What do solar power, clean water, and a bagpiper have in common?
At first blush, the answer may seem to be not much, but they share a particular bond here at the 220th General Assembly. They can all be found in the Exhibit Hall along with dozens of other exhibits and exhibitors.
Solar Under the Sun, an ecumenical ministry of the Synod of the Sun in Texas, trains people to install solar energy units in places that lack electricity. Using solar power, Solar Under the Sun can show people how to provide light for schools and orphanages or run a refrigerator for a medical clinic. They have installed units in Haiti, and soon will have units in Kenya, Honduras and the Ukraine.
A particularly useful partnership for Solar Under the Sun has been with Living Waters for the World, a global mission resource of the Synod of Living Waters in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Living Waters for the World teaches volunteers to install clean water systems. They have installed 460 clean water systems in 24 countries and have begun to use Solar Under the Sun’s solar systems to operate the water filtration systems.
“We teach people how to install [clean water] systems, and then they teach others how to do it,” said Jerry Vaughan, of Living Waters for the World. “It’s teach, teach, teach.”
In addition to agencies and non-profit organizations that have ministries related to the PC(USA), visitors to the Exhibit Hall will also find their questions answered by representatives of the six agencies of the PC(USA): the Board of Pensions, General Assembly Mission Council, Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA) Foundation, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation also has a bookstore in the Exhibit Hall.
One of the displays in the hall features the new Presbyterian hymnal, “Glory to God,” scheduled to be released in 2013.
The General Assembly Mission Council is providing opportunities for participants to dialogue with the leaders of new worshiping communities as featured in the videos that are shown in plenary.
The General Assembly Committee on Representation offers temporary tattoos that combine a diversity of colors that outline the shape of a cross.
Those wishing to celebrate the PC(USA)’s Scottish roots by learning how to play the bagpipes will find those who are staffing the Balmoral School of Bagpiping booth more than willing to accommodate.
The Exhibit Hall will be open through Wednesday during the following hours:
Monday, July 2 – 9:00 am-7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 3 – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, July 4 – 10:00 am-7:30 pm.
Wednesday, July 4 – 10:00 am-7:30 pm.