Synod Postponed Again “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
By Susan Tanner The General Synod meeting usually held in June was postponed until the week of August 17 which was moved again until October
22-23 at the request of Moderator Rob Roy McGregor III. Here are the highlights from the meeting. For official wording of motions, please check the Minutes of Synod.
W
ith seventeen out of eighteen voting members present, the Executive Board meeting established a quorum through Zoom on August 19. “The purpose of the call was to cover Synod reports since Executive Boards can act on behalf of Synod in emergency situations,” explained the Moderator.
Motion To make this an emergency situation to take up the Special Committee on the Directory of Private and Family Worship (Index 12), the Investment Committee (Index 21), the Worship Committee (Index 25), the Nominations Committee (Index 80), and the WM. H. Dunlap Orphanage, Inc. (Index 38).
Index 12
Special Committee to Produce the Directory on Private and Family Worship The draft, called The Directory of Private and Family Worship of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is available on
www.arpchurch.org. Comments and suggestions in accordance with Scripture and The Standards of the Associate Re- formed Presbyterian Church are invited by December 31, 2020.
Index 21 Committee on Investment The Investment Committee oversees various investments owned by General Synod, presbyteries, agencies, congregations, and individuals. They meet quarterly to review portfolio performance and asset allocation and make any necessary changes in investment managers or investment strategies. Their report was received as information.
Index 25 Committee on Worship The following recommendations were approved. • That each of our sessions identify specific strategies for encouraging regular use of the Psalms in the corporate worship of their congregation.
• That ministers, sessions, and music staff in our congregations be aware of music copyright laws and make provisions to be compliant, including viewing and sharing, as appropriate, the recorded workshop led by Josh Hjemvick.
• That the proposed 2021 budget for the Committee on Worship be approved. Motion to postpone recommendation 3 from the Committee on Worship to the next stated meeting of Synod.
Recommendation 3 states, “That all of our ministers and sessions be encouraged to review the Synod Worship Commit- tee’s document entitled: “Suggested Singing and Worship Guidelines during Viral Outbreaks such as COVID-19” so as to be aware of those suggested practices which most effectively attempt to safeguard the health of all congregants who wish to gather for corporate worship during times of widespread public illness.”
8 The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Synod 2020
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