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General Assembly 2004
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Overtures dealing with G-6.0106b |
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Overture from Western Reserve calls for new authoritative interpretation
[2-27-04]
Overture 04-18, On issuing
an Authoritative Interpretation Clarifying Standards
for Ordination," was first passed by the Presbytery of Western Reserve,
and has received
concurrences from the presbyteries of Milwaukee, New York City, Long
Island, Albany, and Santa Fe.
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Support for Baltimore overture
On Tuesday evening, February 24, National Capital Presbytery voted to concur
with the Baltimore
Overture (to remove G-6.0106b from the Book of Order) by a vote of 135 to
59.
[2-27-04] |
Hudson River Presbytery concurs with
Twin Cities overture on ordination
[2-14-04]
On Thursday, Feb. 5, the Presbytery of Hudson
River voted to concur with the Presbytery of the Twin Cities in their
overture to the 216th General Assembly (2004), to delete G-6.0106b, adding
language to G-6.0106a which places the determination of the suitability for
ordination with the ordaining body and, further, to eliminate all anti-gay
"interpretive statements" from 1978 forward. The vote was by a large
majority which has been, in the main, the history of voting in Hudson River
on these issues. |
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Southern New England concurs with two
ordination overtures
[2-14-04] Ralph Jones reports that the Presbytery of
Southern New England on Feb. 7 voted to concur with overtures
04-01 from Western New York and
04-04 from Baltimore. He continues:
"The votes were 70 yes, 53 no with 4 abstentions on
Baltimore and 70 yes, 52 no, with 4 abstaining on Western New York. Five
churches presented the issue of concurrence with Western New York; two with
Baltimore. As this presbytery has debated overtures similar to Baltimore
before, that debate took about fifteen minutes. The following debate over
WNY was only slightly longer.
"The process
began when Presbyterian Promise (the MLP and TAMFS region in Southern New
England) invited several churches and church leaders to think about action
in preparation for this year's General Assembly. The seven sessions spent
considerable time in study and reflection before their formal actions. The
interest in Western New York seemed based in its suggestion to think in new
ways about the issues of hospitality and covenantal relations. Baltimore's
simple, direct statement spoke to others. Presbyterian Promise encouraged
people to support both because of their witness on behalf of GLBT people and
to encourage GA to recognize the urgency of the matter."
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| Genesee
Valley concurs with Baltimore overture
[2-4-04] Genesee Valley Presbytery, during its
annual meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2004, approved a motion to concur
with Baltimore Presbytery's overture to remove G-6.0106b from the Book of
Order. Such an action would remove known and perceived barriers to ordained
service in support of the mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) by
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. The margin of approval, 61
yes and 28 no, was approximately 70% to 30%.
Rev Gordon Webster, co-pastor of Downtown United
Presbyterian Church, Rochester NY, spoke in favor of the motion, which had
been initiated by the church's Session. Rev. Kavin Rossman, of Bergen
Presbyterian Church, spoke against. About 8 persons alternated for and
against during discussion. Presbytery spent 40 minutes of docket time on
this motion, followed by a paper ballot vote.
Downtown United, which initiated over 10 years ago the
mission project, That All May Freely Serve (see
www.tamfs.org), is one of 14
congregations within the presbytery recognized by More Light Presbyterians
as Welcoming congregations (see www.mlp.org).
Thanks to Ralph Carter for this report |
Des Moines
Presbytery concurs with Baltimore overture to delete G-6.0106b
[1-17-04]Bill LeMosy, a minister member of the
Presbytery of Des Moines, reports that the presbytery this afternoon passed
the following motion by a three to two margin:
Motion: That the Presbytery of Des Moines concurs with Overture 04-04 from
the Presbytery of Baltimore on deleting G-6.0106b from the Book of Order.
To be sent to the Office of the General Assembly:
The Presbytery of Des Moines respectfully overtures the 216th General
Assembly (2004) that it concurs with Overture 04-04 from the Presbytery of
Baltimore to do the following:
Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the
presbyteries for their affirmative or negative vote:
Shall G-6.0106b be deleted from the Book of Order?
LeMosy adds: "I was one of the seconders, despite
ongoing reservations about the lawyerization of the PCUSA." |
Twin
Cities Presbytery sends "delete B" overture to GA
[1-10-04]Today the Presbytery of the Twin Cities
Area voted by 124 to 50, with 2 abstentions, to send to the 216th
General Assembly an overture calling on the
Presbyterian Church to remove G-6.0106b from the Book of Order. It would
also replace all existing authoritative interpretations that prohibit the
ordination of gay and lesbian persons with an affirmation that all other
standards for ordination presently in the Book of Order are "the sole and
exclusive standards for ordination by ordaining bodies acting in prayerful
discernment of the leading of Almighty God."
