the General Assembly Advisory Committee on Church-wide Compensation’ (213th General Assembly (2001); Minutes, 2001, Part I, pp. 558–59) and to explore the possibility of setting ratios for compensation [in light of the 5:1 ratio recommended in 2.c.(2) (above)] in order to promote greater covenantal unity within our one church and in our mission together.

“[e.] [d.] Request the leadership of the Board of Pensions (BOP), the Presbyterian Foundation (FDN), the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, Inc. (PILP), and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC), as well as the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, to join in the interagency consultation of Recommendation 2.[d.] [c.] above, and to consider the assembly’s action on compensation within their own boards, reporting on such consideration in their agency reports to the 220th General Assembly (2012).

“[f.] [e.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[g.] [f.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[h.] [g.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[i.] [h.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[j.] [i.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[k] [j.] [Text remains unchanged.]”

Item 10-08. A Resolution Supporting the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 732.]

Item 10-07. A Resolution to Explore the Intersection of Gender and Race.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 731.]

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC) recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010) [direct the Office of General Assembly to] request that presbyteries explore local resources and conduct training in cultural proficiency on the intersection of race with gender, using as a resource the book, Hearing and Singing New Songs to God, in recognition of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s decade of hearing, singing, and celebrating the voices and contributions of women of color.”

Item 10-11. Loving Our Neighbors: Equity and Quality in Public Education (K–12).

That the recommendation is approved with amendment and with comment. [See p. 772.]

1. Amend Recommendation 4.a. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“a. Recommits the PC(USA) to the principle of equal educational opportunity for all children in the United States, [regardless of race, abilities and disabilities, gender, language or socioeconomic status] [different as each child may be], and affirms them all as our children, neighbors in our care.”

2. Insert a new Recommendation 4.n. and re-letter Recommendation 4.n. as Recommendation 4.o as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[n. That books and resources in school and classroom libraries reflect said multiculturalism in content to ensure fair representation and encourage cross-cultural understanding.]

“[n.] [o.] [Text remains unchanged.]”

3. Insert a new Recommendation 5.e. to read as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[e. To affirm the importance of the active participation of families in the education and development of children in their care.]

Comment: The Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues (A) advises that the assembly address issues of systemic factors that undermine children’s education. These include:

• The destructive impact of generations of poverty that diminish expectations of success.

• The debilitating impact of socioeconomic conditions such as lead-paint poisoning, fetal alcohol syndrome, drug dependency, and nutritional deficiency.

• The lack of support for families trying to be involved in their children's education.

• The in-applicability of curriculum to the life-settings of those children.

$Item 10-02. On Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the First Social Pronouncement of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 726.]

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and an underline.]

“The Presbytery of Chicago respectfully overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the first social pronouncement of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. at the 1910 General Assembly. The social statement, based on the Social Creed of 1908 passed at the organizing of the Federal Council of Churches, called attention to fourteen social problems related to industrial issues facing the nation. In the light of this precedent, we call for the promotion and education within our congregations and presbyteries of the new Social Creed for the Twenty-first Century passed by our 218th General Assembly (2008)[, which calls attention to the twenty social problems related to globalization.] [We also ask the assembly to direct the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy to distribute the resource, Connecting to the Creed, to presbyteries and congregations. [We also ask for Connecting the Creed to be posted and provided in digital form by the Office of the General Assembly and printed in limited quantity for presbytery resource centers and other uses. Further, the General Assembly urges the General Assembly Mission Council to include a celebration of the Social Creed for the Twenty-first Century at the next Big Tent.]”

[Financial Implication: (2010) $0; (2011) $1,700; (2012) $0 (Per Capita—GAMC)]

$Item 10-06. A Resolution to Study Violence Against Women and Children on the Mexico-U.S. Border.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 729.]

1. Amend Recommendation 1 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“1. Direct the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) to create a study group to examine the issue of violence against women and children along the United States-Mexico border[, and in particular the circumstances in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico,] in consultation with [Presbyterian Border Ministries, the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico,] the Hispanic-Latino National Presbyterian Caucus, Hispanic/Latino-a Congregational [Enhancement] [Support Office], Presbyterian Women, ACWC, and presbyteries along the border[, seeking concrete actions that the PC(USA), its agencies, congregations and partners, both in the U.S. and in Mexico, can implement to effectively impact this tragic issue within our own church and culture, as well as our neighbors, in a timely manner].”

2. Add a new Recommendation 3 to read as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[3. Direct GAMC to continue their work on the border and denounce violence against women and children on the Mexican-United States border.]”

[Financial Implications: (2010) $10,980; (2011) $24,470; (2012) $0 (Per Capita—GAMC)]

Item 10-03. On Urging the U.S. Congress to Cap Interest Rates on Credit Card Lending.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 727.]

Strike the current text of the recommendation and insert new text as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[The Presbytery of Salem respectfully overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to adopt a statement urging the United States Congress to pass a law to cap interest rates on credit card lending and direct the Stated Clerk to communicate this action to the president of the United States and the U.S. Congress.]

“[The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) urges the United States Congress to enact legislation to cap consumer credit interest rates governing credit cards, payday loans, auto title loans, home equity loans, and other frequently usurious practices, to support a consumer finance protection agency independent of banks and other financially interested parties to ensure that such legislation is implemented, and to encourage publicly-owned banks and credit unions to provide more consumer choice and more regional and local investment, and to direct the Stated Clerk and appropriate General Assembly Mission Council offices to communicate this action to the president of the United States, the U.S. Congress, and state governors and state banking commissions.

“[The 217th General Assembly (2006) of the PC(USA) approved a report, A Reformed Understanding of Usury for the Twenty-First Century, calling for measures including, but not limited to, ‘… efforts to provide more effective and less costly financial services to people who are now forced to utilize high-cost alternative financial resources…,’ and advocate ‘… change of state and federal policies and legislation that allow lenders to take advantage of either the naïveté or financial plight of borrowers …’ (Minutes, 2006, Part I, p. 804–805).

“[The 219th General Assembly (2010) directs the ACSWP to produce print and interactive online resources (or make available existing resources) that can be used to educate consumers about predatory lending and encourage healthy borrowing practices and actively promote these resources throughout the church.

“[The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the PC(USA) urges the credit industry to develop specific credit products with low interest rates and appropriate maximums that extend credit and credit counseling to persons in poverty.]”

Item 10-14. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Usury.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 793.]

Amend the first three paragraphs of the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The 219th General Assembly (2010) calls upon the PC(USA) and its corporate financial entities (Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation, Board of Pensions, Funds of the General Assembly Mission Council, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, Inc., Stated Clerk’s Office), [synods, presbyteries,] its local congregations, and members to be a counter voice to usurious practices, and to prayerfully consider moving money out of the [large] financial institutions who exploit consumers and into [community banks] [financial institutions] that practice responsible consumer lending practices. We call upon MRTI to report on their evaluation of this strategy to the 220th General Assembly (2012). We believe that the standards for moving money include

“• clearly defined [interest][consumer credit] rate ceilings or caps (pegged to inflation, unemployment, and other factors, already agreed to, in principle, by one major financial institution);

“• reasonable and fully transparent limits on [credit card fees and charges] [financial products and services];”

Item 10-12. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Ending Violence with Impunity Against Women and Girls.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 790.]

Amend Recommendations 2.–6. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“2. Commits to [no longer responding with impunity when violence against women and girls occurs, whether clergy or laity perpetrates violence, and to first hold the perpetrator accountable rather than rush to forgiveness] [holding perpetrators, whether clergy or laity, responsible for violence against women and girls, rather than rushing to forgiveness,] and encourages Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations, presbyteries, synods, and governing bodies to do likewise.

“[3. Declares the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) a ‘Violence Free Zone for Women and Girls,’ and direct PC(USA) congregations, presbyteries, synods, and governing bodies to refer to domestic physical acts of violence against women and girls as ‘aggravated assault’ rather than “domestic violence.]

“[4.] [3.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[5.] [4.] Directs the General Assembly Mission Council’s (GAMC’s) Compassion, Peace and Justice ministry area, through the Presbyterians Against Domestic Violence Network (PADVN), the Peacemaking Program, the Presbyterian United Nations Office, and other entities working on gender justice issues to join with the World Mission ministry area in engaging and collaborating with ecumenical and global partner churches [to establish guidelines for relationships that encourage equal participation of both men and women in ministry and leadership, making it clear] at the same time [making it clear] that impunity from violence and abuse is not acceptable within related Reformed communities.

“[6.] [5.] [Text remains unchanged.]”

Item 10-13. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Renewing the Commitment to the Use of Inclusive and Expansive Language for God and the People of God.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 792.]

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The 219th General Assembly (2010) directs the [Office of Theology Worship and Education, the] Compassion, Peace and Justice ministry area[,] and the Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women ministry area to renew efforts throughout the denomination to promote the use of inclusive and expansive language for God and the people of God and to ensure distribution, electronically or otherwise, of the brochure, “Well Chosen Words: Inclusive Language with Reference to the People of God—Expansive Language with Reference to God” (PDS #72-700-99-003).”

II. Committee Final Action and Report to Plenary

[The items listed below were acted upon and approved by the assembly committee. No further action is needed, and is here for information only.]

Item 10-A. Minutes, General Assembly Committee on Representation.

That the minutes are approved.

Moderator Bolbach recognized James Bender, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues B: The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World, to present a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Item 11-01 as amended, approved Item 11-02, approved Item 11-03 as amended, and approved Item 11-04.

Bender introduced Kristen Gerling, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues B: The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World, to present a portion of the report.

The assembly approved Item 11-06 as amended, disapproved Item 11-07 with comment, approved Item 11-08, and approved Item 11-09 as amended.

Bender resumed the presentation of the report. The assembly approved Item 11-10 as amended.

Bender moved the committee recommendation on Item 11-11. A minority report was introduced.

The report was arrested. [For the rest of the report, see p. 40.]

Moderator Bolbach called upon Associate Stated Clerk Tom Hay for an announcement.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Debbie Braaksma, area coordinator for Africa, to introduce an ecumenical greeting. The Reverend Francis Amenu from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana brought greetings to the assembly.

Moderator Bolbach called upon the Reverend Festus Asana from the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon, who offered the closing prayer for this session of the General Assembly.

The assembly recessed at 5:58 p.m.

Elder Fares Dagher, ecumenical guest from the National Evangelical Synod of Syria, led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Jon Chapman, area coordinator for Europe, to introduce an ecumenical greeting. The Reverend Siarehi Hardun from the Orthodox Church of Belarus brought greetings to the assembly.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Aleida Jernigan, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, for a report from the committee.

The assembly amended the docket and suspended the Standing Rules to limit the length of speeches to two minutes.

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Theodore Wardlaw, president of Austin Theological Seminary, who presented a memorial minute for former moderator John F. Anderson Jr., Moderator of the 122nd General Assembly (1982) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.

Memorial Minute Tribute to John Franklin Anderson Jr.

Early in my ministry as president of Austin Seminary, I gave an address about the seminary to a sizable audience of Presbyterians in Dallas; and when that address was over, John Franklin Anderson Junior, by then a long-retired parish pastor and a former Moderator—in fact, the last Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. and one of the architects of our reunited church—came up to me in that large room to offer a charge that I have not forgotten. He said, “Ted, the greatest challenge facing the clergy in this time is not heresy but boredom.” He said, “Go back down to Austin and send us preachers who aren’t boring.”

John Anderson—born in Dallas in 1920, educated at Austin College in Sherman, Texas; formed theologically at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary—was a lifelong testimony to faithful service. A World War 2 chaplain who served with the Second Marine Division in Japan, he came back to the United States at the end of his service and pastored the First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas; the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas; and the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, Florida, before becoming the executive secretary of the Board of National Ministries of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. In 1973, John accepted the call to return to the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas—a venerable and deeply-engaged leadership church in deep downtown Dallas composed of all sorts of people, from the highest stations of life to the most humble, from which for decades has emanated the ministry of proclamation and music and beauty and Christian formation and social witness, service and redemption. It was while John was pastor there that second time that he served as Moderator, and represented our communion in trips to Mexico and South Africa and Canada and Russia.

He was a beloved pastor and consummate churchman whose career coincided with some of the most significant social upheavals in the United States, and he shepherded his flocks through those changes with courage, wisdom, and grace. He was a sense-maker in contentious situations, and he lived up to that charge that he gave to me; for he himself was a preacher who was not boring. It is impossible to count the people invited into the faith by John’s pulpit ministry and through his witness in other arenas of engagement.

John and his dear wife Nancy, who was by his side throughout his ministry, were married in 1943, and raised three children—William, Paul, and Rebecca—and they enjoyed six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In the Fall of 2009, just a short while after his death, Austin Seminary dedicated a new four-story apartment building named for John F. and Nancy Anderson. It had been my desire to have chiseled in stone across the main entrance of Anderson House the words with which John charged me on that day in Dallas. But other forces prevailed, and it was decided that we should choose a Latin inscription instead. And so we did, and now students enter and exit through a door crowned with these words: Praedicatores Taediosi Nobis Non Mittendi Sunt. It’s Latin for “Send Us Preachers Who Aren’t Boring.”

Thanks be to God for the life and witness of John Franklin Anderson Jr. “Christ is the Resurrection and the Life.”

Vice Moderator Landon Whitsitt assumed the chair.

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Effie Bynum, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Board of Pensions, Foundation, and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, for a report from the committee. Moderator Bynum moved Item 18-03, confirmation of Thomas Taylor as president and executive officer of the Presbyterian Foundation. At Moderator Bynum’s request, Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Eleanor Hite, chairperson of the Presbyterian Foundation Search Committee. Hite addressed the assembly and introduced Thomas Taylor. Taylor addressed the assembly briefly. The assembly approved Item 18-03. The report of the committee was arrested. [For the rest of the report, see p. 54.]

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized James Bender, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues B: The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World, to continue the report of the committee. [See p. 39 for first part of report.]

Bender reminded the committee that the consideration of Item 11-11 was in process. The minority report was perfected. The main motion was perfected. Moderator Bolbach put the question to the assembly, “Shall the minority report become the main motion?” The minority report was defeated.

The assembly approved Item 11-11with a floor amendment to Recommendation 1 to strike “or non-PC(USA) conference centers” and approved Item 11NB with comment. [Note: There was no Item 11-05].

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues B: The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World and the committee report is as follows:

[Items with financial implications are indicated by a dollar sign ($).]

Item 11-01. On Lifting up the “Call to Restore the Creation”.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 805.]

Amend Item 11-01 by adding new Recommendations 4., 5., and 6. to read as follows: [Text to be added is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[4. Affirm that concern for God's creation is, for every Christian, an essential way of living faithfully in Christ’s world that will necessitate personal study of, attention to, and engagement with emerging and new environmental concerns that are persistent, acute, and pressing.

“[5. Affirm that the best available science should inform our care for God’s creation, shaping the direction of responsible programming and policy, especially with respect to public witness concerning emergent environmental issues such as global climate change, desertification, and access to potable water, and wetlands/coastal erosion.

“[6. Affirm that all living creatures require potable water to live; that water, being essential to life, is a human right that must be accessible to all people.]”

Item 11-02. On Endorsing “The Charter for Compassion.”

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 808.]

$Item 11-03. On Making Resources Available Regarding Destruction and Loss of Coastal Wetlands.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 810.]

1. Amend Recommendation 2 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“2. Direct the General Assembly Mission Council, through its Congregational Ministries Publishing, to work in conjunction with the Presbytery of South Louisiana to develop [curriculum] [resources] on the implications of coastal wetlands loss for God’s creation and God’s community.”

2. Amend Recommendation 4 as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“4. Direct the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) to examine the role of corporations and institutions in the destruction [and restoration] of the wetlands and report back to the 220th General Assembly (2012).”

[Financial Implication: (2010) $0; (2011) $28,100; (2012) $53,100 (GAMC)]

Item 11-04. Human Rights Update (2010).

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 812.]

