CPC Town Hall MeetingAugust 12, 2012

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PC(USA) Organization

Synod of the Pacific is 1 of 16 Synods in PCUSA

Sacramento is 1 of 11 Presbyteries in Synod of the Pacific

CPC is 1 of 38 churches in Sacramento Presbytery

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SACRAMENTO

Sacramento Presbytery is within

Synod of the Pacific

US Synods withinPC (USA)

General Assembly

The National Body that meets every two years

Made up of representatives from Presbyteries

Decides issues of government and theology for all Presbyteries

General Assembly meetings have had differences of opinions and the denomination’s values have changed

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Sacramento Presbytery

Sacramento Presbytery votes have followed the PC(USA) denomination majority

Some of these issues and differences have been in conflict with the essential tenets of faith CPC has adopted for leaders and teachers

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Session Decided To Enter Into Discernment

What is discernment? Definition: Process of discussion and open consideration Synonyms: acumen, insight, judgment, understanding

Why did Session have concerns? Theological differences between CPC and PC(USA) New Form of Government (NFoG) issues/concerns CPC has followed a more traditional Biblical interpretation Tone of Sacramento Presbytery meetings has changed Our voice and votes have been in the minority

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PC(USA) General Assembly Meeting Held June 30-July 7

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The General Assembly voted on roughly 800 individual items of business (overtures). Some of these items of business have received more attention than others from news media. The following are the ones that have made the headlines of the newspapers:

General• Redefining Marriage • Same-Sex Weddings • Retranslating the Heidelberg Catechism • Same Sex Benefits Conscience Clause

Israel and Middle East Issues• Apartheid• Divestment • Boycott

Other Issues• Abortion • Governance

PCUSA General Assembly cont.

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Changes that would have a huge impact upon our churches were passed by committees to the floor of the General Assembly and were very narrowly defeated such as:

• Changing our definition of marriage from “a man and woman” to “two persons” which would have allowed for clergy to perform same sex marriages (A 2-year study will take place instead)

• Defeated a proposal to allow the creation of “non-geographic” presbyteries or even the exploration of such

• Divestment from certain companies that do business with the government of Israel

PCUSA General Assembly cont.

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• The assembly did vote to require that Presbytery’s pay all per capita dues to the Synods even if their congregations do not (it is the Presbytery’s right to require this of churches although they do not currently do so)

• The assembly voted to refuse to allow for any type of “relief of conscience” so that churches and clergy may not opt out of paying for health and retirement benefits for same sex couples or for providing for abortions

• The assembly defeated an overture that would have allowed congregations to retain rights to church property

Path Forward In prayerful consideration, Session is committed to listen

to ALL members of CPC

Session encourages feedback and questions

Session will share information with the congregation via: Continued conversations and dialogue Small focus group discussions Additional town hall meetings (next town hall will be

Saturday, August 25th @ 9AM) Q&A sessions CPC website:

http://www.communitypresbyterian.com/http://www.pcusa.orghttp://www.pcusa.org/resource/assemby-brief-220th-general-assembly-2012/

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