This was a clear reversal of last year's vote to "take no
action" on a similar overture. |
| Another - and
different - overture is advanced to deal with G-6.0106b
[11-18-03] Another overture dealing with G-6.0106b
was approved by the Presbytery of Western New York on May 20, 2003, thereby
earning the designation of "04-01"
This overture takes a new approach to the ban on
ordination of LGBT people, by affirming "a covenanted relationship between
two persons where a lifetime commitment is intended" as satisfying the
demands for legitimate relationships as well as "marriage between a man and
a woman."
This is the first pro-LGBT overture from Western New York,
and seems to reflect a way of dealing with G-6.0106b that may be more
acceptable in some "moderate" presbyteries. Genesee Valley Presbytery will
be considering the possibility of concurring with this overture in January.
Another overture has been approved by the
Presbytery of Baltimore, and another will be
considered in January by the Presbytery of the
Twin Cities Area.
If you have other overtures to report,
please send us a
note! |
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Overture 04-1. On Amending G-6.0106b
Regarding Gifts and Requirements for Officers—From the Presbytery of
Western New York.
[11-18-03]
Whereas, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
preached a gospel of love toward all the people of the earth (John 3:16);
and therefore all people should be equally welcomed in the church,
remembering that it is in the spirit of Christ to reach out most of all to
those who have been persecuted and shunned by society;
and,
Whereas, we acknowledge that passages of Scripture have led to the
condemnation of sexual intimacy between two people of the same sex; yet
after long and intense discussion, prayer and study of the Scriptures as a
whole, we do not believe it was, or is now, Christ's own desire to condemn
sexual intimacy between people of the same sex as inherently bad. Sexual
intimacy is a gift of God intended for sealing the most committed
relationships which one person can have with another;
and,
Whereas, our Lord's gospel of love was also accompanied by high
standards of self-discipline that he set for his followers, even that we
should love our enemies; and,
Whereas, in accord with our Lord's teachings, we
believe all people should be guided by the same principles of sexual
behavior regardless of sexual orientation, summarized as chastity in
singleness and fidelity in a covenanted relationship before God with one
other person where a lifetime commitment is intended;
and,
Whereas, we also acknowledge that there continue to be strong
differences of opinion among our members and churches over these matters,
and that contrary opinions may be held in good faith with the backing of
historical precedent; yet we believe Christ wants us to move forward here;
therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Presbytery of Western New York respectfully
overtures the 216th General Assembly (2004) to direct the Stated Clerk to
submit the following proposed amendment to the Book of Order, Section
G-6.0106(b), to the Presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes.
REVISION
OF BOOK OF ORDER SECTION 6.0106(b)
Proposed Revised Text
"b. Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in
obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional
standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live
either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a
woman (W-4.9001) a covenanted relationship between two persons
where a lifetime commitment is intended, or chastity in singleness.
Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the
confessions call sin does not conform with this discipline
shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of
the Word and Sacrament." |
| Detroit
passes overture to remove authoritative interpretations
[1-13-04] The Presbytery of Detroit on November 8
passed an overture calling for the removal of all statements of "definitive
guidance" and authoritative interpretations, passed by previous Assemblies,
that have had the effect of tightening the presumed ban on the ordination of
LGBT people.
The vote was 81 to 76. |
From
Presbytery of the Twin Cities: Another
overture dealing with G-6.0106b was submitted by the session of St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Wayzata, MN,
and approved by the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area on January 10, 2004. The full text
follows:
[posted here 10-1-03]The Presbytery of the
Twin Cities Area respectfully overtures the 216th General
Assembly (2004) to do the following:
1. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed
amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:
a. Shall G-6.0106b be
stricken.
b. Shall
G-6.0106a be amended by adding a new sentence to the end of the paragraph
to read as follows: "Their suitability to hold office is determined by the
governing body where the examination for ordination or installation takes
place, guided by scriptural and constitutional standards, under the
authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ."
2. Approve the following authoritative interpretation:
"Interpretive
statements concerning ordained service by homosexual persons by the 190th
General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United
States of America and the 119th General Assembly (1979) of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States, and all subsequent
denominational affirmations thereof, shall be given no further force or
effect; and Section G-6.0106a of the Form of Government, together with the
other prerequisites for ordination expressly stated in our Book of
Order, hereby are affirmed as the sole and exclusive standards for
ordination by ordaining bodies acting in prayerful discernment of the
leading of Almighty God."
Rationale
We believe that the presence of G-60106b within our
Book of Order has created a hostile and divisive environment in our
church that is contrary to God's reconciling love and the spirit of our
Reformed faith. We are greatly saddened over the increasing number of
accusations and judicial cases that have arisen in recent months as a result
of this measure. These trials are causing the church to spend inordinate
financial and human resources defending an exclusionary policy that is not
an essential of the Reformed faith, drawing precious resources away from the
primary mission of the church.
