Here you'll find announcements about events planned by the various progressive Presbyterian groups sponsoring this web site.

A general calendar of special events at GA

To download this calendar for easy printing >>

How to order tickets, register, etc. >>

[Posted 5-4-06]

We offer here a list of events that may be of interest to Presbyterians with special concern for the peace and justice witness of our church.

Some of these events are sponsored by official agencies of the PC(USA), and are listed here with links for further information. Their listing here implies no endorsement by those agencies of this web site. Other events are sponsored by one or more of the groups that have established this JustPresbys web site. Still others are sponsored by unofficial groups that have no official role in this website; their events are listed here simply because they may be of interest.

For a complete listing of official GA events, along with many others, go to http://www.pcusa.org/ga217/schedule.htm.   THIS IS ALSO THE PLACE TO ORDER TICKETS FOR MOST OF THESE EVENTS, OR YOU CAN BUY THEM IN THE REGISTRATION AREA AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

Many of the Mission/Cultural Tours, which are being offered to those with time to get out in the real world, will provide information and insight into Birmingham’s history in the civil rights struggle, and much more.

Wednesday June 14

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Witherspoon Society: Semper Reformanda Pre-GA Conversation

Speaker: Dr. Mark Lewis Taylor, Professor of Theology and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary. This conversation will look at the United States as empire.

(First Presbyterian Church, 2100 4th Avenue North, about 5 blocks from the Convention Center.)

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Covenant Network: Moderators' Commissioners Reception

Former GA Moderators and Covenant Network board members welcome commissioners and others for conversation and refreshments. 2006 General Assembly Moderatorial candidates have been invited to attend.

(Sheraton Hotel)

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Covenant Network Commissioners’ Convocation Dinner

Susan Andrews, Moderator of the 215th General Assembly and pastor of Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland holds up our vision for the church and our hopes for this General Assembly in her address entitled "The Purity of Unity."

(Sheraton Hotel)

8:30 to 10:30 pm (immediately following Covenant Network dinner)

Witherspoon Society GA Issues Briefing

Speaker: Eugene Teselle, Witherspoon Society Issues Analyst, and Friends.

This regular Witherspoon Society event for commissioners and others provides a progressive look at the Assembly and the issues, ideas on how to be an effective participant, and a chance to meet other progressives.

(Sheraton Hotel)

 

Thursday June 15

7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Women’s Orientation Breakfast

Sponsored by the Women’s Ministries, National Ministries Division. What are the issues coming before this General Assembly? How can you assist/advocate in the process on behalf of women? Where to be, what to do, when to do it!

 (Medical Forum)

7:45– 11:30 a.m.

Pre-Assembly Event: "The Final Report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church: Your Turn for Answers"

Speakers: Task Force members.

(Convention Center)

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Pre-assembly Event: "Visions of Peace and Justice in Israel and Palestine"

Sponsored by the PC(USA) Israel/Palestine Project Team. This pre-assembly event will share visions and perspectives regarding justice and peace in Israel and Palestine.

(Convention Center)

11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Book signing by Douglas Ottati, prof. at Union Seminary/PSCE in Richmond and Witherspoon writer. His new book, Theology for Liberal Presbyterians and Other Endangered Species, has just been published by Geneva Press.

at the Cokesbury Bookstore in the Exhibit Hall.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Covenant Network of Presbyterians Commissioner Orientation

Particularly for commissioners, this event will include an overview of issues before the General Assembly, G.A. procedures, and recommendations on how to function most faithfully and effectively. This is a brown bag event, so bring your box lunch from pre-GA events, or pick up a sandwich at one of the concession stands.

(Medical Forum)

1:00 – 5:30 p.m.

217th General Assembly (2006) Convenes

(Convention Center)

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

More Light Reception

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

More Light Celebration Dinner

5:30 – 10:30 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians / That All May Freely Serve Hospitality Suite

(Sheraton Hotel)

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Covenant Network Luncheon

Fifty years after the first clergywomen were ordained, McCormick Seminary President Cynthia Campbell and others will reflect on our continuing vision of a church that embraces the ministry of all believers, in this presentation titled, Reformed: Not 'What' We Are But 'How'

(Sheraton Hotel)

5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians / That All May Freely Serve Hospitality Suite

(Sheraton Hotel)

8:30 – 11:00 p.m.

