Sacramental theology and practice study approved Thursday, June 20, 2002 General Assembly briefs The 214th General Assembly, following the recommendations of the Committee on Theological Issues/Educational Institutions, has approved a study of sacramental theology and practice, with the Office of Theology and Worship to present a report to the 217th General Assembly. In addition, the assembly also: 1) Approved "Presbyterian Worship Beyond the Local Congregation," recommended it to the church as useful for study and guidance; and to make it available as a central resource in planning worship. 2) Approved new trustees elected by Presbyterian Church (USA) theological institutions in 2001. 3) Approved a resolution encouraging the use of the ecumenical Lord's Prayer. 4) Approved a resolution on renewing the promise of the 1862 General Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, to adopt a "new covenant …to cherish fraternal greetings, to cultivate Christian dialogue, to worship God, to promote the cause of Christ, and to avoid all needless controversies and competitions adapted to perpetuate division and strife." 5) Disapproved an overture calling for a "Presbyterian Day of Prayer and Fasting in a Time of Crisis." Little receives award for excellence in theological education An award for excellence in theological education was presented to Sara Little, a faculty member at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education for 38 years, during a meeting of the of the Committee on Theological Issues/Educational Institutions. "These are our heroes," Moderator Fahed Abu-Akel said after asking all ministers present to stand, following the committee's salute to educational leadership. Assembly participants get physicals on-site Spiritual health is getting the primary attention of Presbyterians attending the 214th General Assembly in Columbus, but physical health is not being neglected. The General Assembly Council's Office of Health Ministries, along with the Synod of the Covenant's Health Ministries Program and Senior Independence Home Health Service, have been providing a health fair in the convention center. More than 300 people have been evaluated for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and other health risks. Of those tested, three individuals have been sent to seek emergency medical care because of life-threatening conditions. In addition to the medical testing, participants also receive a "Health Risk Appraisal" that provides individualized scores, indicating the probability of a cardiac event happening in the next 10 years, and a multitude of wellness material geared toward helping to decrease their health risks. Farm crisis report gains approval The General Assembly is calling on the entire Presbyterian Church (USA) to address issues related to food production and consumption. The report from the Assembly Committee on Evangelism and Witness included a document, We Are What We Eat, that was created in response to an overture enacted by the 1999 assembly on the farm crisis and its impact on families of farmers and ranchers. The report urges Presbyterians to become more knowledgeable about the problems and issues affecting farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Report on Native Americans approved The 214th General Assembly has approved a Committee on Evangelism and Witness report that calls for the expansion and revitalization of Native American ministries at the presbytery and synod levels. The committee's recommendations: Encourage presbyteries and synods that include Native American congregations to evaluate them, in consultation with such congregations and their communities, the Native-American Consulting Committee and appropriate GA entities, to meet their leadership and financial goals and the objectives enumerated in applicable PC(USA) policies. · Encourage the Presbyterian Board of Pensions to address the pension and other benefit needs of Native American pastors and commissioned lay pastors. Instruct the General Assembly Council, working with presbyteries and synods, to make available adequate funding for a churchwide consultation on Native American Ministries no later than 2004. Review and evaluate church policy and developments in Native American ministries and foster better dialogue between them and middle governing bodies, with a report to go to the 2005 General Assembly. Present an implementation of the recommended strategies to the 2007 General Assembly. Grant an extension to 2004 for the completion of the Comprehensive Statistics Report, being compiled by PC(USA) Research Services working with the Native American Congregational Enhancement Office. National Presbyterian Women in Leadership unveils new Web site The National Presbyterian Women in Leadership has unveiled a new Web site at www.npwl.org that will offer models for ministry, examples of existing women's programs and personal testimonies. Becce Bettridge, moderator of the organization, outlined preliminary research on the functioning of women's ministries, from unstructured programs to formal ministries with full-time directors. "There is a large range in what women are doing in local congregations," she said. Curtain to close on Thuma Mina troupe The Mission Theatre Company Thuma Mina will shut down July 28 after six years, a victim of budget cuts. The special project in the General Assembly Council's Worldwide Ministries Division blended psalm and parable, dance and drama, song and story into a live theater presentation. The current production of Thuma Mina, whose name comes from a Zulu phrase meaning "Send Me, Lord," "Eyes to See." Its final performance will be July 28 at the Pacific Southwest Conference on World Mission. Since 1997, it has run for 151 performances in 40 presbyteries.

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