General Assembly Commissioners Share their Experiences

Rev. Louise Westfall, Central Presbyterian Church

I attended the Assembly while working from Washington DC and caring for my infant grandson after his parents’ child care plans fell through due to Covid.   There was something poignant and powerful about the presence of a baby as we deliberated, debated, praised God and protested injustice, journeying from lament to hope.   The newly-elected co-moderators displayed an image from Ghana called “sankofah”---a bird with its feet forward, turned backward to carry a precious egg from the past into the future.  The symbolism resonated in my heartfelt prayers for a church that has continuity with the past, yet trains its eye towards a thriving tomorrow, for my grandson and all the little children of the world. 

The Assembly affirmed what it means to be reformed, yet in need of reformation.    Black lives matter.   The major piece of legislation passed (from the much-reduced docket) was a sweeping call to acknowledge the sin of racism and eradicate it.  Every congregation and council is urged to consider its identity and mission through an anti-racist lens.    The Poor People’s Campaign “Open Letter to National Lawmakers about Systemic Racism” is a great resource and guide for action.   The Assembly offering was designated for a Baltimore presbytery program of Black youth empowerment, and was over $60,000.  

Yet the old patterns persisted.   When a commissioner asked to name the particular impact of racism on Black women and girls, she was essentially ignored.  Flashes of resentment were exhibited by white people on more than one occasion, our privilege showing like a piece of toilet paper stuck to the heel of your shoe.  We seemed more concerned about the relatively small expense for social justice programs than funding for larger, but more traditional programs.  We were quick to claim “hope” rather than staying in the uncomfortable space of lament.  We have much more work and listening to do.

There was a certain exhaustion at the end----partly from the intensity of technology, but even more from wondering why things seem so slow to change.   Co-Moderator Greg Bentley told us a story in his final charge.   There was a Colorado mountain man known for his good deeds, honesty, generosity, and kindness.  Day in and day out, year after year, he showed up to support people in need.  A young seminarian was curious about why he kept at it.  He chuckled and pointed to his dog.  One day that ole’ hound lit off after a rabbit.  His furious barking riled up other dogs who joined in the hunt.  They ran and ran and ran, but after awhile the other dogs dropped off.  Only my dog kept on.  And why was that?  He paused and finished:  Because he was the only one who saw the rabbit.

At this General Assembly, we had many opportunities to “see the rabbit”-----to keep our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.  Now let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.  

Thank you for the privilege of serving as a commissioner. 

---Louise Westfall, Central

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Rev. Bill Davis, Member at Large

It’s a bit appropriate that we’re giving our report about the 224th General Assembly the week after Reformation Sunday.

For this past June we saw ways that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has reformed and ways that we must continue to be always reforming.

Reformed because we met safely, gathering online from coast to coast, and beyond the borders of these United States, utilizing technology was a gift during this global pandemic.

Electing Elona Street-Steward and Gregory Bentley as Co-Moderators, and re-electing J. Herbert Nelson as Stated Clerk were Spirit-led, “for such a time as this”, decisions.

Always reforming, because as a general assembly, and as a denomination, we still have much work to do.

There were still too many moments where old white men spoke disrespectfully and inappropriately to our newly elected moderators. 

There is still too much mansplaining of the good, faithful work, female staff members, and specifically females of color, do in the national office.

Even the silence to close the assembly on Saturday afternoon, being held to honor and remember the lives of the many people of color who have been unjustly killed by police was interrupted by a white man with a divergent point of view.

So to end my reflections on this virtual GA, I ask us to hold one minute in silence to reflect on the ways the white majority of our denomination has been complicit in injustices perpetuated upon people of color, and specifically black women.

Rev. Bill Davis

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Ruling Elder, Daphne Rice-Allen, Peoples Presbyterian Church

I want to thank Verniece Vafeades and Wanda Beauman for encouraging me to apply to be a delegate for the 224th General Assembly.

