This afternoon the Assembly voted to approve the Board of Pensions recommendation that a 9% good experience apportionment. This means that effective 01 August 2000 all those receiving a pension from the Board of Pensions will receive an increase in their annual pension. All those who are active Plan participants will receive a 9% credit to their pension accrual. In the last five or six years the Assembly has approved an increase of about 55% in the pension of retired servants of the church and in the credits for those who are still serving and are members of the Benefits Plan. Additionally, the Assembly approved that ministers who delay retirement past the age of 65 will receive an additional 6% per year for up to five years of additional service in their pension.

Just as this freight train was beginning to gather some momentum the Assembly found itself with a challenging hill in front of it. The Committee on Catholicity and Ecumenical Relationships recommend a negative response to an overture requesting a significant reduction in our support of the National and World Council of Churches. The debate was civil but tense, at time. The most impassioned speech I heard supporting the Committee’s recommendation came from a well spoken YAD. She said, "I had come prepared to vote to reduce our support of the National and World Councils. However, after hearing all the facts, seeing all the numbers and listening to the Andrew Young---- the new head of the National Council---- I now support the recommendation of the Committee. I believe the new leadership will take the Councils in a new direction." The Assembly voted to accept the recommendation of the Committee by 78% to 19%.

In the midst of the debate on the National and World Council funding the fire alarm went off in the Convention Center, the second time in two days. It was a false alarm. However, for me, it provided a metaphor for life in the church. There are those who sense something is or might be wrong and begin to cry out in a loud voice. In response to their screaming alarm we pick up and make our way to purported safety. As the masses are streaming about, an amplified voice announces, "It is safe to return to the building . It was a false alarm." It then takes us a bit of time to refind our places, for our heart rate to settle down, and for us to be able to get back to the work at hand. There are many who are sounding the alarm, and just as many times it is a false alarm. While Scripture speaks sharply about the sentry, the prophet, who fails to sound the alarm, those who sound a false alarm, false prophecy, are just as sharply spoken against.

Erin and I hosted a dinner for the Kiski contingent here at the Assembly: Kent, Marie, Emily, Gary, Betty, and Chuck and Marianne McMillan. It was very good evening with all in good spirits. Chuck, former Director of the Council of Chaplains, thanked Kiskiminetas Presbytery for sending up the overture dealing with funding of the Council. This will probably be the last time Chuck and Marianne will be with us for the Kiski dinner. Chuck was a little misty eyed as he took his leave after the meal. Chuck, thanks for your service.