Covenant Network Open House

Renew connections, put faces with names, and share ideas, conversation and refreshments with Covenant Network board members and friends.

(Sheraton Hotel)

6:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship: The Peace Breakfast

Latest information on plans for the Peace Breakfast >>

Speaker: Rev. Alice Winters, Presbyterian Mission Worker in Colombia. 150th Anniversary of Colombia Presbyterian Church. Peaceseeker Awards: 2006 to Colombia Accompaniment Program, Rev. Milton Mejia & Anne Barstow; 2005 Award to Peace Poet Ann Weems.

(Sheraton Hotel)

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Conversations at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Booth

"Continuing the Dialogue on Colombia"

The Rev. Dr. Alice Winters – Peace Breakfast Speaker and PC(USA) Mission Worker in Colombia, and Milton Mejia and Anne Barstow – 2006 Peaceseeker Award Honorees (for the Accompaniment Program in Colombia)

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Covenant Network: Turning Points Video Screening

"Turning Points, Stories of Life and Change in The Church" is a documentary about Presbyterians struggling with the denomination's current ordination standards.

(Medical Forum)

Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options (PARO) Luncheon

Rev. Dr. Tom Davis speaking on "The Religious and Justice Foundations of Choice."

(Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Eighth Ave. North)

1:30 -- 2:00 p.m.

Book signing by Tom Davis, of Sacred Work: Planned Parenthood and its Clergy Alliances

Immediately following the PARO luncheon,  at the Birmingham Museum of Art

 Cokesbury Book Store

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Covenant Network: Turning Points Video Screening

"Turning Points, Stories of Life and Change in The Church"

(Medical Forum)

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Conversations at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Booth

"Presbyterian Peaceseeking Poet"

Ann Weems – 2005 Peaceseeker Award Honoree

5:30 – 10:30 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians / That All May Freely Serve Hospitality Suite

(Sheraton Hotel)

9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Witherspoon Party and Dance

Time for a break! This is a great chance to relax and enjoy great music, dancing and conversation and also a good time to meet others at the Assembly.

(Sheraton Ballroom III, IV -- note change in location)    Ticket price: $20.00 (Tickets available at the door)
 

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Women’s Ministries Program Areas: Women of Faith Breakfast

Recognizing the faithful witness of six women who have served as elders, deacons and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. This is a time to celebrate the witness of women in the greater church and society.

(Sheraton Hotel)

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

More Light National Worship Service Sponsored by More Light Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve.

(Pilgrim Congregational Church, 3801 Montclair Road)

12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Witherspoon Society Awards Luncheon

Speaker: Rev. Eugenia A. Gamble, Writer in Residence, Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, speaking on "Embodying Love."

The Andrew Murray and Whole Gospel Congregation Awards will be presented and the Witherspoon business meeting will follow the luncheon.

(Sheraton Ballroom I )

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Covenant Network: Turning Points Video Screening

"Turning Points, Stories of Life and Change in The Church"

(Medical Forum)

3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association: PHEWA Awards Celebration

Speaker: Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the 216th General Assembly, giving words of remembrance and thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Rodney T. Martin, longtime PHEWA Executive Director and President of the Witherspoon Society. Outstanding ministries of justice will be celebrated.

(Sheraton Hotel)

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.  

Book signing by Eugenia Gamble, Witherspoon luncheon speaker

Cokesbury Bookstore, Exhibit Hall.  For more about Eugenia Gamble >>

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Covenant Network: Turning Points Video Screening

"Turning Points, Stories of Life and Change in The Church"

(Medical Forum)

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

MLP/TAMFS: Celebrating Our Faith-Awaiting Our Welcome

5:30 – 10:30 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians / That All May Freely Serve Hospitality Suite

(Sheraton Hotel)

8:30 – 11:00 p.m.

