March 07

Presbytery Meeting, March 07

Presbytery meetings fall into several distinct types. There are the endless meetings, often occuring in the heat of the summer, where nothing much seems to happen, but it takes an awfully long time not doing it.
There are the short and sweet meetings, when it seems that we drive a long way, say hello and so-long, then drive all the way back home.
Then there are the exciting meetings, and each of those are unique unto themselves. Some of the exciting meetings are best not mentioned. Those are the ones that are far too exciting and we all try to forget them as quickly as possible. And of course, there are meetings that are really exciting because the Spirit of God surprises all of us and we want to remember those meetings forever.
How would I describe the March 2007 Presbytery Meeting?
Disturbing. Maybe even a bit distressing.
From Ken Moe's Executive Presbyter's Report to Julia Thorne's presentation on Immigration History, this Presbytery Meeting was full of disturbing information.
Ken's report, focusing on the relavence (or irrelevence) of the church in the 21st Century, can be found at http://www.pbygrandcanyon.org/pdfs/exec_pres_report/epr_march07.pdf



Julia Thorne's presentation explored the struggles surrounding immigration through the history of our nation, and the influence Presbyterians have had in speaking out for justice. Julia is an immigration lawyer working for the PCUSA. More information and a link to her slideshow can be found at http://www.pcusa.org/constitutionalservices/immigration.htm
The George Brooks Award was presented to Lorie and Phil Gates. Lorie has supported Phil through the years of his active work to promote justice, including time in Columbia when he stood as a human shield protecting officials from assassins. Most recently, Phil was arrested, along with other Presbyterians, for civil disobedience protesting at the School of the Americas. Our Presbytery might honor Phil with this award, but that will not prevent his having to report for his prison sentence resulting from his Christian efforts for justice. How many of us would stand up for Christ's truth, knowing that we would spend time in prison for that stand? Phil mad that decision, and Lorie is standing by him. Now the rest of the Presbytery is standing by them both.
I told you it was a disturbing meeting.
But that isn't all. Joan Fenton made a presentation on behalf of Women's Ministries focusing on Domestic Violence. When Joan asked for a show of hands from anyone who had personal knowlege of a victim of domestic violence, nearly everyone present raised a hand.
It was disturbing.
And Teri Conrad presented information from the Churchwide Study Document on Serious Mental Illness. Yet another heart-rending problem that touches all of our lives.
It was a disturbing Presbytery Meeting.
Sometimes, I suppose, God means for us to be disturbed.

Considering the weight of issues on the main agenda, we decided to offer some relief with a light and cheerful topic for the Sidekicks Get-Together. Silent Witness was the topic, and coloring Easter Eggs was our activity. No, not food coloring and Paas kits, but the beautifully intricate Ukraining Easter Eggs, Pysanky.
I'm proud to say that very few of our group chose to escape the responsibility of the main meeting, so our Get-Together was quite small. And I am certain that the fact that we were given a table outdoors under a tree where it was 100 degrees in the shade had absolutely nothing to do with our small turn-out. Nothing at all. Really. Those of us who got together at the Get-together had a lovely time and warm conversation. Very warm.