Telling the feature stories around GA226

It wasn’t all about breaking news from plenaries. Here’s a look at some of our favorite feature stories

by Mike Ferguson | General Assembly News

Little Jesus figures have been shared and hidden throughout the GA226 site. (Photo by Rich Copley)

SALT LAKE CITY — Plenary sessions didn’t provide all the news coming out of the 226^th General Assembly this week. Reporters and videographers found feature stories both inside and outside the Salt Palace Convention Center. Among them were these 10.

‘Everybody needs a little Jesus’

The Rev. Sharyl Dixon, a commissioner from the Presbytery of the Coastlands, came prepared when she arrived at Salt Lake City for the 226^th General Assembly. She was equipped with a “snackle” box and over 100 little Jesuses, and a friend sent her more when they became a hit among commissioners and advisory delegates.

Presbytery of Utah builds connections with youth across the state

There are 20 churches connected with the Presbytery of Utah across the state. In an effort to build connections with youth from the various churches, the presbytery created a ministry role to make that happen.

Equity and inclusion provide foundation for Assembly work

Ensuring that everyone had a voice in the decision-making process was once again a major focus in Salt Lake City during the Assembly. Organizers introduced equity primes into the committee work as well as in plenaries, and they made a difference.

The Property with a Purpose Breakfast, hosted by the Presbyterian Mission Agency, on July 3, included a panel discussion with, left to right, the Rev. Mark Elsdon, the Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena, the Rev. Sharon Core, Commissioned Pastor Kevin Riley, and the Rev. Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones. (Photo by Kristen Gaydos)

‘Dream big because God is big’

Presbyterian pastor and author Mark Elsdon energized an early morning gathering Wednesday by speaking and moderating a panel on property, land and building use. “While it is lovely to have a place to physically gather,” said panelist the Rev. Sharon Core, “we worship the God who has set us loose in the neighborhood.”

Utah’s Interfaith Partnerships make impact on community needs

When one thinks of the State of Utah, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints often comes to mind. But Presbyterians and other faith groups have been in the state for decades and have found ways to collaborate on important challenges, including hunger and poverty.

Behind the scenes at the 226^th General Assembly

Making the Assembly happen requires a lot of planning, preparation and prayer. The action behind the platform at the convention center may be described as the PC(USA)’s version of mission control. Nathan Young has been a part of producing the Assembly for years. In a video he provided a peek into how it all comes together.

Rallying behind new worshiping communities

The people attending the 1001 New Worshiping Communities lunch on Tuesday encouraged church and mid council leaders to support new worshiping communities and their partnerships with existing churches and mid councils.

Interpretive dance on the main stage during the 202nd General Assembly (1990), the most recent Assembly held in Salt Lake City. Pearl ID: 299904

Archival images from PHS’ holdings offer glimpses at first General Assembly held in Salt Lake City

Back in 1990, swaths of denim-clad Presbyterian swarmed the beautiful, mountain-rimmed Salt Lake City. A 12-minute video of highlights of that Assembly offers insights into that gathering, whose theme was “Here Am I, Lord: Send Me.”

Presbyterian pastors are featured during Saturday’s Poor People’s Campaign assembly in Washington, D.C.

Across the nation from the gathering of the PC(USA)’s 226^th General Assembly, the Poor People’s Campaign held an assembly of its own Saturday in Washington, D.C., and it featured spirited comments from two Presbyterian pastors: the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, the co-founder of the PPC, and the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, the PC(USA)’s director of advocacy.

Global Language Resources gets head start on General Assembly

Months before the 226^th General Assembly got underway this week, Global Language Resources was working to ensure that key participants whose primary languages are Spanish and Korean would be able to fully participate. “The church has been intentional in trying to provide language access for many of our folks so they can be included at the table and the decision-making table,” said Stephanie Vasquez, manager of GLR.