Covenant Network Young Adults Open House

This is a special event for pastors, seminarians, TSADs, YADs, and other CovNet friends under 40.

(Sheraton Hotel )

7:00 – 8:30 a.m.

Voices of Sophia Breakfast

Speaker: Rita Nakashima Brock. In "Re-Imagining Paradise," leading theologian Rita Nakashima Brock will share her research on early Christianity and explore our longing for reconciliation among peoples and replenishment of the garden of earth.

Dr. Brock will be signing her book, Journeys by Heart, Proverbs of Ashes, Casting Stones, immediately following the breakfast at the Medical Forum, and from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Cokesbury Book Store

(Location changed to Sheraton Ballroom XII.)

7:00– 9:00 a.m.

PC(U.S.A.) Office of Evangelism and Racial/Cultural Diversity, Presbyterian Multicultural Network, and PC(U.S.A.) Youth and Young Adult Ministries: 2006 Multicultural Church Breakfast & Celebration

Enjoy a team presentation coordinated by the Youth and Young Adult Ministry, the Office of Evangelism and Racial/Cultural Diversity and the Presbyterian Multicultural Network. It will be an exciting, innovative and empowering program.

(Sheraton Hotel)

8:00 - 8:30 a.m.

Book signing, Rita Nakashima Brock, Journeys by Heart, Proverbs of Ashes, Casting Stones

(Immediately after Voices of Sophia Breakfast, Medical Forum)

8:15– 8:45 a.m.

Covenant Network: Morning Prayers

All are invited to begin the day by praying for our church, our world and the work of the General Assembly, led by Covenant Network board member, J. Barrie Shepherd, poet and pastor emeritus, First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York.

(Medical Forum)

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Conversations at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Booth

"Rethinking War, Rethinking Peace, Making Peace: Trusting the Nonviolence of Jesus Christ Today"

Discuss the issues and ideas raised in the Nov/Dec Issue of the journal Church & Society

Tom Driver, Content Editor, and Authors of Articles in the Issue

11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS): Welcoming Presbyterians Educational Luncheon

"Thank-You for Sharing the Sacred Stories," Janie Spahr's final GA event as the Director of TAMFS National.

(Sheraton Hotel)

12:00 -1:30 p.m.

Book signing, Rita Nakashima Brock, Journeys by Heart, Proverbs of Ashes, Casting Stones

(Cokesbury)

12:30-2:30 p.m.

PFJI Network (Presbyterians for Just Immigration) meeting.

They invite people who are interested to take your lunch and join them.

(Convention Center, North G meeting room)

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Conversations at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Booth

"The Face of Accompaniment in Colombia"

Listen to stories of those who have been accompaniers in Colombia during this past year, and learn how you might become an accompanier.

4:00 – 5:15 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve: MLP Mini-Workshop

Coming Out 101: Coming out to self, God and the church - finding your way.

(Sheraton Hotel)

5:30 – 10:30 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians / That All May Freely Serve Hospitality Suite

(Sheraton Hotel)

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns Consultation (ACWC)

Meet with ACWC members in an open forum format for an ongoing discussion of the Clergywomen’s Experiences in Ministry: Realities and Challenges report and other issues facing women clergy in the Church.

(Convention Center)

8:15– 8:45 a.m.

Covenant Network: Morning Prayers

All are invited to begin the day by praying for our church, our world and the work of the General Assembly, led by Covenant Network board member, Laird Stuart, pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco.

(Medical Forum)

10:30 – 11:30 AM

Conversations at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Booth

"Back from Baghdad – Experiences with CPT in Iraq"

Beth Pyles, a Presbyterian who is a reservist with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Iraq

Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Presbyterians for Restoring Creation: Eco-Justice Luncheon.

Do you care for God’s creation? Break bread and share ideas in community. Celebrate with us examples of praiseworthy eco-justice ministry through this year’s awards and exciting guest speaker.

(Convention Center)

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Presbyterian Historical Society Luncheon will feature Pulitzer Prize winner Taylor Branch

His book, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63, includes Birmingham's civil rights struggles. (Good for the Historical Society!)

