He argues that such a ban would be legally
wrong (enshrining discrimination in the U.S. Constitution), morally wrong
(lending support to those who hate some people simply because of who they
are), and theologically wrong (because values such as commitment, hope, love
and faithfulness should be affirmed for all couples).
A comment on the Theological Task
Force report:
"Just about Everything that the Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity
Needs to Know" With this modest title, Dennis Maher responds to our invitation
for comments on the recently released interim
report of the Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church.
He offers thoughtful reflections on the real meanings of peace, unity and
purity - in the Book of Confessions, in the Book of Order, and in
Scripture. He concludes that we must go beyond traditional meanings of
those terms, which leads him to suggest that "Unity is life together in
peace, when previously we were separated by differences. We are one when
we live together in peace, when we sincerely desire peace, and when a
concern for justice is paramount."
After enduring terrible civil war in their country, some
Christians in Liberia are transforming spent shells into crosses --
weapons of war into symbols of peace. Presbyterian Distribution Service
hopes to have them available for purchase soon. The Presbyterian
News Service report includes details of the story, and a photo of the
crosses.
David McPhail takes a careful look at the School of the
Americas -- where it came from and how it works today -- as a window into
the workings of U.S. power in Latin America.
As atheist Michael Newdow argued before the Supreme Court
this week that the words "under God" don't belong in the Pledge of
Allegiance, he had some surprising allies. Learn why some religious groups
backed Newdow's suit, and join Beliefnet's lively pledge debate.
Public Conversations Project offers workshops to train
facilitators for constructive conversations on sexual orientation and the
Christian faith. Lisa Larges, Regional Partnership Coordinator of That All
May Freely Serve, recommends this group's work "in creating deep,
challenging, and constructive conversations in the midst of conflict."
CBS special will look at
eyewitness participants in the civil right movement
April 4 - CBS Special on Civil Rights, Then
and Now:
The National Council of Churches, with
its partners in the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, co-sponsors the
upcoming TV special, "Extraordinary Possibilities," first airing on CBS
April 4 at 8 a.m. ET, then at various times on local CBS affiliates
nationwide.
The program looks at efforts to document
the stories of participants in the civil rights movement. Among the
eyewitnesses are . . .
Dorothy Height of the National Council
of Negro Women.
Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
Woodie White, United Methodist Bishop of Indiana.
Julian Bond of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Join us for this stirring chronicle of a
turbulent time of change in our nation. Check your local CBS station for
the exact day and time of broadcast.
Thanks to the Washington Office for this program
notice.
Last October we posted a publisher's notice of a new
book by Paul Capetz, God: A Brief History. Your WebWeaver now
provides a more complete review of the book -- one which could provide
stimulating material for a study group, or for personal reflection.
Various groups are working hard to create a "Christian
theocracy" in America
Two major articles on Christian Reconstructionism and related matters have
been published in the past few days as cover stories in four alternative
weeklies. If these articles are any indication, the
understanding that there is an active Christian theocratic movement in the
U.S. may be gaining some traction.
Theological
Task force publishes preliminary report, announces pre-GA conference
The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of
the Church has issued its preliminary report for the 216th General Assembly,
and has sent a letter to groups like the Witherspoon Society (and many
others, no doubt) about their plans
for a Pre-GA conference where the
Task Force will share what they have accomplished, and receive opinions
about their future directions. The conference, Seeking Peace, Unity, and Purity: The Theological Task Force at
Mid-Point, will take place Saturday morning, June 26, from 8
a.m.-noon.
Noting that some 11,000 people have died during the
conflict in Iraq, Moderator Susan R. Andrews and Stated Clerk Clifton
Kirkpatrick then remind us that some 28,000 people have died during the
past year in the USA, as a result of gun violence.
They urge support of the
Million Mom March to "Halt the
Assault Weekend," May 8-10, in Washington, DC. And they reaffirm frequent
policy statements by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in support of gun
control.
