Resources to help you understand the actions of the 221st General Assembly

The following documents are provided to help you understand the actions of the 221st General Assembly that met in June, 2014. These documents were provided to the people who attended the presbytery’s post-General Assembly conversations – Kilgore on July 20 and Presbyterian Mission Center in Irving on July 26.

 

		A Pastoral Epistle by the Rev. Harry Meissner
		Constitutional Musings: Misrpresentations about the PC(USA)
		Marriage and Authoritative Interpretation
		Includes: Pastoral Letter from PC(USA) Letters to the church on Assembly’s marriage actions Assembly approves allowing pastors to perform same-gender marriage where legal; Sends proposed constitutional amendment changing marriage definition Marriage and Civil Unions FAQs on Same-Gender Marriage
		Middle East and Divestment
		Includes: FAQ on Divestment By slim margin, Assembly approves divestment from three companies doing business in Israel/Palestine Middle East Committee recommends divestment from Caterpillar, H-P and Motorola An Open Letter of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to our American Jewish Interfaith Partners
		Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
		Includes: Assembly adopts statement laying out ‘Interreligious Stance’ of PC(USA) Principles for Interfaith Dialogue
		Belhar Confession
		Includes: Assembly sends Belhar Confession to presbyteries for inclusion in Book of Confessions Major themes of the Belhar Confessions explored in Being Reformed study FAQs about the Confession of Belhar
		Immigration and Evironmental Issues
		Includes: Outline of General Assembly Policy related to Comprehensive Immigration Reform Immigration Reform Debate and General Assembly Policy Fossil fuel overture sent to the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee
		Assembly votes to cut number of synods, but by fewer than recommended
		Board of Pensions welcomes new president, Frank Spencer
		Assembly acts decisively on gun violence, abortion, tax reform
		Peacemaking Committee votes to recommend that the Assembly take action aimed at restoring relationship with Cuba
		Hope can be heartbreaking, but Christ never disappoints Egyptian theologian reminds Assembly