by Rev. Ted Schuldt

(Picture: Sculpture in front of Westminster PC, Minneapolis inspired by Galatians 5:1 “…Christ has set us free”)

Those of us attending the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) were shown by example the true meaning of hospitality. When I got off the plane at 6:30 am after a sleepless “Red Eye” from Seattle to Minneapolis, I was greeted by three Minnesotan Presbyterians with a smile and an eagerness to help in any way. After being pointed to a Starbucks and the way into town, I made my way to my hotel. Whether in the hotel or the Convention Center, I was never more than 50 feet away from one of the hosts. They were ready to point me in the right direction and if they could not answer my questions or solve other problems, they escorted me to someone who could help me.

The Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) was drawn from the three
presbyteries surrounding Minneapolis. Planning began four years ago and included the logistics for the July 4th picnic on Nicollet Island, an island in the middle of the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The COLA also planned opening worship and established local press relations. They depended heavily on youth groups as volunteers who brought vitality to their service. One of the COLA volunteers was Rev. Bill Livingston who many of us got to know as Interim Pastor of Edmonds PC years ago.

Special accolades go to the members of Westminster PC located adjacent to the Convention Center area. They opened their hearts and the beautiful stone church to welcome the weary GA attendees with relaxing chair massages, breakfasts, lunches, and top notch musical artists in the chapel. Ecumenical Worship on Wednesday was in the Westminster sanctuary with a welcome from Westminster member and former Vice President, Walter Mondale.

Minneapolis is a great place for a meeting like GA. I have never been in a larger or more beautiful Convention Center. An auditorium for worship, lecture halls for presentations, ballrooms for meals, and a very spacious Plenary Session and Committee Meeting spaces allowed for a smooth transition from one event to another.

Minneapolis is also a great city (at least in the summer!). Sidewalk and rooftop cafes and pubs make lively places to debate the merits of the New Form of Government and other weighty issues.

This was the fourth GA that I have attended, and certainly the best of the four. Thanks for sending me as your Minister Commissioner. Later I will report on more of the business of GA and other observations and experiences.