[Note: Item 11-05 became Item 10-11.]

Item 11-06. Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 830.]

1. Amend Recommendation 1 as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“1. Encourage the church at every level—from individual member to congregation, presbytery, synod, and national church—to become informed and active in preventing gun violence, to provide pastoral care for victims of gun violence, and to seek a spiritual response of grief and repentance, grace and courage to resist that violence and celebrate the Lord and Giver of Life. [This proposal does not preclude the legal use of personal firearms for hunting or sports-related purposes.]”

2. Amend Recommendations 11.f.–g. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“f. raise the age for handgun ownership to the [legal drinking] age [of] [(]twenty-one[)]; and”

“g. eliminate the Tiahrt Amendment to annual appropriations for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) [that forbids local law-enforcement agencies from receiving any information from gun traces, and to keep data on background checks for at least ninety days for comparative purposes and assist enforcement of ‘11.a.’ above] [that impedes local law enforcement agencies in their use of gun traces and requires the Justice Department to destroy within two hours the record of a buyer whose NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) check was approved].”

Item 11-07. On Living a Human Life before God.

That the recommendation is disapproved with comment. [See p. 847.]

Comment: With thanksgiving for the diligence and hard work of the authors of the study paper, On Living a Human Life Before God, the original paper, The Nature and Value of Human Life (1981), is in many ways superior as a tool for moral discourse. Moreover, the concerns of the overture approved by the 212th General Assembly (2000), Overture 00-95: On Gun Violence, are more adequately addressed by Item 11-06 of this year’s report: “Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call.”

Item 11-08. On a National Moratorium on the Imposition of the Death Penalty.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 855.]

Item 11-09. A Review of Efforts Regarding Cultural Proficiency and Creating a Climate for Change in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 857.]

1. Amend Recommendations 4.c.–d. as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“c. measurable targets and goals that integrate cultural proficiency policy[, training and cultural sensitivity programs] in areas of education for purposes of mobility and advancement, performance, recruitment, hiring, mentoring, and retention;

“d. production of biennial reports giving employment profile (salaries, occupations, separations, new hires, promotions, in terms of race, ethnicity, gender[, and disabilities]).”

2. Amend Recommendation 7 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“7. [Direct][E][e]ach entity [must][to] demonstrate affirmative efforts to increase racial ethnic and female employee representation in the senior management categories. When filling vacancies at this level, there must be a racial ethnic person and a female among the final candidates. If they are not among the final candidates, the entity must explain why they were not considered.”

$Item 11-10. On Forming a Committee to Study the Nature of the Church for the 21st Century.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 878.]

1. Amend the first paragraph as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) becomes an increasingly diverse and culturally rich membership,] [T][t]he Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010) direct the Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) to appoint a committee of [nine] [eleven] persons to study the Nature of the Church for the 21st Century. [The intent of this study shall be to seek to increase understanding of the church from a Reformed and Presbyterian perspective and assist current and new members in forming faithful plans for our common future.]”

2. Amend the sixth bulleted item as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“• [Four] [Six] persons at-large”

3. Amend the last paragraph of the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The committee would be charged with bringing a report and making the appropriate recommendations to the 220th General Assembly (2012), and, if appropriate, preparing [a study guide] [practical resources] for individual and congregational use.”

[Financial Implication: (2010) $21,730; (2011) $34,895; (2012) $13,665 (Per Capita—GAMC)]

$Item 11-11. Commissioners’ Resolution. Regarding a Call to Stand with Immigrant Presbyterians in Their Hour of Need.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 879.]

1. Amend Recommendations 1–3 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline; text deleted by plenary is shown with brackets with a strike-through and with a gray screen background.]

“1. Refrain from holding national meetings [at hotels or non-PC(USA) conference centers] in those states where travel by immigrant Presbyterians or Presbyterians of color or Hispanic ancestry might subject them to harassment due to legislation similar to Arizona Law SB 1070/HB2162.

“[a. If individual congregations and camp & conference facilities deem it necessary, the PC(USA) and its staff will offer nonfinancial support for the creation of accompaniment programs to support persons of color who feel that they are at risk when attending church-sponsored worship or programs.

“[b. If such laws are passed in states where the PC(USA) camp & conference centers are located, the 219th General Assembly (2010) encourages those centers to develop ‘sanctuary’ responses that would create safe places for all participants, allowing the denomination to continue to support its own conference centers, and encourages the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of the General Assembly Mission Council to offer support to partners across the denomination as they develop a process to train volunteers to document abuses and collect data on those abuses to share with the broader church.]

“2. [Direct the Office of Immigration to] [D][d]evelop resources that educate Presbyterians about the history of [immigrant policies, the beneficial aspects of immigration in the United States as well as] official anti-immigration conduct [in the United States], [including, but not limited to] [such as] the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 that was not repealed until 1943; the forced migration of persons of Mexican descent from California between 1929 and 1939, 60 percent of whom were U.S. citizens; and the forced relocation of Japanese Americans to detention camps during World War II.

“3. [Direct the Office of Immigration to] [D][d]evelop resources that educate Presbyterians about the origins of this most recent legislation, with a special focus on those states that are considering enactment of copycat legislation.

2. Amend Recommendation 5 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“5. Empower the Immigration Office of the PC(USA) to [legally] [provide a legal] resource [to] PC(USA) congregations in states experiencing the introduction of SB 1070 copycat legislation.”

3. Add a new recommendation 6 to read as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[6. Directs the Stated Clerk to ask the National Council of Churches to request the churches of North America to join our sister churches in Europe in a common day of prayer to commemorate those migrants who have died on their journey.]”

[Financial Implication: (2010) $2,000; (2011) $4,000; (2012) $4,000 (OGA-Per Capita)]

Item 11 New Bus. Recommendations Regarding Deep Water Horizon Oil Disaster.

That the recommendation is approved with comment.

In response to the Deep Water Horizon Oil disaster, the Assembly Committee on Social Justice Issues—B: The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World respectfully recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010) take the following actions:

1. Direct the Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) to send condolences to each of the families of the workers who lost their lives from the Deep Water Horizon oil rig explosion.

2. Direct the General Assembly Mission Council to work in partnership with local impacted communities, and to initiate and support an ecumenical, long-term response to the Deep Water Horizon oil disaster. This response may include

a. developing sustainable subsistence food supplies;

b. developing a peer-to-peer counseling program;

c. equipping community members with the knowledge and technology to monitor water, air, and soil quality and water currents;

d. cross-country monitoring of the effects on migratory birds that fly through the Gulf Coast during their migration;

e. supporting the creation of sustainable green jobs for those who have lost their livelihoods due to the oil disaster; and

f. supporting an ecumenical, locally based series of summits to discuss issues of dislocation, relocation, and resettlement as a result of communities becoming uninhabitable due to toxins in the environment.

3. Direct the General Assembly Mission Council to make a one-time, special fundraising appeal to support the long-term recovery of communities impacted by the Deep Water Horizon oil disaster.

4. Direct the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly to write a letter to the chief executive officer of BP, urging BP to ensure the safety of all workers, including oil industry workers and oil cleanup workers, through training, equipping, and monitoring of safety guidelines in compliance with OSHA.

5. Direct the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) to communicate with oil and natural gas companies engaged in offshore exploration, drilling, and production urging them to conduct a thorough review of their operations to make certain that they are in compliance with their own health, safety, and environmental standards and all governmental regulatory requirements so that the general public can be assured that similar disasters will be prevented.

6. Direct the Office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C., to:

a. Communicate with Congress and the Executive Branch the need to reconstitute a robust program of oversight and compliance to ensure that health, safety, and environmental standards are followed to protect workers, communities, and the environment.

b. Urge Congress and the Executive Branch to hold BP and other responsible parties morally and financially accountable for this disaster and for the socioeconomic and environmental recovery.

Comment: It is impossible to express adequately the outrage felt by Presbyterians and others at the enduring tragedy unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico region today. While the long-term socioeconomic and spiritual effects of the Deep Water Horizon oil disaster are yet to be determined, urgent action by the PC(USA) is our Christian responsibility.

Moderator Cindy Bolbach assumed the chair.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Rick Nutt, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues, for a report from the committee.

Nutt moved the committee recommendation on Item 12-12. A minority report was introduced. The minority report was perfected with the following floor amendment: to insert in section 1 “and the majority report,” after the phrase “minority report,” so that it reads: “Approve the minority report and the majority report.” The main motion was perfected with the following floor amendment: to insert in Recommendation 1.a.: “and the minority report from the committee” after the phrase “commend the committee’s report,” so that it reads: “commend the committee’s report and the minority report from the committee to the sessions and presbyteries.” Moderator Bolbach put the question to the assembly, “Shall the minority report become the main motion?” The minority report was defeated.

The assembly approved Item 12-12 as amended, and answered Item 12-13 with its action on Item 12-12. The assembly disapproved Items 12-01, 12-05, and 12-11. A floor motion “that the action taken on Item 12-12 be considered the response to all pending items coming from Committee 12” was approved.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues and the committee report is as follows:

[There are no recommendations contained in this report that will be moved as part of a consent agenda. There are no recommendations contained in this report that have financial implications.]

Item 12-12. The Final Report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage to the 219th General Assembly (2010) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 909.]

1. Amend the fourth paragraph of I. Introduction (in the Rationale) as follows:

“In many ways, life in the body of Christ is not unlike a marriage: In the course of our life together, we have good days and bad days, good times and challenging times, great joy and wrenching pain. We talk, we laugh, we cry. We agree and disagree. Occasionally, we get angry and are tempted to walk away. But like Christian marriage, in the body of Christ we know that the One who holds us together is more important than the arguments that threaten to tear us apart. That One is Jesus Christ, who said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:34–35). [Included in the mandate of this special committee was a directive that the PC(USA) constitutional definition of Christian marriage not be changed. In our confessions, marriage is consistently defined as a lifelong covenant between God, a man and a woman, and the community of faith.]

2. Amend the third paragraph of Section II.C.1. of the Rationale as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The early Christian church was an underground and often persecuted movement with little ability to influence official policies in the Roman Empire on matters like marriage. Nevertheless, theologians showed a vital interest in the understanding and practice of marriage in the early Christian community. When Christianity became [the official] [a legal] religion of the Roman Empire in 313, laws enacted under Constantine and his successors began to reflect the influence of Christian views about marriage. [Text continues unchanged.]

3. Amend the second paragraph of Section III as follows:

[As noted above,] [I][i]ncluded in the mandate of this special committee was a directive that we were not to change the Book of Order’s definition of marriage. [Text continues unchanged.]

4. Amend Recommendation 1.a. by inserting “and the minority report from the committee” after the words “commend the committee report” so that it reads as follows: [Text to be added is shown with brackets and an underline.]

“a. commend the committee’s report [and the minority report from the committee] to sessions and presbyteries, and urge them to engage in study of the issues presented in the report.”

Item 12-13. Minority Report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage to the 219th General Assembly (2010) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 926.]

Item 12-01. On Affirming the Biblical Teaching on the Topic of Marriage.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 883.]

Item 12-05. On Marriage.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 898.]

Item 12-11. On Reaffirming the Historic Teaching of the Church on the Topic of Marriage.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 908.]

Item 12-06. On Issuing an Authoritative Interpretation of W-4.9000.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 900.]

Item 12-08. On Approving an Authoritative Interpretation of W-4.9000 to Uphold Session and Pastoral Discretion in Their Responsibility and Accountability for Worship.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 904.]

Item 12-09. On Issuing an Authoritative Interpretation Regarding Marriage.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 905.]

Item 12-04. Recommendations 1.–4., On Amending the Directory for Worship … to Support Equal Protection and Foster Greater Inclusiveness.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 896.]

Item 12-04. Recommendation 5, On Amending the … Rules of Discipline to Support Equal Protection and Foster Greater Inclusiveness.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 896.]

Item 12-02. On Amending W-4.9000 Regarding Marriage.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 890.]

Item 12-03. On Amending W-4.9000 Regarding Marriage.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 894.]

Item 12-07. On Amending W-4.9000 Regarding Marriage.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 902.]

Item 12-10. On Amending W-4.9000 Regarding Marriage.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 12-12 of this report. [See p. 907.]

Vice Moderator Whitsitt assumed the chair.

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Theresa Denton, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Church Orders to continue the report. [For the first part of the report, see p. 33.]

The assembly approved Items 06-02, 06-03, 06-04, 06-05, 06-06, 06-07, 06-08, 06-10, 06-11, 06-12, 06-13, 06-14, 06-15, 06-16, 06-17, 06-18 on the committee’s consent agenda (all answered by action taken on Item 06-09). Item 06-20 was removed from the consent agenda. Item 06-20 was moved by Denton to be answered by action taken on Item 06-09. A substitute motion was made to approve Item 06-20. The substitute motion was perfected. Vice Moderator Whitsitt put the question to the assembly, “Shall the substitute motion become the main motion? The substitute motion was disapproved. Item 6-20 was answered by the action taken on Item 06-09.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry and the committee report is as follows:

[Consent agenda items are indicated by an asterisk. Items with financial implications are indicated by a dollar sign ($).]

Item 06-19. On Establishing a Process to Evaluate the Current Call System

That the recommendation is referred to the Office of Vocation with a report deadline of at least 180 days before the 220th General Assembly (2012). [See p. 477.]

Item 06-01. On Amending G-11.0407 and G-14.0730 to Affirm the Role of Certified Christian Educators.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 423.]

1. Amend the second paragraph of Recommendation 1 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline; text that had been stricken in the original item of business but retained in the assembly committee action is shown with brackets and with a gray screen background.]

“The stated clerk shall maintain [five] [four] rolls, one listing the names of all the ministers of the Word and Sacrament who are continuing members of the presbytery and who are active members, one listing the names of all the ministers of the Word and Sacrament who are continuing members of the presbytery and who are members-at-large, one listing the names of all the ministers of Word and Sacrament who are continuing members of the presbytery and who are inactive members, one listing all Certified Christian Educators and Certified Associate Christian Educators within the bounds of the presbytery who are entitled to the privilege of the floor with voice only, [and, in the case of Certified Christian Educators who are ordained elders, voice and vote,] [at all presbytery meetings, during the term of service in an educational ministry under the jurisdiction of the presbytery,] [and, in the case of Certified Christian Educators who are ordained elders, voice and vote,]and a fifth roll listing those who have been deleted from the other rolls. On or before December 31 of each year, the presbytery shall determine the category of membership of each continuing member in accordance with the relevant sections of this chapter and cause appropriate record of such determination to be made.”

2. Amend the second paragraph of Recommendation 2 as follows:

“b. provide the following support to the [c][C]ertified Christian [e][E]ducators: service of recognition that shall include the constitutional questions at W-4.4003 (G-11.0103n); establish minimum requirements for compensation and benefits (G-11.0103n); and access to the committee on ministry (G-11.0503). The presbytery may grant the privilege of the floor to the Certified Christian Educator at all its meetings with voice only, and in the case of Certified Christian Educators who are ordained elders, voice and vote under the provisions of G-11.0101b, during the term of service in an educational ministry under the jurisdiction of the presbytery. (G-11.0407) In accordance with G-11.0407, [c][C]ertified Christian [e][E]ducators are entitled to the privilege of the floor with voice only at all presbytery meetings, and in the case of Certified Christian Educators who are ordained elders, voice and vote [during the term of service in an educational ministry under the jurisdiction of the presbytery].

Item 06-09. On Amending G-6.0106b.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 454.]

*Item 06-04. On Issuing an Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0106.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 427.]

*Item 06-02. On Calling for a Moratorium Until 2012 for Requests to Change, Alter, or Remove the Current Standards of Ordination.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 425.]

*Item 06-03. On Declaring a Season of Rest by Taking No Action Modify or Eliminate G-6.0106b for Not Less Than Two Years.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 426.]

*Item 06-05. On Homosexual Practice and the Church: An Authoritative Interpretation.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 439.]

