{"id":78,"date":"2008-04-29T13:37:27","date_gmt":"2008-04-29T18:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/marktime.org\/?p=78"},"modified":"2009-02-16T12:46:31","modified_gmt":"2009-02-16T17:46:31","slug":"moderator-candidate-meet-and-greet-how-did-it-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marktime.org\/?p=78","title":{"rendered":"Moderator Candidate Meet and Greet – How did it go?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It went very well.<\/p>\n

\"pretzels\"<\/p>\n

On Friday, April 25, 2008 fifty-eight Presbyterians (and one Catholic) descended on the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville<\/a> (NJ) in order to meet and hear from all four candidates for Moderator of the 218th General Assembly<\/a> of the Presbyterian Church (USA)<\/a>.\u00a0 They came from as far away as New York City, Philadelphia, and Delaware.<\/p>\n

The evening started when the candidates arrived before the event.\u00a0 At their request we gave them a private room in which to eat dinner and generally get to chat – this is apparently the first time that all four of them were able to meet privately.<\/p>\n

A little after 7 we introduced all members of the Central Jersey Moderator Candidate Host Committee – a group that was put together to hold this event.\u00a0 We also sang “Happy Birthday” to Rich Richards<\/a>, as it was the right day.\u00a0 (Apologies to Andy James – it was also his birthday but we didn’t know it at the time.)<\/p>\n

Then we introduced all four candidates and were led in prayer by Rev. Jeff Vamos – the pastor of the Lawrenceville church and a commissioner from the Presbytery of New Brunswick.<\/p>\n

After the prayer, and at the suggestion of a commissioner, we had each commissioner, alternate or advisory delegate quickly stand and give their name and presbytery\/seminary.\u00a0 \u00a0Then each candidate was given up to 5 minutes to make an opening statement from the lectern.\u00a0 The order of introduction and statement was determined randomly earlier in the week by my Catholic co-worker (who could care less who is elected Moderator :-).<\/p>\n

\"Bruce<\/p>\n

First up was Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow<\/a>, of the Presbytery of San Francisco.\u00a0 Bruce’s address concentrated on his experiences in his unusual home church and how it reaches out to those who have not felt an affinity for “traditional” churches.\u00a0 He asked the difficult question of whether or not we are willing to work to make the church a place that young people will feel welcome – “Do we really want young people in the church?”<\/p>\n

\"Bill<\/p>\n

Then Rev. Bill Teng<\/a> of National Capital Presbytery spoke.\u00a0 Bill’s address spoke of how he is a product of PC(USA) mission through his great-grandfather, who was one of the first Presbyterian elders in China.\u00a0 This has created a sense of call to express gratitude towards those who worked with his ancestors.\u00a0 He also spoke of the importance of the basic goals of the church – mission and evangelism.<\/p>\n

\"Roger<\/p>\n

Then Elder Roger Shoemaker<\/a> of Homestead Presbytery followed.\u00a0 Roger’s address spoke of the need to enrich the roots of the church rather than spending time chopping branches off the top of the structure.\u00a0 He believes that an increased focus on local congregations will help stem the loss of membership.<\/p>\n

\"Carl<\/p>\n

And last Rev. Carl Mazza<\/a> of New Castle Presbytery completed the opening remarks.\u00a0 Carl spoke of his years of mission work through Meeting Ground, and of a new definition of the church that isn’t bound by 4 walls.\u00a0 He told a story of a woman who experienced the love of God and connection to others while washing dishes at Meeting Ground’s shelter.<\/p>\n

The seating area of the room was laid out in 4 U-shaped “pods”.\u00a0 After the opening remarks, we had the candidates each take a pod.\u00a0 Every 15 minutes we rotated the candidates so that all pods got a chance to speak to all candidates.\u00a0 The folks at the tables came up with the questions.<\/p>\n

\"Pod<\/p>\n

\"Pod<\/p>\n

The questions in the pods covered a variety of subjects, and centered on the big questions.\u00a0 I was busy keeping things going, so I was unable to hear many of the questions, but others have told me some of what was asked.\u00a0 A topic mentioned by many is the problem\/question of keeping young people involved in the church after confirmation or high school.\u00a0 As always, homosexuality was talked about – one pod asked a question about it of each candidate and the responses covered all parts of the spectrum.\u00a0 There were many questions and answers about how we can work together while disagreeing – about how we can stay together.\u00a0 The Form of Government rewrite and the Belhar Confession were covered.\u00a0 All of the discussion was earnest, open, honest, and respectful.\u00a0 Laughter was heard at all tables from time to time.\u00a0 (If you are looking for specifics of the candidate’s position, I invite you to go to their websites (linked above under the pictures) and ask them directly.\u00a0 All have encouraged such conversation.)<\/p>\n

After the Q&A time was completed, we had time for 20-25 minutes of unstructured mingling.\u00a0 I invited those who still had questions to “find … hunt for … stalk their favorite candidate” to get to hear their answer.<\/p>\n

We ended the evening with a prayer led by Rev. Jon Seitz, in a circle of joined hands.\u00a0 After that people continued to talk and arrange other times to talk.<\/p>\n

One very important aspect of the evening was the connection of the commissioners, advisory delegates, and other Presbyterians with each other.\u00a0 Friendships were renewed and made and many people who knew each other only as an e-mail address, blog or Facebook friend were able to meet in person.<\/p>\n

The host committee would like to again thank the session, deacons and staff of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville for lending us the building and equipment and helping us find what we needed.\u00a0 Jeff Vamos was also indispensable in the planning and execution of the evening, as well as providing some discretionary financing.<\/p>\n

Central Jersey Moderator Candidate Host Committee<\/p>\n