219th General Assembly - Tentmaker Reflects

Dear Friends,
A big thanks to Sharon, Charlie and Don for helping with the Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers (APT) display at the 219th General Assembly! Fred mailed materials for the display to me and our display was open for the whole exhibit from Friday afternoon (July 2) through Wednesday evening (July 7). Don mailed the set-up materials back to Fred.

Persons stopping by the display ranged from curiosity seekers to pastors, churches, and administrators with serious questions and requests for help. There were some fascinating stories of tentmakers at work... though most did not call themselves "tentmakers".

Face-to-face workshop on tentmaking was poorly attended, but the one young man that came was very impressive and was helped by the workshop.

Phyllis Tickle was a big hit in her pre-assembly workshops. She made several references to the importance of tentmakers and tentmaking. I met her and she is looking forward to our APT conference this fall.

I made several important contacts with seminaries... especially Austin, Pittsburgh, and Dubuque.

Our (APT) Board of Pensions contact, Phil Gehman, has helped with the publishing of Benefits for Tentmakers and other Part-Time Ministers of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The publication number is PLN-211, dated June, 2010.

My Top 6 Take-Aways:

• There is a large number of pastors out there doing tentmaking (though most do not call themselves "tentmakers"). They are tentmaking because they have been called to it. They (like most of us) are already overloaded and don't much care about getting involved with another organization (like APT).
• Who are they?
• What are their stories and how do we listen?
• How do we find ways to connect with them and let them help us tell others?
• There is a growing awareness by seminaries about the importance of tentmaking. We need to work with Marcia in her contacts with placement and other grassroots seminary personel.
• We have an opportunity in our conversations with Phyllis Tickle in November at the APT Conference. We do, however, need to be familiar with her book so that we can focus on how tentmaking fits in the picture.

Well, I have rambled on enough! Thanks for letting me represent Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers at General Assembly.

Rev. Ross Blount
United Presbyterian Church, Allerton
Presbytery of Des Moines

219th General Assembly - Day 9

I think the thing that surprise me most about being a YAAD (which should probably be changed back to YAD since we just passed the overture stating that youth are 25 and under) was that everyone was a nerd - including me! I know it really shouldn't have surprised me; after all, all of us are voluntarily attending a business meeting in the middle of the summer. Still, I arrived to find a group of people who had actually read the overtures assigned to them and who had strong opinions about their committee issues. (Naomi is picture here in the middle of two other YAADs.)

My favorite part was that I had a completely sincere conversation with two other YAADs about how we thought we should be given copies of Robert's Rules of Order so that we would know what was going on beforehand. It was such a lovely realization; I felt like I was back at Wake Forest (where I go to college) except at GA, I had exponentially less homework.

At our YAAD outing to the Mall of America, we saw a show by a comedy troupe. In one of the skits, an audience member was to shout out a question. One of the YAADs sugggested, "Could you please explain parlamentary procedure?" Every single YAAD laughed! How many groups of young adults (or 'youth' by the assembly's brand-new definition) do you know who find parlamentary procedures funny? How many of them even know what parlamentary procedure is?

Like I said earlier, "Nerd Convention." In other words, tons of fun. (That is a serious statement.)

I was also pleasantly surprised by how well-respected the YAADs are. I fully expected to be treated as "one of those kids" and to be marginalized to some extent by the commissioners there was in no way the reality.

I had multiple commissioners ask my opinion and many more commend how the YAADs were both prepared and willing to speak in committee and plenary. It was cool to know that the adults do value the young people, and I would encourage andy adult who does value the youth to let them know that because it isn't something that is assumed.

Also, as I was the "new" voice, the adults near me in both committee and plenary helped me to follow the issues to understand what was happening. It was cool to interact with both YAADs and commissioners and to be able to voice my opinion on what the church should do.

Naomi Maxa, young adult advisory delegate
Lenox First Presbyterian Church
Presbytery of Des Moines

219th General Assembly - Day 8

Here is a scene from an theatre troupe just outside of the Minneapolis Convention Center.


Here in this photo on the right, is Rev. Stu Ritter, of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines. He came to GA in support of the Presbytery's overture. He is seen here at the Presbyterian Writer's Guild Luncheon.


Others that were at the 219th General Assembly were: Rev. David Stipp-Bethune, of Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, Des Moines and seen in this photo is Rev. Mark Davis, of Heartland Presbyterian Church, Clive, each visited the meeting a couple of days.


Paul Walther and Lila Jean Jensen, of First Presbyterian Church, Audubon, were able to spend a few days volunteering and serving communion at the 4th of July worship service where 8,000 Presbyterians were present! Paul is seen here volunteering in the convention center with two girls from the Atlanta, Ga. youth group.

