Thread by @derekradney

We’re now at the order of the day: nominating committee.

We vote in appointments to various permanent committees.

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Several very close votes with a difference of 4 and 10 votes.
Most split 55/45.
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There seems to be a movement to replace those who have been serving and replace them with new elders.
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We’re back to the AC report, and someone asked to pull out item 1 out of omnibus to debate revoting on Bryan Chapell as the Stated Clerk.

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We’re voting on whether or not to use our voting device or a voice vote in the vote in Bryan Chapell.
🙄
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The permanent committee speaks in favor of Bryan Chapell after one speech raised an issue about Chapell’s service on the SJC while he was preparing to serve as our stated clerk.
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Chapell is re-elected by a large margin.
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We’re now discussing protecting the PCA trademark. I don’t really understand what this is about.
🤷‍♂️
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Now there is a protest being introduced by @JeridEvan on (I think) the Dan Herron case.
The chair has said we’re past that item and is conferring with the parliamentarians. Further a protest can only be lodged by the SJC.
So he is not being allowed to speak.
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The ruling of the chair has been challenged. Dr. Taylor is now explaining the ruling.
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The chair has been sustained and the objection is out of order.
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Now we are on to Overtures after singing a hymn. Buckle up.
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The intention of the OC chairman is to handle about 34 overtures that had overwhelming support with one vote.
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Overture 29 has been requested to be pulled out of the omnibus vote.
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We're now on O29.
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Despite the overwhelming majority vote on O29, we're getting a floor speech to recommitt.
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Motion to recommit fails. Back to the main motion to answer in the affirmative as amended.
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Greg Johnson is speaking against answering in the affirmative as amended. He calls it redundant and says he agrees with the whole thing but thinks we have spoken to this issue too often without the other side.
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GA votes to affirm O29 as amended (1922-200). The proposed changes to the BCO now go to the presbyteries.
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We are now on to the omnibus motion.
That motion caries: O2021-19, 2021-20, 2021-21,2021-34, 2021-35, 2, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13,14,16,17, and more...I missed quite a few.

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RE Jay Niekirk speaks for the committee on O2021-40 to be answered in the affirmative as amended.

It deals with protection of abuse victims in cases.

The OC agreed there is more to do, but this was a start & changes we felt we needed to try and make immediately.
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This O allows courts to make accomodations to normal case process that enables victims to avoid being in the presence of an alleged abuser & to use videoconferencing where an alleged victim does not need to see the face of the alleged abuser.
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Further, the accomodations protect minors from being cross examined verbally and allows courts to use written questions for cross examination.
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These accomodations were advised by the AIC report on abuse. The OC worked with a representative from that committee report, Dr. Tim LeCroy, to make sure the OC amendments had their support.
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FYI, the omnibus again: O2021-19, 2021-20, 2021-21,2021-34, 2021-35, 2, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23,25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35.
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Overture 2021-40 as amended passes overwhelming by voice vote.
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Now O2021-41 which deals with whether or not a witness must believe in God or a future system of rewards and punishments.
The OC recommends we refer this to the next GA.
The reason: there was opposition to striking this requirement but ppl want to find a proper solution.
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It is vitally important to find a way to receive witnesses that do not believe in God, but there are some concerns that need to be addressed.

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GA answers O2021-41 by referring it to next year's GA.
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Coffin asks that the minutes reflect the assessment of the vote on O2021-40, in which there were no negative votes.

https://twitter.com/derekradney/status/1540010591380803584?s=20

Now we have left O8, 15, 26, 41, 42.
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We'll look at O41 before lunch since there is no minority report on this O.
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The recommendation from OC is to postpone indefinitely b/c there is no way to answer this without giving the wrong idea. It is a poorly worded O w/ confusing "whereas" statements.
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A couple of speeches wanting us to condemn "CRT."

Niekirk gives a wonderful reply that the best answer is not to answer but to postpone indefinitely.

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GA votes to postpone indefinitely O41 on condemning "CRT."
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A fratenral greeting video and then our lunch recess.

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We're back in session and on to O15.
The OC recommends answering in reference to O29 which was passed in the affirmative as amended.
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The minority report for O15 is now being presented.
RE Matt Fender of James River Presbytery is arguing that we answer in the affirmative as amended.
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The OC chairman is back at the podium for a rebutal to the minority report. In 5 minutes we'll have debate on the floor.
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I’m checking out a bit since I was on overtures and can’t enter debate. I won’t be giving any more play by play.

To those interested in meeting in person, I’m in the back of the assembly hall.
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Ok, we’re on to O26 on the statement against political violence.
I’m for this O w/ the minority report to answer in the affirmative as amended. We already spoke to the gov abt abortion, so arguments abt the spirituality of the church for an O speaking to our ppl hits flat.
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This O is not political but biblical & more addressed to the church.
@scottpseaton

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GA answers O26 in the negative, 75% to 25%.
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We have extended time and are not recessing at 6pm.
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Now the final overture O42, on “secret factions.”
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This is what this overture is about:

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https://twitter.com/cbradedwards/status/1540099892693049347

GA answers O42 in the negative.
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One of the most intemperate speeches I’ve ever heard by anyone just took place re: O42. An embarrassment.
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We are basically done with business. We have a few logistical details, but worship is at 7:30pm and the wrap up tonight! Amazing!
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On O26:

https://twitter.com/cahutch1990/status/1540104674061307905