Steve’s Blog -

The dangers of blogging until the early morning hours are infinite. It was not until this morning, when I read the morning’s General Assembly News (the daily newspaper that the Presbyterian News Service puts out) that I realized I hadn’t mentioned that the two vote margin was on whether or not to divest. A huge issue for many in the church, determined by two votes.

I’ve mentioned to many that I think we ought to consider changing our decision-making from accepting a simple majority to requiring 60%, perhaps 75%, of the voting body, especially (but not only) when it comes to constitutional changes. Would God not make God’s will known through the body with a little more clarity than a 50%-50% split separated by two votes?

Judges 6:36 – Then Gideon said to God, “In order to see whether you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said, 37 I am going to lay a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said.” 38 And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.

That is the kind of clarity we need. There will always be issues on which we disagree — where two or more are gathered there are five more points of view — but when there is a clear majority, an overwhelming majority, I hear far less upset, if any, even on some controversial issues.

*              *              *

At least my zipper wasn’t down. During the worship service yesterday, people suddenly started laughing loudly. I had no idea why, but remembered one advantage of a robe (which I was not wearing) is that you don’t have to worry about your zipper. Especially on a huge TV screen. It turns out that among the doves floating on the surface of the water, a dollar bill sank rather visibly on the screen.

*              *              *

As expected, a motion was made to reconsider the divestment vote taken last night. Some didn’t understand, others feel more voices, more time and discussion are needed. In the end, a simple and clear majority (over 60%) denied the motion to reconsider. Which led to more parliamentary gymnastics as the committee on Middle East and Peacemaking Issues sought to answer five other related overtures with the one passed last night, while some wanted to vote on the five related issues separately. 85% of the Assembly agreed with having one substitute.

*              *              *

Okay, a moment of personal privilege: I was incredibly proud to see Rachel leading the Assembly in prayer. She and a fellow YAAD opened us in prayer as we reconvened after lunch. They asked for God to bless us, and we will need it: it is time for Civil Unions and Marriage Issues.

*              *              *

I guessed wrong. It was 5:10pm and I thought there was no way they would get to vote on the definition of marriage. I could quickly take care of something for the commissioners, eat, and be back for the vote. You can imagine my surprise 25 minutes later to discover that that question had been resolved, with no change whatsoever. I’m told the decision, 52%-48%, was met with silence. Often a good decision is marked by everyone being a little unhappy, no one having gotten what they wanted. That close a vote (again) is, in my opinion, better on the side of no change than any change, regardless of the issue. Too often, one “side” winning by a hair can feel like a loss for the whole.

*              *              *

New business introduced was accepted, and it means we all have work ahead of us. The action is that presbyteries and congregations are tasked to engage in “a season of serious study and discernment concerning the meaning of Christian marriage” upon receiving study materials from the Office of Theology and Worship. I will be talking with the Presbytery Lead Team (or PLT, formerly known as Council as of approval of the new bylaws) on ways we might both facilitate presbytery-wide discussion and encourage congregational discussion.

*              *              *

10:20PM. Speaker refers to concessions stand for providing free coffee and tea for commissioners:

Many thanks for the Jehovah Java that will help stave off El Shut-Eye”

A keeper.

*              *              *

A decisive vote to not change the titles of ordered ministries back to the former Book of Order’s, which is to say “Ruling Elder” and “Teaching Elder” will remain the predominant titles in the Book of Order. Although the majority was ultimately clear, the discussion pointed to the confusion often caused when a “pastor” tries to communicate to the world beyond the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who s/he is and what s/he is called to do. “Teaching Elder” does not mean much even to ecumenical partners, let alone others beyond the church. (We were told that “Ruling Elders” seem quite happy with the change, as it points to the parity between offices that we proclaim.)

BUT the Advisory Committee on the Constitution helpfully reminded us that terms such as “Pastor” and “Minister of Word and Sacrament” remain in the Book of Order. So while our official documents, such as bylaws, standing rules, and presbytery meeting minutes will retain “Teaching Elder” (unless the Presbytery decides otherwise), those of you who are called to that office should feel free to self-identify as one of these other titles.

*              *              *

As someone who tends to get giddy with fatigue — and we’re way past that right now — I don’t quite know what to make of what just happened, but it just happened. An unnamed pastor in the Presbytery became known to some in his congregation as “Mr. Awesome” after a memorable children’s sermon. Tonight the moderator went one him one better. To the tune of “2001: A Space Odyssey”  Neal Presa removed his dress shirt (he started off the day with a jacket and bow tie) to reveal a green t-shirt reading “Mr. Freakin’ Awesome” on the front and “Mr. Moderator” on the back, a gift of the Young Adult Advisory Delegates.

