View from the platform

I am on the docket subcommittee which met to lay out the order of committee reports, we had dinner backstage and then got to tour the backstage area, including going up on the platform.
I stepped just behind the moderator's podium to take this picture. I told a couple of my fellow committee members about the moderator thing and they chuckled.

Here's my confession however. Standing there on the platform, looking out over the sea of tables and chairs, the myriad of computer monitors and the microphones, I thought to myself, "I could see myself up here." Honestly, I find that more than a bit disconcerting. I have to say that I am hooked on GA. Ellen was right, I am a GA wonk. I have met many people who are glad their turn is over and don't plan on coming back, I however am completely energized by the whole process.

I was listening to the debates over the PUP document in committee. They were discussing an amendment that would send the report back to the presbyteries. There were several comments along the lines of what are we scared of and there were others commenting that they were the presbyteries, that was why they had been sent.

Today is a day for finishing business and spending time in worship and celebration. We have a chance to meet the moderator and tonight is worship with the Cumberland churches. Then the fun of plenary starts tomorrow.

Pictures from Birmingham
This is the sign outside my committee room. We were tucked in a back corner and dealt with the nuts and bolts of assembly business.

This was our plenary orientation with Rick. We learned how to use the voting system and found out which mics were for the advisory delegates. Preparation for the election of the moderator that night.

I had the opportunity to meet the moderatorial candidates. This picture was taken by a GA photographer and posted on the GA website, thanks to Georgia for alerting me to it. This is Kerry Carson. He actually sits behind me in the plenary sessions. Nice guy from Iowa.

After 3 votes, Joan Gray was elected and then installed.

This is a sea of Presbyterians. Sitting in plenary, it is amazing to see this many Presbyterians. To be among this Great Cloud of Witness.