Yes, It Takes A Lot of People
To Host A General Assembly

C.O.L.A. The Committee on Local Arrangements. Don't let the word "local” fool you. This committee of super volunteers and staff does everything except vote and run the Assembly plenaries and committees. They do all this: worship, music, maps, publicity, transportation, special events, tours, exhibits, tickets, souvenirs, and programs. They make Louisville and Presbyterians look really good. They have worked for months to make the 213th General Assembly a special event that paves the way for the business of the church to occur. This team, chaired by Linda McArthur and Barbara Sandford, and staffed by Susan Cohen, Deb Davies and Dennis Cobb, could probably stabilize the stock market or run the federal government.

-- Jane Hines

Andrew Hartmans knows when and where every bus and trolley will run. As chair of the Transportation Committee, he has organized committees on Airport Welcoming, Hotel Greeters, Registration Packets, Ecumenical Guests and Special Needs.

Sandra Townsend is chair of Visitor Orientation. Although faced with serious problems related to the destruction of her home by fire, she has graciously accepted help from other committee members and bounced back to cover her duties for the Assembly.

As C.O.L.A. treasurer, Diane Campbell, at left, takes care of all receipts and disbursements, a major responsibility. Somehow she's found time to help in other areas, as well. Information committee chair Ann Kirk, at right, has handled an incredible number of details in lining up people and paper to provide information for all who come to the Assembly. "We'll be there to be helpful and friendly," she promises.

Admiring the banner for the children's book booth are, from left to right: Don Wenzel, co-chair of Special Events, Linda McArthur, C.O.L.A. co-chair, Sandra Townsend and Diane Campbell. Holding the banner are Sara Kennedy, book booth chair Martha Haines, and Peg Browne, from Western Kentucky Presbytery.

Charles Stanford, former Louisville Presbytery executive, has been serving as a volunteer in the C.O.L.A. office, managing the extensive data base that is required to keep everything running smoothly.

Representatives from Western Kentucky Presbytery have attended all the C.O.L.A. meetings and recruited volunteers as a host partner with Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. From left to right: Larry Walker, Martha Haines, Peg Browne and Jon Faraone. Not present for photo: Bill Walton.

Bill Owens, administrative assistant in the C.O.L.A. office at Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church, has spent many hours filing and compiling and distributing information.

Willa Fae Williams and Craig Johnson are co-chairs of the worship committee for the 213th General Assembly, a mammoth undertaking. When you see and hear the 440-voice choir and the worship service on Sunday morning in a cavernous hall that has been miraculously transformed into what appears to be a church sanctuary, you will be witnessing the work of Craig and Willa Fae and all the people who are helping them. Special worship opportunities all week will reflect the dedication and planning of the worship committee. An outstanding list of preachers for every day begins with Moderator Syngmon Rhee on Sunday morning and concludes with Thuma Mina Mission Theatrical Company on the last Saturday.

Making everything happen the way it's supposed to is on the agenda every day for OGA staff members Deb Davies and Dennis Cobb, who have been working with the Committee on Local Arrangements since day one. Their experience and knowledge have been a helpful addition to the committee. Deb reported that 3000 people had registered to attend, which made the challenge of hosting them very real.

Randy Neely

A lot of details have come under the purview of the Publicity Committee, co-chaired by Randy Neely and Tom Howell. That includes the opening presentation as the Assembly gets underway on Saturday, June 9. The flavor of Kentucky will then be seen and heard, through history, poetry, music and drama.

Tom Howell

Keeping track of everything, literally everything, is Susan Cohen's job as executive coordinator of the Committee on Local Arrangements. And she has done it expertly. She stays calm in the midst of a thousand details and phone calls and emails and people. Without Susan, it simply couldn't be done. With Susan, there's a smiling, serene presence that builds the confidence of the entire committee.

When he came to the C.O.L.A. meeting in April, General Assembly Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick was presented with a teal blue golf shirt. It's just like the shirts C.O.L.A. volunteers will be wearing at the Assembly except that it's bigger than most. "Local committees are always surprised at how much work it takes," he said, "but in miraculous ways it does always seem to fall together."

Transylvania Presbytery representative Doug Gerdts led devotions at the May 10 C.O.L.A. meeting. "This committee symbolizes a spirit of Christian fellowship," he said. "A spirit of harmony and love has permeated this committee."