PHEWA and the 220th General Assembly (2012), Pittsburgh, PA
: PHEWA Board member, the Rev. Bob Brashear convenes Occupy Movement faith witness lunch discussion at G.A.
You can be proud of the good work done by your fellow PHEWA members and friends at the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* June 30 - July 7, 2012. (Click here to read Assembly in Brief). Although this Assembly did not move forward with divestment or marriage equality, substantial progress was made in a number of areas that directly impact PHEWA concerns.
In addition to PHEWA's inspiring awards reception and PARO luncheon, PHEWA sponsored two new and very successful events. A well attended "Occupy Movement, the Faith Witness Luncheon/Discussion," was facilitated by PHEWA representative to the Presbyterian Mission Agency (formerly GAMC) Bob Brashear whose own New York City church, West-Park Presbyterian, (include that web link, please) has been deeply involved in the development of a faith response to the Occupy Movement. PHEWA members work hard at General Assemblies, so took an opportunity for some well-earned relaxation and fellowship on the evening of July 4th to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Forty PHEWA folks piled into the "PHEWA party bus" and proceeded up Mt. Washington, to the Urban Mountain Gathering Place, established by PHEWA President, the Rev. Bebb Stone during her tenure as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Washington. The perch from Mt. Washington made Pittsburgh's fireworks all that much more spectacular. Good food, good friendship, and time to relax and enjoy the stunning views were appreciated by all.
From PHEWA booth staffing to serving as Commissioners, resource persons and overture advocates, PHEWA members and friends had a positive impact on General Assembly 220 that should be felt for years to come. Read some of the G.A. business related to the ministries of PHEWA: (JONATHAN: Links to keep are underlined)
"Instruct MRTI to study and report corporate practices of health insurance companies and possible divestment of same," from the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky (Item 21-01).
"Instruct the General Assembly to take action to implement the PC(USA)'s policy on inclusion of people with disabilities," from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area (Item 21-02).
"On providing just access to reproductive health care," from the Presbtery of Albany (Item 21-03).
" Compassionate treatment of veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and/or other mental afflictions rising from military service," Commissioners' Resolution (Item 21-04).
"On Funding for Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) for AIDS competency training," Commissioners' Resolution (Item 21-05).
"On instructing MRTI to report to GAMC (now PMA) on the corporate practices of publicly traded corporations that operate for-profit prisons," from the Presbytery of Hudson River (Item 11-06).
"A resolution on racism, incarceration, and restoration," from the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (Item 11-08).
"On prolonged solitary confinement in U.S. prisons," Commissioners' Resolution (Item 11-22).
"Special offerings (Recommendation # 1)." (Item 10-14) Link here to reference the other recommendations of Committee 10.
