James Tse, Christi Scott Ligon, and Tricia Dykers-Koenig settle some final details before the Committee on Bills and Overtures meeting at the end of second day of the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on June 19, 2022, at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rich Copley)
Meeting Sunday, the Bills and Overtures Committee voted 19-0 to refer eight commissioner resolutions to other committees of the 225th General Assembly for their consideration.
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), determined that all eight qualify for referral, Associate Stated Clerk Kerry Rice explained to the committee. Commissioner resolutions cannot amend the Book of Order, can’t already be before the Assembly for consideration, and can’t have been considered by either of the two previous assemblies, Rice said. “That’s why he brought these to you for your consideration,” Rice told the committee.
The commissioner resolutions and the committee they’re being referred to:
RGJ-14, On Violence and Hate Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, to Race and Gender Justice.
ECU-08, On Solidarity with Palestinian Christians, to Ecumenical and Interfaith Engagement.
INT-19, On the Russian Military Invasion of Ukraine, to International Engagement.
HSB-10, On Addressing Mental Health Challenges at Every Level of the Church, to Health, Safety and Benefits.
GA-PAP-22, Updating the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Board of Pensions, to General Assembly Entity Policies and Procedures.
HSB-11, On Affirming Reproductive Justice, to Health, Safety and Benefits.
VIOL-11, On Directing MRTI to Place Gun-Related Companies on the Divestment List, to Addressing Violence in the USA.
MC-11, On Memorializing Non-Ordained Servants of the Church, to Mid Councils.
The committee also took these actions:
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Approved a template for Bills and Overtures comment on special committees, committees or task forces.
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Assigned committee members to three subcommittees: General Assembly Minutes, which reads and approves minutes published after each assembly session; Protests and Dissents, which determines whether protests and dissents are in order and recommends whether they’ll be included in the minutes of the assembly; and Change of Docket/Limit on Debates, which meets after committees adjourn and during plenaries to recommend changes in the docket, including the order of committee reports, and whether to limit debate.
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Approved the Bills and Overtures Committee Observer Form, which committee members will use to report their observations on how the work is progressing in other GA225 committees.
Cristi Scott Ligon of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee moderates the committee. Iris Santoni Ortiz of the Presbiterio Del Noroeste is the vice-moderator.