[1-29-03]

ON SUPPORTING
THE MODERATOR OF THE 214^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AND THE STATED CLERK

In these times of intense theological discussion and conflict over interpretation of the Constitution of the PCUSA, the members and churches of the Presbytery of the Palisades call ourselves and our brothers and sisters in the Presbyterian fellowship to a time of prayer, repentance and reconciliation. We affirm that we seek the peace, unity and purity to which we are called by the gospel of Jesus Christ and in obedience to our baptismal and ordination vows.

The Presbytery of the Palisades offers its full support and encouragement to the Reverend Fahed Abu-Akel, Moderator of the 214^th General Assembly, and the Reverend Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. We trust that they have faithfully and carefully carried out the requirements of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in accordance with their respective leadership offices and have directed their colleagues in the Office of the General Assembly to do the same.

We recognize that there is strong disagreement within the denomination about how its churches, governing bodies and officers are to carry out the mandates of our covenanted life as expressed through the Constitution of the PCUSA. We pray that our leaders will remain at the table of fellowship to continue to explore those differences. At the same time, the Presbytery of the Palisades objects to the tactics of personal attack and disinformation used by some to discredit the leadership of the Moderator and Stated Clerk. The members of this presbytery call for an end to the attempts to force them to act outside the boundaries of their offices and apart from the polity established by the Constitution that guides all governing bodies and leaders in our church.

The Presbytery of the Palisades stands in alliance with the Moderator and the Stated Clerk in seeking the path of reconciliation through this time of brokenness and disharmony in our church. Trusting on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we seek to be faithful to the love of Jesus Christ and to the Christian life we share in him. May God forgive our divisiveness and show us the path of peace, unity and purity.

Voted on the 28^th day of January 2003 at its stated meeting held in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Call for support

Dear friends in Christ,

As a Presbyterian and a GA commissioner I completely support the Moderator Fahed Abu Akel and the Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick. I trust completely in their judgement on the issue of recalling the GA. I am absolutely sure that they thoroughly understand the Book of Order and are doing their utmost to uphold it. Furthermore having met both of these men, I believe them to be fine and upstanding Christians that try their best to follow the Bible's teachings.

I urge all 214th GA Commissioners to express their support for these good leaders of our church. It is past time that the commissioners to the 214th GA stood up and spoke out for the decisions we made at the General Assembly! We must stand up to this conspiracy being orchestrated by Metherell, Jensen, and their Layman cronies.