There have been some bumps in the road this week, but Neal has impressed me, and I think he has grown over the course of the week. He weathered some rough moments with humility.

*              *              *

Okay, it’s 12:03am, and I was not elected to be here for the duration. You’ve got commissioners and a delegate for that. Off to the hotel to watch the rest — or at least watch for awhile — online.

*              *              *

Okay, I lied. It is now 2am on the button, the Assembly having adjourned at about 1:30 just a hair’s breadth from completing the day’s docket. I don’t think I missed anything too dramatic, and we can all read about it if I did. I kept planning to leave, but waited to hear the reports from Immigration (Rachel) and Health (Dave), as well as the Review of the Biennial Assembly, which is chaired by a friend. I say “is” because that committee will resume its business tomorrow…er…later today, before hearing one last time from Sue and Maureen’s committees (Bills and Overtures and Procedures, respectively). Moufid’s committee (Board of Pensions) was able to present its work earlier in the day. At this point, I couldn’t begin to tell you when.

*              *              *

There has been a sense that commissioners were somewhat tentative, fearful of what could happen to the denomination if certain overtures passed. But folks have not shied away from speaking what they believe to be the truth, in love. They have acted with fear and trembling appropriate for any who seek to discern and speak God’s will. This has been a hard Assembly, and my sense is that somehow these folks were up to the task. Perhaps they were called for just such a time as this.

To paraphrase the legendary Edward R. Murrow, “Good Morning, and Good News.”

Truly, God is all in all!

Steve

Steve’s Blog -

To all the Saints of the Lehigh Presbytery,

Grace to you all, and peace.

The big ticket item this morning concerned the Mid Council Commission’s report, and I have to admit that I’m still catching up on what happened there, except the idea of creating non-geographic presbyteries was soundly defeated, by a 79% majority.

While that report got somewhat bogged down, I had to meet with worship leaders in preparation of this morning’s service. I’ve not spent a lot of time backstage at the Assembly, and I found a number of old friends and a whirr of activity. In that respect it is much like worshipping with any of you, where as long as one appears calm, cool, and collected, most folks think everything is under control.

A common image for this is to be like a duck, calm and placid on the surface and paddling furiously beneath the surface. It is an ironic image, because one of my tasks was to collect paper doves upon which prayers had been written, and scatter them across the face of the waters. I don’t know much about doves, but that sounds like a duck! All kidding aside, it was very moving to gather and scatter these many prayers, to hold these matters of heart, soul, mind, and might in faint imitation of how God holds all of us in the palm of God’s hands.

*          *          *

We were supposed to begin action on Middle East Peacemaking at 3pm. It was after 8pm when we did begin. For those who are interested in the Enneagram, I am a 9, meaning among other things that I tend to see both sides of an issue rather than land strongly on one side or another. For any of you with whom I’ve spent a lot of time, this should come as no surprise.

If I were a commissioner, I’d have to make a decision tonight (and hopefully not tomorrow morning). But I am not, and so I honestly don’t know how I’d vote. I had believed that we, like some Roman Catholic nuns of whom I’ve read, should exercise our rights as stockholders, go to board meetings, and speak the truth in love.

*          *          *

You’re a good man, Charlie Brown — Commissioner from Stockton Presbytery. Tonight I learned that Hewlett Packard has refused to engage in dialogue with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Caterpillar has been resistant. Thanks to Mr. Brown, I now know that the PCUSA and our ecumenical partners have been working through channels available to stockholders. The effort to affect policy has been made, and its failure to this point suggests that other measures may now be necessary. No doubt other measures are soon to be suggested: we are now beginning what is estimated to be eighty minutes of debate ahead of us.

*          *          *

After some crankiness and snarkiness, a substitute motion was approved, calling not for divestment but creative investment with the Palestinian community. Rumor has it has that a motion to reconsider is in the offing for tomorrow, as some commissioners say they did not know what they were voting for. In all honesty, as soon as Moderator Neal Presa “moved the previous question. Let’s vote,” my first reaction was, “I don’t know what they are voting on.” The substitute motion had been made a lo-ong time before.