I admit I was very apprehensive at first. Although I teach Sunday School, and have served on Session off and on for some 17 years, my honest knowledge of the history of the Presbyterian church and the bible for that matter could use some real work. So, I talked with others from the Denver Presbytery and did what most people do I “googled” and found myself getting excited.

After phone and in person interviews, I received a phone call and a formal letter saying I had been selected to be a represent at the 224th General Assembly.

Once I got the hang of getting online and receiving all kinds of online and printed documentation, as well as attended one or two training sessions, then COVID 19 hit.

Everything and everyone went into over drive, as we all wondered how would the GA committee crunch a 7 day in person General Assembly into an electronic online interactive program that included voting for some 400 plus people, all over the US, with four different time zones, into 8 hours for two days? With God’s Help they did it!

I remember Friday mornings opening pray was a long but thankful statement of pulling this undertaking together in such a short time With God’s Help.

What struck me the most over the 2 days was the complexity of being a “Presbyterian.” We spent over half the day on Friday dealing with, and voting on, approving how to conduct the General Assembly electronically. There was a lengthy explanation of rules and procedures even though a lot of the information was provided in the training sessions.

The issue was there were no rules in the Book of Order for dealing with electronic voting at a GA. So, language had to be put into the minutes of the 224th General Assembly addressing electronic voting.

Another thing that struck me over the 2 days was how words matter, and who they matter to, and why they matter. There was a lot of social justice/social injustice language that people used throughout the entry conference; as well as my cause vs your cause. I found myself feeling like things where getting little nit-picky depending on the Overture or the Motion. But I realized if a word, or action mattered to me, I too would want to be heard and respected.

Being a Christian is hard work, and it is even harder work when you have skin in the game, as the saying goes. Now, factor in which side of that issue you are on. I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the 224th GA and I look forward to the 225th General Assembly.

Sincerely,

Daphne Rice-Allen
Peoples Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

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This was not my first General Assembly.  I attended the one in Atlanta in 1983 when the “Northern” and “Southern” churches merged to form PC(USA).  It was a joyous occasion with us marching in the streets after the vote.

Ruling Elder Pat Queen, Green Mountain Presbyterian Church

There was as much dissention in the 224th GA as there was prior to the merger.  There were very pointed comments from the ‘good old boy’s network’ as Bill mentioned and very anti-Black, anti-women sentiments expressed by white men.  White privilege and power were very evident in all the proceedings.

By the end of the scheduled business I was feeling very discouraged because even the items that passed on systemic racism, racial injustice and declaring Black lives matter were not all inclusive, excluding Black women and girls, and had no teeth.  The disruption Bill referred to during the 8:46 of silence was nothing short of shameful.  I could see no way for bringing us all back together.

Then came the closing worship service. 

The Scripture was the familiar Ezekiel 37:1-10, Dry Bones.  The prayer and the music accomplished for me what I didn’t think was possible – especially the 3 songs chosen:

I Am Your Servant, Honey Tree

I Am Your Breath, Camille Metoyer Moten and Jim Mertz

I Will Never Leave You Alone, Janet Paschal

And the closing charge from Co-Moderator, Elona Street-Stewart:

“Let us be resolved and to repent and to live out the justices of God’s kingdom.”

We have our marching orders for the 225th GA.

A 15 Year Milestone

This year Denver Presbytery Celebrates the 15 Year Anniversary of our partnership with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe! If not for the pandemic, we would be welcoming delegates from Zimbabwe this month, and preparing to send delegates there. We would be having grand celebrations with excellent food and dancing! We would be sharing the work of our churches and welcoming delegates to preach in our pulpits.

Our connection with Zimbabwe can be confusing, especially if you are new to the Presbytery. One reason for this is that there are numerous Mission Partnerships connected to Zimbabwe. That is, several churches that have banded together around a specific mission in Zimbabwe such as: Zimbabwe Kidz providing clean water to schools, the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership supporting an Orphan Care Center, The Lomagundi Clinic Partnership providing healthcare through a local clinic, and the Nakai Task Force focusing on women’s health.

