As I am counting down to GA I'm trying to figure out what I'll be doing.  I'm an alternate commissioner, which means that I'm the back up to one of the commissioners.  You know, like the first runner up to Miss America-- if the commissioner becomes unable to perform his or her duties, I will take on the role and responsibility of GA commissioner from the Presbytery of East Tennessee! Frankly, I'd just as soon remain an alternate so I can learn more about taking part in GA before I have any real responsibilities.

So what will go on at GA?  Well, from what I can tell, a lot of committee meetings-- 3x a day for 2-3 hours at a time-- and some plenary sessions. One of the first tasks undertaken by the assembly will be to elect a new moderator (more on that later.)  That will happen on Saturday night. On Sunday, the primary gathering will be the opening worship service, which I am looking forward to a great deal.  Coming from such a small congregation, it's pretty exciting to think about worshiping with thousands of other people!  During the week there are exhibits to look at, gatherings of the different seminaries of the PC(USA), other worship services, meet-and-greets with the stated clerk candidates and others, face-to-face meeting time for churches looking for a new pastor and pastors looking for a new church...and for your FREE time, there are arranged sight-seeing tours of the San Jose area.  I don't expect to be bored-- in fact, I expect to be exhausted!

I love my denomination.  I am (mostly) proud to be a member of a mainline denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and I am greatly looking forward to participating this way in the life of the church.  We have our differences and our problems, but it means a great deal to me to be a part of this part of the body of Christ.  Please pray for our denomination, that we will decide that whatever our differences, creating the kingdom of heaven on earth will only happen if we work together.