But I also have to say that I don’t want to hear “my vote doesn’t matter” ever again. At one point in the proceedings a vote was taken and the result was 50-50, but one position had TWO more votes than the other, both being abstentions. Every vote counts. That was clear tonight.

God is all in all,

Steve

Steve’s Blog -

Grace to you all and peace.

The night before last was a late one, so making the service yesterday morning just wasn’t possible. I was disappointed then to be reminded that Tuesday morning worship included the reading of the necrology. I’ve heard from several folks that three or more readers had sections of the necrology which, according to the Presbyterian News Service, included the names of 706 teaching elders who died during the years 2010 and 2011, and they were all reading at the same time. For reasons I don’t understand, one by one each person finished, until only one was reading, and his list included Lehigh Presbytery. And so, after a cacophony of voices, the names of H. Wilson “Scottie” Scott, formerly of Lehighton, Earl Pope, formerly of Lafayette College, and Bob MacIntyre, formerly of Olivet, were read loud and clear for everyone to hear. Each person was clearly moved in telling me of this, and I found myself moved in the hearing of it. And I won’t be one bit surprised to hear from some of you, that you too were moved in the knowledge of this gift, those saints gone before us.

*          *          *

I am writing this as it happens, and writing it out of my immediate, personal response. I can’t say I’ll feel this way or differently in a few hours let alone a few days or weeks.

The newly-elected vice-moderator, Tara Spuhler McCabe, just resigned, receiving from many a standing ovation. She spoke well, she shared much about the situation and her decision, her desire to not be a source of division

But I could not rise.

She steps down despite her election, and her expressed pastoral to serve became the reason she resigned, because of public pressures and threats of disruption, and personal attacks on her and the moderator. I recognize that the pressure she felt must have been intense, and I cannot pretend to know how she felt.

But I could not stand, both out of dismay over those would act in such an unchristian way, and because I felt her decision to resign is wrong, even if I also believe that her decision to marry two same-gendered person is against our Constitution as it now stands. Let the appropriate Permanent Judicial Commission rule as it will, and if she was faithfully convicted to act contrary to the Book of Order, she will bear the consequences. But this is not US law where felons cannot vote, nor does having charges brought against you make you ineligible for holding office. (In 1992, John Fife was elected GA moderator, the first and only convicted felon to be so elected. His crime concerned the housing of illegal immigrants in Arizona).

She was elected by a body aware of her actions and willing to have her serve nonetheless. It feels like stepping down is to reward those who have elected to use non-peaceful means of protest. Personal attacks and false allegations are not the way of the cross, of sacrificial love. And regrettably, my gut wishes that the vice-moderator had taken up this cross. But ultimately this cross is hers to pick up or to lay down.

In speaking with friends who are close to the vice-moderator, there is great pain and sadness, both at the decision reached and the causes for it. I don’t know her but I trust them, and so many with whom I’ve spoken, even if they didn’t know her, feel like the air has gone out of the room.

*          *          *

But the Assembly goes on. As someone interested in discernment, particularly group discernment, it was an unexpected surprise to hear that at this Assembly commissioners will occasionally be asked to use one of three signs to indicate their preference, short of voting. It is similar to the five-finger voting we use occasionally on Council. In this case:

Blue: I like the idea

Orange: I don’t really like the idea

Black: I have questions, I’m not sure

Using this, the moderator discovered that his statement, “I like coconut water” left him decidedly in the minority. Orange, orange, orange! I may question the choice of colors, but I appreciate the movement beyond Roberts Rules.

*          *          *

One of the realities of presbytery ministry is that I am often more in a position of facilitating than doing. I think that is and should be true for anyone in pastoral ministry, but I find it all the more case now. I share this because for this General Assembly and the last I have organized the Presence Keepers here and worked with the Office of the General Assembly to make it happen. We sit and pray, without the ability to stop the proceedings with a bell or gong, but sometimes are asked to pray with a committee or an individual.

As the Assembly draws close I have to ask people to take double or triple shifts of praying for an hour or two each day in each committee and throughout the plenary sessions. Then the Assembly begins and people start coming up looking for a shift. And this year, I find that I’ve facilitated myself out of a slot!

Just as in the Presbytery, however, I feel a lot of satisfaction in the desire other people have to participate, in their eagerness to be a part of something like this. Some come up sadly saying there wasn’t an opportunity, and I try hard to find one for them. Others share how meaningful the opportunity was for them or for the committee with which they prayed. It is gift, perhaps even more than had I had the chance to pray myself.