Perhaps responding to recent statements by some
African-American leaders denying any parallel between same-sex marriage
and black civil rights concerns, Coretta Scott King spoke out for the
first time on March 23 against a constitutional amendment to ban gay
marriage, saying that it is an important civil-rights issue.
For a report sympathetic to the opposition of the
Congressional Black Caucus to the treatment of gay marriage as a civil
rights issue, see
a
recent Washington Times report.
In this essay she presents a theological critique of the new American
religion of "messianic nationalism," following in the great tradition of
the Barmen
Declaration drafted by German Christians to critique the Nazi regime.
As
American jobs wander away, the distinction between "free" trade and "fair"
trade becomes ever more urgent.
Amitai Etzioni, a professor of sociology
at the George Washington University, offers a clear picture of the
disastrous consequences of so-called "free trade," and a brief glimpse at
what "fair trade" might mean for the betterment of the world as a whole.
His essay is published in the LA Times,
and you may need to register to access the article. It's free of charge,
though.
Etzioni's most recent book is My
Brother's Keeper: A Memoir and a Message.
Michael J. Adee, National Field Organizer
for More Light Presbyterians, has sent a reminder of the fast-approaching
conference, with the theme "From the Heartland to the Horizon." This
first-ever Welcoming Presbyterians' National Conference is sponsored by
More Light Presbyterians, That All May Freely Serve, and The Shower of
Stoles Project.
The host church is Central Presbyterian Church, Kansas
City, MO.
The deadline for discounted registration is April 1, and with 50-some days
until the start of the Conference, there is still plenty of time for you
to register, make your travel plans, get a group together and be with us
in Kansas City.
The official start of the Conference will be with evening worship on
Thursday evening, May 20, with dinner for all preceding worship. And
registration and pre-conference cultural field trip options are available
earlier in the afternoon that day. The conference will be completed with
worship on Sunday morning, May 23 and Sunday lunch boxes are available
upon request with your registration.
Scholarships are available for youth, young adults, college and seminary
students - contact Micahael Adee at MichaelAdee@aol.com or (505)
820-7082.
If you need help with registration - contact Nancy Young, Registrar, at
sisters3reg@yahoo.com or (267)
221-6713.
Don't miss this rainbow family reunion, National Conference and 30th
Anniversary Party for More Light Presbyterians!
Offered by the National Council of
Churches, the Fellowship Program seeks to transform the faith-based
eco-justice movement by training and supporting emerging practitioners
engaged in faith-based environmental work. The program aims to nurture and
train a new generation of leadership (age 22-40).
As you think and talk and
pray about what's gone on before and since that fateful day, you may find
it helpful to look at a talk given recently by Rosemary Radford Ruether,
who is the Carpenter Professor of Feminist Theology
at Pacific School of Religion, and the author of many important books in
feminist theology and social analysis.
So spoke recently to a Catholic peace ministry in Iowa
on the topic,
She offers a clear review of how we've
gotten where we are, looking at the growing American ideology of empire
and the challenges that presents to churches and to America's basic
values.
For some other articles on the subject of
American empire, click here.
Now's the time to call on Yum! Brands
(parent of Taco Bell) to treat the farmworkers decently.
Noelle Damico, National
Coordinator of the Taco Bell Boycott for the PC(USA), has sent us a message from Oxfam, urging those who care for
justice to send an e-message to the CEO of Yum! Brands, David Novak, before Yum!'s annual meeting on 5/20/04. The message
includes a link for e-action, through which you can send a quick-and-easy
message.
Noelle Damico participated with others in an Oxfam press
conference in Immokalee on Monday, coinciding with the release of an Oxfam
report called "Like Machines in the Field." They also called upon Yum! to be
an industry leader in ensuring their supply chain is exploitation-free.