*Item 06-06. On Amending G-6.0106b, G-14.0240, and G-14.0450 Regarding Requirements for Ordained Office.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 447.]

*Item 06-07. On Deleting G-6.0106b.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 449.]

*Item 06-08. On Replacing G-6.0106b with New Text.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 452.]

*Item 06-10. On Replacing G-6.0106b with New Text.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 458.]

*Item 06-11. On Amending G-6.0106b to give Broader But Specific Scope to the Ordination Standard.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 459.]

*Item 06-12. On Replacing G-6.0106b with New Text.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 463.]

*Item 06-13. On Amending G-6.0106b.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 465.]

*Item 06-14. On Replacing G-6.0106b with New Text.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 466.]

*Item 06-15. On Amending G-6.0106(b) of the Book of Order.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 468.]

*Item 06-16. On Amending G-6.0106b and G-14.0450 Regarding Requirements for Ordained Office.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 470.]

*Item 06-17. On Deleting G-6.0106b and Substituting New Text.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 471.]

*Item 06-18. Overture on Behavioral Standards for Ordained Office.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09 of this report. [See p. 475.]

Item 06-20. On Calling All Individuals in the Majority and Minority to Wait Actively Upon the Lord in a Season of Fasting and Forbearance.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 06-09. [See p. 478.]

The following commissioners filed a dissent from the action taken on Item 06-09 of the Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry: Ryan Balsan, Presbytery of New Brunswick; David A. Bell, Presbytery of East Tennessee; William Connolly, Presbytery of St. Andrew; Stephen Eyre, Presbytery of Cincinnati; Barry W. Garrison, Presbytery of Charlotte; Mark Inouye, Presbytery of San Jose; Julia Leeth, Presbytery of Santa Barbara; Tim Leslie, Presbytery of Foothills; Larry Lindsay, Presbytery of Santa Barbara; JoAnna McDonald, Presbytery of Philadelphia; J. David Moody, Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois; Jeffrey Ogden, Presbytery of Stockton; Daniel L. Packer, Presbytery of Charleston-Atlantic; W. Jeff Pinkston, Presbytery of Charlotte; Jerry Porter, Presbytery of San Gabriel; Carolyn Poteet, Presbytery of Western North Carolina; Kevin Pound, Presbytery of St. Augustine; Greg Prow, Presbytery of San Jose; Hector Reynoso, Presbytery of Mission; Mark Ruppert, Presbytery of Eastminster; Donnie Shrum, Presbytery of Charlotte; D. Matthew Stith, Presbytery of Northern Plains; Alan Stones, Presbytery of Santa Barbara; John Sweet, Presbytery of Philadelphia; Charlie L. Warren II, Presbytery of Philadelphia; and Elizabeth A. Williamson, Presbytery of Charlotte.

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Margaret Mitsuyasu, theological student advisory delegate from Princeton Theological Seminary, who led the assembly in prayer. The assembly recessed at 10:52 p.m. to reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 9.

Therese Miller, ecumenical guest from the Religious Society of Friends, led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Moderator Bolbach called upon the Reverend Leo Walsh from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, who brought greetings to the assembly.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Heath Rada, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, for a report from the committee.

The assembly amended the docket and suspended the Standing Rules to limit the length of speeches to one and one half minutes.

The assembly approved Items 02-11, 02-12, and 02-13 [see page 188].

Moderator Bolbach called on Patricia Valentine, moderator of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures, for a report on financial implications.

Valentine reported that the total financial implications to per capita budget of actions approved on Wednesday were $121,467 for 2010; $256,580 for 2011; and $83,500 for 2012. The total financial implications of actions recommended by assembly committees, but not yet considered by the assembly, amounts to: $19,808 for 2010; $124,648 for 2011; and $13,378 for 2012.

Moderator Bolbach called on Julia Henderson, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination, for a report on financial implications.

Henderson reported that the total financial implications to per capita budget of actions approved on Wednesday were zero for 2010; $33,100 for 2011; and $53,100 for 2012. The total financial implications to mission budget of actions recommended by assembly committees, but not yet considered by the assembly, amounts to: $52,087 for 2010; $262,761 for 2011; and $154,583 for 2012.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons for an announcement.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council, to introduce a video on Growing Christ’s Church Deep and Wide.

Stated Clerk Parsons reviewed the Standing Rules for nomination from the floor and outlined the procedure for considering the nominations Moderator Bolbach recognized Jim Madson, moderator of the General Assembly Nominating Committee, for a report from the committee. [The first part of the report can be found on p. 27.]

Madson recommended approval of Items 00-01M.4 and 00-01M.5, which had been withheld from the prior report of the committee. The assembly approved Items 00-01M.4 and 00-01M.5.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Byron Wade, vice moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008), to place in nomination the slate of nominees for election to the General Assembly Nominating Committee. The assembly approved the Item 00-03. [See p. 99.]

The assembly defeated a motion to reconsider its action on items answered by Item 12-12. These were Items 12-02, 12-03, 12-04, 12-06, 12-07, 12-08, 12-09, 12-10, 12-12, and 12-13.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Karen Dimon, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Middle East Peacemaking Issues, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Item 14-07 as amended by the committee and with floor amendment to insert “Commend the practical and proactive initiatives of the Iraqi churches to serve their neighbors and contribute to the rebuilding of Iraq and” at the beginning of Recommendation B.2., approved Item 14-03, and answered Items 14-01 and 14-02 with its action on Item 14-03. The assembly approved Item 14-08 as amended.

The report was arrested. [See the bottom of this page for the rest of the report.]

Moderator Bolbach closed this session of the General Assembly by having those present join in singing I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art.

The assembly recessed at 12:05 p.m.

The Reverend Noe Bernier, ecumenical advisory delegate from the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Maria Arroyo, area coordinator for the Caribbean and Latin America, to introduce an ecumenical greeting. The Reverend Enoc Teixeira Wenceslu from the United Church of Brazil brought greetings to the assembly.

Moderator Bolbach recognized commissioner Aleida Jernigan, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, for a report from the committee.

The assembly amended the docket.

Commissioners, advisory delegates, and corresponding members were given an opportunity to speak out on issues outside the deliberative mode of the assembly for seven minutes, with one-minute limits on individual speeches. Moderator Bolbach recognized persons, who spoke on various concerns.

Vice Moderator Landon Whitsitt assumed the chair.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Karen Dimon, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Middle East Peacemaking Issues, to continue the report from the committee. [See top of this page for first part of the report.]

Dimon introduced Laurie Anderson, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Middle East Peacemaking Issues, to present the remainder of the report.

The assembly voted to answer Items 14-04, 14-05, and 14-06 with the action taken on Item 14-08. [Note: the answer to 14-04 included a comment.] The assembly voted to approve Items 14-09 and 14-10.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Middle East Peacemaking Issues and the committee report is as follows:

Item 14-07. On Iraq.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 1018.)

1. Amend Recommendation B.2. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline; text added by plenary is shown with brackets and a gray screen background.]

“2. [Commend the practical and proactive initiatives of the Iraqi churches to serve their neighbors and contribute to the rebuilding of Iraq and] Presbyterian Women for [designating the Kirkuk Church Kindergarten and Child Care Center as a recipient of the 2010 Birthday Offering grant] [helping to provide education for children in Iraq];”

2. Amend Recommendations E.–G. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[E. Direct the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy to study and report back to the General Assembly the relationship between the expenditures for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the economic conditions in the U.S., including those who benefit from these expenditures, those sectors that are disadvantaged, and providing a theological and practical discussion from the Reformed perspective. *]

“[*These assume no additional budget is needed, and that the activities will reflect the priorities of the General Assembly.]

“[F.] [E.] Direct the Stated Clerk to call upon the church, its congregations and presbyteries to:

“1. pray for the effectiveness of our national leaders in making peace;

“2. encourage presbyteries to develop linkages between their congregations and agencies that assist in the relocation of Iraqi refugees in the United States;

“3. commend the U.S. government for [taking necessary steps to protect noncombatant Kurdish and other civilians in Northern Iraq from Turkish and Iranian military action that has resulted in damage to property and persons in that region.]

“[a. responding to the massive Iraqi refugee situation;

“[b. taking steps to return troops from combat;

“[c. giving support to returned troops and their families;

“[d. giving political and economic support toward rebuilding Iraq as an independent nation.]

“4. urge the U.S. government to maintain its commitments to:

“a. withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by August 31, 2010;

“b. withdraw all U.S. armed forces and defense contractors from Iraq no later than December 31, 2011;

“c. ensure that the U.S. not establish permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq;

“d. make available sufficient U.S. funds for the repatriation and resettlement of Iraqi refugees and for the postwar reconstruction of Iraq;

“e. reduce the time that it takes to process refugees coming to the U.S.; [and]

“f. ensure that sufficient funds are provided for medical and psychological treatment of returning military personnel[.] [;]

“[g. protect civilian populations from harm, particularly in the northern part of Iraq, due to long-standing hostilities among militant, governmental, economic, ethnic, and religious groups; and carry out its stated policy of engaging all sides involved in a conflict by following that policy in order to find peaceful ways to resolve their differences.]

“[G.] [F.] Direct the Stated Clerk to send this overture to the synods, presbyteries, and churches in the most practical manner as soon as possible, requesting their concurrence and active participation in these ministries, especially in association with ecumenical and interfaith partners.”

Item 14-03. MRTI Report of Its Engagement with Corporations Involved in Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 985.)

Item 14-01. On Divestment from Caterpillar, Inc.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 14-03. (See p. 981.)

Item 14-02. On Divestment from Caterpillar, Inc.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 14-03. (See p. 983.)

Item 14-08. “Breaking Down the Walls”.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 1021.)

1. Add a new Recommendation 2.b. and reorder Recommendations 2.b.–j. as 2.c.–k. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[b. the reaffirmation of Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign nation within secure and internationally recognized borders in accordance with United Nations resolutions.]

“[b.] [c.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[c.] [d.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[d.] [e.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[e.] [f.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[f.] [g.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[g.] [h.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[h.] [i.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[i.] [j.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[j.] [k.] [Text remains unchanged.]”

2. Amend Recommendation 3.b. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“b. Authorizes the creation of a Monitoring Group on the Middle East for the next two years that will consist of [the members of this study committee] [seven people appointed by the current and immediately past Moderators in consultation with the GAMC staff persons responsible for global mission in the Middle East and for Interreligious Affairs] to assist the appropriate General Assembly Mission Council offices and the Middle East staff team in monitoring progress and guiding actions to ensure adequate implementation of policy directions approved by this General Assembly, given the growing complexity and interrelatedness of issues in the region. (It is the understanding that the group would be convened, as necessary and helpful, via teleconferencing or other means incurring minimal expense.) [This committee shall be appointed by the end of August 2010. The monitoring group shall include at least one but no more than two members of the existing Middle East Study Committee (MESC). New appointees shall be chosen on the basis of demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the larger concerns of the Middle East, and shall together comprise an authentic balance representing the fullness of the spectrum of commitments within the PC(USA) toward the people and issues in the region.]”

3. Strike the current text of Recommendation 3.f. and insert the following: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“f. [Endorses the Kairos Palestine document (“A Moment of Truth”) in its emphases on hope for liberation, nonviolence, love of enemy, and reconciliation; lifts the document up for study and discussion by Presbyterians; and directs the creation of a study guide for the document through the appropriate channel of the General Assembly Mission Council.] [Commends for study the Kairos Palestine document (‘A Moment of Truth’), and endorses the document’s emphases on hope for liberation, nonviolence, love of enemy, and reconciliation. We lift up for study the often neglected voice of Palestinian Christians. We direct the monitoring group for the Middle East to create a study guide for the document].”

4. Amend Recommendation 3.h. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“h. Encourages Presbyterians to travel to the region, especially Israel/Palestine, and when doing so to worship and visit with [fellow] [Palestinian] Christians, support Christian businesses, [seek to understand the range of narratives] [engage Israeli Jews, Israeli Arabs, and Palestinian Muslims], and spend dedicated time in Israel and Palestine.”

5. Amend Recommendation 4.b. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“b. Calls on the U.S. government to exercise strategically its international influence, including [the possible withholding of military aid as a means of bringing Israel to] [making U.S. aid to Israel contingent upon Israel’s] compliance with international law and peacemaking efforts.”

6. Strike the current text of Recommendation 4.d. and insert new text to read as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“d. [Calls on the Israeli government to end immediately its blockade of Gaza, and on the U.S. government to end any support it is giving to the blockade, and also calls on the Egyptian government to facilitate the passage of humanitarian supplies into Gaza as well as consumer goods from the strip.] [Calls on the Israeli and Egyptian governments to limit their blockade of Gaza solely to military equipment/devices and to guarantee adequate levels of food, medicine, building supplies, and other humanitarian items, and to allow free commercial exchange in and out of Gaza, and calls on the U.S. government to end any support for the blockade that interferes with the adequacy of such items or such exchange.]”

7. Strike the current text of Recommendations 8.a.–c. and insert new text to read as follows:: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[a. Approves Part One of the report (Introduction; Letters to Our Church, Partners, and Engaged Parties; Biblical Theological Reflections; ‘What We Have Seen and Heard’).

“[b. Receives Part Three (I. Notes from a Humanistic, Liberal Zionist: A Personal Narrative; II. A Plea for Justice: A Historical Analysis; and the Appendixes) and commends it to the church for study.

“[c. Authorizes the creation of a study guide by the monitoring group (see Recommendation 3.b.).]

“[a. Receives Part One of this report (Introduction; Letters to Our Church, Partners, and Engaged Parties; Biblical Theological Reflections; ‘What We Have Seen and Heard’) as rationale for recommendations only, not as policy.

“[b. Delete Part Three, Items I and II (I. Notes from a Humanistic, Liberal Zionist: A Personal Narrative; II. A Plea for Justice: A Historical Analysis), and replace with a series of eight narratives of comparable length, four arising from the range of authentically Palestinian perspectives (including both Christian and Muslim), and four arising from the range of authentically Israeli perspectives, along with an annotated bibliography for additional understanding about the breadth and depth of both authentically Palestinian and Israeli spectrum of perspectives but above all authentically pro-justice and pro-peace. These narratives and the bibliography will be collected and approved by the Monitoring Group on the Middle East.]”

Item 14-05. On Commending “A Moment of Truth: A Word of Faith and Hope from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering” as an Advocacy Tool.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 14-08 of this report. (See p. 1006.)

Item 14-04. On Recognition that Israel’s Laws, Policies, and Practices Constitute Apartheid Against the Palestinian People.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 14-08 of this report with comment. (See p. 994.)

Comment: While we are deeply concerned with the policies implemented by Israel in relation to the Palestine territories and Palestinians under its jurisdiction, we believe that dialogue is hampered by words like “apartheid.”

Item 14-06. On Middle East Peacemaking.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 14-08 of this report. (See p. 1016.)

Item 14-09. On Seeking Compliance to U.S. Government Policy in the Use of Military Aid by All Parties in the Middle East.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1120.)

Item 14-10. Toward Peace and Reconciliation in the Middle East.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1123.)

The following commissioners filed a dissent from the action taken on Item 14-08 of the Assembly Committee on Middle East Peacemaking Issues: Rosanna P. Anderson, Presbytery of Monmouth; Joel Davies, Presbytery of Monmouth; Kirk McCormick, Presbytery of Tropical Florida; and John Sweet, Presbytery of Philadelphia.

The following commissioner filed a dissent from the action taken on Item 14-09 of the Assembly Committee on Middle East Peacemaking Issues: John Sweet, Presbytery of Philadelphia.

Bynum reported that the committee took final action on Items 18-A, 18-B, 18-C, 18-D, and 18-E with comment. The assembly approved the consent agenda: Items 18-02 (approved), 18-04 (approved), 18-05 (approved), 18-08 (approved), 18-09 (approved), 18-10 (approved), and 18-11 (approved).