*          *          *

In an item that has been of interest to the Presbytery, the committee recommended against the Detroit Overture to end the requirement of presbytery’s having to pay per capita in full, whether it is received from congregations or not. When the matter came before the Assembly an 80% majority agreed to maintain current practice. So much for hoping the General Assembly would come around to Lehigh’s position. Anyone interested in writing an overture for 2014?

*          *          *

I had read a bit on the Heidelberg Catechism, but found my confidence in the process increased in finding out that David Stubbs, professor of ethics and theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan and someone I’ve worked with in the past was involved in the process. He is very smart, and very pastoral, and a person in whom I have a lot of confidence. For whatever reason, a matter than had been considered somewhat questionable was approved without audible dissent.

*          *          *

The night closed with friends and I joining the throngs along the riverwalk, watching a wonderful fireworks display. A day late, but happy Independence Day! May we know the true freedom that is ours through Christ alone.

God is all in all,

Steve

Steve’s Blog – Happy 4th!

Happy July 4, everyone! This will be a different kind of day at the GA, with a morning of “roundtables,” opportunities for commissioners hard at work on a single committee coming together so everyone can talk and think about the issues before them, before they have to vote on them. Think of our discussion on the ordination issue at the January 2011 meeting before we voted on that matter at the April 2011 meeting. Then the hours of committee work hit the floor, with plenary meetings during the afternoon and evening before breaking for fireworks tonight. The evening plenary will also be different, but quite sensible, since it really doesn’t get dark until at least 9pm.

Not that we’ve experienced much wind or breeze here, but that is how quickly things can shift at an Assembly. Perhaps some of the anxiety lessened as folks moved from thinking about what could happen to actually making something happen. All I know is that there has been a lighter spirit here. Some committees finished their work far earlier than expected, and even those that were deeply entrenched were, for the most part, finished by dinner last night. There are always early reports on what committees are or are not going to recommend, but if you want an advance look I’d advise going to www.pc-biz.org . Everyone has an interpretation, but there you will see the actual document.

*          *          *

Sue lives! We teased each other mercilessly but lovingly about not seeing each other at all since we got to Pittsburgh. Sue thinks that our western PA-ness allows for that kind of ribbing. But with her committee largely reviewing other committees, there was really no way to know where she was at a given time, and of course, I rarely have to be somewhere at a given time (FYI: I do have to be in the plenary hall tomorrow morning, and you can join me there for worship via your computer at 11:15am). As Sue and I were catching up, who comes by but our old friend Laurel Brundage, formerly of Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church. She sounds and seems well, and as a GA junkie, she was getting her fix.

*          *          *

We then had one of those strange out-of-time experiences that happen when there is not enough sleep going around. We were to meet to walk to dinner around 6pm at the registration desk. One or two of us was standing there, then three and four of us, and we knew another person was nearby…and the next thing we knew, we were walking to the restaurant. They seated us, we chatted, I looked at the time…and it was 5:20pm! Because we were all at the same place, we just thought it was time to go! A bizarre beginning to a wonderful evening with (left front) Maureen Christy, Ruling Elder Commissioner, First Stroudsburg; Sue Pizor Yoder Teaching Elder Commissioner, the Barn; me; (right front) Dave Duquette, Teaching Elder Commissioner, Pennside Presbyterian Church; Jeff Colarossi, Teaching Elder, United Presbyterian Church of Pottsville; RC Smith, Teaching Elder, College Hill Presbyterian Church; and Adam Clever, member of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and inquirer under care of Lehigh Presbytery to become a Teaching Elder.

We left the restaurant around 9pm, a long, leisurely dinner, and by the time Sue, Maureen, and I walked back to our hotel (we’re all in the Marriott)— about a mile away — I could hardly see straight and I can’t imagine how the two of them felt! I had just enough energy to cheer the Pirates on to a dramatic win, on a night when a whole lot of Presbyterians were in attendance.

And now we can all look forward to even more Presbyterians in attendance, on matters that are far more important and will have their own occasions of drama. If you’ve not been praying for the GA thus far, this would be a good time to start.

God is all in all,

Steve

Steve’s Blog – A Sunday to Remember!

To all the Saints of the Lehigh Presbytery,

Grace to you all, and peace!