Witherspooner Dudley Sarfaty suggests a new biography of
Coffin
Great coverage on Coffin. I wonder if you have
seen the new biography on Coffin. It is warts and all, faith and struggle,
and an inspiring background to face his impending departure to the better
land he knows. As someone who was active in his parish for ten years I can
attest to its honesty and inspiration. It is no right wing hatchet job, but
paints a real life in the struggle for faith and justice seeking maturity in
private life and family that we all face, though for most of us it is seldom
public.
PEACE!
William Sloane Coffin Jr.: A Holy Impatience by
Warren Goldstein Yale U 2004 ISBN 0-300-10221-6
Click here for Gene
TeSelle's review of William Sloane Coffin's new book, Credo.
The Rev.
Bobbie McGarey, being a poet, comments a bit more briefly than some -
and with sharp insight.
The
Rev. John Erthein sees the film as an intense affirmation of the true
humanity of Jesus - and as a cleansing experience.
The Rev.
John Shuck writes that the real passion of Jesus was in his living,
not his dying.
Jeffrey DeYoe expresses
concern about the "blame it on the Jews" interpretation of Jesus' death,
and also wonders "how is it that biblical literalists can embrace a movie
about Jesus in which great portions of the gospel record are corrupted by
the imaginings of a Hollywood mogul, and yet go nuts when mainline
preachers make faithful attempts to set the biblical tradition within a
realistic historical/cultural framework?"
Overture 04-54, from the Presbytery of Eastern Oklahoma,
asks the General Assembly to call on the presidents of Presbyterian
seminaries to "designate scholars in the field of religious pluralism to
form a task force to draft a denominational policy consistent with the
religious pluralism reality in the United States of America and in the
world."
The Office of the General Assembly (OGA) has issued a
"question-and-answer" statement of General Assembly policies and actions
concerning the question of same-sex marriage and civil unions.
Paul Rolf Jensen strikes again, charging a gay minister in
California with being married and marrying others
Another disciplinary case has been filed against an
openly gay woman minister -- this time for having officiated at a civil
ceremony in San Francisco last month featuring an exchange of vows between
two lesbians. The Rev. Ann L. Petker of Berkeley, CA, is accused of
being wed to her lesbian partner one day in mid-February, then conducting
a marriage service for a lesbian couple the next day.
We recently encouraged our
visitors to buy a copy of Credo, the new book by the Rev. William
Sloane Coffin.
One visitor
responded with this note:
Thanks for the tip on Coffin's book. We
are using it, together with the Bill Moyers interview and several of
Coffin's other writings for a clergy study group. It is going very very
well. Tom Philipp
During the recent Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global
Peace with Justice, a four-day conference that started on March 5,
briefing sessions provided participants with information to equip them for
meetings with their legislators.
Alexa Smith of Presbyterian News Service reports on one
briefing session dealing with urgent human rights issues and the negative
effects of the U.S. focus on supporting military action.
The
214th General Assembly called on Presbyterians to become
informed on the health hazards of massive pollution generated by the
nation's coal-fired power plants. It also urged that the government
enforce and improve clean-air legislation.
A March 15 article in the Washington
Post shows some of the complexity of this issue, specifically in
relation to dealing with mercury pollution.
Theme: "AS
JESUS LIVED AND TAUGHT - Developing a Christian Spirituality of
Nonviolence."
ECAPC is
"a movement energized by the belief that the church could turn the world
toward peace if every church lived and taught as Jesus lived and taught."
3/11/04
A shameless and enthusiastic plug for a
terrific book by a great man: Bill Coffin's Credo
Our Star Correspondent in New Jersey, the Rev. Bruce
Gillette, has forwarded a note (apparently from the Church Relations Manager
of the publisher) encouraging people to buy William Sloane Coffin's book,
Credo, which was featured on "NOW with Bill Moyers" this past week.
It's selling so well that a few extra purchases might well
get on the New York Times Bestseller list.
The note forwarded by Bruce Gillette sums it up:
Credo is a wonderful book; one that you will
turn to time and time again. It is full of quotations, lifted from the
public words of an amazingly compassionate, gifted, and inspiring man, who
is now nearing the end of his life. Please help us make this happen for
Rev. Coffin!