If you were at the General Assembly in Minneapolis, please let us know and we'll post your information in the Presbytery's blog.

Kim Coulter, director of communications
Presbytery of Des Moines

219th General Assembly - Day 7

Impressions of General Assembly 219
The only thing written in stone for Presbyterians is “nothing is written in stone.” Although the business we do is important for the church at this moment, the next GA can, after living with this GA’s decisions for two years, come back to the subject and go a different direction.

Some are refreshed by the possibility changing policies to their view point, while others tire of having to learn another new way. One thing for sure: we can’t let policy changes and personnel agendas get in the way of our service to Christ and his church. If we wait until we all agree on what we believe about everything, the church will have missed its calling.

In the end we will go all go back home and we will be a little encouraged and a little disappointed. How long do we have to live to learn that the church by its very nature must be somewhat flexible and somewhat fixed in its beliefs or it cannot survive? Each generation’s challenge is to do its best to strike a balance. Those who think it has gone too far one way or another are called to work to bring back that balance.

The church, yes, even the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is not the best nor the worst of Christ’s body. We, like the body, must constantly take on nourishment, and rebuild cells. There are many worship and prayer opportunities at GA to feed its commissioners and we are in invited to grow from our common faith in Christ.

Can the body grow from being challenged? Is part of the blessing of the process to help us to sort out what is and what is not bringing people to a personal relationship to Jesus Christ? In the midst of it all, do we get it?

The main thing is and always will be the same. Christ is Lord; not forms of government, polices or procedures. The Church of Jesus Christ will continue and this PC(USA) branch, so long as we remember he is the vine, our true connection to the Eternal God. ~Colossians 1:15-20

Rev. Dennis Morey, Clergy Commissioner
First Presbyterian Church, Oskaloosa, IA
Presbytery of Des Moines

219th General Assembly - Day 6

The Liturgy of the Assembly - PART 1
It's Wednesday, we have been meeting in committees from morning until night, gazing at laptop screens and listening to advocates, resource persons, moderators, one another and the Holy Spirit, we hope. My thought is this: what if we imagined our deliberations and debates, our arguments and disagreements, our laughter and our tears, as liturgy?

Our common understanding of this ancient word is ‘work of the people’. Every Sunday morning we participate in liturgy in various ways. We recognize the presence of God through song, prayer and Word doing our part of the heavy lifting toward becoming the people of God, disciples and followers of Jesus Christ, infused with the Holy Spirit. It is grace revealed.

Certainly anyone who has ever participated in GA understands its work! It takes a lot of time, a lot of energy and a lot of fortitude to remain focused, connected to community and disciplined in listening more than speaking. It is in the midst of the process we see Christ revealed--a particular story to emphasize a point; a gesture of compromise to maintain relationship; a dawning recognition that we all bow down to the same Lord and Savior.

This is liturgy. Thanks be to God.

The Liturgy of the Assembly - PART 2
The continued liturgy of the Assembly is happening even as I write. It’s after 9 p.m., we are in plenary, debating the nFOG report and amendments. There is tension in the room as some lean one way and some the other. Trusting one another and more importantly trusting the Holy Spirit to ‘...be in the house...’ takes deep faith. No matter the decision, we have to get up tomorrow looking toward the morning sky, thanking God for the new day to do the liturgy of the Assembly. And the day after that and after that and after that...

Allowing the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all our lives forces us to let go. Yikes, its hard work!

Rev. Tiare L. Mathison, Minister/Commissioner
Des Moines Presbytery

Tiare blogged on Wednesday for the PC(USA) General Assembly Web site.

219th General Assembly - Day 5

Well, this is my first GA experience. Being born into a Presbyterian family, it’s something I’ve heard about since I was a wee littler one, but I can’t say that I’ve really had the desire to have anything to do with GA until now. And I can honestly say that I’m glad I came. This is quite the experience. I’m a volunteer for the week and have been seeing lots of different aspects of the assembly of Presbyterians.

I’m working with the Synod of Lakes and Prairies staff, the Twin Cities Area Presbytery staff and the local church members – all who have volunteered their time and talents. Some are here for one 4-hour shift and others are here all day, every day, for the duration of the week-long meeting.

I’m totally amazed at how many volunteers it is taking to put this event on. There are volunteer registration folks, convention center greeters, various booth exhibitors with information and items for sale, tour guides, and many others to numerous to mention.

However, one of the most important volunteer jobs would be the prayer chapel volunteers. There are many folks who have volunteered to spend time in the prayer chapel to pray with anyone who comes in and to pray for those here at the assembly. There are prayer partners assigned to pray for every commissioner that is here. That is one of the most unnoticed, unheralded, but most important jobs here.

Thanks to all of those folks who volunteer!

