After a year’s delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 190th General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was called to order by retiring moderator the Reverend Shelia O’Mara who has served as moderator for two years. Mayor Greg Fisher of Louisville, Kentucky, addressed the assembly welcoming the meeting to the city as one of the first major post-pandemic events. While the office of the General Assembly encouraged the wearing of masks during events, only a few were in evidence.

The Reverend Duawn Mearns (Red River Presbytery) and the Reverend Alan Meinzer (Arkansas Presbytery) were nominated to moderate the assembly. The Reverend Steve Mosley (Arkansas Presbytery) made the endorsement speech for the Reverend Mearns while the Reverend Chris Anderson (Arkansas Presbytery) made the endorsement speech for the Reverend Meinzer. By a very close vote of 42 to 38, the Reverend Mearns was elected moderator. The Reverend Meinzer was elected vice-moderator.

Opening worship took place at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The Reverend O’Mara preached as retiring moderator. The Reverend Mearns was officially installed as moderator during the service.