Dear Partner in Ministry,
Over the past week, church leaders gathered in Milwaukee for the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Held every two years, this national gathering brings together delegates — youth and young adults, teaching elders, ruling elders, and other leaders — from across our denomination.
Throughout the week, delegates worshiped and broke bread together, attended plenaries and committee meetings, and considered recommendations for actions and amendments. They took part in public witness, elected and installed co-moderators to guide our denomination, and together discerned the future of our church — making decisions that will shape the life of the PC(USA) in the years ahead.
This GA's docket held formidable topics: the future of mission work in the PC(USA), a repudiation of Christian nationalism, decisions on ethical divestment, and policy approaches to reduce gun violence. The gathering is a reminder that we are a people of faith trying to follow Jesus in a complicated world while striving to remain in relationship with one another.
The theme for this year's GA, "Persevering Toward Wholeness," came from Revelation 22:2, which describes the river of life flowing "down the middle of the great street of the city," with the tree of life on either side, its leaves "for the healing of the nations."
As we approach our country's 250th anniversary, we face a time of great gratitude and challenge. This moment invites reflection, discernment, and commitment as participants in the American experiment. And as people of faith — an identity that transcends class, gender, race and even national identity — we face our own challenges: how are we, the people of God, called to follow Jesus during such a time and place as this? Are we living into Revelation's vision of bearing fruit and healing of the nations? Do our churches bring life and hope to the communities where they're planted? Are they places of grace and love, unity and justice, in a parched city and world? How will we persevere towards wholeness?
Our call remains steadfast, even as the world around shifts and changes faster than we can imagine: to love God and neighbor, to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God, and to bear witness to Christ's liberating love and grace.
To God be the Glory,
Meghan