My apologies for not being in touch a little sooner, but while I’m nowhere as busy as our commissioners and delegate, each day is a little busier, and each night a little later. It has been a bit harder than usual to be in touch with the commissioners, as the conference rooms in the convention center are quite spread out, making it tough to time breaks along with the other business that is conducted in the hallways. That said, I’ve seen all of our folks hard at work, even if they haven’t seen me (I watched your jumping jacks on Monday, Dave. Ummm….impressive…. In your defense, it was already a long day!)

*             *             *

So, what’s been going at the Assembly?

On Saturday night the election of the moderator took place. Like the rest of the Assembly, I did not feel a lot of energy in the room. I’m not sure if folks are tentative, given some of the tough issues before them, or they need a little time to gain momentum. Perhaps it is a war-weariness, or a somberness borne of the moderator’s ill-health. I think any of the candidates could have done a good job, but I think some were better than others for this particular time in the life of the church. There were no particular gaffes (although some strategies may have been questionable, and frankly, the then-current vice-moderator, Langdon Whitsett, had cornered the gaffe market by then), and on the fourth ballot Neal Presa won. I do not know him, though I’ve heard a bit about him, mostly that he is very sharp. I can also say that the three Young Adult Advisory Delegates I spent Sunday with were very enthusiastic about him — as were nearly all of the YAADs, who overwhelmingly advised voting for Neal beginning with the first ballot.

*             *             *

Not surprisingly, but providing great affirmation for what we are doing, missional and new Christian community issues have been running throughout the entire Assembly thus far. One candidate described a presbytery initiative to provide $100 to each church to do something new, outside their walls, and involving people, not just writing a check: “How to reach out to bring hope in the Lord Jesus Christ in brand new ways. What is God doing around us, and how can we participate?”

This followed a powerful moment as I met with Betty Meadows, General Presbyter of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. That presbytery’s Ecclesia Project to develop new Christian community was a model for our presbytery’s “C Change” (see www.lehighpresbytery.org for more information), and she was clearly moved that our commissioners had agreed to support this effort. She and the Ecclesia leadership had been so generous with their time, sharing information, meeting us via Skype, and their seeds have gone beyond Kentucky and into eastern Pennsylvania.

*             *             *

Sunday was a day to remember. It began with an invitation to breakfast with the Presbyterian Foundation. The speaker was Doug Pagitt (http://dougpagitt.com/ ), among many other things the founder of Solomon’s Porch, an emergent community (think Sue Pizor Yoder and the Barn) in Minnesota. I had read one of his books on that community’s life together, but now he was to talk about some of the theory he has developed. He was funny, witty, intelligent, and very insightful — one of the best General Assembly meal speakers I’ve heard. I’ll no doubt be sharing more as I read some of his books, but consider the third link in the chain (moderator speaker, Ecclesia, and Pagitt) of affirmation on what C Change could mean for our life together and for the Kingdom of God.

After that, Rachel wanted very much to worship where I had been baptized, married, ordained a deacon, called to ministry, and served as student assistant for two years. It’s hard to argue with that. She asked if two friends could join us, Liz and Hope, one from around Rhode Island and the other from Texas (respectively, I think). They were very patient, as Rachel and I visited with so many old friends whom I’ve not seen or worshipped with in nearly two decades. Since we left Pittsburgh, the church had become a More Light congregation, and the only pastor I’ve ever really had, John McCall, was given a special honor at the More Light dinner the night before. I am glad and grateful to say that while issues were high on many an agenda in the room, the Gospel was preached and the Good News proclaimed.

I suppose I could skip this next part, but confession is good for the soul. We finally left, and went to drive to my favorite pizza place for lunch. We walked and walked, but never seemed to reach the car. Despite rumors to the contrary, Rachel is safe and sound. She was not stolen. Nor as it turns out was my car. It was, however, towed because I parked in front of a driveway that none of the four of us noticed.

But God is good, and sometimes good deeds are rewarded. The day before I had told Barb Smith, former member of Lehigh, now General Presbyter of Lackawanna Presbytery (to our north) and spouse of our own Rev. RC Smith of College Hill Presbyterian Church, of a great shoe store near where I used to go to church. After worship, Barb and RC were driving by just as I was waiting for the police, as I thought the car was stolen. Once we found out what really happened, the Smiths were kind enough to drive us back to drop off the girls for their afternoon session, and then RC took me to pick up my car. Thank you both, and Rachel, Hope, and Liz for your patience and good humor throughout.

