Even though my mind is much occupied with traveling and the business of the Assembly the work of the Church in this place continues. Today we had staff meeting to go over the schedule for the time when I am gone. Ruth Van Anden, our office manager is off because of the need to attend to family matters, Jane Murray is in the office today, Lois Maxwell filled in yesterday. As always we concluded our staff meeting with prayer, asking for God's blessing on the work of the Assembly, on our members who are ill and incapacitated and those who grieve the loss of loved ones. We prayed for peace and reconciliation in our own city and throughout the world, particularly in Iraq.

After Staff meeting I met with the treasurer and sexton, after than a person who has been attending worship met with me for counseling and prayer.

I have talked to the Clergy Commissioner from our Presbytery, the Rev. Bill Evertsberg about the committee on which he serves - Peacemaking and International Affairs - and the issues that committee is dealing with. The hot issues will be about relationships with Israel and Palestine and the action of the General Assembly two years ago to begin a process of disinvestment in US companies who support Israel, particularly those whose goods are used to build the Separation Barrier and to destroy Palestinian homes. Bill will be leaving the Assembly on Monday evening and I will be voting in his place on much of the business that comes from committees to the Plenary meetings.

Tonight is time to pack and get ready to be at the Airport at 8 AM for a 10 AM flight. After I get to the Assembly and get registered I will be attending a reception and dinner sponsored by the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Many of the overture Advocates will be there and many of us will meet one another face to face for the first time.

We will begin at 7:30 AM on Thursday finalizing our presentation which we will make to the Church Orders Committee on Saturday morning.

Please be in prayer for me for traveling mercies tomorrow, and throughout the Assembly be praying for my participation and for the guidance of the Almighty for the whole Assembly.