The one that we are ALL a part of is the Partnership between our Presbyteries! This partnership was formed 15 years ago with the primary emphasis being on building relationships between our Presbyteries. How amazing it is to be in relationship with brothers and sisters thousands of miles away and to learn from and support each other’s ministries!

A successful outgrowth of our partnership is the Central Fund which helps to fund business projects in Zimbabwe that support the mission of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe and provide supplemental stipends to the pastors. Some of the businesses run by their Presbytery include Vimridge farm and greenhouses, egg production, a cattle herd, and a fuel depot.

A huge way we stay connected is through sending delegates to Zim every year, and hosting delegates from Zim. In 2020, this was not possible due to the pandemic. We also have opportunities for short term service, where pastors and elders can serve alongside a Zimbabwean congregation for up to a month.

In lieu of sending delegates in person this year, we’d like to send a collection of video greetings! If you would like to record a short greeting to send please contact Barb Lyons at barb@covenantdtc.org

The Joy of Giving | Legacy gift addresses poverty, particularly for women and children

Rarely in my vocational journey have I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow Christian traveler for whom giving provided such profound joy. The Rev. Jane Hays was such a pilgrim. She gave from the heart. During her life, Jane’s generosity touched countless lives and left a legacy of love.

I met Jane in 2012, about a year after the death of her second husband, Bill Hays. Visiting with her in her modest Denver home always promised unexpected delights. Because Jane had the gift of hospitality, she usually served lunch in the garden room at the back of her house, as we spoke about our mutual passion for justice, particularly, for Jane, advocacy for women and children.

On one visit, we were joined by colleagues from Presbyterian World Mission. Jane was interested in World Mission’s work of eradicating systemic poverty globally, particularly for women and children. Jane’s late husband, Bill, had given her shares of Colgate Palmolive stock she wished to sell, with the intention of giving half to Presbyterian World Mission and splitting the remainder between two of her other passions in Colorado, the Lakewood Youth Center and Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center. Since she intended for her gift to be at least $500,000, she said, if necessary, she would supplement the stock sale with a cash gift. The sale ultimately resulted in a gift to Presbyterian World Mission for just over $503,000.

When we expressed our deep gratitude for her generosity, she smiled. The wealth was not really hers, she said, “I am merely the agent, and I receive such joy from giving.” After Jane died in 2017, her estate provided funds to Highlands that made it possible for the camp to retire its mortgage.

When I reflect on Jane’s life, I recall her love of God, Christ’s church, family, community and neighbors.

From her involvement in Christian Endeavor as a young woman, where she met her first husband, Jim Huff, Jane developed an interest in working with young people. After miscarrying twice, she and Jim adopted three children. Their call to serve God led Jim to Louisville Seminary at age 40. Following his graduation, they accepted a call to serve the Presbyterian Church in Princeton, Kentucky, where Jim was pastor for only 3½ years before the chronic and debilitating consequences of diabetes forced his early retirement. Jane, Jim and their three children relocated to Winter Park, Florida. Soon after their move, Jim died following a long and painful illness, leaving Jane to raise their children alone. It was this experience that deepened Jane’s devotion to addressing the needs of women and children.

Five years after Jim’s death, Jane met and married Bill Hays, who had proposed to her as they both placed lilies on the cross during Easter worship at the Presbyterian Church in Winter Park. They moved to Colorado, where Jane entered Iliff Theological Seminary at age 55, later becoming one of the first women pastors ordained in the Presbytery of Denver. She once told me there were at least two before her. Her first call was as parish associate at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Lakewood, where she served until her retirement in 1995.

