Presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) submitted 54 overtures (items of business) for discussion and action at the recent General Assembly held in Milwaukee.
Decisions made at the GA represent the work PC(USA) departments and organizations will implement over the next two years.
The overtures went first to one of the 10 standing committees established for the General Assembly. Each committee was composed of the delegates- clergy and elders- selected by each Presbytery to represent them in the General Assembly. The committees, meeting by Zoom, reviewed the overtures assigned to their committee, prayed, worshipped, discussed, researched, heard relevant testimony and finally decided on the exact recommendation for each overture to the plenary for further discussion and vote.
Delegates addressed a sweeping array of theological, institutional, and social justice issues. Significant actions included:
creating a commission to investigate the closure of Presbyterian World Mission
advancing a comprehensive denomination-wide study on modern sexuality, family structures, and relationships
supporting all individuals in accessing medically necessary evidence-based gender affirming healthcare
declaring White Christian Nationalism a “theological error” and advancing a constitutional amendment declaring it incompatible with Jesus' teachings
affirming by a vote of 454-15 an overture declaring Israel's war in Gaza a genocide and calling for an Israeli arms embargo.
approving a new budget and per capita rates
taking action on ordination and racial justice issues.
You can find the full text of all overtures at https://myga.pc-biz.org/business/search. Choose the committee you are interested in from the drop-down menu, and all overtures assigned to the committee will display.
-Thanks to Nancy Collins for following the business of the assembly and for providing this summary.
