Not more mail!

We the commissioners were warned early that there would be mountains of information to read and process. I think as of today I finally have a little insight on the truth of that statement. There is much information provided from the GA that we have access to on the web site. Every issue that the local presbytery's or Synods want GA to consider is communicated in what they call overtures. So the GA provides us with a site with all the overtures we are to consider at the upcoming GA. This is tremendous amount of information. But this only scratches the surface of the information we receive at home.

There are 'Affinity' or 'Special Purpose' organizations that have their own passions and agendas. Some of these organizations include: Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Presbyterian Voices for Justice, Pro-Life Presbyterians, Presbyterian Lay committee and others. So these organizations testify before assembly committees and try to help inform, educate and sway GA members. All of these organizations have agendas and causes that they want to effect during the GA so they send out mailings. They send mailings promoting their points of view and agendas. Some I agree with, and some I don't. I have received many mailings from various groups.

It is amazing how involved we Presbyterians are in social, economic and political causes. I would think the average Presbyterian has no idea. I know I didn't. For instance, there is an overture that has been sent to the GA to suspend military aid to Columbia. The US has certified that Columbia is Okay in regards to human rights even though there are reports of youth killings by the army and there is significant illegal surveillance done by the government. The US is planning to lease 7 military bases from Columbia (contributing to funds for the Colombian government). The overture wants us to protest the US governments support of Columbia. I had no idea we are providing military aid to Columbia and why we should or shouldn't.