
General Assembly News
Stories from Saturday, June 28, 2008
Stories from Friday, June 27, 2008
Assembly calls for peacemaking in Israel/Palestine
Comfort My People: a new comprehensive statement on serious mental illness
Assembly leaves definition of marriage unchanged
Assembly approves new social creed, the first in a century
Philippine church leaders face death for advocating change
Reaching outward is key to growth
Walking humbly takes courage, preacher says
Assembly proposes amendment to delete G-6.0106b and replace it with a new version
Gradye Parsons elected General Assembly stated clerk
Stories from Thursday, June 26, 2008
Assembly starts process toward revising Heidelberg Catechism
Committee on General Assembly Procedures makes its reports
Assembly approves revisions to descriptions and timing of ordination exams
Assembly elects more than 200 persons to fill board, agency and committee slots
Mission Initiative campaign announces surprise $33 million
Assembly rejects fifth special offering to fund mission personnel
Worship Committee hopes future committees can learn from its experience
Equip future pastors to teach theology, Juengst says
We’re still ‘imagining what God will do through Christian education,’ says Mendenhall
Assembly remembers Ben Lacy Rose
Spirit makes evangelism easier, says Hoey
FOG revision sent for study to churches and presbyteries
What has Silicon Valley to do with God?
Islamic leader wishes to build bridges of understanding
Walking humbly? We aren’t good at that, preacher says
Taylor addresses multicultural church dinner
Marj Carpenter was ‘born to be a reporter’
Stories from Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Assembly approves five Youth Committee items
Melva Costen wasn’t sure reunion would work
Three winners in youth video contest announced
ymiLIVE victors each to receive $25,000 endowment
Assembly seeks expanded coverage for children with congenital disabilities
Annual ‘relief of conscience’ report also sought from Board of Pensions
Peacemaking — ‘a calling for a lifetime’
Assembly calls for tolerance in relations with Jews, Muslims
Two church growth strategies, new sexuality resources approved
The Rev. Byron Wade is 218th General Assembly vice-moderator
Jorge Lara-Braud, pastor, theologian, fighter for the poor dies at 77
Histories of American West ‘ignore the role religion played’
Power of nonviolence lies in action, speaker says
Prayer essential for action on ecology
PPC highlights new commentary, Feasting on the Word
Scouting changes lives, says seminary-bound teen
Award recipient says ‘do your work and expect the Holy Spirit’
Learning the ‘dance of partnership’ in world health
Two men remember two historic reunions
‘I am a Palestinian. I have no bombs.’ — Archbishop Chacour
‘I wanted it demolished on all our heads’
Leech, Lewis confirmed to head Foundation, Publishing House
Three chaplains tell their stories
‘Our children are already there,’ says Buchanan
Joe Small honored with festschrift
Kim calls Presbyterian Church to set aside privilege
Let needs of the world set agenda, theologian says
Stories from Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Psalmist Mary D. Williams sang at the Hungryhearts Gospel Blues Breakfast, sponsored by the General Assembly Council Office of Spiritual Formation. Photo by Danny Bolin
Committee recommends leaving per capita intact
Committee reaches compromise between Foundation and GAC
Committee recommends action on HIV/AIDS, serious mental illness and health care reform
21st-century psalmist gives voice to the emotion of faith
Health Issues Committee acts on abortion overtures
Belhar Confession study receives approval
Peacemaking actions provide diverse witness
Committee to recommend four ecumenical agreements
Committee explores using generative thinking approach
Committee to refer FOGTF report to churches and presbyteries
Committee rejects new definition of marriage
Committee to bring motions to support youth ministry
Committee approves new social creed
Committee to recommend adolescent sexuality resources
Church Orders votes 41-11 to recommend deletion of G-6.0106b
Committee reworks ordination exam descriptions, timing
Committee recommends major new ecumenical policy statement
Church transition is a time to find new ways, group told
Woman to be ordained as minister of the arts
Transformation is beyond quick fixes, pastor says
Church Orders and Ministry recommends new authoritative interpretation on ‘scrupling’
Proposal would allow ordaining bodies to consider conscientious objection to G-6.0106b
Find your ‘thin place,’ Daniel tells worshipers
Stories from Monday, June 23, 2008

Worshipers passed the peace at the Monday evening worship service. Photo by Joseph Williams
Committee recommends dialog with Muslims
Presbytery and synod bounds binding
‘Committee on committees’ hears about ordination exams, racial and ethnic concerns, judicial process
New Youth Committee begins discernment
Membership vows, compassion stir discussion
‘Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing’ Sweeps PHEWA Awards
Health Issues Committee considers abortion policies
Committee approves fifth PC(USA) special offering
Snyder describes the amount of U.S. gun violence as 'obscene'
Committee has soul-searching discussion of war in Iraq
Form of Government Revision Committee weighs options before it
37 presbyteries recognized as tops in mission giving
HIV pastor stands in solidarity with those who are marginalized
‘We’re all pro-child and pro-mother’
Mission Coordination and Budgets Committee endorses Dallas covenant
Committee approves changes to 1962 Heidelberg translation
Remember 'Thank you Jesus' moments
Pastor advocates ‘speedboat ministry'Marj remembers dramatic vote contest
Watching World Trade Center, she knew she would become a chaplain
Sermon leads man to homelessness
Committee recommends Jay Hudson for another term, approves PC(USA) schools and Walton Awards
Musician David LaMotte inspires 900 Presbyterians on 'World-changing 101'
Exhibit Hall offers an eclectic mix of things Presbyterian — and not
Stories from Sunday, June 22, 2008

