Sunday, July 1, 2012

Moderator Neal Presa, Forrest and Barb Palmer

Following a breakfast hosted by the Presbyterian Foundation, Jim and Karen Robinson, Claire Butler, Barb and I went to First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh for worship.  First Presbyterian is a 240 year old cathedral style sanctuary, with beautiful Tiffany stained glass windows -- and NO air conditioning!  (I thought about so many in West Virginia and Virginia who are having to deal with this heat, with no power, no air conditioning or even a fan.) The sanctuary was packed, including the balcony and overflow area.  In each pew rack were a couple of hand held fans, and one could see a sea of waving fans throughout the entire service, in the 94 degree heat!  The church staff had been planning for months how to best host the many people coming into the city for the 220th General Assembly.  In fact, every Presbyterian Church hosted visitors from throughout the denomination, from First Presbyterian to the Hot Metal Bridge new church development.  Each church provided their guests a lunch after the worship service, in a gracious act of hospitality.

The afternoon brought about some Assembly plenary business, including the re-election of Gradye Parsons as Stated Clerk.  Gradye led our CLP/ALP polity training in June, in Charleston, and hosted some of us who asked him to stay on and entertain questions.  This was the first time since reunion that a Stated Clerk has run unopposed, which speaks well of how Gradye has served this denomination.

Following the plenary session, Pittsburgh Presbytery hosted a reception for the Moderator at the David Lawrence Convention Center.  Barb and I were fortunate to have our picture taken with the Moderator with my iPhone camera, thanks to a local volunteer.  I asked the Moderator to please come visit us in West Virginia, and he mentioned that he has been in contact with Joan Stewart about a WVMAW visit, with his congregation (if I heard that correctly).  I was encouraged by his immediate receptivity to coming to visit our presbytery.

The evening brought an orientation and training for me, as I have been asked to be a process observer for two standing committees.

Standing Committee work began this evening, with community building. Tomorrow, the standing committees will work on the matters assigned to them from the Office of Stated Clerk and the Bills and Overture Committee.

Forrest