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Overtures to the 213th General Assembly 

[updated 5-17-01]

You're invited to check out some comments from the Witherspoon Society on the various overtures relating to G-6.0106b.  [5-9-01]

... and you may want to see a few thoughts on overtures dealing with other matters, as well.  [5-12-01]

The official GA website has begun listing overtures to the 2001 GA.  The list of overture numbers and titles is given below.  For the full texts, along with detailed rationales and advisory opinions, click on the number of the overture.

Where we have posted our own unofficial version of an overture, or opinions and comments, you will find links at the end of the official title.

You'll also find links to 

bulletreports of agencies and standing committees to the Assembly
bulletsummaries of those reports 
bulletCommissioners' Resolutions referred from the 2000 GA.

Want expert advice in drafting an overture? The deadline is past now for any overtures to amend the Book of Order, but these authoritative suggestions (from the Constitutional Services Department of the Office of the General Assembly) are worth bearing in mind just the same.



Overtures

Ovt 01-1: On Amending G-9.0404d to Require Sessions to Transmit Per Capita Funds to Presbytery Unless Excused by Presbytery - From the Presbytery of Scioto Valley

Ovt 01-2: On Implementing Campus Ministry Programs That Provide Equal Support for Male and Female Students at All Colleges and Universities - From the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

Ovt 01-3: On Adding New Section G-6.0106c Concerning Ordination of Practicing, Self-Affirmed, Non-Repentant Homosexuals - From the Presbytery of Memphis

Ovt 01-4: On Amending G-11.0501b Regarding the Term of Service on the Committee on Ministry - From the Presbytery of John Calvin


Ovt 01-5: On Deleting Standing Rule B.13., Which Prohibits Demonstrations - From the Presbytery of Baltimore

We have the text of this overture, with a brief comment.


Ovt 01-6: On Amending G-6.0106 of the Book of Order - From the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky


Ovt 01-7: On Amending G-14.0801 Regarding CLPs, and Directing the Presbyteries' Cooperative Committee on Examination for Candidates to Develop Standardized Exams - From the Presbytery of Yellowstone


Ovt 01-8: On Deleting G-6.0106b, and on Reforming Application of Our Ordination Standards to Homosexual Persons - From the Presbytery of New York City.  Click here for our version of the text.
bulletConcurrence from the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse
bulletConcurrence from the Presbytery of Northern New York
bulletConcurrence from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area (or click here for an unofficial version on this site.)

Ovt 01-9: On Entering a Process of Churchwide Spiritual Discernment Considering the Current Division Within Our Denomination - From the Presbytery of Southern Kansas

Ovt 01-10: On Exploring Methods to Ensure That All Churches in the Denomination Assume Financial Responsibility for Support of Our Theological Seminaries-From the Presbytery of East Iowa

Ovt 01-11: On Creating a Task Force to Study the Effect of Combining the Mission and Per Capita Budgets, and On Reexamining the Types of Expenses to Which Per Capita Is Applied-From the Presbytery of Philadelphia

Ovt 01-12: On Amending G-6.0106 to Reaffirm Traditional Presbyterian Polity-From the Presbytery of the Western Reserve

Ovt 01-13: On Amending G-14.0801 and G-15.0202 to Recognize the Ordination of Elders from Other Presbyterian Churches-From the Presbytery of National Capital

Ovt 01-14: On Appointing a Special Committee to Propose Amendments to Reaffirm the Role of Governing Bodies on Ordination Decisions-From the Presbytery of Denver

Ovt 01-15: On Amending G-8.0501 and G-8.0502 Regarding Presbytery Approval of the Sale or Lease of Church Property-From the Presbytery of Western North Carolina

Ovt 01-16: On Advocating Passage of Legislation Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Provide Mental Health Benefits in Full Parity with Medical and Surgical Benefits-From the Presbytery of Pittsburgh

Ovt 01-17: On Adjusting the 120-Day Deadline for the 215th General Assembly (2003)-From the Presbytery of Baltimore

Ovt 01-18: On Including the General Assembly Business Deadlines in the General Assembly Planning Calendar-From the Presbytery of Baltimore

Ovt 01-19: On Adopting an Authoritative Interpretation of the Constitution Regarding the Apparent Conflict Between G-6.0106b and Certain Other Clauses of the Book of Order-From the Presbytery of Baltimore

Ovt 01-20: On Calling All Members and Ordained Officers of the Church to Be Reconciled by Uniting in a Year of Study and Prayer-From the Presbytery of Western North Carolina

Ovt 01-21: On Designating at Least 5 Percent of the Unified Mission Contributions of All Churches Be Used to Fund All Forms of Development Projects-From the Synod of the Northeast

Ovt 01-22: On Amending G-6.0106b to Define the Standards for Church Officers-From the Presbytery of Heartland (Click here for an unofficial version on this site.)

