The Synod of the Trinity
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Synod of the Trinity Assembly Meeting
October 5, 2015 (convenes at 10 a.m.) – October 6, 2015 (adjourns by noon)
The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel – 215 Innovation Blvd., State College, PA 16803
Docket Dated: September 25, 2015
(All paperwork will be available in packets at the Synod Assembly Meeting.)
MEETING DOCKET
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015
8-9 a.m. Breakfast Buffet: Gardens Restaurant, Ground Floor
- 7 a.m. — Hot/cold beverages available in meeting area
- 9 a.m. — Continental breakfast items available in meeting area
9-9:50 a.m. Registration: Executive Suite, Ground Floor
10 a.m. Opening Worship
Blessing and Distribution of Commissioner Stoles
10:55 a.m. Stated Clerk’s Report
A. Formation of the Roll
B. Declaration of Quorum
C. Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda
Items for Action
1. Approval of the Docket
2. Seating of Corresponding Members and Guests
3. This meeting shall be both our ecclesiastical and corporate meeting
4. That the Synod accept those elected by their presbyteries to serve on the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission
5. Communion during evening worship
6. Approve offering for the Peace & Global Witness Offering designated for the Syrian Refugee Crisis
Items for Information
1. June minutes were approved
2. The Permanent Judicial Commission has had no cases this year, to date
3. New business due in writing to the Stated Clerk prior to Monday evening worship
MUSIC The Rev. Dr. Sheldon Sorge and Rev. Dr. Wilson Gunn
11:10 a.m. Review and action on corporate By-Laws (download file here)
11:30 a.m. Music & Grace
Noon Lunch: Gardens Restaurant, Ground Floor
1 p.m. Reconvene: Gathering Music
1:05 p.m. Secondary Ends: Fostering conversation and action for the promotion of social righteousness. What does “privilege” mean in our context as Presbyterians, as a Synod, as national citizens and in the world context?
2:10 p.m. Music
2:15 p.m. Second Reading of Standing Rules Revision and Action (download file here)
- Stated Clerk presentation
- Discussion
- Action
2:30 p.m. Nominating Committee Report & Action
- Elect 2016 Moderator, Teaching Elder Johnnie Monroe
- Elect 2016 Vice-Moderator, Ruling Elder Kathleen Sillman
- Fill & Elect Vacancy on Governing Commission
- Elect 2016 Nominating Committee
2:45 p.m. Break
MUSIC
3:15 p.m. Stated Clerk recommendation:
- Amend the Policy Governance Manual GP-1 line 169 to add the immediate past Moderator shall be an ex-officio member of the Governing Commission.
3:20 p.m. Report of the Transitional Synod Executive
3:45 p.m. Report from Board of Pensions
MUSIC
4 p.m. Report from Governing Commission
4:45 p.m. Music & Prayer of Thanksgiving
4:50 p.m. Break for Dinner
5:30 p.m. Dinner: Dean’s Room II on Main Level
7 p.m. Reconvene & Gathering Music: Executive Suite, Ground Floor
New business due in writing to the Stated Clerk
7:10 p.m. Worship with Communion
Preaching: Ruling Elder Commissioner Kathleen Sillman
Music: Rev. Dr. Sheldon Sorge & Rev. Dr. Wilson Gunn
Stand in Recess until 9 a.m. Tuesday
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015
8-9 a.m. Breakfast Buffet: Gardens Restaurant, Ground Floor
- 7 a.m. — Hot/cold beverages available in meeting area
- 9 a.m. — Continental breakfast items available in meeting area
9 a.m. Reconvene: Music and devotions
9:30 a.m. Mid-Council Task Group Report and Action (download file here)
MUSIC
10:15 a.m. BREAK (Check out of rooms)
10:45 a.m. Reconvene & Gathering Music
10:50 a.m. Crestfield Middle School Retreat Presentation
11 a.m. Approving Compensation & Receiving the 2016 Budget (download file here)
11:10 a.m. New Business
11:15 a.m. Meeting Evaluation
11:25 a.m. Motion to adjourn upon the benediction at the end of worship
11:25 a.m. Closing Worship
- Commissioning of new Governing Commission member
- Installation of Moderator & Vice-Moderator
- RECOGNITIONS
Commissioners with expiring terms:
Teaching Elder Gemechisa Guja, Donegal Presbytery
Teaching Elder Barbara Chaapel, Philadelphia Presbytery
Past Moderator:
Teaching Elder Barbara Chaapel, Philadelphia Presbytery
Executive Advisory Team:
Alan Adams, Executive Presbyter, Beaver-Butler Presbytery
Barbara Adams-Smelter, Ruling Elder, Philadelphia Presbytery
Nan Best, Ruling Elder, Donegal Presbytery
Barbara Chaapel, Teaching Elder, Philadelphia Presbytery
Neal Galley, Teaching Elder, Redstone Presbytery
James Ihlenfeld, Ruling Elder, Beaver-Butler Presbytery
K. Joy Kaufmann, Executive Presbyter, Huntingdon Presbytery
Jean Kennedy, Ruling Elder, Pittsburgh Presbytery
Gary Lyon, Teaching Elder, Kiskiminetas Presbytery
Johnnie Monroe, Teaching Elder, Pittsburgh Presbytery
James Robinson, Teaching Elder, West Virginia
Mary Speedy, Ruling Elder, Carlisle
Consultant — Dr. Philip Bergey
Executive Advisory Team Members: Those staying for the wrap-up meeting, please gather in the McKinnon Board Room after closing prayer.