Bynum introduced Donna Misterly, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Board of Pensions, Foundation, and Presbyterian Publishing, to present a portion of the report. Misterly introduced the committee recommendation on Item 18-06. A minority report was introduced. The main motion was perfected. The minority report was perfected. Vice-Moderator Whitsitt put the question to the assembly, “Shall the minority report become the main motion?” The minority report was defeated. In response to Item 18-06, the assembly approved an alternate resolution with comment.

The assembly disapproved Items 18-01. Bynum presented the remainder of the report. Item 18-07 was disapproved. In response to Item 18-12, the assembly approved an alternate resolution.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Board of Pensions, Foundation, and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation and the committee report is as follows:

[There are recommendations contained in this report that were moved as part of a consent agenda. Such items are marked with an asterisk (“*”).]

Committee Final Action and Report to Plenary

[The items listed below were acted upon and approved by the assembly committee. No further action is needed, and is here for information only.]

Item 18-A. Report Regarding Amendments to the Benefits Plan.

That the report is approved. [See p. 1316.]

Item 18-B. Committee on Review of Whole of the PC(USA).

That the report is approved. [See p. 1319.]

Item 18-C. Minutes, Board of Pensions.

That the minutes are approved.

Item 18-D. Minutes, Foundation.

That the minutes are approved.

Item 18-E. Minutes, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation.

That the minutes are approved with comment.

Comment: Three pages from the minutes of the March 2–3, 2009, meeting were not in the reviewer’s copy, but it has been confirmed that those pages are in the permanent copy.

I. For Plenary Action

*Item 18-02. Gifts program and Wills Emphasis.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1296.)

*Item 18-04. On Evaluating the Future Use of El Sombroso Oaks.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1297.)

*Item 18-05. Report of the Restricted Funds Resolution Committee.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1298.)

*Item 18-08. Regarding Review and Revision of the Organization for Mission Regarding Responsibilities of the GAMC and Its Executive Director, and the OGA and the Stated Clerk

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1309.)

*Item 18-09. Regarding the Restricted Funds Resolution Committee

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1310.)

*Item 18-10. Regarding Future Reviews of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Its Six Agencies.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1311.)

*Item 18-11. Regarding the Review of Biennial Assemblies.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1312.)

Item 18-03. Confirm Tom Taylor as President and Chief Executive Officer.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 1296.)

Item 18-01. On Directing the Board of Pensions to Extend Benefits to Same-Gender Spouses and Domestic Partners.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 1291.)

Item 18-06. On Directing the Board of Pensions to Extend Benefits to Same-Gender Spouses and Domestic Partners.

In response to Item 18-06, the assembly approved an alternate resolution with comment. (See p. 1301.)

Alternate Resolution:

That the 219th General Assembly (2010):

1. Urge the Board of Pensions to adopt amendments to the Benefits Plan to extend eligibility for spousal and dependent benefits under the Plan to Benefits Plan members, their same-gender domestic partners, and the children of their same-gender domestic partners, on the same basis as, and equivalent to, benefits made available to Benefits Plan members, their spouses, and the children of their spouses.

2. Approve an increase in dues for the Benefits Plan of up to 1 percent, effective January 1, 2012, to be allocated among the plans of the Board of Pensions, including but not limited to the Pension Plan, as the Board, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to fund the cost of the additional benefits. Should the Board not implement these benefits for any reason, approval of the increase in dues is rescinded.

Comment: That the Board of Pensions be highly urged to provide relief of conscience, to be implemented simultaneously with these actions, for those congregations for whom these actions cause a moral dilemma.

Item 18-07. On the Medical Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church and Medications Requiring Pre-Authorization.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 1305.)

Item 18-12. Commissioner’s Resolution. On Discontinuing Payment for Abortion as a Covered Benefit in the Board of Pensions Medical Benefits Plan.

In response to Item 18-12, the assembly approved the following alternate resolution: (See p. 1313.)

The 219th General Assembly (2010) urges the Board of Pensions to develop a plan to ensure that funds from any Relief of Conscience churches do not go to fund abortions through any avenue.

The following commissioners filed a dissent from the action taken on Item 18-06 of the Assembly Committee on Board of Pensions, Foundation, and Presbyterian Publishing: George Antonakos, Presbytery of Baltimore; Marie A. Bowen, Presbytery of Pittsburgh; David M. Demarest, Presbytery of Upper Ohio Valley; Mark Inouye, Presbytery of San Jose; Tim Leslie, Presbytery of Foothills; David McFarlan, Presbytery of Upper Ohio Valley; David J. Miller, Presbytery of Cherokee; J. David Moody, Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois; Jeffrey Ogden, Presbytery of Stockton; Carolyn Poteet, Presbytery of Western North Carolina; Hector Reynoso, Presbytery of Mission; Mark Ruppert, Presbytery of Eastminster; Michael Shealy, Presbytery of Cherokee; Stephen K. Stelle, Presbytery of Shenango; D. Matthew Stith, Presbytery of Northern Plains; Alan Stones, Presbytery of Santa Barbara; Robert Titus, Presbytery of Pittsburgh; and John Wamsley, Presbytery of South Louisiana.

The following commissioner filed a dissent from the action taken on Item 18-12 of the Assembly Committee on Board of Pensions, Foundation, and Presbyterian Publishing: Kirk McCormick, Presbytery of Tropical Florida.

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Patricia Valentine, moderator of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved the consent agenda as follows: Item 03-03 (disapproved), Item 03-05 (disapproved), Item 03-06 (disapproved), Item 03-07 (disapproved), Item 03-09 (disapproved), Item 03-10 (referred to the Biennial Review Committee), Item 03-11 (disapproved), Item 03-12 (approved as amended), Items 03-13 (approved), 03-14 (approved), 03-15 (approved), Item 03-16 (approved as amended), Item 03-18 (approved as amended), Item 03-19 (disapproved), Item 03-21 (approved as amended), Item 03-22 (approved), Item 03-23 (approved), Item 03-24 (approved as amended), Item 03-25 (approved as amended on Saturday, July 10), Item 03-26 (approved as amended and with comment); Item 03-27 (approved), Item 03-28 (approved), Item 03-29 (approved); Item 03-31 (disapproved).

The assembly disapproved the following items: Item 03-02, Item 03-04, and Item 03-08.

The assembly referred Item 03-17, Recommendation 1 to the General Assembly Mission Council, and Item 03-17, Recommendation 2 to the Biennial Review Committee.

Valentine introduced Olanda Carr Jr., vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures, to present a portion of the report.

The assembly disapproved Items 03-20 and 03-30.

The report was arrested. [For the rest of the report, see p. 76.]

Moderator Cindy Bolbach assumed the chair.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Anne Epling, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Church Polity, for a report from the committee.

Epling reported that the committee took final action on Items 05-A, 05-B, 05-C, 05-D, 05-E, 05-F, 05-G, 05-H, 05-I, 05-J, 05-K, 05-L, 05-M, 05-N, 05-N, and 05-P.

The assembly approved the consent agenda: Item 05-01 (disapproved), Item 05-05 (approved), Item 05-06 (approved as amended), Item 05-08 (disapproved), 05-09 (disapproved), Item 05-13 (approved), Item 05-14 (approved as amended), Item 05-15 (approved), Item 05-16 (approved), Item 05-18 (approved), Item 05-20 (approved), Item 05-23 (approved), Item 05-25 (Recommendations 1–3) (approved), Item 05-25 (Recommendation 4) (authoritative interpretation approved with comment), Item 05-26 (approved). Items 05-02, 05-10 were removed from the consent agenda. Item 05-02 was approved; and Item 05-10 was disapproved.

The assembly approved Item 05-19 with comment, approved Item 05-17, disapproved Item 05-03, approved Item 05-04 as amended and with comment, disapproved Item 05-07, approved Item 05-27 as amended, and approved Item 05-12 with comment.

Epling introduced the committee recommendation on Item 05-21. A minority report was introduced. The main motion was perfected. The minority report was perfected.

Moderator Bolbach recessed the assembly for twenty minutes.

Moderator Bolbach put the question to the assembly, “Shall the minority report become the main motion?” The minority report was defeated. The assembly approved Item 05-21 as amended.

The assembly disapproved Item 05-11 and Item 05-24, answered Item 05-28 with its action on Item 05-21, and approved Item 05-22.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Church Polity and the committee report is as follows:

[There are recommendations contained in this report that were moved as part of a consent agenda. Such items are marked with an asterisk (“*”). There are recommendations contained in this report that have financial implications and are indicated with a “$” sign next to the item.]

I. For Plenary Action

*Item 05-01. On Amending D-6.0101 and D-10.0101 Regarding Conciliation and Mediation—From the Presbytery of Northern Kansas.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 307.)

*Item 05-02. On Restoring Previous Provisions of D-13.0102 and D-13.0106 to Deny the Prosecuting Committee the Ability to Appeal a Verdict of “Not Guilty”—From the Presbytery of Arkansas.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 309.)

*Item 05-05. On Amending G-13.0108 and G-13.0111a. Regarding Nominations Process—GANC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 318.)

*Item 05-06. On Amending G-9.0801, G-13.0108, and G-13.0000 Regarding Participation and Representation—GACOR.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 320.)

“a. Each presbytery and synod shall elect a nominating committee broadly representative of the member churches of the presbytery or presbyteries, with a membership of [equal numbers of] one third ministers of the Word and Sacrament, one third laywomen, and one third laymen and elders, women and men[, in numbers as nearly equal as possible]. …”

2. Strike the text of Recommendations 2.–4 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through.]

“[2. Shall G-13.0108 be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]

“[‘The General Assembly shall establish a permanent Committee on Representation as required by G-9.0105, which shall advise the General Assembly Nominating Committee of any need for nominations in particular categories needing increased representation. The Committee on Representation shall report to each meeting of the General Assembly (other than special or adjourned meetings) regarding progress toward fair representation of the categories of persons listed in G-4.0403. The committee shall consist of members equal in number to the synods of the church, each member resident in a different synod, and members distributed so that there are equal numbers of ministers and elders, women and men one third ministers (both women and men), one third laymen, and one third laywomen.”

“[3. Shall G-13.0111a be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]

“[‘a. To ensure careful nomination of members of such boards, agencies, and committees as the General Assembly shall from time to time designate, the General Assembly Nominating Committee shall propose nominees to the General Assembly for such bodies. Consideration shall be given to the nomination of equal numbers of ministers and church members (both women and men), laymen, and laywomen. The nominating committee shall consist of members equal in number to the synods of the church, each member resident in a different synod, and members distributed so that there are one third ministers (both women and men), one third laymen, and one third laywomen ministers and elders (both women and men) in numbers nearly as equal as possible. (G-9.0801, G-11.0501, G-12.0102d, G-13.0202) [The rest of the paragraph remains unchanged.]”

“[4. Shall the third sentence of G-13.0202b be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]

“[‘. . . It will also follow the provisions of G-9.0104, G-9.0105, and G-13.0111 and shall ensure that, exclusive of the Moderator and predecessor Moderators, one third of the members are consideration be given that membership have equal numbers of ministers of the Word and Sacrament [(both women and men), one third laymen, and one third laywomen and elders, women and men. . . .’]”

*Item 05-08. On Amending G-14.0480 Regarding Ordinations—From the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 324.)

*Item 05-09. On Amending G-5.0300 and G-10.0302a to Include the Designation of Associate Member—From the Presbytery of Mackinac.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 325.)

*Item 05-10. On Amending G-5.0101 Regarding Covenantal Membership—From the Presbytery of Upper Ohio Valley.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 327.)

*Item 05-13. Pandemic Provisions—From the Director of Operations, Office of the General Assembly—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 331.)

*Item 05-14. Authoritative Interpretation—Officer, Moderator, or Stated Clerk Fails to Carry Out Duties of Office, What Recourse Does Governing Body have to Address the Problem?—Member of the Presbytery of New York City—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 333.)

Amend the third paragraph of Recommendation 1 as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘b. The clerk of the session shall be an elder elected by the session for such term as it may determine. The clerk of a presbytery, a synod, and the General Assembly shall be called stated clerk, shall be elected by the governing body for a definite term as it may determine, and must be eligible for membership in the governing body. A [stated] clerk may be removed from office prior to completion of his or her term of service through the use of the process outlined in G-9.0705.’ ”

*Item 05-15. Interpretation (G-13.0112c) Re: Renunciation—From the Stated Clerk, Synod of Lincoln Trails—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 335.)

*Item 05-16. Ethical and Polity Implications of Financial Gifts Made Directly by Individuals to Ministers—From the Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 336.)

*Item 05-18. Is a Session Bound to Consider Only Those Items Published in the Call for a Called/Special Meeting—From the Stated Clerk, Presbytery of New Covenant—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 337.)

*Item 05-20. D-10.0303, Reviewing Work of Investigating Committee—From the Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Seattle—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 340.)

*Item 05-23. Work within Bounds—From Manager, Polity Guidance and Training—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 344.)

*Item 05-25. Amendments to the Rules of Discipline—OGA.

That Recommendation 1 is approved. (See p. 347.)

That Recommendation 2 is approved. (See p. 347.)

That Recommendation 3 is approved. (See p. 347.)

In response to Item 05-25, Recommendation 4, the 219th General Assembly (2010) approved the following authoritative interpretation of D-2.0203b with comment: (See p. 348.)

Authoritative Interpretation: “An offense does not include the act of participating in deliberations and decisions ultimately made by a committee or commission of a governing body or of the governing body.”

Comment: An offense does not include the mere act of participating in deliberations and decisions ultimately made by a committee or commission of a governing body of the governing body.

*Item 05-26. Amendment to D-6.0103—OGA.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 349.)

Item 05-19. Definition of Youth, Overture 90-18—From the Manager, General Assembly Nominations—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved with comment. (See p. 339.)

Comment: The 219th General Assembly (2010) advises that the General Assembly Committee on Representation should be asked to study the current age groups and nomenclature in order to have consistency among all Presbyterian documentation and for the General Assembly Committee on Representation to make recommendations to the 220th General Assembly (2012).

Item 05-17. Interpreting G-14.0440 Regarding Circulation of Personal Information Forms by Candidates—From Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Columbia Theological Seminary, Presbytery of St. Augustine—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 337.)

Item 05-03. On Amending G-14.0560 Expanding the Role of the Commissioned Lay Pastor—From the Presbytery of South Louisiana.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 312.)

Item 05-04. On Amending G-11.0407 and G-4.0560, and Adding a New G-11.0408b. Regarding Commissioned Lay Pastors—From the Presbytery of Hudson River.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment and with comment. (See p. 315.)

“The stated clerk shall maintain [four] [five] rolls, one listing the names of all of the ministers of the Word and Sacrament who are continuing members of the presbytery and who are active members, one listing the names of all of the ministers of the Word and Sacrament who are continuing members of the presbytery and who are members-at-large, one listing the names of all of the ministers of the Word and Sacrament who are continuing members of the presbytery and who are inactive members, and one listing all Certified Christian Educators and Certified Associate Christian Educators within the bounds of the presbytery who are entitled to the privilege of the floor with voice at all presbytery meetings during the term of service in an educational ministry under the jurisdiction of the presbytery, and a fifth roll listing those who have been deleted from the other rolls. On or before December 31 of each year, the presbytery shall determine the category of membership of each continuing member in accordance with the relevant sections of this chapter and cause appropriate record of such determination to be made. The stated clerk shall also maintain two registers, one listing all Certified Christian Educators and Certified Associate Christian Educators within the bounds of the presbytery who are entitled to the privilege of the floor with voice at all presbytery meetings during the term of service in an educational ministry under the jurisdiction of the presbytery, and one listing all Commissioned Lay Pastors within the bounds of the presbytery who are entitled to the privilege of the floor with voice and vote at all presbytery meetings during the term of service in a church or other validated ministry.”