Ovt 01-23: On Amending G-9.0706 to Allow Temporary Presbytery, Synod, or General Assembly Executive or Administrative Staff to Fill That Position on a Permanent Basis-From the Presbytery of Elizabeth

Ovt 01-24: On Amending G-6.0202 to Restore Theological Language for the Description of Pastors and Associate Pastors-From the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca

Ovt 01-25: On Communicating to Pastors That the "Left Behind" Series Is Based on an Interpretation of the Bible That Is Not in Accord with Our Reformed Theology-From the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca

Shannon Webster, EP of Sierra Blanca, writes to The Layman about the legitimacy of this concern.

Ovt 01-26: On Clarifying the PC(USA) Position on Late-Term Abortions, and Precluding Funding by the Board of Pensions for These Procedures-From the Presbytery of Salem

Ovt 01-27: On Adding New G-6.0108 d and e to Insert an Exemption/Waiver for Governing Bodies to Ensure Balance Between Freedom of Conscience with Respect to Interpretation of Scripture and Constitutional Governance of the Church-From the Presbytery of Santa Fe

Click here for the unofficial text, plus a comment on conscience.

Read an explanation of the reasons for this overture.

Ovt 01-28: On Adding New Sections G-14.0202a(3) and G-14.0202b to Insert an Exemption/Waiver Clause for Congregations Which Cannot Apply the Requirements of G-6.0106b Justly and Equitably-From the Presbytery of Santa Fe

We have the unofficial text here, too.

Read an explanation of the reasons for this overture.

Ovt 01-29: On Amending G-6.0106a Regarding Suitability to Hold Office, and Deleting G-6.0106b-From the Presbytery of Newton

Ovt 01-30: On Developing Guidelines for Presbyteries and Synods Concerning the Orientation of Youth Advisory Delegates-From the Presbytery of Genesee Valley

Ovt 01-31: On Studying the Option of Extending Full Voice and Vote on Plenary Floor to Advisory Delegates, with a Report to the 214th General Assembly (2002)-From the Presbytery of Genesee Valley

Ovt 01-32: On Amending G-5.0103 to Add to the List of Persons Welcomed as Church Members by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-From the Presbytery of New York City

Ovt 01-33: On Appointing a Theological Commission to Study the Spiritual Condition of Our Church and the Causes for Unrest, Report to the217th General Assembly (2005)-From the Presbytery of John Calvin

Ovt 01-34: On Revising The Book of Confessions to Include Sensitive, Inclusive Language-From the Presbytery of Detroit

Ovt 01-35: On Encouraging Presbyteries to Send Commissioners as Alternates Prior to Election as Commissioners-From the Presbytery of Northern Waters

Ovt 01-36: On Declaring That Resolution Has Been Reached on the Matter of Human Sexuality Related to Eligibility for Ordination-From the Midwest Hanmi Presbytery

Ovt 01-37: On Transferring the Roxbury United Parish, Gypsum Creek Township, McPherson County, Kansas, from the Presbytery of Southern Kansas to the Presbytery of Northern Kansas-From the Synod of Mid-America

Ovt 01-38: On Transferring Divine Light Presbyterian Church, El Monte, California, from the Hanmi Presbytery to the Presbytery of San Gabriel-From the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii

Ovt 01-39: On Strengthening Presbyterian Social Witness at the General Assembly Level-From the Presbytery of Savannah

This overture, in spite of its title, would eliminate funding for at least three of our programs of social witness.  Gene TeSelle points to some of the misunderstandings that are being used to support the overture.

Ovt 01-40: On Directing OGA and GAC to Report to Each of the Next Three General Assemblies with Respect to the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCCC)-From the Presbytery of Savannah

Ovt 01-41: On Directing the National Ministries Division to Offer Transformational Resources to Those Who Struggle with Sexual Purity and Report to the 214th General Assembly (2002)-From the Presbytery of San Joaquin

Ovt 01-42: On Amending Standing Rule C.5.b. to Require That Assembly Committee Reports Record the Advisory Delegate Vote, the Commissioner Vote, and the Combined Total Vote-From the Presbytery of San Joaquin

Ovt 01-43: On the Theology of Salvation-From the Presbytery of San Joaquin

Ovt 01-44: On Amending Standing Rule E.6 to State That No Person Shall Serve on More Than One Committee at a Time-From the Presbytery of San Joaquin

Ovt 01-45: On Supporting Adequate Training for the United States Military Through the Use of the Island of Vieques-From the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta

Ovt 01-46: On Calling for a "Decade of the Child" to Extend the Issues and Initiatives Begun This Past "Year of the Child"-From the Presbytery of Mission

More overtures just added [5-11-01]

Ovt 01-47: On Expressing Moral Opposition to the Abortion of Babies of Twenty Weeks Gestation and Older Except to Preserve the Life of the Mother-From the Presbytery of East Tennessee.

Ovt 01-48: On Directing the Board of Pensions to Insert in the Medical Benefits Plan a Provision Requiring Advance Notification of One Parent in Any Abortion of a Minor Dependent Daughter-From the Presbytery of East Tennessee.

Ovt 01-49: On Affirming "The Great Ends of the Church" as the Definitive Statement of the Priorities for the PC(USA)-From the Presbytery of Baltimore.

Ovt 01-50: On Adopting a Resolution Enunciating Ethical Guidelines for Fetal Tissue and Stem Cell Research-From the Presbytery of Baltimore.

