Every two years, thousands of pastors and elders representing the entire denomination of the Presbyterian Church (USA) gather somewhere in the US to worship, network, and make decisions about how Presbyterians will carry out our Christian mission for the following two years. This gathering is called the General Assembly (GA) and this summer it is meeting in Pittsburgh for the first time in decades.
Hot Metal’s participation in the General Assembly is focused on prayer, worship, and peace and justice ministry. A few Hot Metallers are already involved; read on to learn more about how you can connect with them. Or visit www.cola2012.org for additional volunteer opportunities.
Hot Metal’s participation in the General Assembly is focused on prayer, worship, and peace and justice ministry. A few Hot Metallers are already involved; read on to learn more about how you can connect with them. Or visit www.cola2012.org for additional volunteer opportunities.
PRAYER
Tammy Wiens is heading up a prayer team during the Assembly and would like a few people who could offer the following:
- Hospitality at the prayer room in Room 309 of the Convention Center. The spirituality center offers a variety of practices and multi-sensory approaches to prayer including a library and reading area, a labyrinth, and a prayer wall. 2-hour blocks during the day, Sun-Fri
- Prayer Walk. This is a guided walk through downtown Pittsburgh departing from the front porch of First Presbyterian Church and ending at the Convention Center. Along the way we will stop at various landmarks in the cultural, financial, residential, and commercial districts. At each of these "prayer points" we will pause to pray for the health of the city, the vitality of our churches, and ministry to all our neighbors in the world. Some of the prayers were composed by Hot Metallers Marianne Holohan, Tony Norman, and Dylan Rooke. Thursday, July 5 at 7:30am
WORSHIP
- Sunday, July 1: a number of delegates from the GA will be busing from the convention center to join us in worship at our regular 10am service. Please plan to stay for lunch and chat with these folks, who will want to learn more about you and your participation at Hot Metal. That evening, a group of Presbyterian college ministry leaders will gather for worship and discussion here at 7pm.
- Friday, July 6 at 11:15am: Pastor Jim, Tink, and others will perform a drama during the GA worship service.
PRESBYTERIAN PEACE FELLOWSHIP
Dylan Rooke will be participating intensively in the GA decision-making process as a liaison for the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, a group dedicated to applying Christian principles of non-violence to issues of justice and peace.
The PPF is coordinating around areas of agreement with a number of groups including the Covenant Network, More Light Presbyterians, Presbyterian Voices for Justice, The Israel-Palestine Mission Network, and Presbyterians for Earth Care to support members of committees with business related to social justice. The committees they are focusing on will be considering items such as:
· funding compassion & peace ministries
· embracing nonviolence as the proper response to violence, terror, and war
· divesting from corporations that profit from conflict in Israel-Palestine
Other issues include economic justice, prison reform, corporal punishment, immigration, and the possibility of war with Iran.
As liaisons, Dylan and a partner will be assigned to a particular committee, familiarize themselves with that committee’s business, attend meetings, network with committee members, and offer support and resources.
VISIT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
If you are interested in seeing what happens at a General Assembly, there are a number of events that are open to everyone. Here are a few highlights:
- Opening Worship: Saturday, June 29, 1:30-2:45pm
- Exhibit Hall: Saturday, June 29, 3-5pm
- The election of a moderator: Saturday, June 29, 3-5pm
- An interfaith worship service: Monday, July 2, 8:30-9:30am
- Week-day worship: Tues/Wed at 8:30am and Thur/Fri at 11:15am
- Plenary Sessions: Daily