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Conversations at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Booth

"Saying NO to Torture"

Speaker TBA

4:00 – 5:15 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve: MLP Mini-Workshops

Telling Our Stories: "Reel" life and real life - LGBT faith stories.

(Sheraton Hotel)

5:30 – 10:30 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians / That All May Freely Serve Hospitality Suite

(Sheraton Hotel)

8:15– 8:45 a.m.

Covenant Network: Morning Prayers

All are invited to begin the day by praying for our church, our world and the work of the General Assembly, led by Covenant Network board member, Joanna M. Adams, pastor of Morningside PC, Atlanta.

(Medical Forum)

4:00 – 5:15 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve: MLP Mini Workshops on Same Sex Love and Marriage Equality.

Bringing body and soul together for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

5:30 – 10:30 p.m.

More Light Presbyterians / That All May Freely Serve Hospitality Suite

(Sheraton Hotel)

 

General Assembly finishes business and adjourns

Taylor Branch - author of Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63 - will be speaking at the Presbyterian Historical Society Luncheon on Tuesday, June 20. This is the Pulitzer Prize winner whose book includes Birmingham's civil rights struggles. (Good for the Historical Society!)

It is too late to order advance tickets and, when the word gets out, it may be difficult to get tickets in Birmingham. But often in the past "auditors" have been allowed in at luncheons even though they can't get lunch.

This process tends to get a bit mystifying, but if you want to attend GA as a visitor or observer, try these steps:

To register online, go to https://ogasys3.pcusa.org/mrcjava/ga04webreg/m00140gs.mrc

This process will allow you both to register as a visitor (or whatever), and to order tickets for GA special events, including most of those listed here.

Rita Nakashima Brock is an award-winning author, and a respected international lecturer and scholar who worked for two decades as a professor of religion. From 1997-2001, Dr. Brock directed the Fellowship Program at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, formerly known as the Bunting Institute, one of the nation’s premiere research institutes for women, called "America’s think tank for women" by the Boston Globe. From 2001-2002, she was a Fellow at the Harvard Divinity School. Among her books are Journeys By Heart: A Christology of Erotic Power, Casting Stones: Prostitution and Liberation in Asia and the United States, and Proverbs of Ashes. Her current book project is Saving Paradise, forthcoming in the spring of 2007.

More Light Reception and Dinner

The National MLP Reception is at 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, with the National MLP Celebration Dinner from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Thursday, June 15. Advance tickets are available through the Office of the General Assembly, PCUSA Center, Louisville - www.pcusa.org - with a few tickets available at the door.

Doug Ottati, who is a regular contributor of a column of "theological musings" in the Witherspoon Society’s Network News, has just published a new book entitled Theology for Liberal Presbyterians and Other Endangered Species.

He will be signing copies of his book at General Assembly on Thursday, June 15 11:00-1:00 and 5:00-6:00 at the Cokesbury Bookstore in the Exhibit Hall.

Here’s the publisher’s notice for the book:

In this witty, accessible, and concise book, theologian Doug Ottati contends that liberal Presbyterians and other liberal Protestants still have much to contribute to the contemporary world. Offering an alternative to evangelical and conservative thought that he believes now pervades the larger culture, Ottati presents what he sees as the foundations of liberal, theological thought. Writing out of the Reformed tradition and a theology of grace and with a dose of humor, he addresses current issues such as evangelism, the ordination of homosexuals, and the war on terrorism. Ideal for individual or group study, this book is a call to liberal Presbyterians and other liberal Protestants to restate, rethink, and revise traditional theologies and beliefs in the face of contemporary knowledge and realities.

We’re proud to note that many of the essays in the book have appeared previously in Network News.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN US FOR

CONVERSATIONS
at the
PRESBYTERIAN PEACE FELLOWSHIP BOOTH
in the
EXHIBIT HALL

"Rethinking War, Rethinking Peace, Making Peace: Trusting the Nonviolence of Jesus Christ Today"