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The people behind GA06

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the General Assembly runs smoothly – these volunteers and Assembly staff members look after everything from making sure that the venue isn’t cold in the morning when you arrive to organising the business agenda and co-ordinating registrations.

Take a look at this list to get a better sense for those who will be helping General Assembly 2006 to run as smoothly as possible…

Moderator: the Rt Rev Pamela Tankersley

Pamela will be installed as Moderator on Thursday afternoon. Her job is to preside at the Assembly, to keep us in order, and to arrange for us to be led in worship. More information about Pamela can be found here. She may be assisted by the immediate past Moderator, the Very Rev Garry Marquand.

Assembly Executive Secretary: the Rev Dr Kerry Enright

As well as being the Executive Secretary between Assemblies, Kerry is the Clerk of the Assembly, and will ensure that the records and rolls are kept. Together with the Convener of the Book of Order Reference Group, John Marshall, he also ensures that our regulations are adhered to. Heather McKenzie from the Synod of Otago and Southland will assist him. This will be Kerry's last Assembly as Assembly Executive Secretary.

Business Workgroup Co-Conveners: the Revs David Coster and Don Hall

avid and Don and their team are the ones who decide what the order of business will be, and how the Assembly will deal with the matters before it. This group meets regularly during Assembly to update the business programme.

Local Arrangements Co-convener: Mr Forbes W orn

Forbes and his team have been working for over a year to ensure that the running of the Assembly is smooth and effective. They are responsible for organising the venue, catering, accommodation and transport, plus a host of other essential items to keep us working comfortably.

Co-ordination Team: Rev Sandra Warner and Rev Brett Johnstone

They have been working to ensure that all the different groups working to bring us Assembly are co-ordinated. This has been a tremendous task to ensure that time, space and facilities match what is expected.

Enhancement Team

A major change to this Assembly is that a number of organisations that normally report to the floor of the Assembly will not be doing so. Their reports will be in the papers of the Assembly, and they will be given opportunity to display the work/activity of their group during the Assembly, and during the Ministry Expo.

The Ministry Expo will be held on Sunday afternoon. The Expo will be open to organisations within the Presbyterian Church and those associated with the Church. Please take the opportunity to visit the displays, ask questions, and to better inform yourself of the wider work of the church.

Assembly Chaplains

The Moderator has asked the Very Rev Michael Thawley, Miss Prue Neild, Mrs Te Ao Biddle (from Te Aka Puaho ), the Rev Paul Kim (from the Council of Asian Congregations), and several others to be Chaplains to the Assembly. The Chaplains are available to listen and support others spiritually and pastorally. Please feel free to contact them.

We endeavour to have an Assembly that allows all voices to be heard equally and without prejudice. The Moderator will ask the chaplains to advise her and the Assembly as to how well we are preceding with business in that regard.

Music and Worship Team

The worship co-ordinator for the Assembly is the Rev Dr Sarah Mitchell of Dunedin. Sarah and her team co-ordinate the music and worship during General Assembly.

Communications Team

Amanda Wells and her team have been co-ordinating communications in the lead-up to Assembly. At Assembly, they will be managing media enquiries, updating the website, producing a daily news-sheet, sending out e-newsletters to those who can’t attend and taking photographs.

Kids @ General Assembly (K@GA)

The co-ordinator, Jill Kayser, and a team of Kids Friendly leaders will offer a fun programme for 20 children to explore what it means to be a Christ-centered Community-facing church now and in the future. More information about Kids Assembly is available here.