Reverend Dawn M. Conti   From The Pastor:

What did you bring me? Our daughters have learned to expect something from mom on the return from time away from home and my return from General Assembly was no exception. Over the week I’d collected all kinds of goodies: hotel sized toiletry items, assorted give-aways including t-shirts, pens, pencils, and post-it pads, and one special gift for each bought from the GA ecumenical gift store. As members of Kanapaha Church, you may be wondering what your pastor brought you from GA as well. By now you may have seen headlines or perhaps you watched the internet stream of the Assembly proceedings. If so, then you know that perhaps the most controversial overture passed by the GA, was the substitution of language of G-6.0106b which pertains to ordination standards. If this overture is accepted by two thirds of the presbyteries in our larger church then the requirement of "fidelity in marriage . . .or chastity in singleness" for officers of the church will no longer appear in our Book of Order. Even so, the church is still in a position to deny a candidate ordination should it decide that such a candidate is not repentant of any self-acknowledged sin as defined by our Book of Confessions. (See Paul Hooker’s in depth explanation for this under "Presbytery News.")

Perhaps the second most intriguing topic is the suggested new Form of Government (nFOG) meant to replace the Form of Government currently in the Book of Order. nFOG, which is a streamlined version of what we now have, places more emphasis on the mission of the church, and has been recommended for study and consideration by the churches and presbyteries of our denomination over the next two year period.. nFOG was developed by a task force appointed by the 2006 Assembly on which our Executive Presbyter, Paul Hooker, served.   The most interesting overture considered by the committee on which I served (Health Issues) was an overture directing the church to advocate for legislation that enacts single-payer universal health care reform. Such a system would provide health care for all through payments made to the federal government while services would be supplied by private providers.   Not only do I bring a smattering of highlights of the business dealt with at GA, but I also bring renewed hope for our church born from observing and experiencing the way that business was carried out. While at the Assembly, I witnessed Presbyterians holding theological position from the far right, left, and middle, not only express their beliefs, but listen respectfully to one another, renewing my faith and belief in our system of government. Yes, it can be cumbersome, but our polity ensures a voice for all who wish to speak in an environment of mutual respect.

I also experienced our denomination become more inclusive in its leadership by electing a moderator, Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow and vice-moderator, Rev. Byron Wade, who are both members of racial ethnic groups and young pastors as well (39 and 45, respectively)   The scriptural theme of this year’s Assembly was Micah 6:8, " . . . What, does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." As we sift through the work this year’s GA has set before us, let us remember to do just that. Remember, I am here to answer your questions and pray with you as together we seek God’s direction. In service to our Risen Lord, Pastor Dawn