The effects of compliance with G-6.0106b run counter to
the sentiment of G-5.0103 that "Each member must seek the grace of openness
in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons." Failure to do this,
it continues, "constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a
scandal to the gospel." We would honor Christ's last prayer with his
disciples that all may be one (John 17:11) and would heed the admonition of
the New Testament writers that we avoid needless controversies lest the body
of Christ be divided.
Presbyterians have historically valued the rights of
governing bodies to make decisions that affect them the most directly,
seeking unity in the essentials of faith but not necessarily in "truths and
forms with respect to which [people] of good characters and principles may
differ." (Book of Order, G-1.0305) Biblical interpretations differ,
and the church should therefore leave it to local governing bodies to act
out of their own faith as discerned together in prayer when such
interpretations over nonessential matters are in conflict.
The confessions of our church are valuable guides in our
decisions about ordination and many other issues, but they are always
subordinate to Jesus Christ and the authority of scripture. (Book of
Order, G-1.0307 and G-2.0200; Book of Confessions, 3.18-.20,
5.011-.014, 6.010, and 9.03) Our constitution affirms that "God alone is
Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside
it, in matters of faith or worship." (Book of Order, G-1.0301; see
also G-1.0305 and G-1.0307; Book of Confessions, 5.010-.014, 6.109,
6.174-.175, 7.215, and 8.20-.21)
The church "is called to be a sign in and for the world of
the new reality which God has made available to people in Jesus Christ,"
reflecting that "(1) Sin is forgiven. (2) Reconciliation is accomplished.
(3) the dividing walls of hostility are torn down." (Book of Order,
G-3.0200). This leads to an affirmation of diversity and the welcoming
inclusion of all people (Book of Order, G-3.0401, G-4.0203,
G-r.0401-.0403, G-5.0202, and G-9.0104; Book of Confessions,
9.06-.07, 9.10, 9.19-.20, 9.22, 9.29, 9.31-33, and 9.44).
We understand our polity and system of ordination to mean
that leaders are called by God and confirmed by the people, and that all
members whose manner of life demonstrates the gospel and who possess the
gifts and training for leadership have opportunities to participate in
leadership. In faithfulness to our call to be good stewards of the resources
entrusted to us, we would affirm and enable ordained service and outreach by
all in whom we discern a call to serve (Book of Order, G-1.0306,
G-4.0402, G-4.0403, G-6.0102, G-6.0107, G-7.0103, G-10.0102l, G-14.0201, and
G-14.0204).
In our continuing struggle on these issues, the Church is
called to be open to God's continuing reformation "according to the Word of
God and the call of the Spirit" (Book of Order, G-2.0200; see also
G-e.0401, G-4.0303, G-10.0102j, and G-18.0101; Book of Confessions,
9.03 and 9.29).
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Baltimore Presbytery approves overture to delete
G-6.0106b
[9-26-03]
| This action has been reported in the
Layman Online, whose report has drawn notes of correction from
a member of Baltimore
Presbytery, and from your
WebWeaver. A humble acknowledgement:
Your WebWeaver also got a helpful note of correction about his recent
report on "gracious
separation" statements variously related to the Presbyterian
Coalition and the Confessing Church Movement. So we claim no
superiority here! |
At its Stated Meeting on Thursday,
September 25, 2003, the Presbytery of Baltimore approved the motion
presented by the Sessions of Brown Memorial Park Avenue, Dickey Memorial,
Faith, First and Franklin Street, Govans, Light Street, Maryland, Roland
Park, and St. John United Presbyterian Churches.
The motion was for Baltimore Presbytery to
send an Overture to the 216th GA to submit an amendment to the presbyteries
asking them to delete G-6.0106b from the Book of Order.
The vote was 87 commissioners in favor of
the motion to send the overture to the 216th GA and 42 commissioners against
the motion. The motion was approved by a 67% affirmative vote.
The text of the Overture and its Rationale
can be found on the
Witherspoon website or www.tamfs.org
(and clicking on the link to the Witherspoon website).
Go to the "Primer on Overtures and
Concurrences" and you will find the text in Appendix A. (You may also go to
www.baltimorepresbytery.org,
pull down the menu to White Books, click on the White Book for the 803rd
Stated Meeting, scroll down to page 4, item 13. Please note that an addendum
was handed out indicating that the Sessions of Roland Park and Dickey
Memorial Presbyterian Churches had joined in concurring with the motion.)
Your presbytery is encouraged to concur
with the Baltimore Overture. The
"Primer" gives you the information for the process of concurring or
submitting your own overture.
I ask anyone who is the web master of a
website to update the information in the Primer to indicate that the
"proposed Baltimore Overture" is now the approved Baltimore Overture as of
the affirmative vote of Baltimore Presbytery on 9/25/03.
If you have any questions please contact
Don Stroud at Donestro@aol.com.
Peace to you. Don Stroud |
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Visit
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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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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?
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