Leaders for GA committees are named by Ufford-Chase
The Layman Online, April 13, 2006
General Assembly Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase has named 30 moderators and vice moderators to lead the 15 committees that will consider overtures and other business during the 217th General Assembly in Birmingham, Ala., June 15-22.
A news release by the Presbyterian News Service said the rest of the 534 commissioners – 267 elders and 267 ministers – will be randomly assigned to the committees. The committees are scheduled to meet on June 16 and 17 and on the afternoon of June 18 if necessary.
The following is a chart prepared by The Layman Online on the committees, the key issues they will face and the people Ufford-Chase chose as moderators and vice moderators:
Committee Key issues LeadersNo. 1
Business Referrals Recommends agenda for the issues that go before the General Assembly. Rev. Judith Wellington, moderator
Associate for Native American Ministries
Synod of the Southwest
(Grand Canyon Presbytery)
Elder Chris Rhodes, vice moderator
(Redwoods Presbytery) No. 2
Bills and Overtures(Same as No. 1) No. 3
General Assembly Procedures Historical collection at Montreat Elder Vince Thomas, moderator
(Twin Cities Area Presbytery)
Rev. Ann Shell Lamar, vice moderator
(stated clerk, E. Oklahoma Presbytery) No. 4
Church Orders Repeal G-6.0106b and the current Authoritative Interpretation on ordaining homosexuals.Rev. Karen Akin, moderator
Second PC, Little Rock, Ark.
(Arkansas Presbytery)
Rev. Julian Walthall, vice moderator
Spanish Fort PC, Spanish Fort, Ala.
(S. Alabama Presbytery) No. 5
Church Polity Overture calling for repeal of Chapter 8 – the property chapter – of the Book of Order.Rev. Lynne Myers, moderator
First PC, Chicago Hts., Ill
(Chicago Presbytery)
Rev. Chris Lenocker, vice moderator
Faith PC, San Diego
(San Diego Presbtyery) No. 6
Ecclesiology PUP report, including recommendation that would allow ordaining bodies to decide on their own whether to ordain practicing homosexuals.Rev. Blair Monie, moderator
Preston Hollow PC
Dallas, Texas (Grace Presbytery)
Rev. Catherie Kotfila, vice moderator
Brunswick PC
Troy, N.Y (Albany Presbytery) No. 7
Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations One overture proposes that the General Assembly declare that Christians, Jews and Muslims worship the same God. Rev. Oscar McCloud, moderator
Fifth Avenue PC
New York City
(New York City Presbytery)
Elder Sandy Irving, vice moderator
(New Hope Presbytery) No. 8
Mission Coordination and Budgets Will consider budget proposals forecasting $9.1 three-year shortfall and projected record-setting declines in membership. Elder David Norton, moderator
(Genesee Valley Presbytery)
Elder Pam Ator, vice moderator
Tropical Florida Presbytery No. 9
Social Justice Issues This committee often considers some of the denomination’s most controversial issues, including reports from the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.Rev. Ann Philbrick, Moderator
Lower governing body staff member
(National Capital Presbytery)
Elder Ben Feruta
(San Gabriel Presbytery) No. 10
Health Issues AbortionElder Carol Schneider, moderator
(James Presbtyery)
Rev. Quinn Fox, vice moderator
First PC, Colorado Springs, Col.
(Pueblo Presbytery) No. 11
Peacemaking and International Issues Divestment of PCUSA holdings in corporations that do business with Israel. Rev. Gretchen Graf, moderator
First PC, Grand Rapids, Mich.
(Northern Plains Presbytery)
Elder David Henderson, vice moderator
(Milwaukee Presbytery) No. 12
Church Growth and Christian Education One overture calls on the Congregational Ministries Division to cease disregarding previous General Assembly mandates that required the division to revise its sexuality curriculum for youth. Elder Lee Jordan, moderator
(Pueblo Presbytery)
Elder Kathryn McCray, vice moderator
(West Virginia Presbytery)No. 13
Theological Issues and Institutions Trinity doctrinal statement calls for using traditional and new language – Father, Son and Holy Spirit and alternatives such as “Mother, Child and Womb.” Elder Nancy Olthoff, moderator
(East Iowa Presbytery)
Rev. Irvin Moxley, vice moderator
Fairmont PC, Cleveland Hts., Ohio
(Scioto Valley Presbytery) No. 14
Review of General Assembly Permanent Committees No major issues known Elder Thomas Burleson, moderator
(Holston Presbytery)
Rev. Laura Stellmon, vice moderator
First PC, Ogden, Utah
(Presbytery of Utah) No. 15
Board of Pensions and Presbyterian Foundation No major issues known Elder Alan Ford
(Elizabeth Presbytery)
Elder Karen Thatcher
(Shenandoah Presbytery)