The Committee on Preparation for Ministry of the Presbytery of San Francisco recently voted by 15 to 5 not to certify Lisa Larges as a candidate for ordination pending a call.

In her meeting with the committee Lisa was asked explicitly whether the long-term committed and covenantal relationship in which she is living "is sexual." She answered with integrity and honesty, affirming once again that her partnership "is a marriage in every sense of that word, before God." [Click here for her full statement to the committee.]

The majority of committee members apparently felt they were compelled by the Presbyterian Book of Order to deny her certification.

In response to this latest denial of ordination to one of our church's many gifted and dedicated lgbt members who believe that God is calling them to ministry, the Executive Committee of the Witherspoon Society offers this comment:

We'd appreciate your comments
on our statement (just below)
or on this situation in general.

Just send a note
and we'll share comments here.

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When honesty and integrity are too hard to tolerate ...
what does that say about our church?

It's a sad time when honesty doesn't pay in the PC(USA). We are deeply saddened when amazing gifts are wasted. We are offended when the gifts of candidates like Lisa Larges are not joyously welcomed.

Once again -- if we need more evidence -- the workings of the Presbyterian Church have shown the profound harm brought to our church by G6.0106b and its uneven application.

What poor stewardship we show when God's exceptional gifts to Lisa Larges are refused by our church. Why? Because she is honest. Honest about who she is. Honest about the committed, loving relationship in which she lives.

We see neat abstractions of "doctrine" and "morality" being used in ways that cause real pain for real human beings.

We are saddened that many people of good will in our church feel forced to reject a person whom they have every reason to respect and value, because of an unjust rule that now establishes unwelcoming policies and practices in our church.

We affirm and respect the courage and integrity of lgbt people who seek ordination, in whatever way they are led by God.

Once again we see that G-6.0106b, the "fidelity and chastity" clause in our constitution, must be removed if our church is to reflect the eternally open, welcoming grace of God.

We know that Christ's life and teachings call us to live in the Spirit of love, not constricted by demands for a ritual purity that closes hearts rather than opens them. It is past time for G-6.0106b to go.

And so we urge our members, and all those in the Presbyterian Church (USA) who would follow the radically loving Christ, to renew and support all efforts to bring new love and new light into our lives as a community of faith, and into our wider society.

The Executive Committee of the Witherspoon Society
April 19, 2004

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Lisa Larges' statement to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Presbytery of San Francisco

These are the vows that Angie and I exchanged at our wedding on December 4^th, 1999. I share these with you first because they most fundamentally define what for us constitutes our marriage.

I promised Angie to: love, honor, and cherish her forever; to share all things with her, both joy and sorrow; to create with her a home that is safe and welcoming; to nurture her spirit and being; and together with her to love and serve God. I promised these things in the presence of our witnesses, and before God.

Living out these vows includes sharing our joys and sorrows, growing in faith together through prayer, and service, sharing financial responsibilities, being good stewards of our resources, creating a welcoming home, loving our families and friends, bearing each others burdens, listening to one another, working things out, caring for and taking care of one another in sickness and times of trouble, challenging one another, making life decisions together, and sharing emotional, spiritual and sexual intimacy. All of these represent parts of our marriage but together or singly do not wholly define it.

I will not deny the fullness of our marriage including all forms of appropriate intimacy. At the same time I will not submit to focusing on the sexual nature of our marriage apart from all the other necessary parts of our relationship. To do so denigrates our marriage, and erodes the covenantal relationship that you and I have as committee and candidate. I believe that my marriage to Angie enriches and expands my capacity to love and serve the Church and I am blessed to have her love and support in following God's call.

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Earlier reports and comments about the CPM denial of certification to Lisa are found on another page, including a statement from That All May Freely Serve, and a comment by  Ray Bagnuolo.

More Light Presbyterians has (have??) also issued a statement.

We'd appreciate your comments
on our statement (above)
or on this situation in general.

Just send a note
and we'll share comments here.