The Synod of the Trinity
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Assembly Meeting
October 21, 2018 – October 23, 2018
Celebrate with us the 50th anniversary of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”
on WQED in Pittsburgh. This is an opportunity to look at what it means
to have a neighbor and be a neighbor!
The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center
215 Innovation Blvd., State College, PA 16803
Docket Dated: October 12, 2018
(This meeting will be paperless as much as possible. Please bring an electronic device such as a laptop, iPad or tablet to be able to have access to the meeting documents that are available here.)
MEETING DOCKET
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Registration: Executive Suite, Ground Floor
7:30 p.m. — Movie and discussion on the “Doctrine of Discovery”
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22
8-9 a.m. — Breakfast Buffet: Gardens Restaurant, Ground Floor
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Hot/cold beverages available in meeting area
9-11 a.m. — Continental breakfast items available in meeting area
8-9 a.m. — Registration: Executive Suite, Ground Floor
8:50 a.m. — Gathering Songs
9 a.m. — Call to Order
Formation of the Roll, seating of corresponding members, declaration of a quorum
9:10 a.m. — Opening Worship: Rick Ufford-Chase, preaching
Sermon, communion, presentation of commissioner stoles
10:15 a.m. — Break
10:45 a.m. — Neighbors Doing Community Business
We engage together in the ongoing work of the assembly, including the report of the Stated Clerk
A. Information
Doing the Policy Governance Dance
Consent Agenda
Information
* Minutes of the 2017 Synod Assembly were approved by the Governing Commission
* General Assembly approved the boundary changes between the Synods of the Trinity and Susquehanna Valley
* 2017 Financials
* The Governing Commission approved the 2017 audit
* 2018 year-to-date financials
* The Governing Commission affirmed the 2019 budget as developed by the Transitional Executive
* Verification of Insurance Coverage
* Verification by the Stated Clerk of the Synod having the following policies:
— Sexual Misconduct Policy
— Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy
— Synod Code of Conduct policies
*The Governing Commission accepted the resignation of Madeline Valentine as Synod commissioner
Actions
* Approve Synod review of presbytery minutes
* Approve General Assembly review of Synod minutes
* Approve PJC Commission member as elected by the presbyteries
— Joseph Steele, teaching elder, Presbytery of Philadelphia, Class of 2019
B. Modification of Governing Documents
* Bylaws, Standing Rules and Policy Governance Manual amendments
— Policy Governance Manual, correcting error in listing “owner”
— Changing the name and function of “Nominating Committee” to “Committee on Representation and Nomination”
— Amend the bylaws and standing rules regarding virtual meetings
* Report on Governing Commission recommendation to move an extension of the Synod Transitional Executive’s term of service
* Synod Transitional Executive’s terms of call
* Report of the Nominating Committee and Elections
— Moderator and Vice-Moderator
— Governing Commission Members
— Nominating Committee
C. Report of the Transitional Executive
* General remarks
* 2020 Per Capita
D. Report of the Governing Commission Moderator
12:30 p.m. — Lunch
1:30 p.m. — General Assembly actions with implications for mid councils
1:45 p.m. — Our Neighbors and Our Biases
Assumption and misunderstanding can be at the beginning of bias that leads to hate. How can we be more aware as we go?
2:45 p.m. — Break
3:05 p.m. — Who are our neighbors?
Do we have the eyes to see our own neighbors who we may or may not have seen before?
4:05 p.m. — Zoom and Owl orientation
5:05 p.m. — Break
New business due in writing to the Stated Clerk by 5:05 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 22
5:30 p.m. — Dinner: Senate Room and Lounge, Main Floor
7 p.m. — Another View of Neighbor: Senate Room and Lounge, Main Floor
In a neighborhood that includes many people of differing cultures and faiths, how do we grow in our life together as neighbors?
7:30 p.m. — Chantal Farewell Reception
Cake and ice cream sundae social
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
8-9 a.m. — Breakfast Buffet: Gardens Restaurant, Ground Floor
7 a.m. to noon — Hot/cold beverages available in meeting area
9-11 a.m. — Continental breakfast items available in meeting area
8:45 a.m. — Worship, Installations and Recognitions: Executive Suite, Ground Floor
Sheila Farrar, Presbytery of Redstone – Ruling Elder Commissioner
Ben Hooper, Lehigh Presbytery – Ruling Elder Commissioner
Jean C. Kennedy, Pittsburgh Presbytery – Ruling Elder Commissioner
Myrtle McCall, Presbytery of Carlisle – Ruling Elder Commissioner
Madeline Valentine, Presbytery of Philadelphia – Ruling Elder Commissioner
9:45 a.m. — A moment of recognition: Fred Rogers
10 a.m. — New Business
10:05 a.m. — Break
10:35 a.m. — Hate Groups and Neighbors
How do we live as God’s own when there are those in the neighborhood who live lives of hate? How do we support and care for those who are the object of that hate?
11:35 a.m. — Evaluation
11:50 a.m. — Closing
12:15 p.m. — Governing Commission Post-Assembly Review: McKinnon Board Room
Members of the Governing Commission, staff and guest presenters