A bagpiper welcomed worshipers to the San Jose Civic Auditorium. Photo by Danny Bolin
The Witherspoon Society breaks bread, gives and receives
Ground church in “first-order concerns,” says Labberton
Commissioners submit 13 resolutions
Drama reveals saga of Katrina victims, responders
Long lines, green lions, mariachis and guacamole
Moderator’s Reception provides view to the future
New Form of Government seeks flexibility, Assembly told
Supporters celebrate renewed spirit for world mission work
Gradye Parsons is committee’s nominee for stated clerk
Jones, Koster, Tarbell are also vying to be Kirkpatrick’s successor
Overcome fear with love, says former M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell
Visit MoM while you’re at the General Assembly
Women of Faith celebrate three visionary women
Powerful worship unites Assembly in two sites
Torrens remembers exuberance
Reunion reflections
Stories from Saturday, June 21, 2008

Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow was joined on stage by wife Robin Pugh; daughters Annie, 4, Abby, 7, and Evelyn, 11; father, Bill Chow; mother, the Rev. Sarah Reyes; and stepfather Joel Gibbs. Photo by Joseph Williams
Iraqi church leader describes survival struggle
One-third of Christians have fled country, archbishop says
San Jose churches show how to go 'green'
New GA moderator holds post-election press conferenceReyes-Chow finds Internet “part of my way of being”
Commissioners to have indoor, tented space for prayer
‘Recognize the face of God in everyone,’ Gervis says
More Light Presbyterians’ speaker presses for full equality
Retired GA administrator attends 50th Assembly
Reyes-Chow elected moderator of 218th GA
San Francisco pastor wins second ballot victory
World mission personnel honor 6 mission co-workers
Kirkpatrick receives Outlook’s Thompson Award
Walton Award winners announced
Four new church developments honored for innovative ministry
218th General Assembly summary — Saturday, June 21
Transcript of Presbyterian News Service VoiceLine recording
Kirkpatrick, Valentine praise renewal, collaboration
PC(USA) poised for growth and greater unity, leaders tell Assembly
Florida group hops cross-country train to boost support for campus ministry
Make Micah 6:8 real right here, COLA moderator tells Assembly
Stated Clerk releases 2007 PC(USA) statistics
General trend of fewer members, higher giving continues
Stories from Friday, June 20, 2008

The General Assembly Council shares Christ’s mission with a booth featuring a video wall. Photo by Joseph Williams
Chalice artist molds his heart into clay
Tours range from Cannery Row to Silicon Valley
Micah’s call rings across the Internet
New San Jose Presbytery exec cheers Micah theme
Two sites, one service
Sunday’s opening worship to be held simultaneously in two locations
Welcome to San Jose
From Ohlones to Silicon Valley, San Jose has seen dramatic change
West Virginia pastor dies in apparent homicide
Presbyterians know the way to San Jose
1,300 local volunteers welcome 3,500 visitors to 218th General Assembly
Pre-Assembly News
General Assembly backgrounder: Heidelberg Catechism
30 seminary faculty support ‘corrected’ translation of German confession
General Assembly backgrounder: Form of Government
Revised polity intended to be simpler, less regulatory and 'missional'
PPC adds more book signings at General Assembly
General Assembly backgrounder: stated clerk election
Three challenge committee nominee Gradye Parsons for top post
General Assembly backgrounder: world mission
Groups seek wider embrace of ‘Dallas Covenant’
New leaders, new mission collaboration to highlight 218th GA
Perennial issues — ordination standards, Middle East, abortion — also on San Jose docket
General Assembly backgrounder: Israel-Palestine
Investment-monitoring panel recommends continued engagement; some presbyteries propose stronger action
General Assembly backgrounder: church growth
New commitments seek three-pronged strategy, African-American growth
Nebraska elder is fourth candidate for moderator
Roger Shoemaker is leader of PC(USA)’s Czech Mission Network
National Capital Presbytery endorses GA moderator candidate
The Rev. Bill Teng seeks to restore ‘sense of hope’ in denomination
Bruce Reyes-Chow is second candidate for GA moderator
San Francisco Presbytery endorses new church development pastor
Homeless ministry founder is third candidate for GA moderator
The Rev. Carl Mazza is endorsed by New Castle Presbytery




