222nd Day 5, Plenary takes up Committee Reports

My day began with the GA Breakfast Gathering with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.  Rev. Dr. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou  https://twitter.com/RevSekou   addressed us on the topic, "Faith in the Age of Ferguson."  He suggests it calls us into the public square to stand with the marginalized and persecuted;  to reject traditional leadership;  called into question failed modernity and neo-colonialism imperialism.  He pointed out that more lives have been slain in the name of Jesus than any other name.  We need to acknowledge this in confession and stand up to challenge our brothers and sisters to the better way of Christ.  He challenged us to sacrifice, to show up, stand up, and defend victims of violence.  He asked, "What blow are you willing to make against white supremacy.  He reminded us that Jesus was born to an unwed mother, to a people under occupation.  He became a threat to the Empire.  They killed him on a cross, the Empire's form of threat and control.  And the empty cross proclaims that the Empire will not have the final word.   Look for a utube video of this address at http://presbypeacefellowship.org/

I then moved to the Ecumenical Worship Service.  The preacher was REv. Reginald Jackson, AME Bishop.  His sermon, "Crisis of Conflicting Voices," based on 1 Kings 22:1-14, and in particularly verses 13 and 14.
13 The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king; let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “As theLord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”

He suggested, don't pay attention to the masses of voices.  Don't be tempted to go along to get along.  The Church of Jesus Christ, the crisis of our times is our conflicted message to people.  What are we to do

1. Each of us must remain faithful.  Like Micaiah, ignore the voice of the 400.  Our responsibility is to speak truth to power, to tell what God has to say.
2. Don't be fooled by the numbers.  Too often we capitulate to those with the numbers.  "If you argue with a fool long enough you will become a fool yourself."  We are called not to be popular but faithful.
3. Live like you know Jesus, ie.  not anxious, fearful and pessimistic.  Sleep in peace and confidence.

Then lunch with my Seminary:  Union Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  John Vest, the new faculty member shared with the Presbytery of the James, spoke on "Cultivating a Culture of Evangelism.  He is a key new resource for the church in rethinking our call to share the good news of the gospel.  He previously served as an associate pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago.

As the Plenary reconvened, Rev. Dr. Leanne Van Dyk, a member of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan was introduced to the Assembly and was confirmed as president of Columbia Theological Seminary.

They approved a revised Directory for Worship to be sent to the Presbyteries for inclusion in the Book of Order.

At dinner, Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the Office of the General Assembly, who is retiring in July after this GA, was recognized and celebrated.