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Wayne's World: GA Reflections from Wayne Yost

Day 8: The Assembly Concludes; Final Reflections

1 July 2000

All in all this was a quiet General Assembly. The Commissioners doggedly worked through the business before them. The tone was decorous with very few "heated" debates. Even the debate, action and aftermath regarding "blessing of same sex unions" was muted in comparison with that of previous Assemblies. Some said this Assembly did not have enough "real" business to warrant the meeting. I disagree. Although the business, in large measure, was not earth shaking it was substantial for the mission, ministry and maintenance of our portion of the Church.

The overture Kiskiminetas Presbytery sent up regarding the funding of the Council of Chaplains and Military Personnel had an effect. The Assembly increased the funding for the Council for 2000 and 2001. A two year study on the lodgment and funding of the Council will be undertaken. This provides two years of "stability" for the Council, its new director and the General Assembly Council to develop a strategy for the future.

Kent, Marie and Emily served our Presbytery and the church well. They took an active role in their Committees and in the floor discussion and actions. They were ALWAYS in their places and ready for each vote. Kent served admirably as vice-chair of the Assembly Committee on Christian Education and Curriculum.

Last Sunday, at the Association of Executive Presbyters’ dinner, I was struck by the fact that in the last year we have about a dozen new EPs, about six others have changed positions, and four others will be retiring this year. I will miss colleagues who are not, or will not be, in executive service any longer. I look forward to getting to know new colleagues in this particular service to the church. It doesn’t take long for person to become one of the longer serving, especially in the same presbytery.

The election of Cliff Kirkpatrick, as our Stated Clerk, ensures another four years of his friendly, clam and helpful service. It is fun to watch Cliff and John Detterick, the Director of the General Assembly Council, work together. They evidence true team work and a strong affection for each other and their work. We are blessed to have Cliff and John as leading servants of the denomination.

Sygnman Rhee served well as our Moderator. His personality shined through the responsibilities of his office. His lively faith, ready humor, and passion for mission were always evident. About ten years ago he was one of the people serving at the General Assembly level which some people loved to hate and to vilify. This year, in large part, he was one of the people the Assembly felt the most affection for. Sygnman is committed to finding a path of reconciliation in the midst of some very real, and at time sharp, differences in our portion of the Church.

As the Assembly was in the last vestiges of this meeting one of my colleagues points out that the clock is set and running at 51 weeks until next year’s Assembly in Louisville. That is a very short time for the continuation of the "unity and diversity" conversations to take place and for preparation for what looks like might be a very contentious Assembly. NOW, is not too soon to begin to pray for the 213^th Assembly which will convene in Louisville, June 9-16, 2001.

Yours in service to Christ and the Church,
Wayne A. Yost, executive presbyter
PBY_KISKIMINETAS@PCUSA.ORG or wayost@kiskipby.org

Day 1: The Assembly Begins
Day 2: Morning Worship
Day 3: Committees and Worship
Day 4: Committees Meet
Day 5: The Assembly Reconvenes
Day 6: The Assembly Continues to Meet
Day 7: The Final Day of the Assembly