2. Strike Recommendations 2 and 3 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through.]

“[2. Shall G-14.0560 be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]

“[‘G-14.0560 Commissioned Lay Pastor

“[‘The commissioned lay pastor is an elder of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), who is granted a local commission by the presbytery to lead worship and preach the gospel, watch over the people, and provide for their nurture and service. This commission is valid only in one or more congregations, new church development, or other validated ministries of the presbytery designated by the presbytery. Such an elder is selected by and receives training approved by the presbytery. The elder shall be instructed in Bible, Reformed Theology and Sacraments, Presbyterian Polity, preaching, leading worship, pastoral care, and teaching. The elder shall be examined by the appropriate committee of presbytery as to personal faith, motives for seeking the commission, and the areas of instruction mentioned previously. An elder who has been commissioned and later ceases to serve in a particular congregation or validated ministry may continue to be listed as available to serve, but is not authorized to perform the functions of a commissioned lay pastor again until appointed to a particular congregation or validated ministry by the presbytery.’]”

“[3. Shall G-11.0408 be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]

“[‘G-11.0408a. Validated Ministries

“[‘A minister of the Word and Sacrament who is an active member of presbytery may be engaged (1) in a validated ministry within congregations of this church, (2) in a validated ministry in other service of this church, (3) in a validated ministry in service beyond the jurisdiction of this church, or may be (4) honorably retired.

“[‘G-11.0408b. Kinds of Validated Ministries of Commissioned Lay Pastors

“[‘A commissioned lay pastor may be engaged in a validated ministry within congregations or governing bodies of this church. [Current Sections G-11.0408b–c shall be re-lettered as G-11.0408c–d. The text of these sections remains unchanged.]’]”

Comment: That the Office of the General Assembly is instructed to devise a means of discovery and reporting the work of all commissioned lay pastors in the presbyteries and that all references in the Book of Order be updated to reflect this.

Item 05-07. On Amending G-14.0553c to Allow an Interim Associate Pastor to Become the Next Installed Associate Pastor with Two-Thirds Vote—From the Presbytery of Muskingum Valley.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 322.)

Item 05-27. On Adopting a Gracious Dismissal Policy—From the Presbytery of San Francisco.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 351.)

Amend the recommendation by adding a new Recommendation to read as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[4. Instruct the Office of the General Assembly to invite other presbyteries who have established gracious dismissal policies to submit their policy to be posted on the middle governing bodies website along with the San Francisco policy.]”

Item 05-12. On Amending G-7.0400, Articles of Incorporation Be Provided to Presbytery—From the Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Western North Carolina—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved with comment. (See p. 330.)

Comment: Please make the following editorial change: Recommendation 1 remains as it is and Recommendations 2–5 should be listed as sub-items a.–d. under Recommendation 1.

Item 05-21. Responsibility of General Assembly to Provide Authoritative Interpretations of Book of Order (G-13.0103r)—From Member, Presbytery of St Augustine—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 341.)

Amend the recommendation by striking the tenth paragraph, which reads as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through.]

“[More subtle, however, is the question of whether the act of interpreting wording of the Constitution changes the meaning of the Constitution. In truth, any interpretation of a text shapes the meaning of that text by addressing its provisions to circumstances perhaps not anticipated when the text was created. It is for this reason that we regard the church’s Constitution as a living document, in that by the act of interpretation we mold the meaning of our Constitution to fit the ever-changing landscape of the church’s life and witness. This interpretive work is therefore essential to the vitality of the church, lest the Constitution become a lifeless conglomeration of words without reference to reality.]”

Item 05-11. On Amending G-13.0103r to Reduce Vexatious and Improper Litigation in the Church—From the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 328.)

Item 05-24. On Amending G-13.0103r. to Clarify the Role of the General Assembly and its Permanent Judicial Commission—From the Presbytery of Arkansas.

That the recommendation is disapproved. (See p. 345.)

Item 05-28. On Amending G-13.0103r Regarding Authoritative Interpretations.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 05-21 of this report. (See p. 356.)

Item 05-22. Section G-7.0306. Pastor Moderator of All Meetings of Congregation—From the Stated Clerk, Synod of Southern California & Hawaii—ACC.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 343.)

[Item 05-29 became Item 07-12. There is no Item 05-29.]

II. Committee Final Action and Report to Plenary

[The items listed below were acted upon and approved by the assembly committee. No further action is needed, and is here for information only.]

Item 05-A. Minutes, Synod of Alaska-Northwest

That the 2008 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. Names of members of commissions, committees, and similar groups, including those groups existing only during a synod meeting are not listed.

2. Treasurer’s full annual review and a report of the results of the audit were not included.

3. There is no indication that the minutes have been read and approved by the synod by its authorized committee.

4. The review of the records of presbyteries, including exceptions taken, was not included.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

No record that July 2009 minutes were approved. There is not a specific approval of synod vote that the synod council could approve.

Item 05-B Minutes, Synod of the Covenant

That the 2008 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with the following exception:

The roster of former permanent judicial commission members is not included.

Item 05-C Minutes, Synod of Lakes and Prairies

That the 2008 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Item 05-D Minutes, Synod of Lincoln Trails

That the 2008 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Item 05-E Minutes, Synod of Living Waters

That the 2008 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with the following exception:

The names of corresponding members, along with the name of their governing body, conference, or classes, are not included.

Item 05-F Minutes, Synod of Mid-America

That the 2008 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. The decision of one of the permanent judicial commission cases is not included.

2. The attestation that the minutes of the most recent session are not included.

3. The bylaws and standing rules of the synod are not included.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Item 05-G Minutes, Synod of Mid-Atlantic

That the 2008 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. There is no report of the committee on representation.

2. The decisions of the permanent judicial commission cases are not included.

3. The review of presbytery minutes is not included.

4. The minutes from the November 28, 2008, meeting are missing.

5. The minutes or actins from some of the executive sessions were not reported.

6. A nomination taken did not indicate who was elected. There was also no indication that nominations were taken from the floor.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Item 05-H Minutes, Synod of the Northeast

That the 2008 minutes are approved with the following exception:

There is no report from the committee on representation.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Item 05-I Minutes, Synod of the Pacific

That the 2008 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. The minutes do not indicate that the corresponding members were seated by vote of the body.

2. There is no record of the review of presbytery minutes.

3. There is no record that the February minutes were approved.

4. A report of property and liability insurance carried by the synod is not included

That the 2009 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. There was no title page with attestation referencing the peer review.

2. There was no indication of nominations from the floor in the minutes of the nominating report.

3. The name of the governing body was not indicated when the persons were seated.

Item 05-J Minutes, Synod of Puerto Rico

That the 2008 minutes are approved with the following exception:

The business conducted went beyond the call for the meeting.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. There is no index contained in the minutes.

2. The name of the governing body was not indicated when the corresponding members were seated.

3. An indication of the number specified as quorum was not indicated in two sets of minutes.

4. The roster of former permanent judicial commission members is not included.

5. A report of property and liability insurance carried by the synod is not included.

6. The members of the nominating committee may not be members of the committee on representation.

Item 05-K Minutes, Synod of the Rocky Mountains

That the 2008 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Item 05-L Minutes, Synod of South Atlantic

That the 2008 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. The record from finance and audit was incomplete.

2. The roster of former members for the last six years of the permanent judicial commission was not listed by classes.

Item 05-M Minutes, Synod of Southern California and Hawaii

That the 2008 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Item 05-N Minutes, Synod of the Southwest

That the 2008 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. The roster of former members of the permanent judicial commission is incomplete.

2. The report of the committee on representation showing implementation of the principles of participation and inclusiveness in order to assure fair representation in decision making is incomplete.

Item 05-O Minutes, Synod of the Sun

That the 2008 minutes are approved with the following exception:

The council reported that the same persons were nominated and elected to the General Assembly Nominating Committee and the Committee on Representation.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Item 05-P Minutes, Synod of the Trinity

That the 2008 minutes are approved with the following exceptions:

1. The index is incomplete and should be expanded to include information on the checklist and guidelines.

2. The listing of corresponding members is inconsistent.

That the 2009 minutes are approved with no exceptions.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons for an announcement.

Moderator Bolbach called upon Eric Hinderliter, missionary advisory delegate serving in Lithuania, who offered the closing prayer for this session of the General Assembly.

The assembly recessed at 6:05 p.m.

The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was reconvened by Landon Whitsitt, Vice-Moderator, 219th General Assembly (2010), in Hall B of the Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Darlene Figgs, theological student advisory delegate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, led the assembly in the convening prayer.

Vice-Moderator Whitsitt recognized Heath Rada, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, for a report from the committee.

Vice-Moderator Whitsitt recognized Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council, and Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, who shared information about the next Big Tent event and introduced a video.

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized George Lynch, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Peacemaking and International Issues, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Item 13-10 and approved Item 13-04 as amended. The assembly approved Item 13-02 as amended and with the following floor amendments:

To amend Recommendation 2 by inserting a new “c” and re-lettering “c”– “g” as “d”–“h”. The new “c” reads as follows: “encourage congregations and individual Presbyterians to pray for the people who lost loved ones in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and to pray for those first responders and volunteers who are ill as a result of their service and dedication.”

To add a preamble before Item 13-02: “We of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have deep appreciation for the patriotic loyalty of our nation’s citizens and service personnel for the extreme sacrifice they paid and will continue to pay to support our effort to achieve peace and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to protect the citizens of our nation. However, we believe further sacrifices and services will not serve the purposes for which we have been engaged. Therefore, the Peacemaking and International Issues Committee recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010).”

The assembly answered Items 13-01, 13-03, and 13-09 with its action on Item 13-02.

The assembly approved Item 13-11 as amended and with comment and answered Items 13-06 and 13-07 with its action on Item 13-11.

Moderator Lynch introduced Sue Trei-Conrad, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Peacemaking and International Issues to continue the report. The assembly approved Item 13-13 as amended, approved Item 13-12 as amended, approved Item 13-08 as amended, approved Item 13-05 as amended, and approved Item 13-14 as amended.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Peacemaking and International Issues and the committee report is as follows:

[There are recommendations contained in this report that have financial implications and are indicated with a “$” sign next to the item.]

I. For Plenary Action

Item 13-10. Commitment to Peacemaking.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 965.]

Item 13-04. On Partnering for Peace in Sudan.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 952]

Amend Recommendations 1.–2. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“1. Support intercessory prayer and advocacy by the churches regarding (a) renewed international commitment to the full and timely implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 (CPA)[, including international protection in Southern Sudan for the referendum on whether to secede]; (b) increased private investment for the economic development of Southern Sudan and other areas affected by conflict; (c) increased development assistance by the United States government, including assistance in restoring security for the citizens of Southern Sudan and other areas affected by violence and proliferation of arms; and (d) renewed efforts by all parties to end hostilities in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan, including full access by humanitarian organizations to provide care and resettlement assistance to refugees and the internally displaced, all for the purposes of the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God and the promotion of social righteousness.”

“2. Support the formation of new covenant-based partnerships by PC(USA) presbyteries with presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan (PCOS) or the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC), making arrangements through the PC(USA) [Sudan Mission Network] [General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), World Mission ministry area], with presbyteries reporting results to the Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council by July 1, 2011, for review by the General Assembly Mission Council and thereafter, publication on appropriate web sites, all for the purposes of the proclamation of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of humankind, the preservation of the truth, and the maintenance of divine worship.”

Item 13-02. On the War in Afghanistan.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 946.]

1. Amend Recommendation 1 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“1. Call upon the United States government to

“a. [take only non-combative actions in vigorous pursuit of] [pursue non-combat actions that will support] stability, prosperity, and peace in Afghanistan and [in] the [surrounding] region;

“[b. cease direct combat operations, except those to protect coalition troops remaining, Afghani security force troops, and humanitarian efforts;]

“[b.] [c.] cooperate with the United Nations and the neighbors of Afghanistan in the stabilization process;

“[c.] [d.] cooperate with the United Nations in providing and overseeing greatly expanded aid to Afghanistan for the delivery of humanitarian and economic development assistance;

“[e. engage directly with and among the Afghani people in a process of peacemaking by1

“[(1) creating a multilevel, participatory, consensus building process that seeks input from every sector and level of society and does not exclude from participation any group of stakeholders;

“[(2) building a broad base of civil support that makes peacemaking cost-effective;

“[(3) engaging in a public process involving consultation with leaders of civil society, a representative process, and open media communication among the populace;

“[(4) incentivizing peace by focusing on security, economic stability and justice, political access and participation, and identity associated with territory through both culturally identified internal and external incentives;

“[(5) practicing consistent and intensive diplomatic engagement at multiple levels that is culturally knowledgeable and sensitive, language fluent, and skilled in mediation; and

“[(6) allocating resources that link mediation with implementation.]”

[1. These principles are modified from the 3D Security Initiative: Development, Diplomacy, Defense; Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University.]

2. Amend Recommendations 2.a.–b. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“a. communicate to the United States president and Congress [the position of this General Assembly as set forth in Recommendation 1. Above] [that the PC(USA) opposes the war in Afghanistan]

“b. further urge the president of the United States and Congress to commit the U.S. government to the use of peaceful means in the pursuit of national interests, concentrating upon diplomacy, international collaboration, [interfaith dialogue,] material aid for education, reduction of poverty, and the broadening of political enfranchisement in Afghanistan [and elsewhere];”

3. Amend Recommendation 2.g. by striking the current text and inserting new text in its place to read as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline; text added by plenary is shown with brackets and with a gray screen background.]

“g. [direct the General Assembly Mission Council, through its Peacemaking Program and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), to convene a seminary- and college-wide review of peace studies, including peacemaking opportunities focusing on the need to demilitarize U.S. international relations, and to report the results of this study to the 221st General Assembly (2014)] [recognize the vulnerability of women and girls to gender-based violence as a weapon of war and affirm the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and stress the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution].”

4. Amend Recommendation 2 by inserting the following as a new d. following c. (and renumbering subsequent sections: [Text to be added is shown with brackets and with underline.]

“[d. encourage congregations and individual Presbyterians to pray for the people who lost loved ones in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and to pray for those first responders and volunteers who are ill as a result of their service and dedication.]”

5. Add a preamble before Item 13-02 to read as follows:

“[We of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have deep appreciation for the patriotic loyalty of our nation’s citizens and service personnel for the extreme sacrifice they paid and will continue to pay to support our effort to achieve peace and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to protect the citizens of our nation. However, we believe further sacrifices and services will not serve the purposes for which we have been engaged. Therefore, the Assembly Committee on Peacemaking and International Issues recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010)]”

Item 13-01. On the War in Afghanistan.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 13-02 of this report. [See p. 943.]

Item 13-03. On the War in Afghanistan.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 13-02 of this report. [See p. 949.]

Item 13-09. On the War in Afghanistan.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 13-02 of this report. [See p. 963.]

$Item 13-11. On Strengthening the Peacemaking Program.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment and with comment. [See p. 966.]

Strike the existing text and insert new text to read as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[The Presbytery of Pittsburgh respectfully overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010) to strengthen the Peacemaking Program by the following actions:

“[1. Recognize and celebrate the 30th anniversary of Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling and the Peacemaking Program.

“[2. Direct the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACWSP) to create a nine-person task force (as specified below) to

“[a. review Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling and its action recommendations and report the results to the 220th General Assembly (2012), with the intent of updating the engagement of Presbyterians in peacemaking; and

“[b. prepare a resolution for the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) to forward to the 220th General Assembly (2012) on the dangers of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and responses to this proliferation in light of Christian ethics, the impact of ongoing wars, and previous General Assembly policies.

“[3. Direct the General Assembly Mission Council, with the advice of the Peacemaking Program and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), to create an advisory committee of six expert persons to meet quarterly to counsel the Peacemaking Program on issues regarding weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and other emerging issues.

“[4. Direct the General Assembly Mission Council, through its Peacemaking Program and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), to convene a seminary and college-wide review of peace studies and peacemaking opportunities appropriate to the major shifts in the approach of the United States international relations and to report the results of the study to the 220th General Assembly (2012). The goal of the review is to engage students in active peacemaking and to share the wisdom of faculty among our church-related educational institutions.]”

