Assembly Schedule This course gives an overview of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) schedule. For the complete docket, see the Attachments section of this course or visit the assembly website at https://ga-pcusa.org/. About this Course Gathering in St. Louis The Assembly Begins Its Work The Heart of the Assembly: Plenary Additional Activities Attachments
About this Course Welcome! This course is part of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) Commissioner Pre- Assembly Training offered by the Office of the General Assembly (OGA), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Course Objectives This course provides an overview of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) schedule. About Your Trainer Your trainer for this course is the Reverend Dr. Thomas Hay. Tom has been with the OGA since January of 2009. Before coming to work at the OGA, he served as the general presbyter for the Presbytery of Shenandoah in western Virginia and portions of West Virginia, and served pastorates in Buchanan (Virginia), Wallace (North Carolina), and Bristol (Virginia).
Gathering in St. Louis The schedule for the 223rd General Assembly (2018) meeting includes very little in the way of rest, but does offer an exciting variety of opportunities for work, worship, and even fun. Most people will arrive in St. Louis on Friday, June 15, so that they can be rested and ready for the Saturday start of the assembly. On-site registration starts Friday morning and the exhibit hall opens that afternoon. Transportation details will be included in emails following registration.
Meet Me in St. Louis With so many people arriving on Friday, the St. Louis Committee on Local Arrangements is holding a welcome reception from 5:00 to 8:00 at the convention center. With the theme Meet Me in St. Louis, this will be a place for old friends to reconnect, for new friends to come together, and for everyone to taste some of the unique St. Louis cuisine.
Saturday morning The assembly officially begins with worship at 11:00 on Saturday morning. This worshipful celebration, also planned by the local presbytery, features sermons by outgoing Co- Moderators the Reverend Denise Anderson and the Reverend Jan Edmiston, communion, music, and the commissioning of the 223rd General Assembly (2018). A group lunch will be provided after worship so that the first plenary can begin that afternoon as new commissioners and advisory delegates orient themselves to their tasks and prepare for the election of the new Moderator or Co-Moderators.
The Assembly Begins Its Work Saturday night Saturday night is often the most closely watched event in assembly life, as the commissioners elect the person or persons who will lead them and represent them in the coming two years as Moderator. The election process includes speeches by those who are standing for Moderator and a question and answer period. The first day of assembly life ends with a closing benediction by the new Moderator.
Sunday morning Sunday morning is also a time for worship. During the registration process, everyone will be given an opportunity to choose one of dozens of local churches who are making special arrangements to host assembly participants in their regular Sunday morning services of worship. Many commissioners and advisory delegates consider this a highlight of the week as they get away from the convention center and into the vibrant worshiping community of St. Louis.
Sunday afternoon On Sunday afternoon, the assembly gathers back together in plenary to hear the first reports from the special committees and tasks forces appointed by the last assembly.
Committee work begins Then the assembly committee work begins. Every commissioner and advisory delegate will have been assigned to one of thirteen assembly committees. Each item of business that the assembly will consider has been assigned to one of these committees. It is the responsibility of these assembly committees to consider that business. Later in the week they will bring to the whole assembly a recommendation about how to respond. All day Monday and Tuesday will be taken up with these committee meetings, except for a community Bible study, which will begin each day at 8:30.
The Heart of the Assembly: Plenary Wednesday morning Wednesday morning the assembly gathers back together in the plenary hall to consider the work of the whole. And just as Saturday started with worship, Wednesday begins with worship led by our ecumenical partners and delegates.
When this service is concluded, the assembly will begin hearing the reports of the various assembly committees. Plenary will continue for the rest of the week. Expect breaks for lunch and dinner, some of which will be group meals, and to work into the evening. Except for Thursday evening, which will provide a much-anticipated respite. The Stated Clerk, J. Herbert Nelson, II, has arranged for a concert of worshipful jazz and a celebration of the Hands and Feet Initiative, which has brought people from all over the church into St. Louis to engage in ministry. Tickets will be available at registration with all the proceeds going to support the Hands and Feet Initiative being anticipated for the 224th General Assembly (2020) meeting in Baltimore.
Morning worship The assembly will also be breaking each morning for worship at 11:15, which will be an order of the day on the agenda. This worship, planned by the local committee, will include communion and help focus our work in the worship of God. The assembly will conclude by noon on Saturday, June 23, and most people will be leaving directly from the convention center to home.
Additional activities Throughout the week, other activities are planned and available. Many organizations and seminaries sponsor ticketed meals for those who are interested. Tours to local attractions are available for those who are not commissioners and advisory delegates. There is a team considering ways to engage in the broader discussions about race and justice that is represented by the recent history of St. Louis and Ferguson. These extra opportunities will not be available for commissioners and advisory delegates when they conflict with scheduled plenary or committee times.
An assembly is a busy week, but one that brings a rich experience of the church, of ministry, and of discipleship to everyone who comes. Attachments GA223 Schedule and Draft Docket August 3, 2017 Election Process Standing Rules of the General Assembly 2017