It appeared last night that the "prozac" wore off and the fatigue of the week has begun to show itself. Also, the Bills and Overtures Committee intentionally scheduled some of the lighter business for earlier in the Assembly to give the Commissioners and the Moderator time to get used to each other and the process.

We begin the day with the difficult issues of end of life issues: abortion, ordination of educators, several national issues, super-majority votes, GA over-riding a Synod judicial decision, boycott of Taco Bell, and a few others. Obviously, some of these are perennial issues with lots of emotion and disagreement. The debate was decorous, but none the less complicated and difficult. The Assembly rejected a overture seeking another study on a range of "end of life" concerns, including abortion.

Church Orders and Ministry Committee brought recommendations relative to Christian Educators. In sweeping action without objection the Assembly voted several substantive changes I relative to educators. The Assembly struggled with the issue of adding an "educator" specialization for Ministers of Word and Sacrament with particular education requirements. The Commissioners voted to approve sending this to the presbyteries for vote. The Assembly voted to send to the presbyteries an amendment which would allow "candidates" to either preach a sermon OR to teach a lesson plan. The Church Orders and Ministry Committee presented several recommendations, which were passed by the Assembly, which will come to the presbyteries as proposed amendments to the Constitution. Coming to the presbyteries will be proposed amendments which will allow the ordination of certified educators.

The question of ordaining educators is another of those perennial issues which has come before the church over the years. In the past, the church has rejected the concept of ordaining educators as ministers. Maybe this is the time which has come for a positive response. However, I raise the question again, as is asked on other issues, if we have acted on this why is it before us? It is the glory of our polity that we can keep testing the movement of the Spirit as the Spirit serves as our teacher and challenger.

The National Issues Committee brought a recommendation for the boycott of Taco Bell, due to the unjustly low compensation paid to the Immokalee Farm Workers. The Assembly voted by 61% to support the boycott of Taco Bell.

In a sweeping move during the Church Polity Committee report the Assembly disapproved all requests for sending proposed amendments to the presbyteries which would have required "super majorities" (66%) to send amendments to the presbyteries and for the presbyteries to approve proposed amendments. Also, swept away was an overture to limit changes to the Constitution (in both of its parts) to every five years. The voting was done in "short form" with the Moderator asking if there are any objections. If there are no objections the committee’s recommendation is approved.

Shenango Presbytery overtured the General Assembly to override the Presbytery of Northern New England in a judicial case involving compliance to the Constitution regarding the ordination of gay/lesbian officers. The Church Polity Committee recommended a negative response based on the fact that the Rules of Discipline are to be administered pastorally and ministerially. There was a revised Minority Report which supports a stronger action by the General Assembly by making a comment on the necessity for compliance. In part, the Overture and Minority Report rely on a Standing Rule, which the Majority report points out is in contradiction to the Book of Order. Again, in the debate on the Majority and Minority Reports the Assembly seems intent to walk a path of being non-offence, and seeking "to be gentle with one another" (which has been a frequently used phrase of the Moderator). However, efforts to be "pastoral" in dealing with the issue the Assembly seems to be stuck in a mire of political mush. The Assembly approved a "rewrite" of the Minority Report to become a substitute motion. The Assembly moved to a consideration of whether the substitute motion should become the main motion. After a very extended discussion the Assembly voted (69%) not to accept the substitute motion, and approved the recommendation of the Committee (77%).

It was the pattern of this Assembly to fully discuss substitute motions and minority reports, and then reject the them and vote in favor of the recommendations of the Committees. It cannot be said that this Assembly failed to fully discuss things.

The Assembly enjoyed the personable nature of Moderator Fahed Abu-Akel. He was obviously concerned with maintaining a gentleness in the debates. He frequently reminded the Commissioners to be gentle with each other. It was a wonder to watch our Stated Clerk, Cliff Kirkpatrick, assist the Moderator through the complexities of the Assembly.

No doubt there will be some detractors about this Assembly. There always are. There will always be those who will strongly disagree with the actions, or failure to act in the way they would have wanted, by the Assembly. However, from my point of view, those who will be detractors are merely looking for a fight most people are no longer interested in engaging. This was a "kinder and gentler" Assembly. Thanks be to God!

Saturday morning the Assembly will conclude its work in acting on the Mission and Per Capita budgets. The exhibit hall was emptied this afternoon. Hundreds of phones, computers, printers, copiers, internet lines, and other equipment will be packed up for return to the businesses from which they were leased. Commissioners and staff will have packed their bags, headed for their cars, buses, trains and planes for the trip home. I believe all can say, "This was a good Assembly."

Monday, or at least sometime next week, I will post one more set of reflections, after thoughts. Of course, Tuesday our Commissioners will report to the Presbytery during our meeting. Our folks were very diligent in their duties in committees and plenary sessions of the Assembly. I encourage you to thank them for their service.