General Assembly -- Day 3
The third day of General Assembly is the day when the committees dealing with the overtures that will lead to action begin their work in earnest. Presbyters like myself have no voice or vote at the Assembly, yet spend a good bit of time listening in as the committees work, trying to get a feel for what action will be coming when the plenary sessions resume on Wednesday. My friend and colleague, Jeff Hutcheson, EP for San Francisco Presbytery, reflected that it simply proves we are Presbyterian--we have nothing to do, so we go to committee meetings! Sometimes it is hard to keep quiet because the stakes are so high, or the commentary so needs a response, or you just can't help yourself--you want to blurt out what you believe on something! But we watch and wait, trying to discern a direction as the committees work.
By not actually having any committee responsibility, I am free to roam Portland if I need a break. It was my birthday today, and I am with my bride again after a five month separation waiting for a house to sell, so it was perfectly allowable to hit the sidewalks and stroll the neighborhoods. Portland is a perfect city of the Northwest--green, cooled by breezes still with a hint of chill (I think it was near 100 in Sacramento today), glinting with new construction, and bustling with busy people. With a literal smorgasbord of fine eateries, you can stroll and nibble your way through the city. But then you run upon reminders it is a real city with real people. The homeless guy catching a nap against the riverwalk railing, his dog watching you carefully as you pass. The schizophrenic engaged in a riotous argument with someone only she can see as your train passes by. The young person standing in the middle of sidewalk, staring blankly in a methamphetamine haze. Part of General Assembly is sending folks into the city on mission outings. You can sign up to walk with Presbyterians engaged in the work of Christ, caring for the neediest of all, trying new ways of being church to touch lives in a vastly secular city, and seeking to transform the city as it is, helping it become a place touched by the kingdom of God.
The day ended for me with dinner with the other Presbyters and Stated Clerks of the Synod of the Pacific. Folks shared what they saw and heard today in committees. We shared what we thought might be the fiery debates coming when the Assembly reconvenes as a whole. We also caught up with each other on the work back home, be it Idaho, Oregon, or California. There is always consulting to be done, but also simple pastoral check-ups, being sure everybody's all right. It is a perfect reminder of being a connectional church--we need each other, we do best when working together, and we need the release of laughing together, eating together, and simply sitting with each other in good conversation. No one is alone. No one need face the challenges our world throws at us without help. There are friends nearby.
As the committees work, I hope they will find this connection. I hope it will build in their small communions. More than hope for it, I pray it will be so. I pray they will find God in their midst. I pray they will allow hope to lead them into mission. I pray that a deeper and fuller light with bloom within their gathering, not the shadows and darkness that threatens within the world. I hope they can find reason to laugh.
By not actually having any committee responsibility, I am free to roam Portland if I need a break. It was my birthday today, and I am with my bride again after a five month separation waiting for a house to sell, so it was perfectly allowable to hit the sidewalks and stroll the neighborhoods. Portland is a perfect city of the Northwest--green, cooled by breezes still with a hint of chill (I think it was near 100 in Sacramento today), glinting with new construction, and bustling with busy people. With a literal smorgasbord of fine eateries, you can stroll and nibble your way through the city. But then you run upon reminders it is a real city with real people. The homeless guy catching a nap against the riverwalk railing, his dog watching you carefully as you pass. The schizophrenic engaged in a riotous argument with someone only she can see as your train passes by. The young person standing in the middle of sidewalk, staring blankly in a methamphetamine haze. Part of General Assembly is sending folks into the city on mission outings. You can sign up to walk with Presbyterians engaged in the work of Christ, caring for the neediest of all, trying new ways of being church to touch lives in a vastly secular city, and seeking to transform the city as it is, helping it become a place touched by the kingdom of God.
The day ended for me with dinner with the other Presbyters and Stated Clerks of the Synod of the Pacific. Folks shared what they saw and heard today in committees. We shared what we thought might be the fiery debates coming when the Assembly reconvenes as a whole. We also caught up with each other on the work back home, be it Idaho, Oregon, or California. There is always consulting to be done, but also simple pastoral check-ups, being sure everybody's all right. It is a perfect reminder of being a connectional church--we need each other, we do best when working together, and we need the release of laughing together, eating together, and simply sitting with each other in good conversation. No one is alone. No one need face the challenges our world throws at us without help. There are friends nearby.
As the committees work, I hope they will find this connection. I hope it will build in their small communions. More than hope for it, I pray it will be so. I pray they will find God in their midst. I pray they will allow hope to lead them into mission. I pray that a deeper and fuller light with bloom within their gathering, not the shadows and darkness that threatens within the world. I hope they can find reason to laugh.
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