Synod: Day One
Thursday in Cincinnati dawned bright and hot and while the smog had been washed out by overnight thunder storms, the air was still muggy and air conditioning a relief.
The first session of synod began with an address from the outgoing moderator, Dr Len Pine. His message introduced the theme of the synod: "Let Brotherly Love Continue."
Following that, the Lord's Supper was conducted by the Rev. Patrick Hines of Cincinnati. Rev. Hines serves the church here and has a lovely growing family.
The opening service was closed and after a short break the commissioners reconvened. The roll was formed, including ministers,elder delegates and alternates, corresponding and visiting brethren.
The docket was adopted and can be found on the denominations website in full.
The Reverend Ben Robinson was elected the new moderator and his vice moderator is Dr. John Battle.
The Reverend Steve Brinegar was elected as assistant clerk and will be helping Rev. Dyck with those duties.
Communications from various correspondents were read and assigned to committees for study and report.
The Rev. Tony Curto, the observer from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church brought us greetings from that body.
The synod photo--always fun--was taken and then retaken. Year after year the photographer--always someone different, depending where we are--asks for the shorter men to move up front and the taller ones to gather in the back, and every year, the short men, who imagine they are tall, have to be shoved up to the front--no body wants to be shorter than any one else.
The ladies are far more co-operative, if harder to get to hold still.
This was followed by a delicious lunch of hot soup and green salad. Cold soup might have been better under the circumstances, but it was very good.
While standing in line to get our food, Nellie, Tammie and Bonnie noticed that the seminary display was stacked high with knap sacks that have a beautiful logo advertising PMU and WRS. they were designed for their joint work in Myanmar and Bolivia. The three ladies each put one on thinking it would make good advertising for the seminary. Dr. Battle, and other, including Dr. Pine, thought that the women should be carrying their husband's Bibles, books, etc. on their backs. I, of course, stayed out of this part of the discussion.
Mrs. Lensch, immediately responded by saying that would be fine as long the men were sure to put their wallets in the sacks too.
Lunch with Judith Collins was full of interesting stories and then it was back to business.
The moderator appointed the committees that are to work during the next five days and after hearing a heartfelt thank you from Dr. Blizzard for the encouragements during Mrs. Blizzard's recent struggles and homegoing, the body recessed to committees and prayer groups.
The Bills and Overtures Committee, which deals with matters relating to the church's government, met to discuss changes in the Form of Government, issues relating to the bounds of Presbyteries and other issues.
The Church Relations Committee, which deals with our relationship to other bodies met as well, along with the resolutions committee.
Four agencies were reviewed and approved by the synod and recommended for support: Presbyterian Fundamental Publications, WRS, Presbytery Mission Union.
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