After many invitations to attend GA over the years, when I was nominated for GA227, I felt that this was the right time. I knew the Holy Spirit would guide me. It has been an awesome experience. I worked hard. I had fun. I connected with old friends and met new ones. We were immersed in the rules, polity, regulations and laws of PCUSA. We took seriously the charge to improve, change, revisit, update, delete, amend and rewrite portions of our “Book of Order” so that we remain decent and in order. I embrace the parliamentary process, the precision, the format, and the order. I especially enjoyed the committee work. There were some extremely sensitive issues to be discerned and voted on. The process was academic, theologically based, difficult at times, but necessary to attain a proper decision. I was unbelievably honored and humbled to play a small role in the process. The Plenary Sessions were breathtaking, overwhelming, but exciting. During the committee meetings, which were on ZOOM, I was impressed with the knowledge, wisdom, calmness and patience of everyone, especially the Moderators. The facility with which the procedures flowed was amazing.

I am immensely grateful for this opportunity to serve in this capacity and I humbly pray that I was equal to the task.

Elder Joan Clerk (Oak Lane Presbyterian Church): Joan Clerk grew up in the Catholic Church and was educated in Catholic schools. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from St. Joseph’s University and a master’s in Elementary Education from Arcadia University (formerly Beaver College)