Ovt 01-51: On Affirming That Jesus Christ Is the Only Savior of Humanity and the World-From the Presbytery of Beaver-Butler.

Ovt 01-52: On Instructing the Executive Director and the Stated Clerk to Affirm That Belief in Salvation by the Grace of God Through Faith in Jesus Christ as the Only Savior Is Integral to the Reformed Tradition-From the Presbytery of San Diego.

Ovt 01-53: On Directing the ACSWP and the Washington Office to Respond to the Public Policy of Faith Based Initiatives - From the Presbytery of Albany.

Ovt 01-54: On Establishing a Special Committee to Conduct a Study of Abortion Focused on Explicating the Biblical Witness in a Manner Faithful to the Scriptures and Consistent with the Confessional Standards - From the Presbytery of Donegal.

Ovt 01-55: On Directing CMD to Develop Study Materials to Provide Guidance on the Relationship of the Finding of the Sciences to the Affirmation of God as Creator of the Universe -From the Presbytery of National Capital.

Ovt 01-56: On Directing the COGA to Create a Task Force to Study the Policy Regarding Consistency in the Constitution and the Effectiveness of Procedures in Conforming with the Policy -From the Presbytery of National Capital.

Ovt 01-57: On Helping Children by Establishing a Voluntary Adoption Fund - From the Presbytery of Long Island.

More overtures added on 5-17-01

01-58: On Directing the Office of the General Assembly to Prepare an Index of Scriptural Allusions for the Book of Order Beginning with the 2003–2004 Edition—From the Presbytery of Northumberland.

Ovt 01-59: On Peaceful Alternatives to the U.S. "War on Drugs" in Colombia—From the Presbytery of the Cascades.

Ovt 01-60: On Preserving Biodiversity and Halting Mass Extinction—From the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley.

Ovt 01-61: On Requesting the Office of Theology and Worship to Make Available a Book of Confessions, Worship Edition—From the Presbytery of Alaska.

Ovt 01-62: On Peace Efforts in the Middle East—From the Presbytery of Central Florida.

Ovt 01-63: On Amending the Standing Rules to Declare a Moratorium on Issues of Sexuality and Ordination—From Eastern Korea Presbytery.

Ovt 01-64: On Supporting the Global Nonviolent Peace Force—From the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area.

Ovt 01-65: A Resolution on Africa—From the Presbytery of New York City.

Ovt 01-66: On Decreasing Military Assistance and Sales to Middle Eastern Nations–From the Presbytery of Chicago.

 

The following were referred by 212th General Assembly:

Overture 00-6. On Appointing a Task Force to Explore Amendments to the Book of Order to Permit Congregations That Cannot Comply with G-6.0106b to Disaffiliate from the Church While Retaining Real Property - From the Presbytery of Beaver-Butler.

Overture 00-13. On Striking G-6.0106b from the Book of Order - From the Presbytery of Northern New England.

Overture 00-40. On Amending G-4.0403 and G-14.0201 to List Sexual Orientation as a Category Not to be Excluded - From the Presbytery of Milwaukee.

Overture 00-41. On Requesting the General Assembly to Declare That All Persons, Regardless of Sexual Orientation, Are Able to Fulfill the Requirements of Church Office - From the Presbytery of Milwaukee.

Overture 00-42. On Establishing a Special Task Force to Move Beyond the Current Impasse - From the Presbytery of Milwaukee.

Overture 00-48. On Amending G-14.0202 to Add a Waiver of Requirements Not Essential to Reformed Faith and Polity - From the Presbytery of Hudson River.

 

Reports and Full Text Rationales

14 General Assembly Nominating Committee Nominations

15 General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations - Recommendations

15 General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations - Report without Recommendations

16 Advisory Committee on the Constitution - Recommendations (2000)

21 Congregational Ministries Division - Final Response to Referrals

23 Worldwide Ministries Division - Final Response to Referrals

23 Worldwide Ministries Division - Recommendations

25 Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy - Recommendation A

25 Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy - Recommendation D

25 Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy - Recommendation E

25 Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy - Recommendation F

25 Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy - Recommendation G

26 Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns - Recommendations

27 Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns - Recommendations

28 Presbyterian Publishing Corporation - Final Response to Referrals

 

Agency Summaries

25 Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy

26 Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns

27 Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns

 

Commissioners' Resolutions

Commissioners'' Resolution 00-5. On Parity of Insurance Coverage for Biologically Based Brain Disease.

Commissioners'' Resolution 00-28. On Studying the Ordination Standards of Other Faith Communities.

 

 

Some blogs worth visiting

 

PVJ's Facebook page

Mitch Trigger, PVJ's Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!

You can post your own news and views, or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you.

 

Voices of Sophia blog

Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:

After fifteen years of scholarship and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy, students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and thoughtful community.

 

John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

Theological and philosophical reflections on everything between summit to shore, including kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology, politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian Church in Flushing, NY.

 

John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive

A Presbyterian minister, currently serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and lightening up.

 

Got more blogs to recommend?

Please send a note, and we'll see what we can do!

 

Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch Seminar!

GHOST RANCH SEMINAR

July 26-August 1, 2010

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE

 

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