So - we encourage you to
take a look at Gene TeSelle's
review of the book, and then if you're so moved, you can buy it by clicking
on the Amazon.com link right here or on the review page. We're making it as easy as
we can for you! Just try to do your shopping by Saturday, March 14.
WebWeaver's note: We don't
know how this will work out, but is it something the Presbyterian Church
should be considering?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Responding to the
escalating cost of prescription drugs, the United Methodist Church has begun
making a drug benefit available to all 8.3 million of its U.S. members.
Through a partnership with prescription
drug and health supply discounter DestinationRx, the denomination is
offering a free card that gives discounts of up to 65 percent on most
prescription drugs and other supplies, such as contact lenses, vitamins and
drugs for pets.
Church World Service (CWS), the global humanitarian agency, on March 8 sent
an initial shipment of emergency food and medicine to Haiti. The
agency is also advocating for U.S. protection of Haitian asylum-seekers.
The Presbyterian Church
has consistently affirmed the importance of respect for human rights, and
each General Assembly receives and considers an update on human rights from
the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.
Julie A. Mertus, professor of human rights at American
University's School of International Service, offers a critical look at the
use of the idea of human rights,
especially in U.S. foreign policy. The author's main point is
that the U.S. and other nations often affirm the concept of human rights,
but use them as a way of justifying their own policies.
What is needed, she says,
is a "culture of human rights" that goes beyond the rhetoric.
The recently formed
Clergy Leadership Network seeks to encourage more progressive
religious leaders to join with others in "working for national leadership
change."
We encourage you to consider the
group as a way to channel your concerns for justice and freedom in our
nation today.
We've been asked for
opinions and comments on "The Passion of the Christ," so we've assembled
links to a variety of resources that you may find helpful in responding to
questions, or in thinking about the film itself if you go to see it.
There's something compelling about a website that guesses
what's in your head. Try a few rounds of this spookily accurate online 20
Questions game. Think of anything, and the site will attempt to "guess" it
in 20 questions or less, asking gems like "is it heavier than a duck?"
Tom Driver, a member of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship,
looks at the recent events in Haiti through the lens of his 20 years of
observing that country, most recently on a visit in 2000. He sees the
removal of President Aristide as the culmination of a long U.S. campaign to
unseat him because he has not been cooperative enough with U.S. desires.
For confirmation of Driver's view, if
you're surprised at his assertion of a U.S. coup d'etat, you
might look
at an essay by Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute
at Columbia University, and a former economic advisor to governments
in Latin America and around the world. His article in the Los
Angeles Times on March 4, is headlined "From His First Day in
Office, Bush Was Ousting Aristide."
Click here for an earlier
Washington Office report on Haiti.
The New York Times, in an editorial on Sunday,
March 7, offered a calm, reasoned look at the emerging changes in our
nation's dealing with same-sex relationships through civil unions and
marriage.
The National Council of
Churches provides links to important events and resources
BRAZIL STUDY SEMINAR is avenue to
Christian fellowship
See details and call Fred Morris at 407-265-7376 for reservations.
http://www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/Brazil.pdf
How are other churches dealing with the challenges of
this very political year?
We offer links to a progressive Catholic perspective,
and to a Baptist writer who outlines practical ways a congregation can
help its members become more informed and active, without being partisan.
Are you aware of other statements
or sources on political views and strategies in other churches or
religious groups?
Please send a note, and we'll share them here!
Frequent Visitor and Witherspoon member Brian "BJ"
Jordan reminds us of the need to keep asking the question "What if ...?"
In this political year (like what year isn't?) the need for vision may be
more urgent than ever.
Your WebWeaver frequently receives
e-mail notes from irate visitors who are offended by sometimes critical
comments or analyses about policies and actions of the United States
government, both at home and around the world. The basic theme of the notes
is often the accusation that we are not showing proper respect to our
President.
