After the Thursday evening worship service, the Assembly reconvened with the plan to complete all their business and then adjourn, meaning they would not have to meet again on Friday morning. 

The Overtures Committee returned to continue its report, with apparently only one topic left that was expected to draw much debate – the practice of using intinction during the serving of communion.  (Intinction is the practice of the minister dipping a wafer or piece of bread and giving it to the communicant – either by placing on his tongue or placing in his hands.)

Overture 30 from Savannah River Presbytery asks for an amendment to BCO 58-5 by adding the sentence:  “Intinction, because it conflates Jesus’ two sacramental actions, is not an appropriate method for observing the Lord’s Supper.”

The OC recommended that the overture be denied, but the vote was a very close 49-37-2.  A minority brought a report to the Assembly asking that the overture be approved, and that motion was placed before the assembly.

During the debate, those who favored amending the BCO and clearly declaring the practice was unacceptable, made arguments including the point that Jesus specifically commanded the eating of bread and the drinking of wine. One pointed out that even in the Old Testament the blood was separated from the flesh and used separately in the ceremonies.

Those who made arguments against said that denying the overture does not approve intinction, but rather it is the better way to deal with the issue.  There are many portions of communion that vary from church to church, use of wine or grape juice; sitting at tables, sitting in pews, coming to the front, etc. and that this is another option.  A firm argument was made to allow local option when one congregation desires to do things in a way they approve.

At the point of the vote, it appeared close enough that the Moderator asked for a counted vote.  That count resulted in a vote of 348 in favor of changing the BCO to not allow intinction and 334 against the change, a margin of only 14 votes.  The proposed change now goes to the Presbyteries for confirmation.  It takes 2/3 of the Presbyterie to approve the change, and if that occurs, another majority vote at next year’s assembly.

The Committee then finished by recommending that Overture 31 from Westminster Presbytery asking for a change to the BCO to require that only the church which excommunicates a member be allowed to remove that excommunication.  The Overture was returned to the Presbytery for further clarification.

The last Overture was Number 20 from James River Presbytery asking that the PCA send a letter to the President of the Palestine Authority asking that the Barala Presbyterian Church in the territory (the only Presbyterian church there) be granted formal approval.  The recommendation to deny the request based on the fact that it is not the work of the church to deal with civil governments was approved, but asked that prayer be offered for the church.  The Assembly approved and TE Doug Kitteridge of James River Presbytery offered that prayer.

After hearing and approving the Report of Thanks to those who were responsible for its operation, the Assembly adjourned with prayer and the singing of Psalm 133.

The 41st Assembly will be held on June 18-21, 2013 in Greenville, SC

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