219th General Assembly - Day 2

Two things highlight the first couple of days.

The first is connecting - lots of long-time friends and acquaintances are seen. In “scoping out” the Minneapolis Convention Center in preparation for getting the General Assembly Moderator to various spots. It takes over an hour and a half just to cover one level because I keep running into folks I know. Networks are either established or strengthened. This pays off down the line in many ways. For example, I was able to do two clearance checks for potential minister candidates for our churches that often take over a week just to make contact with the person. That is what General Assembly is all about - connecting with folks. (Pictured here is Sandy Wagener and Julie Cloud of the Ankeny Presbyterian Church and Director of Communications Kim Coulter.)

The second is the work with the 219th GA Moderator Elder Cynthia "Cindy" Bolbach, of the Arlington Presbyterian Church of Virginia. It was another interesting election process this year, complete with technological glitches of the new wireless voting process. Then congratulations and pictures, followed by a news conference. Then we made appearances at one of the GA groups’ evening gatherings and then the Moderator’s celebration party. After hitting the shower and ironing a shirt, 2 a.m. came late.

Then I was up before 6 a.m. to get the moderator to the Women of Faith Award Breakfast by 7:30 (this was a special joy since I could be present for the award presentation to one of our own - honorably retired the Rev. Liz Knott, seen here at work at the Pal Craftaid booth). Then it was off to the “robing room” to get ready to participate in the marvelous and busy Sunday morning worship.

A free afternoon allowed for a nice nap, then to the moderator’s reception - two hours of shaking hands for Cindy - and host presbytery picnic. We had to head back before getting to watch the Minneapolis fireworks because there’s a 7 a.m. breakfast tomorrow. Lots of walking and lots of activity - the joy of an Assembly!

Rev. Phil Barrett, general presbyter and stated clerk
Presbytery of Des Moines