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As Erin has reported we are all here in Lu’vull. When will Yankees ever learn to say it right? Friday afternoon was a time of settling in and scouting out the territory. The Convention Center is composed to two three story buildings connected by a walk-way over a fairly busy street. The Center is a bit complex and it took a while to figure out where everything is located. In addition to learning the way around was the joyful sounds of friends greeting one another and introducing new people. Hand shakes and hugs are the order of the day just as at our family reunions. In part, that is what the General Assembly meeting is---- a family reunion. Of course, there are expressions of grief as we recall friends and colleagues who are absent because of changing forms of service or death. On Saturday all the Commissioners were to participate in an anti-racism workshop. The intent was to sensitize the Commissioners to the direct and indirect ways we frequently express racial biases and prejudices. One minister member Commissioner from a Western presbytery, once an Executive Presbyter, told me he learned three new ways to be a racist. He tends to be a bit cynical. In the afternoon, the Assembly officially opened with the usual orientation of the Commissioners to the way business is handled in such a large environment and in how to use the electronic voting keypads. As the docket was presented some sought to test their influence on the Assembly by trying to move one Committee report to an earlier slot in the docket. Some Commissioners expressed dismay that they couldn’t even get through the first session without wrangling. As I’ve watched several Assemblies this isn’t all that uncommon. One can frequently get a sense of the Assembly by how things are handled in the first session. This year it doesn’t seem al that bad. The evening was given to the election of the Moderator for the 213th General Assembly. You could feel the electricity in the air as Commissioners and observers packed into the meeting room. Some of the more experienced heads were handicapping (a reasonable activity in a state know for horse racing) the voting. The “smart” money was on a multiple ballot with no single nominee gaining sufficient votes to be elected on the first ballot. Some were saying the election was Nancy Maffet’s to lose. The nominating speeches didn’t seem all that inspired. The statement by the nominees began to indicate the differences among the nominees. Sandra Hawley seemed like the engineer she is. I’ve known Sandra for some years. Last night she just didn’t seem to have the “passion” she professed. Andy Sale, an EP I’ve know for nearly 20 years, presented himself well, but didn’t seem to capture the imagination of the Assembly. Nancy Maffet worked hard to present herself as a moderate. I felt her carefully chosen words had been crafted by a presidential speech writer, and were given with a “trust me” smile. Jack Rogers presented himself as the teacher he is. During the question and answer session the Commissioners and Advisory delegates put direct and pointed questions to the nominees. This was not a “slow pitch softball game with easy lobs tossed in for the nominees to slug for a home run.” Jack Rogers distanced himself from the field as the rounded the quarter mile post and headed toward the finish line. Jack’s responses were heart felt and direct, even surprising many with his directness. As the nominees approached the end of the Q & A portion the only question was would it be a “photo finish” between Maffet and Rogers. The Advisory delegates voted and it was obvious they favored the candor of Rogers. The Commissioners then entered their votes using the electronic voting machines (no dimpled chads here). The room sat in suspense as we waited for the electronic votes to be tabulated, for a hard copy to be delivered to the Stated Clerk for verification, and then to be given to the Moderator for the announcement of the results. The Assembly elected Rogers as Moderator on the first ballot with a 55% of the votes. Personally, I think Jack will serve the Assembly well during its meeting and will serve us all well during the coming year. We were privileged to have had Jack within our Presbytery this Spring. He is a man of deep faith, an evangelical in the truest sense of the word, and is a committed churchman.
Yours in service to Christ and the Church, |
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| Last Updated: June 26, 2004 | |||
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Presbytery of Kiskiminetas HOMEPAGE |
GA Reflections from Wayne Yost