Since I believe strongly that respecting other people is
an important way of showing our faith in the God who created them, that
sometimes concerns me.
A recent column in the Faith and Values section of the Minneapolis Star Tribune
helped me clarify my own thinking about this.
Jeremy Iggers, who writes a regular column on ethical
issues, poses the question, "Does the president -- any president -- deserve
our respect simply because he holds the office? (Keep in mind that the
issues raised here also apply to our previous president.) What, if anything,
is 'out of bounds?' "
Witherspoon Issues Analyst Gene TeSelle offers
reflections on what is fast emerging as a Big Issue in the coming election
campaign. He clarifies the differences between questions of what is
legal and what is right -- and the question of using the Constitution to
deal with them.
This issue is still emerging, and there are many
questions. We welcome your comments, to be shared here.
Just send a
note!
The Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory, Director of the
Presbyterian Washington Office, joined a number of people on March 3,
2004, speaking out prior to a Senate hearing on a possible constitutional
amendment to define marriage. Among the other speakers was Sen. Mark
Dayton, D-Minn., who is a Presbyterian, and who spoke against the
amendment.
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) has named a
committee to revise the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s policy on energy --
the first such effort in more than 20 years.
Louisville Presbyterians join tomato pickers in 8-mile
protest march
Presbyterian News Service reports that dozens of
sympathetic Presbyterians participated in a demonstration by over 150
people, including many farmworkers who had come from Florida to march to the
headquarters of Yum! Brands - parent company of Taco Bell - to urge them to
pressure force tomato buyers to improve the wages and working conditions of
farm workers.
The action in California
FoodFirst offers an on-the scene report on the demonstration of the
Coalition of Immokalee Workers at the headquarters of Taco Bell in Irvine,
California, following their stop in Louisville. Food First (along with the
Presbyterian Church) has been supporting the farmworkers in their demands
for decent wages and working conditions.
Brian
Jordan notes his agreement with
our little exploration of truth-telling, saying (among other things)
"The lack of focus on core ideals such as Truth, Love and Honor is exactly
what calls into question the fabric of the community of which we are all a
part."
We've
received a number of comments about our recent thoughts on truth-telling,
including one thoughtful one which the author ask not to be published, and
one which was anonymous, and in line with our custom, we will not publish
it unless the author asks for a special dispensation. But the others
are interesting -- so take a look and add your own comments!
The Washington Office provides a very helpful action
paper on the crisis in Haiti, including a short sketch of the situation
there, background information, and suggestions for action -- as well as
the text of a letter from Stated
Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick to
Interim President Boniface Alexandre, offering support and prayers.
There are also excerpts from previous
General Assembly policy statements on Haiti.
Inspired by the performance of our leaders in Washington,
and by the recent action of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, your
WebWeaver offers some thoughts on the difficult matter of telling the
truth.
"You will know the truth, and the truth will make you
free."
Jesus, as quoted in the Gospel of John 8:32
"There is nothing so powerful as truth - and often
nothing so strange."
Daniel Webster
Writing
in the Nashville Tennessean, noted author and prophetic preacher
Will Campbell says of the government's action in sending Beisswenger to
prison for six months: "When a nation becomes so insecure that it sends
elderly and ill citizens to prison for taking a few steps on native
ground, that nation is in danger of losing its soul."
Paul Seto, a
missionary and pioneer in Muslim-Christian dialogue and a long-time
Witherspooner, has died at the age of 85.
I want to express my appreciation for
the update notices. Thanks to all those who carry out the tasks of
updating the web and then formulating and sending notices of the new
items. I, for one, am grateful for your patient persistence.
Barbara A. Renton
If you'd like to receive e-mail notes
informing you every time we add new material to this website,
just send us a
note. (And if your name isn't obvious from your e-mail address, we'd
appreciate knowing it, too.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
political leaders whose marital lives offer great models.