DETROIT, Mich. — Even with approval given to reduce the number of synods in the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Synod of Puerto Rico will remain an entity unto itself.
Commissioners of the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) gave their approval to Business Item 05-02, allowing the synod to remain as is even when the mid-council structure changes to reduce the current number of synods from 16 to no more than 10-12.
The assembly voted 468-112 in favor Friday morning at the Cobo Center to approve the recommendation made by the Mid-Councils Issues Committee.
The overture asked that the synod be left alone no matter how many synods are determined following a recommendation from the Mid-Council Commission 2 (MCC-2), that was approved by the GA earlier in Friday’s morning plenary session.
Committee members voted 39-18 in favor of sending Business Item 05-02 before the full assembly earlier in the week.
Commissioner Greg Bolt asked if Puerto Rico would be one of the 10-12 synods when the structure is reduced and reconfigured, and was told it would.
Ellie Van der Griend, a Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD) from Chicago Presbytery, expressed concern that taking such action might set a precedent for other synods to ask to stay as they are rather than be present at the table for reduction discussions.
“I don’t think this is an issue the GA needs to solve,” she said.
Raul Santiago, an overture advocate from Puerto Rico, noted the missional focus of the church on the island, saying that historically, it has been a gateway for the Presbyterian church and PCUSA to the Caribbean.
Bob Kraut, from Presbytery of San Francisco, observed that there was nothing in Business Item 05-04 that precludes the Synod of Puerto Rico from staying together.
“I’m not sure it makes sense to pull them out of the process on this floor,” Kraut told commissioners.
However, a couple of other commissioners spoke in support of the motion.
“Puerto Rico is so isolated from other synods on the mainland,” said Bev Marsh of Monmouth Presbytery. “We would be doing our brothers and sisters a great disservice if we required them to spend more money (to travel for synod meetings off the island).”
Sarai Mendez, a YAAD from Elizabeth Presbytery, added that there could be a possible merger between Synod of Puerto Rico and Synod of the Northeast, where there is a heavy contingent of Presbyterians of Puerto Rican descent.
“That could create a cultural clash,” Mendez said. “If we merge the Synod of Puerto Rico with any other synod, they will lose their voice.”