Schedule

The meetings and events that make up the official docket of the assembly are shown with an asterisk.

Italics indicate meetings and events intended for the audience indicated or those who are invited.

Monday, June 23

7 – 9 a.m.
General Assembly Breakfast and Morning Prayer
Ticket $30
Sponsored by the Office of the General Assembly
Speaker: David LaMotte, musician and humanitarian
Location:  Fairmont Hotel

8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mission Tour 1: Monterey Aquarium and Steinbeck’s World
Ticket - $60
Monterey Bay Aquarium featuring 200 galleries and exhibits, including a three-story living kelp forest, great white shark exhibit and the freshwater otters.  World-renowned Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck.  Lunch with members of First Presbyterian Church, Monterey, and hear stories of the Japanese El Estero Presbyterian Church, begun as a Presbyterian mission to Japanese fishermen in 1908.  Hear how the Japanese churches survived the World War II internment.
Travel by coach, three hours round trip.

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Women Executive Presbyters and Synod Executives Coffee
Sponsored by the OGA/GAC Office of Middle Governing Body Relations. A time of fellowship and sharing for women in these positions.

9:30 a.m. – Noon
General Assembly Committee Meetings
Locations:  SJCC, Marriott, Hilton

9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
General Assembly Exhibit Hall Open

10 a.m. – Noon
Mission Tour 2:  Walk to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Ticket:  free
San Jose is the first U.S. city to combine its public library with that of a university. Specialty exhibits include the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies, devoted to the composer’s life, works and accomplishments; and the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies, housing over 40,000 items and publishing the Steinbeck Review.  Contemporary art includes three sculptures by African American artist Edmonia Lewis and 33 works by contemporary artist Mel Chin.

This docent-led walk is approximately six to seven blocks each way, pointing out other features along the way. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection.

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Presbyterian Seminary Fair
Discover the rich offerings of the Presbyterian theological institutions, including degree and non-degree programs. Talk with representatives of the various schools. Refreshments served.

11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options (PARO) Luncheon
Ticket $25
Anne Eggebroten, editor of Abortion: My Choice, God's Grace, will describe prayerful journeys of Christian women who chose to end unplanned pregnancies in her talk, "Christians and Abortion: Finding a Middle Ground between Extremes."
Location: Fairmont Hotel

Noon – 1 p.m.
Congregational Transformation Lunch
Ticket - $41
Sponsored by the GAC Church Growth and Ministry Support.  “Missional Church, Appreciative Inquiry, and Leading Change.”The Rev. Mark Lau Branson is the Homer L. Goddard Associate Professor of the Ministry of the Laity, Fuller Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in congregational leadership and community engagement.
Location:  Fairmont Hotel

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Covenant Network of Presbyterians Luncheon
Ticket - $42
Speaker:  John M. Buchanan, Moderator of the 208th General Assembly, editor and publisher of the Christian Century, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago and founding co-moderator of the Covenant Network.  He will reflect on our continuing vision of a church that celebrates the welcoming gospel.
Location:  Fairmont Hotel

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
National Association of Presbyterian Clergywomen Luncheon
Ticket - $51
Speaker:  Harriet Nelson, Moderator of the 196th General Assembly Following her service as moderator she attended seminary and was ordained as minister of Word and Sacrament.  The Rev. Nelson remained active at the denominational level and on the staff of San Francisco Theological Seminary and is presently visitation pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Napa, California.
Location: Fairmont Hotel

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
OneByOne Luncheon - Living with AIDS
Ticket - $18
Bob Blackford, former Young Life leader, shares his story of coming out to his family and friends about his secret homosexual life after he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Bob has spoken nationally and has traveled to Africa many times to bring hope to those who live with AIDS.
Location:  Bella Mia Restaurant, 58 S. First Street, San Jose (walking distance).

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Presbyterian Network to End Homelessness Luncheon
Ticket - $25
“An End to Homelessness: Building Housing, Building Justice." Speakers include Mike Yankoski, author of Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America, and Rev. Laura Jervis, director of the Westside Federation for Senior Housing and chair of the PC(USA) Overture Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing.
Location:  Camera 12 Theater, 288 S. Second Street, San Jose (walking distance).

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) Mid-day Briefing
Presbyterians for Renewal offers daily updates, progress reports and interpretation on the work of the Assembly committees and the issues emerging in plenary sessions.  Lunch available, $15 per person.  Commissioners are encouraged to bring questions.  Observers are also welcome.

Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Presbyterians Pro-Life TSAD/YAD Luncheon 
Does the Bible have something to say about abortion? What guidance can we find in God’s word that relates to this critical topic? Presbyterians Pro-Life invites all Theological Student and Youth Advisory Delegates Delegates to lunch. The pizza is on us! Bring your questions and concerns and prepare for a lively discussion with PPL staff, board members and friends.
Location: Fairmont Hotel

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Small Church Luncheon
Ticket - $ 17
Sponsored by the GAC Small Church and Community Ministry office of Evangelism and Church Growth.  Friends of small church ministry will gather to break bread, swap stories and listen to small church reflections.
Location:  St. Claire Hotel

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Synod of the Rocky Mountains Luncheon
Ticket - $15
Participants from within the synod AND friends of the synod from across the church are invited to gather for lunch and an opportunity to catch up with one another and compare notes on the assembly.
Location:  Fairmont Hotel

Noon
That All May Freely Serve "Something Happening for Love Justice and Jesus”
Come out to celebrate the ALL of the Church's future. Music? Art? Theater? Something Else? Watch for signs, check the Web site for where to gather for these daily events.

12:30 – 1:20 p.m.
Presbyterian Action Briefing
Your chance to hear Presbyterian Action’s side on social action matters having an impact on the church. Get the kind of facts and information rarely provided from denominational sources, but yet vitally important as this GA makes key decisions. This free event provides an opportunity to meet Presbyterian Action leadership, hear a brief presentation and interact on vital issues.  Lunch is not served.
Location: Fairmont Hotel

1:15 – 5 p.m.
Mission Tour 4   Hike through Earthquake Country
Ticket  $28
Docent-guided exploration of the 264-acre Los Trancos Open Space Preserve split by the San Andreas Fault. Located in the Santa Cruz mountains north of San Jose, with rolling grassland knolls alternating with oak woodland and shaded forest.  On a clear day one can see the skyscrapers of San Francisco. The trail is about 1½ miles and climbs about 300 feet.  This tour is not wheelchair accessible and not appropriate for those with most physical disabilities or limitations.  Wear layered clothing, sun hat and shoes for hiking. 
Travel time by coach, 2 hours round trip. 

1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
General Assembly Committee Meetings
Locations:  SJCC, Marriott, Hilton

2 – 4 p.m.
Mission Tour 3: San Jose City History
Downtown Historical Buildings 
Ticket $6
A walking tour to two sites. The restored Peralta Adobe, the oldest address in San Jose, showcases the city’s Spanish and Mexican roots. Later builders built more elaborate structures, of which the Fallon House (1855) is an example.  Located in historic San Pedro Square, both houses help you relive periods in San Jose’s past. A docent led walk, 7 blocks each way, through San Jose’s restaurant district.  Note: the upstairs rooms of the Fallon House are not accessible by wheelchair. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection.

5 – 6:30 p.m.
PHEWA Awards and Music Celebration
Ticket -  $15
Come celebrate! The Presbyterian Health Education and Welfare Association’s (PHEWA) reception this year will be a celebration expressed through music and awards. Our celebration begins with the special music written to benefit mental health services in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, a unique project called the Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing. Outstanding ministries of justice, throughout the PC(USA), will be honored for their outreach to and inclusion of marginalized communities.
Location: Fairmont Hotel

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Group Dinner for Commissioners and Advisory Delegates
Ticket $49  
This meal is provided for commissioners and advisory delegates.  Others wishing to take part will purchase a ticket.

6:45 – 7:30 p.m.
Evening Worship
Thomas Richard Daniel, preaching.  Thomas is the organizing pastor of Atlantic Station New Church Development in Atlanta, Georgia, Greater Atlanta Presbytery.
Location:  Civic Auditorium at the SJCC

7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Presbyterians for Just Immigration (PFJI) Open House
Please join us for conversation and idea sharing if you are interested in the immigration issues in our nation, our communities and our churches. PFJI is a list serve for Presbyterians who are interested in learning and sharing around immigration issues.
Location: Hiton Hotel

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
San Francisco Theological Seminary President’s Reception
Hosted by President Phil Butin, this dessert reception is open to alumni/ae, friends, current and prospective students of SFTS.  Reconnect with the SFTS community and enjoy an evening of fellowship and friendship.
Location:  St. Claire Hotel

8 – 9:30 p.m.
General Assembly Committee Meetings
Location:  SJCC, Marriott and Hilton

11:30 p.m.
That All May Freely Serve Midnight Meditation and Post-Modern Prayer
Join us each evening in a prayer celebration for the church and for ALL. Watch for signs and check the Web site on where to gather.