Presbyterians Get Political at Assembly

Same-sex union, abortion, gambling and police accountability are among topics on the agenda when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) opens its 212th General Assembly today.

Anaheim-based Los Ranchos Presbytery, which is home to 59 congregations in Orange and a portion of Los Angeles counties, is hosting the annual event, which continues through July 1 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Rather than a typical religious convocation, the General Assembly resembles a political convention, with demonstrators carrying signs and shouting slogans.

“No matter who is speaking, there is usually another opinion,” said Pat Niles, stated clerk of Los Ranchos Presbytery. “It’s our way of letting everyone’s voice be heard.”

The word “Presbyterian” means “elder” and refers to a form of government that emphasizes the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members. The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are in Louisville, Ky.

The pastor of the largest church in Los Ranchos Presbytery, the Rev. John Huffman of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, endorsed the convention in a recent sermon when he called for volunteers. More than 3,000 local church members signed up to staff convention center activities, open to the public at no cost.

Besides debating, the 558 official commissioners will elect a new moderator for the 2.6-million member denomination, eighth-largest in the nation. The moderator serves as presiding officer and goodwill ambassador, representing churches in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Reflecting the denomination’s diversity, all of this year’s candidates for moderator are ethnic minorities.

More than 12,000 people are expected at the 9:30 a.m. worship service and Holy Communion on Sunday in the Long Beach Arena. Outgoing moderator Freda Gardner, a retired professor from Princeton Theological Seminary, will preach and commission mission personnel.

Former U.N. ambassador Andrew Young will address the General Assembly at a breakfast Monday. Young, the former mayor of Atlanta, now serves as the president of the National Council of Churches. An ecumenical worship service will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Long Beach Terrace Theater.

Though hotly debated in other denominations, most recently the Southern Baptist Convention, the place of women in ministry will not be an issue here this year. The church has ordained more than 3,700 women since the early 1950s, said Bob Langworthy, a denominational spokesman. The first woman moderator of the General Assembly, Lois Stair, was elected in 1971.

Entertainment as well as business sessions will be open to the public. A reception from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday for the new moderator will be in the Grand Salon of the Queen Mary. Among those performing will be Mariachi Nuevo de Mexico, the Ray Armijo Folklorico Dance Group, White Tiger Martial Arts Dancer Performing Group and the Three Presbyterian Tenors, all local pastors. Also performing will be the doo-wop group Alley Cats, Disneyland’s Side Street Strutters, the Los Angeles Children’s Choir and jazz vocalist Dewey Erney.

Information: (562) 628-8200.