Overture 60
On Adding a Representative from the Presbyterian
Men, with Voice and Vote, to the General Assembly Council—From
the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia.
The Presbytery of Eastern Virginia overtures
the 217th General Assembly (2006) to follow the guidelines of
“Full Participation and Representation” as listed
in the “Book of Order” and approve this overture
that guarantees full participation and access to representation
in the decision making of the church by adding a representative
of the Presbyterian Men with voice and vote to the General Assembly
Council.
Rationale
The Book of Order, under G-4.0403,
Full Participation, states “Persons of all racial ethnic
groups, different ages, both sexes, various
disabilities ... shall be guaranteed full participation and
access to representation in the decision making of the church.
(G-9.0104a)”
The Book of Order, under G-9.0104a,
Participation and Representation, states “Governing bodies
of the church shall be responsible for implementing the church’s
commitment to inclusiveness and participation as stated in G-4.0403.”
There are approximately one million male members
of the church without representation on the General Assembly
Council.
The two proposed reorganizations of the General
Assembly Council presented at the September 2005 meeting failed
to include a representative of the Presbyterian Men.
The present organization of the General
Assembly Council does not include a representative of the Presbyterian
Men.
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