Business is beginning to accumulate for the 2014 General Assembly meeting of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to be held in Detroit, Mich. next June. For those Presbyterians who want to send business via overtures to the GA now is the time to take a hard look at the calendar.
Working “back” from the start date of the 2014 PCUSA GA of June 14, 2014:
- 120 days is February 14 (yes, also Valentine’s day) – this is the deadline for “reports” (which come the assembly from special committees, task forces, advocacy committees as well as the six agencies of the GA). This is also the deadline for overtures that seek to change the Constitution. This year, those overtures must be submitted by two presbyteries which pushes the timeline “up” for the originating presbytery because they will need another presbytery’s support prior to the 120 day deadline. Information received from the OGA confirms that “A Book of Order amendment that went into effect on July 7, 2013 states that overtures from presbyteries will require a concurrence from at least one other presbytery (see G-3.0302d) before being referred to the assembly.” Eight overtures were received before July 7. OGA says, “All future overtures from presbyteries will require a concurrence. The overture title will initially start with ‘NC’ to indicate that the overture needs a concurrence. Once a concurrence is received the ‘NC’ will be deleted and the concurring presbytery information will be added.”
- 60 days prior is April 15 (also tax day and the Tuesday of Holy Week) – this is the deadline for overtures with financial implications. This year, those overtures must be submitted by two presbyteries which pushes the timeline “up” for the originating presbytery because they will need another presbytery’s support prior to the 60 day deadline.
- 45 days prior is April 30 – this is the deadline for “communications” (which may be directed to the G.A. from several sources, must be postmarked to the Stated Clerk by the 45-day deadline but this form of business may not be known to commissioners prior to the Assembly). This is also the deadline for overtures with no financial implications and that do not seek to amend the Constitution. This year, those overtures must be submitted by two presbyteries which pushes the timeline “up” for the originating presbytery because they will need another presbytery’s support prior to the 45-day deadline.
Now is the time to:
- Familiarize yourself with resources from the Office of the General Assembly and PC-Biz.
- Familiarize yourself with and participate in your presbytery’s process for electing commissioners.
- Download and familiarize yourself with the Standing Rules, Guidelines and Policies, and Organization for Mission for the 2014th G.A.
- Consider overture(s) that your session might forward to your presbytery. Also, consider concurring with overture(s) from other presbyteries as all overtures now require the support of presbyteries to be heard by G.A.
- Become equipped to participate by utilizing sites like: www.gahelp.net
- Pray ardently, regularly and specifically for the 221st meeting of the General Assembly.
1 Comment. Leave new
Seems appropriate for the PCUSA to hold its General Assembly in Detroit — Detroit is bankrupt after many years of internal corruption and the population fleeing the city for other venues.. The PCUSA also appears to be increasingly “bankrupt” as they keep twisting and redefining the Word to make it fit with the current culture and lose over 100,000 members in 2012 as those people sought other venues to worship. .