GA Amendment Schedule

The 219^thmeeting of the General Assembly that was held this July generated a considerable amount of business for Presbyteries to consider, including a new Form of Government, and a proposed addition to our Book of Confessions.  This is QUITE a bit more than we usually look at following a General Assembly meeting.  Especially due to the consideration of a new confession and a new Form of Government it will take a lot of study and preparation before we vote.  And … all of this must be completed prior to June 2011!

The Coordinating Team recently met and approved plans for when and how we will address each piece of business, and do so in a way that honors the Vision we believe God is calling us into. There will be more detailed information coming later, but we would like for you all to know the schedule so that you can make whatever arrangements needed for your commissioners to be at the meetings.  So… here is the plan

For the sake of making this work manageable, the actions will be broken into three sections (amendments to the Book of Order, the new Form of Government, and the Belhar Confession).  Each section of business will be dealt with in three steps:

1. the proposals will be presented to the body for information at a Stated Meeting of the Presbytery,
2. Following that (during a month when there is no stated meeting), we will offer a series of gatherings throughout the Presbytery where anyone who is interested may come to learn more and engage is scriptural and theological discussion with one another, and
3. At the next stated meeting of the Presbytery, we will debate and vote on the business.

Here is the schedule:

Amendments to the Book of Order
There are a total of nine amendments (5 relating to the form of Government, including changes to G – 6.0106b; 1 to the Directory for Worship; and 3 to the Rules of Discipline).

• To be presented to the body at the September 28^thStated Meeting
• Gatherings for learning and discussion will be held in October
• Debate and Vote at the November 16, 2010 stated meeting

New Form of Government

• To be presented to the body at the November stated meeting
• Gatherings for learning and discussion held during the month of February 2011
• Debate and Vote at the March 22, 2011 stated meeting

Belhar Confession

• To be presented to the body at the March 2011 stated meeting
• Gatherings for learning and discussion held during the month of April 2011
• Debate and Vote at the May 24, 2011 stated meeting.

We will send out emails and post materials on the Presbytery website as they become available, so stay tuned for further details.  This is an exciting opportunity to engage in stimulating study, reflection and faith sharing as we seek to discern the mind of Christ together and I pray that our deliberations will make God smile.

Yours – decently and in order;

Rev. Rebecca M. Blackwell
Mission Coordinator and Stated Clerk
Cherokee Presbytery