By Shannon Youngs
As plans proceed for the 219th General Assembly (July 3-10), specific attention is being given to how to increase and strengthen the spiritual aspect of the meeting. Here are some examples:
Bible study. Even before the commissioners and advisory delegates arrive in Minneapolis, they and everyone across the denomination will have available online through The Presbyterian Leader a Bible study written specifically for this assembly by Matt Skinner, a Presbyterian minister who teaches New Testament at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The font. This year’s theme, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38), lends itself well to baptismal
imagery, such as the font that will be front-and-center of the commissioners and advisory delegates as they work to discern the mind of Christ for the PC(USA). While each of them will have brought a small portion of water to pour into the font, what is more important will be the rivers of living water that pour from them in the Spirit-led decisions they will make over the course of their week together.
Worship. The opening Communion service on Sunday, July 4, will include not only those who have traveled to Minneapolis for the assembly but also thousands more Presbyterians in the Twin Cities area. In addition, worship will be on the schedule each day, and the traditional ecumenical service will take place in Westminster Presbyterian Church, just down the street from the convention center.
Prayer. A room will be set aside for commissioners, advisory delegates, and others to use for quiet prayer, reflection, and meditation. The area is being designed by volunteer members of the Committee on Local Arrangements, a group of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area that, along with other myriad tasks for the assembly, is planning the opening and daily worship services.
The opening prayer for each session of the assembly will take place around the baptismal font. New at this assembly will be the practice of inviting commissioners and advisory delegates to turn to a few others in the row in front or behind them to form small groups to pray on a regular basis.
But praying for the General Assembly is not limited to those who will be in Minneapolis! Individuals, sessions, congregations, and groups across the PC(USA) are encouraged to begin praying now for the meeting, for the Moderator who will be elected the first night of the assembly, and especially for those who will be serving as commissioners and advisory delegates.
In addition, the Reverend Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, has written a call to prayer for the assembly that will be featured in the 2010 Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study on July 3rd, opening day.
Finally, the Book of Common Worship contains a prayer for a General Assembly meeting. You are invited to use it often before and during the gathering of what is the highest governing body of the PC(USA):
Almighty God, in Jesus Christ you called disciples and, by the Holy Spirit, made them one church to serve you. Be with members of our General Assembly. Help them to welcome new things you are doing in the world, and to respect old things you keep and use. Save them from empty slogans or senseless controversy. In their deciding, determine what is good for us and for all people. As this General Assembly meets, let your Spirit rule, so that our church may be joined in love and service to Jesus Christ, who, having gone before us, is coming to meet us in the promise of your kingdom. Amen.
(Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1993, 805)
Let’s go down, down in the river to pray.