The reports from the various committees were available this morning both in print and electronic form. I tried to download the documents from the phone connection in my hotel room and found it terribly slow. This afternoon Erin and I were able to download the documents using the OGA ethernet connection and all reports were then on our computers in just a couple of minutes. This is the wave of future Assemblies. It will save hours and dollars for the paper duplication. Erin and our office staff have been working to make available, on line, the reports and "papers" for our presbytery meetings. As we continue to work out a few "bugs" you will soon be able to download the "papers" on to your computer either to print at your choice or for use on a laptop at the meeting.

As business of the Assembly begins some of the items of lesser controversy are scheduled first to allow the Commissioners the opportunity to settle in and to get used to the style of the Moderator. Moderator Abu-Akel is working to be a fair and to move business as quickly as possible. I know that the amount of business will expand in proportion to the time available for it. So, we will be here until Saturday. Any hope of getting out early is futile.

Presbytery dinner: Erin and I hosted the annual presbytery dinner for Kirk Orr, Sue Socol, Chelsea Struriale, Betty Eichler, Carol Snyder, Kent Snyder, Don Rising. Karen Beals, formerly pastor of the Elk County Parish, joined us. We ate at a large Italian restaurant where the food is served family style. The fellowship was delicious and the food was lively. Rick Hurley was here for the day, but was unable to join us for dinner.

Sue Montgomery was a central participant in the Assembly as we celebrated 25 years of That All May Enter action and paper by the General Assembly. This addresses the need for us to be aware and to open our buildings and our ministries to Presbyterians With Disability Concerns.

Biennial meetings---- The Committee on General Assembly Meetings moved that we go to a pattern of biennial meeting. Immediately there was a substitute motion to maintain the annual pattern. Significant discussion centered on trust, possible financial savings (although the cost per member is relatively small the total cost is said to be in the neighborhood of $5 million per meeting), and the opportunity for congregations and ministers to attend General Assembly meetings. Former Moderator, Ken Hall, suggested that it need not be an either or proposition. Rev. Hall suggested alternating years for the Divisions to report and to reduce the number of days needed for the Assembly. This would save money, reduce the stress on staff to implement decisions and to report back, provide more time for proper implementation of decisions, while maintaining the opportunity for personal contact. The vote was 67% against the substitute to maintain the annual meetings. The vote on the original motion was 67% (343) in favor. This means that following the 2004 General Assembly meeting we will move to an every other year pattern of meeting.

Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity---- the Debate focused on the length of time by which the Task Force would need to present "the final" report to the sessions and presbyteries. The amendment would have required "the final" report to be made available electronically or in print 9 months in advance of the 217^th GA. The amendment was defeated which will allow "a draft" report to be sent out 9 months in advance of the 217^th GA. (Which will be in 2006)

Tomorrow the hot item of business with be Christology. There is little doubt the paper "Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ" will be accepted in answer to the Overtures calling for a clear statement about the person and work of Jesus, and salvation.

The Assembly is moving right along with its work. In fact, they were able to have a bit of an extended dinner time tonight. The mood of the Assembly seems to be one of let’s not do too much which might be seen as upsetting things back home. There are a few issues to be dealt with in the next couple of days which will have to be handled delicately, but neither the far right nor the far left will be able to claim a victory. This Assembly seems set to walk a traditional, middle of the road, path. It is concerned about making peace within the church. That might not be such a bad thing right now. Oh, there will be those who will rant and rave because they didn’t get what they wanted on a particular issue. However, the word is that folks from the moderate right and the moderate left are working hard to find acceptable compromises on most issues.