Here we go....

It has been a fun first few days for a lot of us - at least for those of us who are not commissioners.  They have been working hard.

Jackson Gurley, our YAAD, was assigned to Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations;  Karen Hill has been serving the Church Polity and Ordered Ministry committee; and Dave Kirby the Civil Unions and Marriage committee.  Fortunately, all of them were through soon enough that we were all able to go to Comerica Field to watch the Detroit Tigers lose (BIG) to the Kansas City Royals. At least we had fun!

Many of us had lunch today with our seminary communities. I had the privilege of sitting with Dr. Reinerio Arce, President of the Reformed Seminary in Matanzas, Cuba, and Moderator of the Reformed Church in Cuba.  it was wonderful to see him again after having had the opportunity to meet in 2010.

We are now in plenary on the floor of General Assembly.  We're all in our places with bright shiny faces.  The commissioners have just had a "speak out" time where they can say whatever is on their mind and hearts.  Many have given thanks for hard working committees, reunion with old friends, and for the ways that the Young Adult Advisory Delegates have served so far.  some have asked prayers for a grandchild prematurely born; for a community struck by tornadoes; and for other deep concerns on their minds and hearts. An ecumenical delegate has spoken, and now begins the work of considering what was decided in committee.

A new twist this year is the addition of a "consent agenda" for each of the committees. If items of business considered by a committee were passed by 75% or more of the votes, they were placed on a large consent agenda.  If the body agrees, those items will pass quickly and begin their journey into the life of the church. Before that, however, any commissioner has the right to remove any item of business from the consent agenda, so that it may be considered by the full body.  We are all wondering how many items the commissioners will wish to lift from the consent agenda.  Stay tuned!