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Van Kuiken trial |
Synod of
Covenant decision permitting same-sex marriages will stand, as
GA PJC refuses to hear appeal
[5-19-04]
The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission has concluded that
there can be no appeal of the controversial decision of the Permanent
Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Covenant. The decision that the
Constitution of the PC (USA) does not prohibit same-sex marriages,
consequently, shall stand. |
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Synod PJC declares that PC(USA)
constitution does not prohibit gay marriage
Reverses presbytery in
Van Kuiken case [5-7-04]
On April 30, 2004, the Permanent Judicial
Commission of the Synod of the Covenant (Ohio and Michigan) of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) ruled that the Constitution does not prohibit
same-sex marriages and that "the decision of the Permanent Judicial
Commission of the Presbytery of Cincinnati is reversed and the rebuke of
Rev. Van Kuiken is removed."
On May 3, Van Kuiken issued a press
statement expressing his gratitude for the vindication of his stand, while
asserting that he still believes he must resign his ordination in the
PC(USA) in order to continue to serve the new congregation, The Gathering,
that formed in the wake of presbytery actions against him. |
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Van Kuiken's ordination
restored [2-13-04] The Synod
of the Covenant's Permanent Judicial Commission has ruled that the
Presbytery of Cincinnati acted wrongly last summer when it stripped the
Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken of his ordination for having performed a same-sex
marriage in defiance of a direct order. |
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Jensen promises more complaints against 350 ministers by end of July
[7-9-03] A recent AP report in the
Cincinnati Enquirer, updating earlier reports on the decision of
Cincinnati Presbytery to remove the Rev. Steve Van Kuiken from the
ministry, adds an interesting note about what we can expect in the near
future:
Mr. Paul Rolf Jensen, who filed the complaint against
Van Kuiken, praised the presbytery's action as "a tremendous victory for
those of us who want to take our church back from heretics who seek to
destroy it." He is
also reported to have said "that he and a group of 20 ministers and elders
around the country will file disciplinary actions by the end of July
against 350 ministers who they believe have broken ordination vows and
violated church law." |
Rev. Steve Van Kuiken ousted over gay marriages
[6-17-03]
The Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken, pastor of Mt. Auburn
Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, has been removed from the ministry by
the Presbytery of Cincinnati, in an action taken Monday evening, June 16.
More Light
Presbyterians has issued a statement commenting on the precipitous
nature of the presbytery's action, and offering it support for Van Kuiken
and the congregation.
Van Kuiken
has sent us the full text of his ten-minute statement to the presbytery,
prior to their vote.
The Rev. John
Shuck sent us, earlier on the 16th, his helpful summary of
what led up to the presbytery's decision, and his own commentary on it.
That All
May Freely Serve offers a good selection of reports on its home page.
And
click here for the AP report. |
| Cincinnati clergy write in
support of the Rev. Steve Van Kuiken [4-2-03]
March 31, 2003
Dear Editor:
In the past year, the congregation of Mt. Auburn
Presbyterian Church (Cincinnati, Ohio), and their pastor, the Reverend
Stephen Van Kuiken, have struggled with the Presbyterian Church (USA). On
April 8, 2003, the Reverend Van Kuiken will appear in church court to face
charges that he violated church law by marrying same sex couples and
ordaining practicing gays and lesbians into congregational leadership
positions.
As members of a local interfaith clergy association, we
have come to know and respect the Reverend Van Kuiken for his intellectual
honesty, and deeply held religious convictions. We commend his personal and
professional integrity in a time of challenging denominational conflict. We
affirm his vision that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, are
full members of their religious communities.
The role of contemporary clergy is a complex and unique
calling. It requires respect for tradition, as well as a vision for the
future. One of the clergy's great responsibilities is to recognize when a
vision of a more just and equitable future out weighs traditions of the
past. Clergy may be called to take prophetic, controversial positions. As in
the Reverend Van Kuiken's case, this is an act of faith, personal
conscience, courage, and extraordinary risk. Change comes when there are
those strong enough of mind, heart, and soul to challenge problems.
Thus it is with great respect and admiration that we, the
Reverend Van Kuiken's colleagues, offer him our support and prayers.
Rabbi Robert B. Barr
Reverend Sharon K. Dittmar
Reverend Doris G. Hoskins
Reverend Bonnie Meyer
Reverend Jerry L. Murphy
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A comment on the coming trial of Rev.
Steve Van Kuiken
On ordination and blessing same-sex unions, one
minister thinks not in terms of "strategy or pragmatism [but of] what is
right and what is wrong?"
[3-29-03]
Dear folks who think an inclusive church would be better than a
non-inclusive church ...
...or who at least believe that ministers should not be
put on church trial for doing ministry according to the dictates of their
consciences...
...or who are not sure what to think:
Grace and Peace!
On April 8th, PCUSA pastor, Steve Van Kuiken, faces church
trial for blessing same-sex unions and for not preventing glbts from
becoming ordained officers in the congregation he serves.
Click
here for an article from The Advocate regarding this.
