Friday was the longest day. Fatigue became a factor, as commissioners debated Standing Committee recommendations. This seems to be an Assembly where Standing Committee recommendations are questioned to be a greater degree than I have seen before. The consequence is to hear motion after motion, amendment after amendment...plus debate on every motion or amendment made, all requiring time and patience.
The big issue for the day was from the report from the Standing Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues. By a split margin of 28-24 the committee recommended a change in the definition of marriage from "between a man and a woman" to "between two people."
The debate on this matter began with constitutional challenges in that the Book of Confessions (Part I of our constititution) states in several places that the definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. That challenge went from commissioner to GA Moderator to Standing Committee Chair to the Stated Clerk to the Chair of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, who stated eloquently that our constitution is in two parts and not in agreement with each other, given that the confessions reflected the historical circumstance of the times in which they were written and that the Book of Order is changed by constitutional process. Other parliamentary procedures were then attempted, as the lines behind the microphone grew longer and longer with commissioners who wished to speak on the issue. There were two minority reports on the issue, both of which were given equal floor time to present, with the Assembly defeating both minority reports. After hours of procedure and debate, the Assembly defeated the Standing Committee recommendation by a vote of 338-308, leaving the definition of marriage as it is.
News on all matters can be read from the PC(USA) website, http://www.pcusa.org/news/
The Assembly HAS to wrap up by noon today, to catch flights, check out of hotels...plus the convention center contract ends today!
Regarding recovery efforts back in WV, the projection is by Sunday most of the locations' power will be restored. Bluestone still does not have power, but will hold on to that hope for power by Sunday and will re-open for camp. They need two heavy duty generators, which Mark Miller is trying to find now. Joan Stewart, who has kept me in touch with everything, relays concern for several communities and asks for food and water donations to your local food bank.
This will be my last posting. Having never done a blog before, I knew it would be a discipline to work in, amidst everything else going on at a General Assembly. I hope this has been helpful to you!
Blessings to you all,
Forrest
Thanks for keeping us up to date.
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