The day has been filled with business of the Assembly, most of which some people feel is non-crucial. Erin and I have been busy with last minute networking and coordination. In what we consider a coup, Erin and I----as members of the Churchwide Staff Meeting design team---- were able to secure a tentative agreement from Laura Mendenhall, the new President of Columbia Seminary, as worship leader for the Churchwide Staff meeting in April, 2001. I was able to secure a tentative agreement of Kathy Luekert, Associate Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, as a preacher for a Presbytery meeting in 2002. (Yes, we need to schedule that far in advance if we want top flight people.) We made contact in the World Mission Division about the possible itineration of furloughed mission personnel within the presbytery. Erin has provided website consultation to various people and organizations, as they recognize and call upon her top rate skills in this area.

As usual, at this time in the Assembly (after lunch on the last full day), the Commissioners both get strung out in tinkering with reports and actions, in getting behind in the order of business, and in wanting to rush forward. This leads to frustration and confusion, as "arrested reports" are picked up later and out of sequence. Some commissioners begin to get a bit testy as backsides tire and mashed potato brains begin to reach the limits of their endurance. As the afternoon and evening wear on things will become more tense, especially since we have not dealt with the overtures dealing with "same sex union."

The report of the National and Social Issues brought forth several contentious and emotional issues suchas: capital punishment, institutional forms of gambling, police accountability, needle exchange, the Confederate Flag on state house facilities, gun control, and the Vieques bombing range. As you might guess, there were impassioned speeches, amendments, and substitute motions as people sought to protect or project their own position.

After shortening the dinner break the Assembly came back this evening to take up the overture which would prohibit the use of church facilities and church officers in the "blessing" of same sex union. A Majority (to send an amendment to prohibit) and minority (to leave the issue unanswered) report were offered. Once each was "perfected" the floor was open to debate. Commissioners and Advisory delegates lined up 7-8 deep at each of eight microphones. Emotions were running high as commissioners spoke of the pain of their own children who are gay or lesbian and beseeched the Assembly not to slam the door shut on the children we baptized, nurtured, and confirmed, but now refer to as deviant individuals. Others beseeched the Assembly to prohibit the "blessing of same sex unions" on the grounds that it is clearly sinful and therefore must not be "blessed" in any form. After about an hour a motion was made to end all debate on the issue. The motion carried. Then the Assembly voted on the question of whether the Minority Report should be substituted for the Majority Report. The vote was 247 no 273 yes (a 2/3 vote was necessary to substitute). The Minority report did not become the main motion. On the Majority report the vote was 268 yes 251 no. There was only a seventeen vote difference, which indicates the continued differences which exist in our beloved church.

A great heaviness settled over the Assembly as the Stated Clerk and the Moderator led the Assembly in prayer. All are aware of the deep division which this vote represents. After a 10 minute recess the Assembly continued with the business before it for the evening at the 10:00 hour. While the Assembly proceeded with its business some who were deeply hurt with the outcome of the vote gathered outside the Assembly hall to sing and pray. It was very painful to stand near the entry hall between the Assembly as it considered other business and those singing outside the hall. Now each presbytery will have an opportunity to vote on a proposed amendment to the Book of Order to prohibit "the blessing of same sex unions."

In other business the Assembly considered a call to take a "civil rights" stand "to advocate for laws that establish same sex unions by state governments." The Assembly voted 296/225 not to approve such advocacy. Next was a proposal to call for "Sabbath keeping" which was approved.

The Assembly then moved to pick up "arrested reports." All items considered had import, but the Commissioners were clearly drained in body, mind and spirit. However, they trudged onward to fulfill their task. The Commissioners and YADs deserve our thanks for their faithfulness and endurance.

At the end of the evening an exhausted Assembly voted down an amendment to change the amount allocated to the chaplain’s council to over $400,000 and approved a recommendation to fund the chaplain’s council office for the next two years at around $250,000 per year, while the office undergoes a thorough review. Although the committee amended it, this overture originally was voted up from Kiskiminetas Presbytery.

Tomorrow many of the Commissioners from East of the Mississippi River will need to leave prior to the end of the Assembly. Business before the Assembly tomorrow will be the approval of the Mission and Administrative (Per Capita) Budgets. The Assembly will adjourn with worship. I will need to depart prior to the close of the Assembly. It has been an honor to attend the Assembly and to try to give you a perspective on the Assembly.