I have a question for you. The question has nothing to do
with pragmatism or strategy or "what could happen." It is a simple question
of conscience. Is Van Kuiken following Christ or not? Is it the will of
Christ to make no distinction between homosexual relationships and
heterosexual relationships or is it not? Again, I ask you not think in terms
of strategy or endowments or careers or tricky interpretations regarding
church rules or whether or not some people might get mad. I am simply asking
whether or not in your heart of hearts, if you think that Steve and Mount
Auburn Church are obedient to Christ or not.
Just curious.
O.K., I am more than curious. In my conscience, in my
heart of hearts, I believe that it is against the will of Christ to make
distinctions between gay and straight relationships and to discriminate on
that basis in church and society.
Not only that, but I believe that when we cooperate with
discrimination and injustice, when we follow rules that we believe to be
unjust - whether out of fear or apathy - we are no longer the church of
Jesus Christ. I do not think that we are the church of Jesus Christ when we
discriminate based on gender or race either. Once again, I am not referring
to strategy or pragmatism. What is right and what is wrong?
God Bless,
John Shuck
Presbytery of Yellowstone
A note:
The Michigan
branch of That All May Freely Serve is inviting Presbyterians to
endorse an
affirmation that reflects this line of believing and acting.
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| As the Rev.
Steve Van Kuiken goes to trial in Cincinnati:
Soulforce announces direct action, April 7-9
Information released by
SoulForce on 3-10-03, posted here
on 3-11-03
On April 8, 2003,
Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken, minister of
Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church, will go on trial in the Cincinnati
Presbytery. Basically, charges were filed by the investigating committee
against him for not discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation in
ordination or gender in marriage.
In keeping with our mission and commitment
to end spiritual violence committed by church policies and teachings against
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, we are calling all Soulforce
veterans to join us in Cincinnati April 8 and 9 to give support to Rev. Van
Kuiken and members of his congregations. The trial begins at 6pm on Tuesday,
April 8. The duration of the trial is unknown, but expected to be completed
by Wednesday afternoon.
Soulforce will hold a nonviolence training
on the evening of Monday, April 7 for those who will be joining us for the
first time. Soulforce veterans are welcome to take part in the training, or
meet on Tuesday, April 8, the day of the trial, at 1pm for squad
assignments, socializing, and spiritual renewal.
Click
here for an earlier story about SoulForce.
No civil disobedience or arrests are being
planned at this time.
Additional details, such as location of the
trainings and fellowship, as well as local hotel accommodations, will be
available in the very near future. We wanted to let you know of this
decision as soon as possible, and will keep you informed via email. Also,
check the web site for future updates.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Soulforce issued a letter of support for
Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church last year regarding the church's "Statement
of Dissent and Non-Compliance" with church policies on ordination and a
"Statement on Inclusive Marriage," which was written in 2001.
In the Presbyterian Church (USA), lay
people can be ordained as elders and deacons as long as they are not in a
same-gender relationship, and ministers can perform same-sex marriages as
long as it is not called "marriage." Rev. Van Kuiken has stood up against
these unjust laws, and ordained people and married people without taking
sexual orientation or gender into consideration.
An anti-gay member of the PCUSA has filed
over twenty complaints against Presbyterians for these reasons all over the
country. These are the first complaints to result in a trial.
Soulforce commends Rev. Van Kuiken for
taking this stand and for his courage and commitment to challenging these
unjust laws. We hope you will consider joining Soulforce in Cincinnati in
support of Rev. Van Kuiken.
ANOTHER WAY OF
SUPPORTING REV. VAN KUIKEN
As part of his defense he plans to
introduce some written statements to the record. Letters should be
supportive and explain and how policies permitting marriage of same sex
couples, ordination regardless of sexuality, and open communion, etc.. have
helped you live out a Christian faith. Although, the policies of Mt. Auburn
may not have directly impacted your personal life, you may choose to state
how the environment that policies like this create impacts us all. Letters
can be brief or long. But please write one. Please send them with your
signature to Jennifer McKettrick, c/o Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church, 103
William Howard Taft Road, Cincinnati, OH 45219 or McKettrick@cinci.rr.com.
Letters are due by March 16th.
ABOUT THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
The concept of the Rapid Response Team is
to identify a core group of Soulforce veterans who are interested in
participating in a Soulforce action for issues that come up outside our
regular planned actions. Little advance notice, home stays (hotels will also
be available) and following Spirit's guidance are likely components of this
work.
This will be the first time the Soulforce
Rapid Response Team has leaped into action to bring attention to injustice
and lend support to those who are being condemned for seeking justice for
GLBT people in the churches. If you have questions about Rapid Response,
contact Bill@soulforce.org .
We look forward to seeing you in
Cincinnati.
Sincerely, Karen Weldon, Director of
Operations
Laura Montgomery Rutt, Director of Communications
Bill Carpenter, Rapid Response Team Coordinator
March 10, 2003
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Visit
our lively
new website! |
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GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
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Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
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Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
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Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
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If you like what
you find here,
we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and
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Please consider making a special
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Click here to send a
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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