In my role in Mission Engagement and Support, I still have much to learn from Jane’s work and witness. She has inspired me to give more generously, and to never shy away from asking others about their passion for giving. This is how we are each called to live our lives. And, as Jane once told me, “The answer is always no if you don’t ask.”

René Myers is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s mission engagement advisor for the West region, Synods of the Rocky Mountains, Alaska-Northwest, Pacific, Southern California and Hawaii. Contact her at rene.myers@pcusa.org or 951-214-2679.

Transitions | A Letter from Our Assembly Moderator

October 12, 2020

Dear Denver Presbytery Members,

On behalf of your Presbytery Council, I am informing you that last week we voted to not renew or extend our Presbytery’s contract with Rev. Dana Hughes as our Transitional Presbytery Pastor.  Therefore, this contract will conclude as of October 31, 2020.  Council determined that the evolution of Rev. Hughes ministry and vision had grown incongruent with the overall needs of our Presbytery.  The Presbytery Council lacked confidence in her plan to conclude the visioning and transitional efforts in a unified and timely manner.  We have released her from all contractual duties and are providing her with three months of severance compensation.
 
We are grateful for Rev. Hughes’ two years with us and the ministry she provided to our staff, pastors, and congregations.  She provided us with leadership through our staff transitions, global pandemic, and civil distress while structuring our transitional and visioning activities.  Rev. Hughes served Denver Presbytery beginning at the end of October 2018 with an initial 12-month contract which was renewed for a second 12-months in 2019.  She will continue to be a member of Denver Presbytery in good standing. 
 
The Presbytery Council also voted this past week to seek an outside consultant to walk alongside us as we complete the outstanding efforts to define a vision for our future, evaluate our staffing and organizational structure, and provide recommendations for our future vitality.  We believe such a consultant will effectively guide our efforts and help us design an effective Ministry Information Profile to propel our Presbytery into a thriving future.
 
During this interim period, our Stated Clerk, Rev. Olivia Hudson Smith, will serve as the Interim Head of Staff.  Rev. Joel Adams, who serves as our Presbytery Associate for Congregations, will continue picking up more of the pastoral duties for our Presbytery. Our newest staff member, Rev. Fernando Rodríguez will continue to work closely with our New Worshipping Communities and other Mission and Ministry duties.  Until the end of my term as Moderator in January 2021, I will continue to moderate our Assemblies and the Presbytery Council.  Beth Carlisle, Chuck Sparks, and Sue Pilcher will continue in their roles and responsibilities as well.  Our Presbytery Pastoral Care Team will continue to provide pastoral care for pastors across the Presbytery. 
 
At our October 27th Assembly, we will continue to communicate with you regarding the roles each group within the Presbytery will take to assist in this transition, as well as our goals and objectives.  The Council met multiple times over the past week and will continue to do so to ensure that we address concerns in a timely fashion that arise from you and all members of this Presbytery.  We ask for your prayers for wisdom and discernment as we make decisions in the days and weeks ahead.
 
We know that we have a talented staff and gifted members in our workgroups and committees who we can rely upon to continue our shared ministry. Your Presbytery Council is confident that these adjustments will provide our Denver Presbytery, congregations, and Teaching and Ruling Elders with the best way forward for a successful transition.
 
With Grace and Peace,

Rev. Justin Spurlock
Assembly Moderator

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash

As Presbyterians we value families and we know the importance of good social policy that supports families when extra care is needed to nurture a new child or attend to the needs of a family member who is ill. 

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Ballot Measure (Proposition 118) on the upcoming Colorado November ballot would establish an insurance program for Colorado workers allowing them up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for an ill family member or to bond with a new child.

Currently 80% of Colorado workers must choose between caring for a family member or loosing income. 

The Relations & Communications Workgroup, through Council, is encouraging friends and members of Denver Presbytery to give thoughtful consideration to this information when you mark your ballots in November. How can we, as Christians, support families by creating a state program in which workers can both take time to care for family members and continue supporting their family economically.  LEARN MORE→