Rev Neal Presa is elected Moderator

On the fourth ballot Neal Presa was elected as the Moderator of the 220th GA. Neal is a pastor from New Jersey with a pastoral heart and youthful energy May the Lord be with him during his time as moderator.

Moderator candidate speeches

Listening to 5 minute speeches by the candidates for Moderator. All are good candidates with strengths and blind spots. It should be interesting to see how the commissioners respond

GA has officially convened

GA began with very traditional worship. Moderator Cindy Bolbach preaches an excellent sermon based the story in Mark about the paralytic man being brought to Jesus and lowered through a roof. Cindy pointed out seething I hadn't noticed - those who brought the man to Jesus are not identified as friends. We assume they are. If not, then it suggests that a responsibility of being a disciple is to bring people, maybe even those we don't know and with whom we disagree, to meet Jesus. Part of my reflection is that we are on a time when we need to be bringing each other to meet Jesus. We don't do that effectively by taking hard stances on complex issues we've got to stay in conversation with one another especially being sensitive to those who are struggling with the rapid pace of change

Riverside Conversations

Sitting in conversation on Middle East with about 200 folks. Not exactly an intimate conversation but tables of 8 help. Presentation is by the Middle East Monitoring Group appointed by the last GA

First day at GA

I'm registered, getting rested and ready for all that happens. I signed up to speak to the Middle East Committee in their hearings Now I'm awaiting the arrival of our commissioners. Praying for their safe travel. Mike Cole