“[Lifting the example of Jesus as the model of our behavior and beliefs in love and peacemaking exemplified in Luke 6: 27–38 as our policy for Presbyterians now and in the future, the 219th General Assembly (2010) directs the General Assembly Mission Council, through the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) and the Peacemaking Program, to appoint a five-person steering team, at least one of whom shall be a college student or other young adult, to work with ACSWP and Peacemaking Program representatives to design and implement a broadly participatory four-year process to do the following:

“[1. Seek clarity as to God’s call to the church to embrace nonviolence as its fundamental response to the challenges of violence, terror, and war;

“[2. Identify, explore, and nurture new approaches to active peacemaking and nonviolence, reporting to the 221st General Assembly (2014) with recommendations for policy and action. This process shall include the following elements:

“[a. Build upon “Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling” (1980), “Christian Obedience in a Nuclear Age” (1988), “Just Peacemaking and the Call for Intervention for Humanitarian Rescue” (1998), and other policies related to just war, just peacemaking, and nonviolent principles and issues of peace and justice approved by past General Assemblies, culminating in updated policies on nonviolence and peacemaking.

“[b. The steering team is encouraged to consult with ministries of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), particularly Compassion, Peace and Justice, World Mission, and Presbyterian Women; Office of the General Assembly; college chaplains and campus ministers; middle governing body staff; and the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship in the design and implementation of the proposed policies and process.

“[c. The steering team is encouraged to consult with national and international ecumenical and interfaith partners and draw on the experience and learnings from the International Ecumenical Peacemaking Convocation of the World Council of Churches (2011), and other initiatives of the broader Christian and interfaith community.

“[d. The process shall help Presbyterians on all levels of the church to recognize and focus upon updated policies and actions that

“[(1) consider the new realities, challenges, and opportunities for working for peace and seeking justice, including the dangers currently posed by weapons of mass destruction, globalization, pluralism, the implications of U.S. foreign policy (including two current wars), impact of climate change, and an increasing competition for natural resources by developing nations as they affect the worldwide mission of the church and promotion of peacemaking;

“[(2) explore new thinking on nonviolence, reconciliation (including the role of truth-telling, forgiveness, confession, and public apology), human rights, security strategies, genocide and terrorism prevention, economic conversion, development, and the violence of poverty;

“[(3) explore new models for engaging in active peacemaking and working for justice, including new technology for advocacy and organizing, communication and decision-making, accompaniment, conflict-resolution, artistic expressions, church-based community organizing, and nonviolent direct action;

“[(4) respond to and prevent violence on the local level (e.g., action and advocacy concerning gang violence, gun violence, and family violence), the national level (e.g., action and advocacy on budget priorities, and decisions about investments in dependent industries), and the international level (e.g., action and advocacy on issues of war and peace) through prayer, direct action, and advocacy; and

“[(5) address sexism, racism, and other patterns of oppression as tasks of peacemaking and justice seeking.

“[e. The steering team shall

“[(1) consider at least two gatherings of individuals who are engaged in action and reflection on peacemaking and justice seeking, including faculty and students from Presbyterian colleges, universities, and seminaries (“… to engage students in active peacemaking and to share the wisdom of faculty among our church-related educational institutions”), activists, individuals engaged in nonviolent witness, grassroots persons working for justice and peace, and others engaged in peacemaking in congregations, middle governing bodies, Presbyterian Women, and other Presbyterian-related entities;

“[(2) invite Presbyterians, individually and corporately, across the church into a time of study and reflection on the root causes of violence and responses to it, and on peace, justice, and ministries of peacemaking and justice—seeking that honor the gospel, the history of the church, and the movement of the Holy Spirit as the church attempts to live out Christ’s command to love one another, even those we call our enemies; and

“[(3) create new resources or identify existing resources, working ecumenically when appropriate, that will help Presbyterians pray and study Scripture for guidance about how to respond faithfully to Jesus’ call to be peacemakers in this time.

“[f. The steering team, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy and Presbyterian Peacemaking Program staff, would recruit additional writer(s) or team members as necessary to help create a report with recommendations to bring to the 221st General Assembly (2014).

“[g. An interim report shall be made to the 220th General Assembly (2012). The interim report to the 220th General Assembly (2012) will include specific recommendations of strategy and policy to invite the broader church into the time of discernment, framing the conversation, naming the best partners, and laying out a process to help our congregations to wrestle with these important ethical questions.

“[h. The steering team will offer its recommendation for action to the 221st General Assembly (2014), asking for that assembly to receive the report for a two-year period of study before final action in 2016.]”

Comment: The committee advises that the funding of Item 13-11 be shared equally between the GAMC and the per capita budgets. This action also answers Items 13-01 (Recommendation 3.g.), 13-02 (Recommendation 2.g.), 13-03 (Recommendation 3.g.), 13-06, 13-07, and 13-09 (Recommendation 3.g. [now 3.h.]).

[Financial Implication: (2010) $2,088; (2011) $68,598; (2012) $4,643 (Per Capita—GAMC)]

[Financial Implication: (2010) $2,087; (2011) $68,597; (2012) $4,642 (Mission—GAMC)]

Item 13-06. On Entering a Six-Year Term of Discernment to Seek Clarity on Whether God is Calling Us to Embrace Nonviolence as Our Response to War and Terror.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 13-11 of this report. [See p. 956.]

Item 13-07. Twenty-first Century Peacemaking and Seminaries, Colleges, and Congregations.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 13-11 of this report. [See p. 959.]

Item 13-13. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Appealing for Peace and Reconciliation in Korea.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 976.]

Amend the recommendation by adding a new Recommendation 7 to read as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[7. Directs the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to convey our convictions to the president of the United States, the Congress, the United Nations, the governments of North and South Korea, the Presbyterian Churches of Korea, and our ecumenical partners.]”

Item 13-12. Commissioners’ Resolution. On the Restoration of Sustainable Agriculture in Haiti.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 973.]

Amend Recommendations 1–6 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“1. [Call upon the leadership of the church and particularly on] [Direct] the Stated Clerk and [on] the Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) to write

“[a.] to the administrator of [the] United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to convey the [concerns] [reservations] of Presbyterians regarding the [vision and initiatives of] [strategy adopted by] USAID [in relation with plans for the restoration of sustainability] [to restore sustainable] agriculture in Haiti[, and to request that USAID (i) involve hired Haitian horticultural students, Haitian farmers, and small farmer associations in the planning of local agricultural projects; and (ii) prioritize support to grassroots farmers’ associations, including women’s associations, designed to establish a sustainable small farm agriculture in preference to the introduction of commercial and/or industrial farming practices;

“[2.] [b.] [Call upon the leadership of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to contact] [to] former President Bill Clinton [and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive] to request that the Interim Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti (ICRH) adopt more transparent [and accountable] processes [and greater accountability] [in relation] to the people of Haiti[; and that the Haitian people deserve no less than to be consulted systematically before developing] [, including systematic consultation with the Haitian people regarding development] plans that will affect their lives and the future of [the] [their] country.

“[3. Call upon the leadership of PC(USA) to request from USAID that support be given to efforts by grassroots farmers associations towards strengthening sustainable agriculture in the context of subsistence farming instead of focusing principally on introducing commercial and/or industrial farming practices to Haiti.]

“[4.] [2.] [Alert] [Inform] the PC(USA) membership and the leadership of the church to the [potentially] problematic nature of agro-business initiatives [aimed at using] [being planned for] Haitian land, including so-called marginal land, [in] [based on] bio-fuel production schemes, especially [those] relying on foreign hybrid and/or GMO seeds[,] [and] [or] the [unproven] industrial plantation of Jatropha [or any other agro-business export schemes].

“[5.] [3.] [Urge] [Request] the Executive Director of the GAMC to [commit Presbyterian responses to post-earthquake reconstruction in Haiti not only to emergency assistance but also to] [solicit supplemental funds to complement emergency assistance by supporting] medium and long-term development [assistance] [efforts] to strengthen Haitian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and grassroots farmers’ groups [and enable them to] [so that they can] implement and manage rehabilitation programs of their own conception and design, including small scale, sustainable [agriculture] [agricultural] activities, and to provide them with short- and long-term technical assistance [in the form of mission personnel] to help them upon request.

“[6.] [4.] [Commit] [Direct] the PC(USA) to work collaboratively with other [churches] [denominations] and ecumenical institutions [in ensuring] [to ensure] that

“a. Haiti is [increasingly] able to feed itself [first];

“[b. the value of reinstating tariffs as transitional protection for recovering local agriculture is given due consideration;]

“[b.] [c.] exports are secondary to creating viable food economies for Haitians;[ and]

“[d. emergency food aid to Haiti is monitored and managed in such a way that it provides incentives (and not disincentives) for local food production;]

“[c.] [e.] [platforms are secured] [mechanisms are created] for Haitian farmers to [get] [make] their voices heard as they advocate [before] [for themselves to] the Haitian government, the ICRH, USAID, and other international organizations [that are directly involved in the Haitian reconstruction].”

Item 13-08. On Assisting with a Process for Negotiation of a Peace Accord in Colombia.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 960.]

1. Amend the first bulleted item of Recommendation 1 as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“• increase violence [and displacement] within Colombia, and be perceived by many Colombians as a violation of Colombia’s national sovereignty; and”

2. Amend Recommendation 2 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“2. [Request that] [Direct] the Stated Clerk [ask] [to request] President Barack Obama and the Congress to assist with a process for the negotiation of a peace accord in Colombia [instead,] in order to end Colombia’s internal armed conflict which has lasted more than fifty years and which is a threat to the entire Andean region.”

3. Add a new Recommendation 5 to read as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[5. Direct appropriate offices of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) to work with ecumenical partners to monitor and post periodic updates on the impact of United States military use of seven military bases in Colombia.]”

Item 13-05. On Protecting Christians in the Muslim World.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 954.]

1. Amend the title as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“On [Protecting Christians in the Muslim World] [the Protection of Religious Minorities]—From the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia.”

2. Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The Presbytery of Eastern Virginia overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010), through its proper offices singly, or in conjunction with other denominations and faiths, through our appeal to them, to jointly encourage the United Nations to use its valuable influence, and through its diplomatic channels, to exhort the religious and political leaders of [Muslim nations] [nations with Christian and other religious minorities] to moderate extreme behavior and protect its religious minorities from such harm, and encourage [mutual respect and forbearance] [brotherly harmony between each other].”

Item 13-14. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Restoration of Democracy in Madagascar and Honduras.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 977.]

1. Amend Recommendations 1.a.–f as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[a. not recognizing military or other “coup d’etats”;

“[b.] [a.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[c.] [b.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[d.] [c.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[e.] [d.] [Text remains unchanged.]

“[f.] [e.] [Text remains unchanged.]”

2. Amend Recommendation 3.c. as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“c. press for the release of political prisoners; the end of intimidation, harassment, and violence against opponents of the new regime; and the free use of airwaves by church-related and other radio stations. [(The FJKM radio station, Radio Fahazavana, was closed and key staff arrested.)]”

Vice Moderator Whitsitt recognized Julia Henderson, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination, to continue the report from the committee. [For the first part of the report, see p. 18.]

The consent agenda was approved (09-12, 09-13, 09-14, 09-21 [Recommendations a.1., b., c.1., and c.2.]). The assembly disapproved Items 09-02 and 09-03.

Henderson introduced Robert Baker, vice moderator of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination, to present a portion of the report.

Baker introduced Hunter Farrell, director of World Mission for the General Assembly Mission Council, who spoke briefly about the work of Presbyterian mission worldwide. Farrell introduced a video to the assembly.

The assembly approved Item 09-04 as amended and disapproved Item 09-05.

The assembly approved Item 09-07 as amended and with the following floor amendment: To insert in Recommendation 2 after the words “as an entity of networks”: “[, and report to the 220th General Assembly (2012) the results]” and to insert a new Recommendation 3, and re-number current “3” as “4”, to read: “[3. That an extra commitment opportunity fund account be earmarked to provide salary and support for the position of executive director of PHEWA as described in the historic covenant of shared ministry partnership agreement that outlines our collaborative ministry.]”

The assembly approved Item 09-06, approved Item 09-09 as amended, approved Item 09-NB, approved Item 09-08 as amended, and approved Item 09-11.

Henderson continued presentation of the report. The assembly approved Item 09-15 as amended, approved Item 09-16 as amended, approved Item 09-17, approved Item 09-19 as amended, and approved Item 09-20 as amended.

The report was arrested. [For the rest of the report, see p. 80.]

Moderator Bolbach recognized Wells Kilgore, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Health Issues, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Item 19-01 as amended. The assembly approved Item 19-05 as amended and with the following amendment from the floor: To insert as a new Recommendation 3 (and renumbering the following sections): “[3. Encourage the PC(USA) to advocate on behalf of, create, and engage in educational programs that reduce the stigma, discrimination, and fear of persons who have been diagnosed as HIV positive as a method to encourage honest disclosure and prevent the further spread of the virus.]”

The assembly voted to answer Item 19-02 with its action on Item 19-05. In response to Item 19-03, the assembly approved an alternate resolution.

Kilgore introduced Bonnie Brown, vide moderator of the Assembly Committee on Health Issues, to present a portion of the report.

The assembly approved 19-04 as amended and approved Item 19-06 and Item 19-07 with a floor amendment as follows: “Future editions of resource materials on the subject of reproductive options will be revised by the Office of Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries to include additional related and appropriate scriptural references to assist those using the resources to be guided into prayer and discernment for faithful life decisions.”

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Health Issues and the committee report is as follows:

[There are recommendations contained in this report that have financial implications and are indicated with a “$” sign next to the item.]

I. For Plenary Action

Item 19-01. On Designating May 1 Every Year as a Day of Prayer for Healing.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 1361.]

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The Presbytery of Upper Ohio Valley overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010) to set aside [May 1st] every year [as] a day of prayer for healing [and wholeness and suggests that this be done in conjunction with the day currently designated on the Presbyterian Planning Calendar as Health Awareness Sunday]. Local churches and communities are encouraged to gather together and offer prayer for the discovery of ever more effective means of treatment. These gatherings may be an occasion to give thanks for the lives of saints who have died; prayers for healing for those who are currently receiving treatment; as well as prayers for doctors, nurses, and scientists who are seeking to bring healing and hope.”

$Item 19-05. Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church: Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [Text added by plenary action is show with brackets, with an underline, and with a gray screen background.] [See p. 1370.]

1. Insert as a new Recommendation 3 (and renumber the following recommendations) to read as follows: [

“[3. Encourage the PC(USA) to advocate on behalf of, create, and engage in educational programs that reduce the stigma, discrimination, and fear of persons who have been diagnosed as HIV positive as a method to encourage honest disclosure and prevent the further spread of the virus.]”

2. Amend current Recommendation 3.a.(1) (new Recommendation 4.a.(1)) as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“(1) knowledgeable about the root causes and social determinants of HIV and AIDS risk and vulnerability [, including encouraging all Presbyterians, especially ministers of Word and Sacrament and church leaders, to be tested in order to be a visible example to all people and help eliminate the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS testing];

[Financial Implications: 2010: $0; 2011: $10,000; 2012: $0 (Per Capita—GAMC)]

3. Strike current Recommendation 3.g. (new Recommendation 4.g.) and re-letter current Recommendations 3.h.–k. as 3.g.–j. (new recommendations 4.h.–k. as 4.g.–j.): [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text added by plenary is shown with brackets and with a gray screen background.]

“[g. Urge the Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) to critically assess the profit margins of drug companies that develop drugs for treating HIV and AIDS and include in its report to the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) a recommendation on appropriate percent margins the church may want to consider when investing its resources with companies that profit from drugs designed to treat HIV and AIDS.]”

[4. Strike “HIV and AIDS” and insert “HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C” wherever it appears in the text of the recommendation.]

Item 19-02. On Encouraging All Presbyterians to Know Their HIV Status.

That the recommendation is answered by the action taken on Item 19-05 of this report. [See p. 1362.]

