General Assembly Thoughts: Joy Smith

Communications | July 8, 2010

Greetings Friends,

I have been a member of the Civil Union and Christian Marriage committee and we completed our work on Tuesday with the passing of the peace. Our time together was intense, emotional, prayerful, theologically diverse and in the midst I am hopeful for our larger church. I am pleased with the results of our work and expect God is doing a new thing with us. Our results include the recommendation to GA to receive ”the final report from the civil union and Christian marriage task force” who were assigned to define the meaning of civil unions and Christian marriage; in addition the recommendation to GA 2 overtures: one that defines marriage as “a covenant between two people” and another that prohibits married persons to testify against the other. I am really enjoying the process, seeing colleagues from across the country, and participating in the shaping the PCUSA.

Thanks for this opportunity,
Peace,
Pastor Joy Smith

Joy Smith is a Minister Commissioner to the 219th General Assembly from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and is pastor of Presbyterian Church of the Apostles in Burnsville, MN.