Fireworks came early this fourth of July when Tara Spuhler McCabe, Vice Moderator, announced her unexpected resignation. From the moment the Presbyterian Outlook revealed that she had performed a same-sex marriage in April questions had been raised. “I think I embody the reality of a growing number of pastors,” she stated, ” who find themselves caught between being pastors … and having a polity that restricts us from living out our pastoral calling.” A gasp of “No” could be heard across the Assembly. Moderator Neal Presa regretfully chose a replacement, Tom Trinidad of Colorado Springs. He assured the Assembly, on being questioned, that again he had chosen a person of different persuasion in regards to solemnizing same sex marriages.
Wednesday afternoon the Assembly got down to business: the new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism, worked out with the Reformed Church of America and the Christian Reformed Church, was approved. Though not enough presbyteries had approved the addition of the Belhar Confession to the Book of Confessions it was sent down again for approval. It appears that if the voice of the church is not satisfactory another attempt can be made to “right” matters.
In an audacious move the Church Growth and Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program recommended that the 
Assembly commit itself to 1001 new churches. The commissioners came up with additional wording seeking the development of workable strategies, collaboration with congregations in growing new communities of faith and to report back to the 2014 General Assembly. The move appeared to fly in the face of so many congregations leaving the denomination – Assembly was told that in Tropical Florida Presbytery alone sixteen churches have departed with another six in process. Many presbyteries have been decimated, reducing overhead and staff, and even making their continued existence uncertain.
On Wednesday evening the Assembly commissioned 152 Presbyterian mission co-workers and young adult volunteers who have accepted appointments since the last General Assembly. The service had particular resonance for me as my father and mother had served the same Board from 1929 to 1970 as missionaries to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, sponsored by the nearby First Presbyterian Church, now reduced to under 300 members, a sign I fear of the decline of the whole denomination.