All parliamentary wrangling is done - redefining marriage is rejected by the GA

I'm still somewhat stunned by the General Assembly upholding the traditional definition of marriage. The GA spent all afternoon and the early evening discussing whether or not to redefine marriage as between two persons instead of between a man and a woman. The decision was to maintain the status quo in regard to marriage. What surprised me was that two minority reports which would have maintained the traditional definition of marriage, were defeated. My assumption was that the effort to redefine would pass. But this assembly chose to seek unity instead of another issue that would divide us as a denomination. Someone mentioned to me this evening that this was a "do nothing" assembly, but I think it is an assembly that really took seriously the admonition to live in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. The decision to maintain the traditional definition of marriage plus the decision on divestment leads me to the conclusion that this is a Unifying Assembly.

General Assembly votes NOT to redefine marriage

The final vote of the General Assembly was 338 to 308 NOT to send an amendment to the 173 presbyteries for their vote. The assembly was stunned with the outcome of this vote.

General Assembly Decides to decide on Marriage

On an afternoon, fraught with emotion and raw feelings, the General Assembly refused to delay a decision on the definition of marriage by a vote of 346 to 323. A minority report that would have delayed a decision on marriage for four years while a new study of marriage was circulated int he denomination was voted down by 51% to 49%.

General Assembly Takes up debate on Marriage

The GA has entered into a period of discussion/debate on the issue of marriage and our Presbyterian understanding of it. They will need our prayers as they determine how God is leading us to speak to our church.

General Assembly refuses to call Israel and Apartheid

71% of Assembly agreed not to recognize Israeli law and policies as apartheid against Palestinian people.

General Assembly turns back more attempts to divest

The General Assembly has refused to reconsider the issue of divestment in spite of repeated attempts to persuade the assembly otherwise. My observation is that the assembly is growing more and more impatient with Middle East issues and is ready to move on to the remaining TEN reports yet ahead of them.

General Assembly Approves investment NOT DIvestment

The contentious issue of divestment was addressed by the General Assembly. The atmosphere was electric and twitter comments were piling up at the rate of 30 per minute. The debate was passionate and heartfelt by all. It struck me that everyone speaking wants peace in the Middle East. The difference is in the strategy to achieve peace. In a stunning vote, the GA voted 333 to 331 to approve the Minority report submitted by our New Covenant Commissioner Blake Brinegar as the main motion to be debated. Then that main motion, favoring investment and rejecting divestment passed by a vote of 55% to 45%. The GA will resume debate on other overtures tomorrow, but for today, this is an affirmation of the intent of the overture presented by New Covenant and an expression of support for both the people of Israel and Palestine.