Dear Friends,
Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church is one of 10,751 congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) which, as you may already know, is categorized into four parts. The Sessions are at the local level, Presbyteries at the regional level, Synods which encompasses multiple states, and General Assembly that covers the entire United States.
Our denominational meetings of the G.A. are held every other year so we can be good stewards of funds. The G.A. is going on this week in Minneapolis and the following includes some of the updates that I thought you would be interested in.
Cynthia Bolbach, an elder and lawyer from National Capital Presbytery, was elected Moderator of the 219th General Assembly beating out 5 other candidates. She will serve for two years in this Moderator capacity.
The group that examined over a three year period Christian marriage and civil unions has reported to a committee. That report with minor changes will be voted on at the end of the week. Among other things it discusses Scriptural understandings of Christian marriages and our role of compassion and unity in God’s church for all unions.
There was a paper that addressed relations with Christians and Jews. The body debated two hours whether to receive it or not, and as the body determined the will of God, they ended that debate with a negative vote, sighting that it needs further study and that we ought to work together with more people in order that everyone is adequately heard.
We now have an addition to our Book of Confessions which is called the Belhar Confession.
Jane Dempsey Douglas, Princeton Seminary professor and a member of the special committee that studied and offered the proposal to the G.A., urged the confession’s adoption. “Adoption of the Belhar Confession will give witness to the new reality of our unity with churches in the global south,” she declared.
Additionally, there has been a recommendation to the assembly to retranslate from the original German the Heidelberg Catechism.
Certainly, there are many more items to report on than there is space here. Please feel free to obtain reliable, relevant information about our denominational G.A. meeting at www.pcusa.org Please join me in praying for our church to continue to do God’s will.
Blessings, Mark
READING OF THE GOSPEL OF MARK
Listen to a reading of the Gospel of Mark like a first century listener!
Join us for a reading of the Mark’s Gospel this Sunday, July 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 318 (Spitzer Bldg). Dessert and discussion to follow!
No reservations are needed. Please bring a pen and paper to take notes. This is sponsored by the Mark’s Gospel from Scratch Bible study. All are welcome.
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” from Eph. 3:16
Also, we will explore in our Sunday School
“Practical Ways to Fulfill God’s Purpose in
Your Relationships” E P H E S I A N S 6
