"Three Sisters" pledge to continue efforts toward inclusion

Media release from Donna Riley (More Light Presbyterians) and Paul Peterson (That All May Freely Serve)

Richmond, VA -July 2, 2004 - More Light Presbyterians, That All May Freely Serve, and The Shower of Stoles Project join together in lamenting the refusal of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to lift the barriers to ordination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Presbyterians. "The church has once again chosen divisiveness by turning its back on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Presbyterians. If the church wants peace and unity, they have to start with justice," said Donna Riley, More Light Presbyterians Co-moderator.

By a vote of 259-255, the Assembly rejected a proposal for a new Authoritative Interpretation from the General Assembly that would have declared that ordaining bodies are not bound by the statements of the General Assembly and its commissions regarding the ordination of "homosexual persons." It would have effectively nullified the Authoritative Interpretations of the General Assembly prior to the passage of G-6.0106b in the Book of Order. The Assembly refused to even consider an overture that would have deleted G-6.0106b, which requires candidates for ministry to observe "fidelity in the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness."

"Some day the church will do justice toward God's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people," said Rev. Janie Spahr, director of That All May Freely Serve. "This is not a matter of whether, but when. The tragedy is how many more people will leave the church in the mean-time. For those who deny us ordination, this is just another issue. For us, it is our lives," said Rev. Spahr.

Immediately following the narrow vote, the moderator asked Isaiah Jones to lead the Assembly in singing "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me." Responding to the evident pain in the room, Assembly Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase recessed the Assembly and invited those so moved to join LGBT Presbyterians in a vigil outside the meeting hall. This vigil of prayer, witness, and resistance will be continued in churches nationwide between now and the next assembly in 2006. The moderator offered a prayer for the group and led the benediction at the gathering attended by several hundred people, including Vice Moderator Jean Marie Peacock, newly re-elected Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick, and many commissioners, advisory delegates, and observers.

Our God is the God of justice and of kindness; God of power and of love. Let us pray to our God.

(One) We pray for our church. We pray for the peace, unity and purity of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

(Many) We must have justice to know peace; we must have love to enjoy unity; we must have integrity to achieve purity.

(One) We pray for our congregations. We pray for the strength, growth and prosperity of our churches.

(Many) We must build churches that are true communities of hospitality. A church that benefits some at the expense of others is a scandal to the Gospel. We find strength in standing with the oppressed. We enjoy growth through overcoming oppression in the world. We know prosperity when we affirm that no one is expendable.

(One) We pray for your people O God. We pray that in obedience to God's grace in Jesus Christ, we might continue to work for an ever broader and more inclusive church.

(Many) We are called to be a sign in and for the World of the new reality which God has made available to people in Jesus Christ - a new creation, a new beginning for human life in the world: * Sin is forgiven * Reconciliation is accomplished * The dividing walls of hostility are torn down.

Therefore we hold fast to the certainty that justice knows no season; justice cannot wait.

(One) Many will say "not now - later." "Be patient: the time is not right."

(Many) Justice knows no season and justice cannot wait.

(One) In witness to the risen Christ - the living, breathing spirit of God - We affirm that the time has come to stand for and with those denied full participation in our church: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians whom God has called to ministry.

(Many) Justice knows no season. Justice cannot wait.

The Time is Now.
 

A prayer offered to the movement by Lisa Larges and Marco Grimaldo, and read in a vigil of prayer, witness and resistance following the defeat during the 2004 GA.

GA actions ratified (or not) by  the presbyteries   

A number of the most important actions of the 219^th 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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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!

Voices of Sophia blog

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John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive

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