Business Meeting

More Business Meeting Highlights

by Yvonne Hileman

One of the surprises of the Saturday afternoon Business Meeting was the presentation of PW honorary life memberships to Curtis Kearns, director, National Ministries Division; Helen Locklear, deputy executive director, General Assembly Council (GAC); Joey Bailey, deputy director, Mission Support Services; Don Campbell, director, Congregational Ministries Division; Marion McClure, director, Worldwide Ministries Division; and Cliff Kirkpatrick, stated clerk, Office of the General Assembly. Outgoing PW moderator Kris Gerling presented the awards “for their dedication to the church and to the mission of Jesus Christ.”

Stated Clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick underscored Curtis Kearns’ affirmation of the partnership between PW and the church when he said, “PW is the way forward for the life of the church. You could be the group that offers to the church a model of leadership. That would be a great thing for the church.” He went on to say, “If there’s any group that models recommendations adopted by the 217th General Assembly—commitment to unity and covenantal partnerships, engagement in intensive discernment in the face of difficult issues, theological reflection and exploration of alternative forms of discernment as a complement to parliamentary procedure—it’s PW.” He added, “Indeed, PW is an affinity group that cares about the whole church and the whole world.”

Helen Locklear addressed the new mission work plan and said, with the recent reduction in workforce, it is ever more important to avoid working in silos and to share the goals of the mission work plan. She said many programs will be done in partnership with PW and “each of us, on behalf of the GAC, offers thanks for the insight, outreach, generosity and ability of PW. The world is a much better place because of Presbyterian Women.”

Cliff Kirkpatrick introduced new moderator of the General Assembly Joan Gray, who told the meeting attendees this was her first official address and she couldn’t think of any group she’d rather “take her maiden voyage” in front of. Gray, who has received two honorary life memberships, wears her pins as earrings. She exhorted PW to “hold on to our mission, our prophetic witness and each other. It is our privilege and responsibility to stand with those who need help and advocacy.” She urged, “Keep speaking out and doing what needs to be done.” Gray closed with a plea that PW pray for her as she stretches, learns and grows, and asked God to “help us be courageous.”

The latter part of the Business Meeting involved the financial report, budget vote, votes on new referrals and the election of officers for the 2006–2009 triennium. Voting representatives brought three items of new business to the meeting—review and wider distribution of honorarium guidelines for Bible study leaders; examination and publishing of criteria for nominating/electing racial ethnic members-at-large; and incremental increased mission pledge giving. All three were referred to the Churchwide Coordinating Team (CCT) of Presbyterian Women for further study and action.

Business Meeting Highlights

Friday, the opening day of the 2006 Business Meeting of the Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, was marked by lively discussion, an overview of new business, a procedural change (from Robert’s Rules of Order to the consensus model of decision-making) and sad and surprising news from the General Assembly Council (GAC) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Kris Gerling, outgoing moderator of the Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women (CCT/PW), informed voting representatives that Judy Golliher, associate director for finance and accounting within the GAC for the past 19 months, and corporate treasurer, was terminated last week and has admitted to embezzling church funds. Kris read from a PC(USA) press release, which said that, to date, a loss of $102,000 has been discovered through the church’s internal audit system. Joey Bailey, deputy director for Mission Support Services, made a statement at the Business Meeting, reassuring PW that the PC(USA) is insured and that Judy has promised restitution. He added that PW funds are untouched and emphasized how grateful the church is for the work and support of Presbyterian Women.

There was a bright spot in Joey Bailey’s appearance at the Business Meeting, however. He was awarded an honorary life membership in Presbyterian Women, which was presented in an emotional exchange with Kris Gerling, who thanked him for his work with Presbyterian Women and called him her and PW’s friend.

Items of new business, previewed in reports by Kathy Randall, chair of the PW Enabler Committee, and Kathryn Baker, outgoing vice moderator for mission relationships, sparked a lively discussion, in which the consensus model was put to the test.

Kathryn introduced Together in Service (TIS), a new hands-on mission program designed to give congregations, presbyteries and synods more flexibility in meeting modern mission needs in underprivileged areas of the United States and the rest of the world. TIS replaces the Mission Service program that was more directive and specific in the projects that it encouraged. The Together in Service Guide Book, available in the Resource Center (in Celebration Corners/Great Room), explains the rationale behind the revamped program and how to carry it out. Getting the Point Across is a free CD, with PowerPoint presentations and scripts, designed to help PW leaders introduce the program to constituents. Women attending Workshop 48, “Making Mission Matter,” will get a coupon for a 50 percent discount on the TIS Guide Book.

The moderators’ reports were brief and poignant. Kris Gerling focused on her gratitude for getting to see firsthand the work of PW groups and her gratitude for getting to serve.

Kathryn Baker observed that, though her printed report is “clinical,” she wanted to express how privileged she is and how overwhelming the job of vice moderator is. She choked up as she said, “It is not me alone in this role. It is you and our foremothers that I am representing.” Lillian Oats, vice moderator for justice and peace, quoted Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see.” She also quoted a prayer she gave when she took office three years ago, asking God to continue guiding “our hearts, our feet and our hands.”

In new business, Kathy Randall introduced the PWE Network, intended to replace the PW Enabler Network. Ultimately, it’s hoped that the network be expanded to include all leaders and the Recommendations 2–6 from the Business Book are understood as working steps that may change as PW lives into the recommendations. Kathy emphasized that the PWE Network is a fluid model that will be implemented during the 2006–2009 triennium, and can be tailored to meet each presbytery’s needs.

The second day of the Business Meeting, on Saturday, brought more surprises, a delightful performance by the Choir of Congo, stirring addresses by ecumenical and denominational partners, and a firm reiteration of the covenant between the General Assembly Council and Presbyterian Women. Curtis Kearns, director, National Ministries Division, PC(USA), said “The state of the covenant is good. It is based on mutual faith and trust in Jesus Christ and a commitment to his mission.” He told the voting representatives, moderators, staff and observers that Presbyterian Women is visible and engaged in GAC and that its presence is important for the church. “The state of the covenant is good and because it exists, I am optimistic about what will happen in the future.” He noted that the 2004 staff reduction “profoundly affected PW and that PW leaders worked diligently to stabilize that situation.” Kearns praised the work of the PW staff as a “light” in the PC(USA) Center’s community.