Testing Micah

It was an arduous day:Friday morning, afternoon and late into the night plenary debate on issues such as ordination examination, marriage, disunity, lobbying positions on war, boycotts, insurance, food, natural resource and environmental policy. My personally pained sense was that we severely tested the limits of our love for kindness and our willingness to walk humbly. Though floor amendments to apply goals to ourselves that support the objectives we urge upon others sometimes survived, I was particularly saddened to hear arguments that we shouldn't urge our own members to give up one meal per week and give the extra money to fight hunger or that it would be difficult to impose our will upon Presbyterian related colleges and universities to pay equitable wages because the PCUSA does not control them.

Close to midnight we finished the last overture consideration and closed with a beautiful prayer from one of our young delegates. One more meeting for my committee - we met to review and approve for recommendation to the full Assembly on Saturday morning (today) a new budget with increased financial commitment to the mission of spreading the Good News by word and action. We will urge upon all throughout the length and breadth of the land a message of hope to be backed by faithful stewardship to achieve this budget.

Peace - Kears