As late Friday night turned into early Saturday morning, the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) elected not to change the denomination’s four special offerings.

Amending the report of the Mission Coordination Committee, the body resoundingly decided against merging the Peacemaking Offering into a new World Mission offering, potentially to be received on World Communion Sunday. The Assembly called for a status report/check-back when the 221st General Assembly convenes in Detroit in 2014.

As a result, the current formulas and protocols for recipients and distribution remain for the Christmas Joy Offering, the Pentecost Offering, the One Great Hour of Sharing and the Peacemaking Offering, usually received on World Communion Sunday.

During Friday’s lengthy evening plenary session, the Assembly approved the renaming of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) to the Presbyterian Mission Agency and approved the agency’s work plan. 

As explained in the Mission Coordination Committee by Linda Valentine, executive director of the GAMC, the name change was triggered by the newly implemented PC(USA) Form of Government that contains new definitions of the term council. Additionally, the new name adds the word Presbyterian to the mix, falling in line with such other agencies as the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation.

Other Assembly actions included supporting Young Adult Volunteers and approval of the Women of Color Consultation Committee report; however, the body stopped short of endorsing a study on the status of women in the PC(USA).