Weekly Outlook - Olympia overture approved with ammendment

Dear readers, Astute readers might note that this newsletter is coming out later than usual. I normally strive for a 10 a.m. ET delivery, and here we are: the early evening summer sun streaming through my windows, dinner cooking in the kitchen.  I'm late in my delivery because committee work for General Assembly began on Tuesday. We have a dedicated cohort of reporters covering the online sessions, and many of us will be traveling to Salt Lake City to report on the in-person plenaries (and all the news that happens outside of those rooms). I wanted to be sure to include some of this group of reporters' latest writing in this newsletter.  We'll also be sending a couple extra emails next week to make sure you stay up-to-date with the latest happenings. We'll go back to our "regularly scheduled programming" the week of July 8. In Christ, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor P.S. Don't forget to sign up for Outlook's new GA texting service! We'll make sure you're up-to-date with the latest information. Learn more.

POL-01 approved with amendment by Blake Brinegar Environmental and Climate Justice Committee endorses divestment from the fossil fuel industry by Darla Carter Next GA not expected to have in-person committee meetings by Mike Ferguson Teri McDowell Ott interviews Acting Stated Clerk Bronwen Boswell by Teri McDowell Ott In case you missed it... Race, Sexuality and Gender Justice Committee approves adding Trans Day of Visibility to Presbyterian Planning Calendar The RSG Committee moves through business with conviction and care. — Shani McIlwain The 226th General Assembly opens quietly Audio problems slow, but don’t halt, the assembly’s opening livestream plenary Tuesday morning. — Mike Ferguson PC(USA) to engage GE and Palantir on human rights concerns The finance committee recommends the assembly approve "focused engagement" techniques with GE and Palantir in efforts to end the companies’ military equipment and AI surveillance production. — John Bolt General Assembly committee recommends continued PC(USA) support and engagement in Guatemala Overture encourages Presbyterians to engage with U.S. lawmakers and learn more about past corruption. — Eric Ledermann Ordination Committee takes actions in response to the needs of a changing church Recommendations include a task force to study ordination and referring an overture on commissioned pastors. — Emily Enders Odom  ‘The protest is a ritual’: How faith found a place in Palestine solidarity encampments Over the past nine months, student-led Palestine solidarity encampments popped up at universities across the country. For many students, multi-religious programming at the encampments became unexpected sites for religious connection. — RNS Plan to reduce, reconfigure PC(USA) Special Offerings OK’d by committee The Financial Resources Committee sent the recommendation to the full assembly for consideration next week. — John Bolt

Correction: Last week, writer Anne Lamott's name was misspelled. My apologies.