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.

Thursday, June 26

7 – 9 a.m.
Evangelism Breakfast
Ticket - $28
Please join the GAC Evangelism and Church Growth ministry area for breakfast and conversation. Speaker: The Rev. Eric Hoey, director of evangelism and church growth for the General Assembly Council. The Rev. Hoey is interested in how we can reclaim the power of the Gospel. The morning conversation will center on how the PC(USA) can establish a new evangelism and church growth network that will be a connection point for all who have a passion for evangelism, for church growth and a desire to share the gospel message with all God’s people.

7 – 9 a.m.
2008 Theological Education Awards Breakfast
Ticket - $20
Celebrate the work of the Committee on Theological Education (COTE) and the Theological Education Fund’s Seminary Support Network! The award for excellence in Theological Education will be presented to Dr. Sara C. Juengst, who will address the gathering. Awards and recognition will also be given to several presbyteries that have exceeded expectations in Theological Education Fund participation and support, as well as to Seminary Support Network members for their excellence in leadership.
Location:  St. Claire Hotel

8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mission Tour 14  Stanford University – Sculpture Garden and the Center on Conflict and Negotiation
Ticket - $27
Move into the out of doors at Stanford University for a tour of the Cantor collection of Rodin Bronzes. Docent-led tour will include these and other sculptures by such artists as Alexander Calder, Claes Oldenburg or Joan Miró and the fanciful wood and stone sculptures of animals, people and magical characters in the Papua New Guinea sculpture garden. Meet the Rev. Byron Bland, PC(USA) pastor and associate director of the Center on Conflict and Negotiation. Byron has been involved in peace negotiations in Northern Ireland and will lead a discussion of peacemaking efforts. Visit Stanford Memorial Chapel, the architectural centerpiece of the Stanford “quad.” Travel by coach, approximately 1½ hours.  Walking shoes and sun protection advised.

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mission Tour 13: San Juan Bautista Mission First Presbyterian Church, Hollister and Emmaus House Women’s Shelter
Ticket $45
Explore Mission San Juan Bautista, one of the 21 Spanish missions established along the El Camino Real by Father Junipero Serra and his successor.  The mission dates to 1797. A park ranger will lead a tour of the only original Spanish plaza remaining in California.  You will be on your own seeing the Mission.  (Movie buffs may remember this as the site of Hitchcock’s Vertigo.) Lunch will be served at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollister. Hear the story of the Emmaus House shelter for victims of domestic violence, which came about through the energy and determination of this church. Travel by coach, approximately 2 hours total.  Portions of the San Juan Mission and the State Historical Park areas are not accessible for those in wheelchairs or for individuals with walking limitations. Wear shoes suitable for uneven walking surfaces, sun protection.

8:30 a.m. – Noon
General Assembly Business Meeting 7
Reports from Assembly Committees.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Group Lunch for Commissioners and Advisory Delegates
Ticket - $26
This meal is provided for commissioners and advisory delegates.  Others wishing to take part will purchase a ticket.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
APCE Education Luncheon
Ticket $27
Sponsored by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE). Speaker: Dr. Laura Mendenhall, president of Columbia Theological Seminary, on "The Top 10 Reasons Why We Do Christian Education."

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Immigration Issues Lunch for Associate Presbyters
Sponsored by the OGA’s Office of Immigration Issues. For more information and a reservation, contact Dana Dages.
Location: Marriott Hotel

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Presbyterian Writers Guild Awards Luncheon
Ticket - $30
The Presbyterian Writers Guild celebrates authors, from novice to well-known, with two awards. Featured luncheon speaker is the former G.A. Moderator Marj Carpenter, recipient of the 2008 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award The winner of the James Angell Award for best first book by a Presbyterian author will be announced.

Noon – 1:45 p.m.
PASTCF Science and Faith Luncheon
Ticket - $35
Sponsored by the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology & the Christian Faith (PASTCF). Speaker: Derek L. Pursey, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Physics, Iowa State University, and former President of PASTCF.
Subject: "What Has Silicon Valley To Do With God?"
Location:  Marriott

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 will be available for $15 per person.  Commissioners are encouraged to bring questions.  Observers are also welcome.
Location: SJCC

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.

1:30 – 5 p.m.
Mission Tour 15: Tour and Tasting - Guglielmo Family Winery
Ticket - $23
The Guglielmo family has been producing wines in the Santa Clara Valley since 1925, continuing a winemaking craft passed down for generations in Italy. Today, the winery produces award-winning premium varietal wines from Santa Clara Valley estate vineyards as well as from other regions of California. The tour includes the facility, an overview of the winemaking process and tasting of six wines.  (Age minimum is 21.)
Travel by coach, approximately one hour total.  All areas of this tour are wheelchair accessible except the wine cellar. Comfortable shoes advised.

1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
Daily Worship
Cynthia Rigby, preaching. Cynthia is the W.C. Brown Professor of Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

2:30 – 6 p.m.
General Assembly Business Meeting 8
Reports from Assembly Committees

6 – 7:30 p.m.
Tampa Bay Presbytery Dinner
Ticket - $49
Commissioners, members, friends and former members of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay will gather for fun, food and fellowship.

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
General Assembly Business Meeting 9
Reports from Assembly Committees.

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."