Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Committee on the Office of the General Assembly holds last monthly meeting before GA225

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), says he’s excited and ready for the assembly next month.

As the clock ticks toward the opening of the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly met for its last monthly meeting before the Assembly begins on June 18. Most of the meeting was spent going over preparations from the opening of a new conference center to precautions against infection from the Covid virus.

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), thanked COGA and OGA staff for the two-year collaboration to bring this gathering to life.

“I really feel the Jesus joy considering where we were in the beginnings of this, not knowing whether we could hold a General Assembly at all,” he said. “The work on the new conference space is coming to a close, and I’m overwhelmed by what I see. Our hope is to turn on the lights soon.”

Julia Henderson, OGA’s leader for GA Planning and Business, says staff has been meeting regularly with a Covid advisory team of health professionals to ensure attendees stay healthy.

Julia Henderson, OGA’s leader for GA Planning and Business, briefed COGA on preparations for the 225th General Assembly.

“We’ve been told that things look good right now. The team is very pleased with the protocols we’re putting in place and believe we have done everything we can to keep people safe,” she said. “There has been a slight bump in the infection rate in Louisville because of the recent Kentucky Derby, but the team believes we’ll be right where we need to be.”

Henderson said a small number of commissioners and advisory delegates who couldn’t meet the vaccine mandates have had to resign. She adds that efforts will continue throughout the Assembly to protect those who do come.

“In addition to high-quality masks and vaccination mandates, we will have Covid testing and supplemental masks available. A third party will conduct those tests and provide follow-up care for those who test positive while attending,” she said. “Committee start times as well as snack and meal breaks will be staggered to reduce the number of folks circulating in the hallways at specific times.”

Henderson says if people test positive during Assembly, they will not be able to return to the center and will be advised to remain at their hotels and not travel if they are flying.

COGA also received an update on the construction of the new conference space.

Eliana Maxim, COGA vice moderator briefed the committee and staff on plans for designated space for Black, Indigenous and people of color to gather and share thoughts about the assembly.

The Rev. Eliana Maxim, COGA vice moderator, briefed the committee and staff on plans for designated space for Black, Indigenous and people of color to gather and share thoughts about the assembly.

“We are close to completion on the construction part, but still have a way to go on communications and technology,” said Kerry Rice, OGA’s deputy stated clerk. “Mid-Kentucky Presbytery will test the space for its meeting next week and we will follow up with an all-staff meeting to test out functionality.”

Rice says security arrangements will be made at the Presbyterian Center and chaplaincy services will also be available online to those attending in Louisville.

The Rev. Eliana Maxim, COGA vice moderator, says plans for designated space for Black, Indigenous and people of color at General Assembly are moving forward.

“There will be BIPOC space online through Zoom to make sure everyone can participate whether they’re here during week one or week two,” she said. “We will also have hospitality space at the Presbyterian Center for those who need to drop in for a time. We will begin with our first gathering within a few weeks and will schedule the rest throughout [the] Assembly.”

Maxim added that an informal survey of past commissioners of color found “welcomed and appreciated” response to BIPOC. There are also plans to offer language support in both Korean and Spanish during this time.

The in-person portion of 225th General Assembly will run from June 19–July 2.