*             *             *

Which brings us to today, Monday. As I said, schedules have been a little funky, so what had been a hoped for prayer time with Lehigh commissioners and delegate turned into a nice chat with Dave Duquette. I then began my biennual practice of interspersing checking on the delegate and commissioners, looking in on the committees that are of interest, and meeting folks from around the General Assembly and the country whom I need to visit (lengthy visits with 1001 New Worshipping Committees — another link in the chain — and camp related people who are thrilled with what Jen Henshue and the Brainerd folks have been able to do). I also spent a lot of time with last minute organizing of the Presence Keepers, folks from around the country who do what we are blessed to have at presbytery meetings: pray for us during our time together. GA Presence Keepers can’t ring a bell to have committees stop and pray, but they pray for a few hours each day of committee and plenary work, and are often asked to pray with a committee or individuals in need. It seems as meaningful for the pray-ers I recruit (EP-types and Stated Clerks from around the country) as it does to the committees themselves.

I also took part in a prayer walk today, a precursor to and practice for the walk that dozens will make on Thursday. It was a two-mile loop that covered a variety of significant downtown Pittsburgh peoples and events, from the contributions of African-American brothers and sisters at the August Wilson Cultural Center, to God’s gift of nature as we walked the Rachel Carson Bridge, to workers in different buildings and eras, celebration of the body and the recognition of how it can fail us at the Roberto Clemente Statue. After ten total stops we ended up praying for Christ’s church at celebrated First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. Good exercise, and a good time to pray.

Prayer Walk
 Joy Kaufmann and Tammy Wiens on the Rachel Carson Bridge

After lunch with some Synod folks, I was off for the next link in this missional/new Christian community chain, a Mid-Council conversation with the public theologian and author Brian McLaren. He had many provocative thoughts about the church today, and invited many good questions and sharings. It was very affirming, all the moreso when I left the convention center and ended up getting some unexpected one on one time with him.

Friends, it is well past midnight as I write this, and I think my eyes are more closed than open — thanks for proofreading, Robin! Until tomorrow….make that later today…

God is all in all,

Steve

Steve’s Blog – Opening of the General Assembly

General Assembly hit the ground running, the sound of bagpipes welcoming us from north and south, east and west, to the David Lawrence Convention Center. As I often feel at the opening of the Assembly, there is a sense in which this is truly a foretaste of the Kingdom to come. So many people, different in appearances we can see, and assuredly different in theologies and understandings we cannot see. I can still remember that sense of awe I felt back in 1992 as a Theological Student Advisory Delegate in Milwaukee, and despite any cynicism that may have seeped into me since, that awe has remained with me as I’ve attended over a decade straight.

*          *          *

This year I was invited to be part of a General Assembly Committee on Representation effort to evaluate how committees function in light of new flexibility and freedom in using Roberts’ Rules and other means of discernment. With new freedom comes new responsibility. Are some persons contributing too much and others too little? How is the moderator balancing discussion, praying, and acting on the matter at hand? Are those of a particular race or ethnicity, gender, or age having the same opportunities? With assemblies occurring every two years (at least at the moment; that item of business is still ahead of us), it will take awhile to compile significant data, but it is hoped that this will help with both participation and process.

*          *          * 

Worship is always a highlight of the General Assembly, and unlike some years when it feels like a Broadway production this was a rather traditional service, although I haven’t seen many liturgical dancers in my visits around the Presbytery. For many of us, this marked the debut of the new hymnal sampler. It was especially touching to have Moderator Cindy Bolbach wheeled to the pulpit, as her cancer treatments have left her weak. Many of you may remember her from her visit with us some time ago, and I remember her energy and wit among us. The wit is still sharp, if the energy has understandably flagged (The vice-moderator, Langdon Whitsett, moderated nearly all of the afternoon session). It was quite moving to see a slew of people stand up wearing shiny green wigs, in support of the Moderator’s more tasteful wig (and later, a snappy fedora!). Not surprisingly, Cindy laughed as much as anyone, but given the little bit I know her, I have no doubt it meant a great deal to her. We have prayed for her in the Presbytery before, and I am sure she would be grateful if you continued to do so.

I was also reminded by the Moderator’s sermon of where we’ve been, and where we are. It was during the Assembly two years ago that the text concerning the paralytic lowered through the roof was, in effect, our dwelling in the Word. And it was at that time in our life together that the same text was used, and I remember feeling as though there was a message in that “Godcidence.” And so when she preached on it today, and I thought about our current focus on Bartimaeus, I wondered again if there is something I ought to be hearing with the ears of my heart.