Everyone should experience the General Assembly at least once. It’s a great experience! The people I am meeting are wonderful and you at home, can do your part with your prayers.

Betty Dyer, office manager
Presbytery of Des Moines

219th General Assembly - Day 4

I arrived at 2 p.m., Friday, July 2nd. Immediately after registering at the Minneapolis Convention Center I contacted my fellow Overture advocates to meet and add additonal perfection to our presentation before the Civil Union and Marriage Committee. Then I attended the Covenant Network Dinner Friday evening.

On Saturday, I attended "Riverside Conversations" on the report of the committee on Civil Unions and Marriage to have a background for their work before attending our committee and work there. Also attended the opening General Assembly Penary session and the evening meeting for the GA Moderator election. Finally ended up back to my room at 12:30 p.m. after a celebration reception.

Following Worship and Communion on Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to Noon for the entire assembly, I attended Committee meetings until 4:30 p.m. The Fourth of July was celebrated by busing everyone to Nicollet Island for "Meet the Moderator", a picnic and fireworks. (See pictures from the celebration.)

Monday morning was open public hearings of all committees. I was asked to speak at the Polity Committee supporting two overtures relative to GAPJC giving binding Authoritative Interpretations (AIs) following judication of a partaicular case. Overtures would ask that only the General Assembly could approve such "AI's". Committee members expressed appreciation for the manner in which I presented the case for approval of the Overtures 05-11 and 05-24 in layman terms.
[Photo: The Social Justice Committee A, is hearing support for a resolution on usury, the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates. At the podium is Rev. Burns Stanfield (son of Paul Stanfield, DM-Knox United) from the Presbytery of Boston.]

Overall, I must say that the GA experience is one I would recommend to all interested in our churches future and growth. There is a great need for voices from all people of the church.

Ted Coppock, GA Overture Advocate
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines

219th General Assembly - Day 3

My 219th General Assembly experience is limited but excellent. After the long lines on the 4th of July, I enjoyed the food and sharing the experiences with friends while eating the food. Even though I missed the (sweet) corn.
When I was going to get my corn, they ran out, cutting one man off before my turn. The picnic volunteer was stunned just like me. I guess he was just like a Sudanese. My advice to the people of Minnesota was that they should borrow corn from Iowa and they would never run out of corn.

After that I enjoyed the fireworks and promptly left by bus. My intention was to walk back but found the bus near me so I did not wait.

Thanks be to God.

Rev. Goanar Chol, Sudanese Ministries Resource Person
Presbytery of Des Moines

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

219th General Assembly - Day 1

We have arrived at in Minneapolis, Minn., for the 2010 national meeting of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) The theme for this year's 219th General Assembly is “rivers of living water” (John 7:38).

Four commissioners and one young adult advisory delegate will use this gathering as an opportunity to discern the issues and challenges facing our congregations both in Iowa and around the world.

Presbytery of Des Moines commissioners attending are: Elder Becky Diebold (Ottumwa, First), Elder Maurice Dyer (Indianola, Trinity United), Rev. Tiare Mathison (Newton, First), Rev. Dennis Morey (Oskaloosa, First), and Naomi Maxa (Lenox, United). Overture sponsors are: Rev. Stu Ritter and Elder Ted Coppock (DM Westminster). Staff include: General Presbyter and Stated Clerk Rev. Phil Barrett, Director of Communications Kim Coulter (DM Westminster), Office Manager Betty Dyer (Indianola, Trinity United) and Sudanese Ministries Resource Person the Rev. Goanar Chol.

Other volunteers are: the honorably retired Reverend Elizabeth Knott; Intern Cindy Lou Ray (Knox United); Candidate Patti Spencer Burdette (DM, Fort Des Moines) in photo on left; the Rev. Ross Blount (Allerton, United); the Rev. Rick Carus, Julie Cloud, and Sandy Wagner (Ankeny); and Paul Walther and Lila Jean Jensen, (Audubon, First).

Today's GA meeting agenda contained basic parlamentary orientation and our own intern Cindy Ray, moderator of the GA Committee on Representation was present to ask commissioners and delegates specific demographics. It gave everyone a chance to test the voting system and see results live.

In the evening attendees heard presentations from all six candidates for the 219th GA Moderator. The new moderator, replacing the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, is Elder Cynthia Bolbach who received 51% of the vote (seen in the photo on the right with our own Phil Barrett). She is a lawyer and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Va. and has been serving in church leadership for many years. She currently is executive vice president and corporate secretary at the employee-owned publishing firm, BNA, Inc.

After covering the press conference for the new moderator, I was able to write my first story for the Presbyterian News Service and then went to bed around 2 a.m. All in all, a good day listening to God's voice amoungst our fellow Presbyterians!

Kim Coulter, director of communications
Presbytery of Des Moines