Item 19-03. On Making a Statement Regarding Violence Against Pregnant Women.

In response to this overture, the 219th General Assembly (2010) approved the following alternate resolution: [See p. 1363.]

“The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms females’ right and capacity to make responsible decisions regarding their sexual lives, including the right to use contraception, to reject sexual activity, to continue a pregnancy, or when necessary to end a pregnancy; condemns the injustice of any force, coercion, or violence against females to compel pregnancy, the continuation of pregnancy, sterilization, or abortion; commends and encourages those who provide shelter, medical care, and counseling for females subject to domestic violence and coercion in reproductive issues; and instructs the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly to communicate this concern and commitment to the Congress of the United States and the state legislatures, urging them to expand support for women’s shelters and transitional housing for women and children fleeing domestic and all other acts of violence, and to adopt legislation that provides adequate means of prosecuting those who perpetrate violence against females.

“In light of the many forms of violence perpetuated against women, the 219th General Assembly (2010) condemns violence against women in all forms and under all circumstances as violations of God’s will for women and men, whether that violence is perpetuated by a stranger or by an intimate partner, and commends and encourages all persons who provide shelter, counseling, and other forms of assistance for women experiencing coercion and violence.”

Item 19-04. On Taking a Stand Against Forced and Coerced Abortions [Decisions on Ending or Continuing a Pregnancy].

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 1369.]

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The Presbytery of Prospect Hill overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the PC(USA) to declare that we stand with all women against the injustice of any forced or coerced abortions [and the injustice of any forced or coerced decisions to carry a pregnancy to term].”

$Item 19-06. On Full Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Services in U.S. Correctional Facilities.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 1405.]

[Financial Implications: 2010: $0; 2011: $36,000; 2012: $0 (Unrestricted—GAMC)]

Item 19-07. Congregational Resource Materials on the Subject of Reproductive Options.

That the response is approved. [See p. 1406.]

Moderator Bolbach called upon Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons for announcements.

At Parsons’ recommendation, the assembly dismissed three special committees or task forces: the Form of Government Revision Task Force, the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage, and the Middle East Study Committee, with the grateful thanks of the 219th General Assembly (2010).

Moderator Bolbach called upon Doris Mabrey, commissioner from the Presbytery of National Capital, who offered the closing prayer for this session of the General Assembly.

The assembly recessed at 10:35 p.m.

Michel Nseir, program executive for the Middle East with the World Council of Churches, led the assembly in the convening prayer. Nseir then brought greetings to the assembly.

Moderator Bolbach recognized Heath Rada, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures, for a report from the committee.

The assembly approved Items 02-14, and 02-15. [See p.189.]

Minutes of later business sessions will be approved by a subcommittee of the Assembly Committee on Bills and Overtures.

Protests found to be in decorous language are recorded in the Minutes as follows:

Protest of assembly action on Item 06-09—From Tim Leslie, commissioner from the Presbytery of Foothills: “The Assembly action on item 06–09 sending a proposed change to the Book of Order which seeks to radically change the language contained in the section is an affront to the express witness of the Scriptures which specifically call all disciples of Christ to sexual purity, ‘It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God . . . ‘ (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5, NIV). This action will threaten the peace and unity of the church.”

Protest of assembly action on Item 06-09—From Marie A. Bowen, commissioner from the Presbytery of Pittsburgh; Harry W. Hughes, commissioner from the Presbytery of New Castle; Darryl Evans, commissioner from the Presbytery of New Hope; David A. Bell, commissioner from the Presbytery of East Tennessee; L. Raymond Cobb II, commissioner from the Presbytery of New Hope: “I (we—others join me in this protest) protest the adoption of the change in G-6.0106b which would remove the biblical and confessional, historical requirement of fidelity in the marriage of a man and a woman and chastity in singleness. I (we) find the 219th General Assembly in grave error. We join our voices with the whole church everywhere and always and with all who have voted in their presbyteries four times to establish and uphold the standard.”

Protest of assembly action on Item 06-09—From Barry W. Garrison, commissioner from the Presbytery of Charlotte: “I wish to protest the adoption change in G–6.0106b to remove our ordination standards. Our God is not honored when we remove our biblically centered fidelity and chastity standards. May God forgive us.”

Protest of assembly action on Item 06-09 and Item 18-06—From Rosanna P. Anderson, commissioner from the Presbytery of Monmouth: “I am not in agreement with the actions of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the decision to reverse G-6.0106b which uphold the biblical and confessionally bold standards of fidelity in the covenant of marriage and chastity in singleness for all ordained leaders in the church. I am also in disagreement with the 219th GA’s approval of the extension of medial/pension benefits to same-sex partners of PC(USA) church employees. I do not believe that the church is in agreement about this issue according to the witness of scripture and the historic confessions and the presbyteries will not have the opportunity to ratify this mandate or register their disapproval.”

Protest of assembly actions on Items 12-02, 12-03, 12-04, 12-06, 12-07, 12-08, 12-09, and 12-10—From Jeff Falter, commissioner from the Presbytery of Geneva: “I protest the blanket action of the General Assembly in responding to Items 12-02, 03, 04, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10. The report adopted as Item 12-12 does not address the issues presented in these items, nor offer guidance in states where same-sex marriage is now legal. Further, parliamentary procedure was used to silence people’s voices, mine included. (While the motion to end debate may have been technically correct, it was used inappropriately to silence people.) As I read Acts 15, the leaders of the church did not discern God’s will by silencing debate but by hearing all voices, then discerning God’s spirit through those voices. Stifling debate does not promote justice, nor further the spirit of ‘mutual forbearance’ called for in the marriage report. The action of the assembly claims to answer the above-mentioned items with the marriage report by violating that very same report. (I intended to file this as a dissent, but missed the deadline.) Thank you for the opportunity to file this protest.”

Protest assembly action on Item 18-06—From Marie A. Bowen, commissioner from the Presbytery of Pittsburgh; Harry W. Hughes, commissioner from the Presbytery of New Castle; Darryl Evans, commissioner from the Presbytery of New Hope: “I protest the approval by the 219th General Assembly of the PC(USA) of same sex benefits (both pension and medical) through the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA). I object to participate both financial and moral in providing coverage of persons not eligible under the biblical and constitutional standards of the PC(USA). Through the offerings in our churches the adopted provision coerces the unwilling acceptance of sexual relationships outside the bounds of the marriage of a man and a woman. We (others join me in this protest) find this action repugnant to our theological convictions and a Christian practice and corrosive of relations within the PC(USA).”

Protest assembly action on Item 18-06—From L. Raymond Cobb II, commissioner from the Presbytery of New Hope: “I protest the approval by the 219th General Assembly of the PC(USA) of both pension and medical benefits to same sex couples through the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA). I object to participation, both financial and moral, in providing coverage of persons not eligible under the biblical and constitutional standards of the PC(USA). Through the offerings in our churches the adopted provision requires the unwilling participation in accepting of sexual relationships which fall outside the bounds of the biblical standard of marriage between a man and a woman. This action goes against my theological convictions and sense of Christian practice observed through the ages and will create further division in the PC(USA).”

Protest of assembly action on Item 18-06—From Tim Leslie, commissioner from the Presbytery of Foothills: “The Assembly action on item 18-06 providing benefits to same sex partners through the Pension Board of the PC(USA) is an affront to the Scriptures which to not sanction such sexual relationships or identify such relationships as equal to marriage. ‘Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.’ (Romans 1: 24–27, NIV) This action will add to the actions this Assembly has taken which threaten the peace and unity of our beloved church.”

Protest of assembly action on Item 18-06—From Hector Reynoso, commissioner from the Presbytery of Mission: “I lovingly want to express my protest on the actions taken by the GA on the above overture. Granting benefits to same sex couples is a violation of our constitution since it takes for granted that a marriage can be between 2 people and not between a man and a woman. Furthermore it ignores our confessions on this issue. Finally, it is an imposition on our congregations with a financial strain in time of great financial difficulty.”

Protest of assembly action on Item 18-06—From Barry W. Garrison, commissioner from the Presbytery of Charlotte: “I would like to protest our recent action in approving same sex benefits, pension, and medical, through the Benefits Plan in PC(USA). I do this on both financial and especially moral grounds. I am literally sickened to see how far from our Presbyterian roots we have fallen.”

Protest assembly action on Item 18-06—From J. David Moody, commissioner from the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois: “I protest the approval of same sex benefits (both medical & pension) through the benefits plan of the PC(USA) by the 219th General Assembly. In the strongest way possible I object to participating both financially & ethically in providing coverage for persons not eligible for leadership under the biblical and constitutional standards of our denomination. This mandate is coercive to our churches—requiring their participation through their offerings to unwilling accept sexual relationships outside the bonds of marriage between a woman and a man. I think this action is unjust, forcing congregations to participate in something contrary to deeply held theological & Christian convictions. I also think it corrodes even further the tenuous relationships we hold together as a covenant community.”

Protest assembly action on Item 18-06—From Carolyn Poteet, commissioner from the Presbytery of Western North Carolina: “I am writing to protest the decision made on overture 18-06 during the 219th General Assembly of the PC(USA). As I said in my testimony on the floor of plenary, I believe that for churches who would like to provide benefits for domestic partners, they have the means. Because we have passed this overture, the cost will be borne by our smallest churches, who will no longer have the means to support full-time ordained ministers of word and sacrament. For my own congregation, this will also present a grievous violation of conscience. Although the Board of Pensions speaks of ‘relief of conscience’ provisions, they were not able to offer specifics. In addition, when asked in private, one BOP staff person said he could not absolutely guarantee that our money would not be comingled with funds for domestic partner benefits. I would implore the BOP to find a middle way. One possibility would be to develop an official relationship with another insurance provider, through which churches could get insurance for domestic partners. This would provide BOTH justice AND guaranteed relief of conscience. Let us all pursue, with all our hearts, all possible means to stay together, to bless each other, and to glorify God forever. Amen.”

Moderator Bolbach called on Patricia Valentine, moderator of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures, to continue the report. [See p. 56 for the first part of this report.]

Valentine reported that the total financial implications to the per capita budget of actions approved to date by the assembly were $141,275 for 2010; $381,228 for 2011; and $96,878 for 2012.

The assembly approved Item 03-25 (Recommendations 2.a., 2.a.(1), 2.c, and 3.) as amended.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on General Assembly Procedures and the committee report is as follows:

I. For Plenary Action

*Item 03-03. On Stewardship of Time During Plenary Sessions of the General Assembly.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 192.]

*Item 03-05. On Eliminating G-13.0103q Concerning the Responsibilities of the General Assembly.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 196.]

*Item 03-06. On Amending G-18.0301c. and d. to Require Two-Thirds Affirmative Vote.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 198.]

*Item 03-07. On Amending Standing Rule A.3. by Outlining a Procedure for Dealing with Overtures That Request Amendment to the Book of Order That Have Been Dealt with By One of Two Previous GAs.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 200.]

*Item 03-09. On Amending Standing Rule K.1.b. Regarding Special Committees.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 202.]

*Item 03-10. On Amending the Standing Rules Regarding GA Timelines.

That the recommendation is referred to the Biennial Review Committee (see committee action on Item 03-18). [See p. 202.]

*Item 03-11. On Adding Standing Rule F.5.h. Regarding Timing of Committee Reports.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 204.]

*Item 03-12. On Amending Standing Rule E.2.e.–g. Regarding Privilege of the Floor.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 205.]

1. Amend proposed changes to E.2.e.(4) as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.] And retain paragraph (g) as amended.

“(4) Overture advocates and signers of commissioners’ resolutions (see below in this standing rule) who [shall be entitled to] speak [address the background and intent of an overture or resolution when the overture or resolution or response to the referral of an overture is first considered by the committee and may be asked to provide additional information to the committee to correct misunderstandings or to clarify;] and then shall have the same privilege of the floor as other persons with special expertise listed in Standing Rule E.2.e.(3) above;

2. Retain paragraph g as amended: [Original recommendation asked to have the section deleted. Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline; text deleted in original recommendation and retained in the assembly committee action is shown in brackets and with a gray screen background.]

“[Responsibilities of Overture Advocate

“[g. Overture advocates who have been designated by their presbytery or synod to speak to the response from a General Assembly entity to a referral of an overture shall be responsible for being available at the time selected by the assembly committee considering the response. The overture advocate shall be entitled to speak to the background and intent of the overture] immediately after the motion is made and seconded, placing the response to the referral of the overture on the floor of the committee or subcommittee, or immediately after any motion that might logically be expected to affect the response is moved and seconded, and during debate of such motions to correct misunderstandings or to clarify. [or as asked for clarification by the committee concerning the original intent of the overture].

*Item 03-13. On Amending Standing Rule B.2. and D.1.g. Regarding Floor Access and TSAD and YAAD Deadlines.

1. That recommendation 1. is approved. [See p. 207.]

2. That recommendation 2. is approved. [See p. 207.]

3. That recommendation 3. is approved. [See p. 207.]

*Item 03-14. On Amending SR K.1.c., Commission and Special Committees.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 208.]

*Item 03-15. On Amending IV.C.1. of the Organization for Mission to Correct and Clarify.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 209.]

*Item 03-16. Amend IV.C.7. of the Organization for Mission Regarding the Committee on Ecumenical Relations.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 209.]

Amend paragraphs 7.d.(12) and (14) as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“(12) Select three religious traditions to be invited to send representatives to the General Assembly as interfaith [representatives] [observers](see Standing Rule B.2. [5]f.);

“(13) (14) Give guidance to General Assembly agencies on new opportunities to strengthen the relationships with other faith communities and on strategies for fulfilling the General Assembly mandates on [interfaith] [interreligious] relationships;

*Item 03-18. On Expanding the Scope of the Review of Biennial Assemblies.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 215.]

Amend Item 03-18 with the addition of the following after the paragraph beginning “In appointing the members of the special task group or committee…” [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[Five additional persons will be added to the Review Committee as outlined in the 2002 action, three of whom will be commissioners or advisory delegates from the 219th General Assembly (2010) under the age of 40, and two from the church at large.]”

[Financial Implications: 2010: $17,720; 2011: $26,705; 2012: $8,735 (Per Capita-OGA)]

*Item 03-19. On Accountability for Presbyterian Organizations at General Assembly Sponsored Meetings and Events.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 217.]

*Item 03-21. A Resolution to Adapt the Session Annual Statistical Report (SASR).

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 220.]

Amend Recommendation 2. as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“Direct the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) to incorporate into the Session Annual Statistical Report (SASR) specifically by name the categories of [African,] African American, Black, and Middle Eastern.”

*Item 03-22. Election of Associate Stated Clerks.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 221.]

*Item 03-23. Election of Persons to the Board of the Presbyterian Historical Society.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 222.]

*Item 03-24. On Amending the “Standards for Review of General Assembly Agencies”.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 222.]

1. Amend, under the section “The Role of the Committee”: [Text committee recommends to be added by or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The General Assembly Nominating Committee will nominate to each meeting of the General Assembly for election two a committees and its moderators for each committee to review the work of one of the agencies of the General Assembly based on a six-year schedule. The agency review committee’s responsibility is to provide an objective report to the General Assembly as to the agency’s agencies’ compliance to the standards of review and the quality and acceptability of the agencies’ self-study. The agency review committee may provide advice on areas of program improvement. The agency review committee’s role will be to examine the agencies’ agency’s church relations, its policies and practice, history of collaboration with other agencies, and its program effectiveness [, and to consult with the General Assembly Committee on Representation regarding representation of employees]. The agency review committee will review the agencies’ agency’s self-study report and other documents. [The rest of the paragraph remains the same.]

2. Amend, under “Standards,” Section B.3., the following: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“3. The agency exhibits full compliance with all appropriate external regulatory and accrediting agencies [, including consultation and review with the General Assembly Committee on Representation regarding principles of participation and representation in the employment of personnel, and conformity with ‘A Churchwide Plan for Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action’ or subsequent guidelines].”