*          *          *

The meeting opened with greetings from my once and future colleague Sheldon Sorge, with whom I worked at General Assembly in the Office of Theology, Worship, and Spiritual Formation, and who is now the Pastor to the Presbytery for Pittsburgh Presbytery. I’ll spare you the details of the video on the wonders of Pittsburgh, although I’ll be glad to share them upon request!

One of the speakers was Mr. McFeely, postman of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Fred Rogers’ wife, Joanne, participated in the worship service, and Mr. McFeely and all references to Mr. Rogers were met with great applause. There are statues throughout the city pointing to the city’s affection for this nationally- and internationally- known pastor to children. As I’ve shared in some of my classes and workshops over the years, my wife, Alicia, and I attended what is known to many as “Mr. Rogers’ Church,” Sixth Presbyterian Church, and Alicia and Joanne were next door neighbors in the choir loft. Unfortunately I couldn’t visit with Joanne, as I can’t imagine her reaction to learning that my daughter Rachel, the baby she and Fred held some eighteen years ago, is now a Young Adult Advisory Delegate.

God is all in all,

Steve

Steve’s Blog – From Allentown to Pittsburgh

Grace to you all, and peace, and greetings from my land of milk and honey, my hometown of Pittsburgh. The General Assembly doesn’t get into full swing until Saturday, but I accompanied my daughter Rachel, whom you elected to be the Presbytery’s Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD), whose work began this evening. I might have said “I drove my daughter…” but the truth is that she drove most of the way. Since February she turned 18, got her driver’s license, graduated from high school and was accepted into college. And today she drove me across Pennsylvania so that she can serve the church. Not a bad day.

A biblical phrase that continually rattles in my mind is Luke 2:52, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature,” meaningful to me, perhaps, because (1) I believe we are all, church included, works in progress; and (2) I believe the humanity of Jesus is too often forgotten. A common problem in the early church was that people could readily accept Jesus as divine — they were used to worshipping gods. But human, with a body and feelings like us? Needing to grow in wisdom and stature, just like us? That was too much for many, and even now can be a stumbling block. But to be like Jesus means we have to grow as church and as individual — grow not simply into my perception of what is right (even if that would make me happy), but grow into Christ himself. I pray that this Assembly might be growth spurt for all of us.

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As sometimes happens, the devotion I read on a given day is not always the day the author had in mind. And yet God’s Word is living and active, and what I have in mind or the author has in mind is far less important than what God has in mind. And so it was that today I encountered texts that I believe could not have been more appropriate for the Presbyterian Church on the cusp of the 220^th General Assembly.

First, as I began the book of Joshua, the commentator spoke of how the story of Israel is our story, and demonstrates a pattern that reappears throughout Scripture and through our lives. The Hebrews enter the Promised Land in this book, following God faithfully and “fully engaged,” providing “a glimpse of what a unified church could look like.” But then, as will happen again and again, they stumble, creating a pattern of “they fall away and return, they fall away and return.”

These are fragile times in the church, to be sure. But we should not forget, as those who live for only decades are wont to do, the much larger, hundreds of years perspective of Presbyterians and the greater church. The Presbyterian Church has come together and been fully engaged as ambassadors for Christ, many times throughout its history. And despite the many divisions in centuries past as well as today, in many cases that which was separated one day came together again. For a great article on this, from Fred Heuser of the Presbyterian Historical Society, go to

www.pres-outlook.com/infocus-features/current-features/16572-all-in-the-family-a-history-of-splits-in-the-american-presbyterian-church.html

This is not to suggest we shouldn’t be praying for what happens to the Presbyterian Church over the next days, months, and years. But it is to say that this is less about us than it is about God’s church universal, with a history longer, broader and deeper than anything we can imagine.

Then I was reminded of one of my hopes for this Assembly and every assembly, presbytery, committee or session meeting. In reading Psalm 79 the oft-spoken prayer emerged that at no time would those on one side of an issue ask those on another side of an issue “Where is your God?” as if they did not know. Or worse, as if there were another God, that we — on one side or another — do not worship the same God. For us to challenge one another and say “What do you believe God says?” is a question of faithfulness. But I believe evil wins when we act as if those brothers and sisters who confess Jesus as their Savior are somehow worshipping “foreign gods” because of their differences from us.

God is all in all,

Steve