*Item 03-25. Per Capita Budget.

1. That Recommendation 1 is approved. [See p. 225.]

2. That Recommendation 2 is approved with amendment. (See pp. 225–26.)

3. That Recommendation 3 is approved with amendment. [See p. 226.]

4. That recommendation 4 is approved. [See p. .]

*Item 03-26. Sexual Misconduct Policy.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment and with comment. [See p. 227.]

1. Amend paragraph #2 of the recommendations as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“2. [Strongly] [U] [u]rge all [employees] [employers] of governing bodies and related entities to update or establish policies, procedures, and practices related to sexual misconduct using the guidelines set out in the following Sexual Misconduct Manual, published by the Office of the General Assembly.”

2. Add a new Recommendation 3 to read as follows:

“3. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:

“Insert a new paragraph G-9.0404e to read as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“ ‘[e. All governing bodies shall adopt and implement a sexual misconduct policy.]’ ”

Comment: The General Assembly strongly recommends that prior to vote on this amendment, presbyteries take time to educate the presbytery on the reasons for and value of a sexual misconduct policy. Resources are available on the PC(USA) Web site.

*Item 03-27. Invitation for next GA.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 239.]

*Item 03-28. Regarding Per Capita.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 240.]

*Item 03-29. Changes to the Session Annual Statistical Report.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 241.]

*Item 03-31. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Ministries Honored at General Assemblies.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 244.]

[Item 03-01 became Item 05-28]

Item 03-02. On Amending Standing Rule H.2.b.(4) Regarding Provisions for the Election of the Stated Clerk.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 191.]

Item 03-04. On Amending G-13.0102b Concerning the Number of General Assembly Commissioners.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 194.]

Item 03-08. On Amending Standing Rule C.4.a. to Give Priority to Controversial Items.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 201.]

Item 03-17. On Establishing an Annual General Convocation Meeting and Moving Meetings of the General Assembly to Every Six Years.

That Recommendation 1. On Establishing an Annual General Convocation Meeting, is referred to the General Assembly Mission Council for future consideration. [See p. 211.]

That Recommendation 2. On Moving Meetings of the General Assembly, is referred to the Biennial Review Committee. [See p. 211.]

Item 03-20. On Young Adult Advisory Delegate Participation.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 218.]

Item 03-30. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Theological Diversity General Assembly Nominations.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 241.]

II. Committee Final Action and Report to Plenary

[The items listed below were acted upon and approved by the assembly committee. No further action is needed, and is here for information only.]

Item 03-A. Minutes, Committee on the Office of the General Assembly.

That the minutes are approved.

Item 03-B. Minutes, Presbyterian Historical Society.

That the minutes are approved.

Moderator Bolbach called on Julia Henderson, moderator of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination, to continue the report. [For the first part of the report, see pp. 18, 71.]

Henderson reported that the total financial implications to the mission budget of actions approved to date by the assembly were $52,087 for 2010; $295,861 for 2011; and $207,683 for 2012. Upon the recommendation of the General Assembly Mission Council, the Mission Coordination Committee now recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010) approve the 2011 General Assembly Mission Budget and Program in the total amount of $82,097,234 and the 2012 General Assembly Mission Budget and Program in the total amount of $80,550,613.

[The charts that are found in Budget Charts A-2.pdf under “Additional Resources” show the 2011 and 2012 General Assembly Mission Budget and Program.]

The Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination further recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010) direct the General Assembly Mission Council to make the adjustments necessary to incorporate into the General Assembly Mission budgets for 2010, 2011 and 2012 the items with financial implications that have been approved by the 219th General Assembly. The necessary adjustments may include identifying additional sources of revenue, redirecting existing budget; or a combination of both.

The assembly rejected a motion to rescind its previous action on Item 11-03 and rejected a motion to reconsider its previous action on Item 11-03.

The assembly approved Item 09-21 as amended.

This concluded the report of the Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination and the committee report is as follows:

II. Committee Final Action and Report to Plenary

[The items listed below were acted upon and approved by the assembly committee. No further action is needed, and is here for information only.]

That the audit is received. [For a copy of the audit, see PC-Biz, under Item 09-A.]

Item 09-B. Minutes, GAMC.

That the minutes are approved with comment.

Comment: General Assembly Mission Council Minutes: Pages are not numbered; blank spaces aren’t crossed out consistently; on May 6, 2008 meeting, GAC and GAMC were used inconsistently; no indication was made about absences—unclear whether that meant no one was absent; December 3, 2008 “Appendix” was labeled “Attachment.” April 23, 2008, under action 12, the MRTI was not defined. GAMC Executive Committee Minutes: never note whether a quorum was present; no mention of members present, absent, or excused: were there no persons absent or excused?; a little hard to determine when previous minutes were approved.

Item 09-C. Minutes, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corp.

That the minutes are approved with comment.

Comment: No page numbers. Members absent or excused were not noted (were there none?) Blank spaces aren’t crossed out consistently.

I. For Plenary Action

*Item 09-12. Communications and Funds Development Recommendation for Approval of Revised Criteria and Guidelines for Special Offerings.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 674.]

*Item 09-13. Approve the Update on the Mandate of the Presbyterian Self-Development of People.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 675.]

*Item 09-14. Covenant Between Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA), Inc. and the GAMC of the PC(USA).

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 677.]

*Item 09-21. Budgetary and Financial Concerns—Mission Budget.

1. That Recommendation A.1. is approved. [See p. 693.]

2. That Recommendation B. is approved. [See p. 694.]

3. That Recommendation C.1. is approved. [See p. 694.]

4. That Recommendation C.2. is approved. [See p. 695.]

[Item 09-01 became Item 13-11.]

Item 09-02. On Considering That All Undesignated Funds from the Foundation to the GA Level Be Allocated Directly to Individual Presbyteries.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 651.]

Item 09-03. On Amending the Process for Forming Social Witness Policy Approved by the 205th General Assembly (1993).

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 651.]

Item 09-04. On Support of Missionary Funding.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 654.]

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

[The Presbytery of Shenango overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010) to] [That the 219th General Assembly (2010)] instruct the General Assembly Mission Council to continue to make missionary support among the highest priorities in the 2011 and 2012 budgets [to the end that the long-awaited reversal in the numbers of mission personnel may be sustained] [in order to sustain the long-awaited reversal in the numbers of mission personnel, the 219th General Assembly (2010) invites each presbytery to participate in sharing the costs of one mission co-worker during 2011 and 2012].

Item 09-05. On Amending the Manual of the GAMC to Require Certain GAMC Staff to Actively Participate in the Work/Worship of a Congregation.

That the recommendation is disapproved. [See p. 656.]

$Item 09-06. On Reestablishing an Office of Collegiate Ministries as a Vital Part of Ministry and Mission.

That the recommendation is approved. [See p. 658.]

[Financial Implications: 2010: $0; 2011: $68,391; 2012: $70,168 (GAMC)]

$Item 09-07. On Affirming the Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 660.]

1. Amend Recommendation 2 as follows: [Text added by plenary is shown with brackets, with underline, and with a gray screen background.]

“2. Direct the General Assembly Mission Council to develop and apply a funding strategy for the continuing life of PHEWA before the end of the fiscal year 2012 so that it may continue to implement GA-mandated ministries as an entity of networks [and report to the 220th General Assembly (2012) the results]; and”

2. Strike the current text of Recommendation 3 and insert new text as follows as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text added by plenary is shown with brackets, with underline, and with a gray screen background.]

“[3. Direct that an impact study be conducted before the next General Assembly, in 2012, to ascertain whether the GAMC termination strategy (due to lack of funding) has had a disproportionate impact on programs and structures within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that served the value of justice; and if so a method of remediation be designed, and that such study be reported in full to the commissioners of the 220th General Assembly (2012) for their consideration, recommendation, and action.] [That an extra commitment opportunity fund account be earmarked to provide salary and support for the position of executive director of PHEWA as described in the historic covenant of shared ministry partnership agreement that outlines our collaborative ministry.]”

[Financial Implications: 2010: $50,000; 2011: $25,000; 2012: $25,000 (GAMC)]

Item 09-08. On Supporting Mission and Ministry in North Korea.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 662.]

Amend the recommendation with the following changes: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through.]

“[4. Affirm the work of the Lighthouse Foundation, which was established in 2004 by U.S. Presbyterian mission personnel, including PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker Sue Kinsler, to spread God’s love to the impoverished and suffering in North Korea and other nations.

“[5. Instruct the GAMC, in its strategy to minister to the vulnerable population in North Korea, to continue its cooperation with the Lighthouse Foundation, whose programs of providing food for orphans and others at risk from hunger and providing rehabilitative services to persons with disabilities have proven remarkably successful in what is considered a “closed” country, and through whom the PC(USA) contributed emergency food aid in 2008.

“[6. Commend Sue Kinsler as she continues ministry in North Korea through the Lighthouse Foundation. Sue has provided visionary leadership and been the primary force for ministry through the Lighthouse Foundation. In this ministry, she has earned a special trust and privilege in North Korea, making her one of the most effective agents for God’s work in this mission field.

“[7. Support the Lighthouse Foundation by setting a goal of raising $150,000, outside of the budget, to match the $150,000 being provided by Pyongyang Presbytery (Presbyterian Church of Korea), which has an international partnership with the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse. This would be done by appropriately appealing to congregations, presbyteries, synods, and entities such as the Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, the Medical Benevolence Foundation, and Presbyterian Women.]

“[8.] [4.] Inform the PC(USA)’s national and global ecumenical partners of this action and encourage them, and PC(USA) congregations and entities, to participate in praying for, raising awareness of, and contributing funds [for this ministry] to feed the hungry and bring hope to the disabled in this reclusive country.”

$Item 09-09. On Reinstating “Criminal Justice Sunday” in the PC(USA) Calendar, and Establishing an Office of Criminal Justice Issues.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. [See p. 666.]

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“1. Reinstate Criminal Justice Sunday ([second] [a] Sunday [of] [in] February) in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Planning Calendar, and within all calendar and schedule instruments.”

[Financial Implications: 2010: $0; 2011: $4,773; 2012: $4,773 (GAMC)]

“[2. Create an Office of Criminal Justice Issues, informed by the example of the Office of Immigration Issues—in its education and networking function, and located in the appropriate mission area, e.g. Compassion, Peace, and Justice. This office is to be staffed by at least one full-time staff person. The responsibilities of this office would be to:

“[a. Educate members of our churches and presbyteries concerning the criminal justice crisis in the United States—the U.S. incarcerates a larger percentage of its population than any other country in the world, and incarcerated individuals come from disproportionately large percentages of communities of color. Content of this education would include (but not be limited to):

“[• current trends in criminal justice in the United States: patterns of incarceration, sentencing, probation, and parole; the role of race in the exercise of criminal justice policies in the United States; the role of for-profit prisons in the formation of criminal justice policies in the United States;

“[• models for ministry to currently and formerly incarcerated people—including those ministries oriented towards helping formerly incarcerated people find sufficient support and resources for life after incarceration such that they do not return to prison;

“[• policy engagement in areas that impact the lives of people living in prison, and those who have come home—at the federal, state, county, and local levels—such as those related to judicial discretion, alternatives to incarceration, parole reform, and housing and employment policies that apply to formerly incarcerated people.

“[b. Educate members of our churches and presbyteries concerning Presbyterian positions—dating back to 1959—on various aspects of criminal justice, including restorative justice, particularly as outlined in the paper, Resolution on Restorative Justice, passed by the 214th General Assembly (2002); in the Resolution on the Abolition of For-Profit Prisons—approving the Monitoring Report on the Implementation of the Resolution Calling for the Abolition of For-Profit Prisons, passed by the 217th General Assembly (2006); and in repeated resolutions in opposition to the death penalty, summarized in On Seeking an Immediate Moratorium on All Executions in All Jurisdictions That Impose Capital Punishment, approved by the 212th General Assembly (2002).

“[c. Link synods, presbyteries, and churches to ecumenical and civil society organizations that are working on criminal justice issues, services, and policies, in a manner that reflects the values of restorative justice as outlined in the Resolution on Restorative Justice passed by the 214th General Assembly (2002).

“[3. Formulate an initial funding strategy for the Office of Criminal Justice Issues with consultation from all appropriate parties within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as identified by the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC). While the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has faced financial difficulties and these seem likely to continue, the incarceration crisis in the United States must prey upon our conscience, our hearts, and our spirits—as it has for many years, as visible in the many criminal justice resolutions passed since before reunion. If need be, after two or more years of initial funding, this office may be required to raise its own budget: through use of designated giving; appeals to synods, presbyteries, churches, and individuals; and through foundations.]”

Item 09-New Bus. Convocation on Criminal Justice.

That the following recommendation is approved.

That the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provide up to $10,000 in 2011 to support a broad convocation of interested individuals, to be called by PHEWA, to consider and propose the creation of a Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association (PHEWA) network on criminal justice for education and advocacy ministries to the 220th General Assembly (2012) and recommend a funding strategy.

[Financial Implications: 2010: $0; 2011: $10,000; 2012: $0 (GAMC)]

Item 09-10. Confirm the Election of Linda B. Valentine.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 670.)

Item 09-11. Mission Partnership Funds to End December 31, 2013.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 671.)

Item 09-15. On a Task Force to Review Mission Funding.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 679.)

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[The Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) recommends that the 219th General Assembly (2010) direct the Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) to appoint a task force of nine to review mission funding and the development of new ways to raise and sustain for the mission of the whole church.

“[The task force shall consist of the following:

“[• Three persons from the racial ethnic and emerging communities and networks;

“[• Two persons from the stewardship/mission funding programs in presbyteries;

“[• One person from a synod stewardship/mission funding program;

“[• One person from the 219th General Assembly (2010) Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination;

“[• Two persons at-large.

“[This task force would be staffed by one (1) person from the Mission Funding area of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC).]

“[Advise GAMC and the Presbyterian Foundation to consult with ACREC and its constituencies to develop new ways to raise and sustain mission funding.]”

Item 09-16. Extension of Time Regarding Renaming ACREC.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 681.)

Amend Recommendations 2 and 3 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“[2. Enable ACREC to form a special study group of five people that includes ACREC member(s), a theologian, and a sociologist who have a deep understanding on racial, cultural, ethnic, and growing diverse demographic issues in the United States and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).]

“[3.] [2.] Request that ACREC bring a report [on the study] and recommendation of a new name of ACREC to the 220th General Assembly (2012).”

$Item 09-17. That Unused Funds Designated for the Status of Women Task Force Be Re-designated.

That the recommendation is approved. (See p. 682.)

[Financial Implications: 2010: $0; 2011: $19,345; 2012: $0 (Per Capita—GAMC)]

Item 09-18. WITHDRAWN-5/11/10

Item 09-19. Report of the Advisory and Advocacy Review Committee.

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 682–83.)

Amend the recommendation by deleting Recommendation 4 as follows, and renumbering Recommendations 5–9 to 4–8: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through.]

“[4.Direct the GAMC to amend its policy on closed meetings (GAMC Manual of Operations, Appendix 1) to provide that corresponding members to the GAMC from the advisory and advocacy committees be included in all closed sessions of the GAMC with the understanding that they are bound by confidentiality.]”

$Item 09-20. On Supporting Young Adults in Mission and Leadership Development in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

That the recommendation is approved with amendment. (See p. 691.)

Amend the recommendation as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with brackets and with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.]

“The Presbytery de Cristo overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010) to direct the General Assembly Mission Council to provide budgetary support in the amount of [$100,000 ($50,000 for 2011 and $50,000 for 2012) for scholarships for] [$10,000 for each] Young Adult Volunteer[s], above and beyond currently budgeted support for the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program, for the costs of their service internationally and nationally through the Young Adult Volunteer Program (YAV) of the World Mission Office. These funds would help cover the cost of living expenses for [each] YAVs, which include housing and utilities, health insurance, and stipends for food and local transportation. (YAVs would continue to raise support for their year of service at a lesser, more attainable amount.)