The Rev. Ray Bagnuolo, who describes himself as a gay Presbyterian minister of Word and Sacrament, is currently serving as interim pastor of Palisades (NY) Presbyterian Church.

Over the past few months he has posted six carefully considered and documented papers dealing with the ongoing debate about ordination of lgbt Presbyterians.

Peace Fellowship publishes analysis of peace-related overtures

“Missional church” –  a slogan or a reality?
[5-26-08]

Doug King, editor of Network News and manager of this website, reflects on the term “missional church,” which has appeared frequently in recent discussions of the new Form of Government proposal. The use of the term – especially by some evangelical groups – seems to be a positive description of the “FOG” report, indicating what they see as a more flexible structure that serves the primary purpose of the church, which is mission.

Introducing the Witherspoon Awards Luncheon speaker, the Rev. Carol M. Hovis   [5-26-08]

by Gene TeSelle, Witherspoon Issues Analyst  [5-24-08]

The Rev. Mitchell Trigger, who recently moved to a pastorate in New Jersey, writes out of his discovery of the challenges and the growth that come from living in a religiously diverse community, especially when genuine dialogue begins to take place.

Out of that experience has come a overture to the 218th General Assembly, “On Calling for Tolerance and Peaceful Relations between the Christian and Muslim Communities.”

From Presbyterian News Service

Marsha Mazza, wife of the Rev. D. Carl Mazza, died May 12 in hospice care after a four-year battle with cancer.

In 1981 the Mazzas founded Meeting Ground in Elkton, MD, a ministry to the homeless and other marginalized people. Marsha worked particularly with homeless women and their children as director of the Meeting Ground’s Wayfarers’ House.

Carl Mazza is a candidate for moderator of the upcoming 218th General Assembly in San Jose, CA.

Services for Marsha Mazza were held May 17 at First Presbyterian Church of Chesapeake City, MD.

Witherspoon board member John E. Harris discusses overtures to the 218^th General Assembly which request a more historically faithful, honest, and accurate translation of the Heidelberg Catechism than the one currently in the Book of Confessions.

68 leaders come from 56 presbyteries
[5-7-08]

Coordinator of ACSWP summarizes what's coming   [4-17-08]

The Rev. Dr. Christian T. Iosso, on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy which he staffs, has sent a letter to an e-list of interested people around the church, detailing the reports that ACSWP will be submitting to the Assembly, a little more fully than we have done previously. He has graciously agreed for us to share it here.   He begins:

Dear Friends interested in Social Justice and Social Witness Policy:

At tax time, with a recession taking hold – in the midst of a very exciting political primary season—with two wars grinding on – and before Pentecost, I write to share with you information on a number of items going to this year’s General Assembly and on several other matters. We use links rather than attachments and I urge you to look at the resources made available, especially posted copies of the policies themselves. The core of all this effort is the conviction that the Church must speak and act on matters of grave social concern as part of our witness to Jesus Christ.

Before each General Assembly, the Witherspoon Society sends a letter of welcome to those who will be attending as commissioners or advisory delegates, with the hope of offering a little orientation to the confusing goings-on that they will be encountering, many for the first time.  Even if you're not a commissioner, you may find some of the information interesting and helpful.

The Presbyterian Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy has posted its Reports to the 218th General Assembly (2008):

If you have comments about any of these important reports,
please send a note,
to be shared here!

This list, with added brief summaries of each of the reports, is now posted on the JustPresbys website.
Click here to see it.

This request comes to us from Lyndsey King, Cokesbury’s Event & Conference Coordinator:

In order for Cokesbury to supply the best possible resources for the 218th General Assembly, we need your help by suggesting books to have there for sale. Please take a few minutes to fill out the information on the attached form and return it via e-mail, fax or mail by Friday, May 2, 2008. Remember to include ISBN, title, author, and publisher. Looking forward to seeing you in San Jose!

Many Thanks,

[4-5-08]

Vicki Moss, our long-time Gracious Hostess at the booth, is looking for folks who can spend some time meeting and greeting people who come by the booth, helping them with any questions or concerns, introducing them to the materials and events that we will be providing ... and whatever else comes along.

Vicki adds this powerful inducement: “The rewards of volunteering are boothsitting the coolest buttons at GA, having a permanent address for the length of time one volunteers, talking carpentry with our Amish neighbors [who will be in the booth next to ours], meeting all the hip YADs, and building hype for/reminiscing about the Witherspoon Dance.”

The Exhibit Hall (and our booth) will be open during these hours:

We encourage you to sign up for two-hour slots. If you’re interested, please contact the Rev. Victoria Moss, in New York City.

In posting on the JustPresbys website a variety of resources dealing with overtures coming to the 218^th GA, we invited responses and comments.  This communication, and the long essay which it introduces, seem to offer both a thoughtful response and a call for action.  We welcome your comments!  Just send a note, to be shared here.

Dear Friends:

GA218 has the promise to become a time for the PC(USA) truly to move beyond the obstacles of exclusion of our LGBT sisters and brothers, and into the time of healing and mission that awaits a powerfully united church, even if not in total agreement.

The attached article: "Moving Beyond The Theological Task Force Report: A Call for Progressive Advocates to Unify for GA 218" is written with the hopes that we can find a way to work as one in this time leading to GA, at the Assembly, and following its decisions. Please take some time to review its contents and then decide how you might encourage the advocacy groups you support to unite.

You may also download the document in PDF or Word format at www.raybagnuolo.net . Additionally, your thoughts are welcome in response to this Email or through the blog at www.bagnuolo.blogspot.com .

I invite you to distribute this, as you wish.

In peace,

Ray Bagnuolo, Minister of the Word and Sacrament
Interim Minister, Palisades Presbyterian Church
Presbytery of Hudson River
Ordained as an Openly Gay Man, November 2005

We have just revived the JustPresbys website that was created two years ago for the 217^th GA.  It will begin you news and commentary from six cooperating progressive Presbyterian organizations:  the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, More Light Presbyterians, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, That All May Freely Serve, the Witherspoon Society, and Voices of Sophia.

Click here for the home page, and take a little look around.  There's not a lot posted there, but more will be coming!

One page you may want to look at is the schedule of events at GA, both official and unofficial, with links to further information on some of those scheduled by the progressive groups.

There will be a special opportunity to meet with the Rev. Joel Ruml, Moderator of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB), our Presbyterian counterparts in the Czech Republic. Luncheon on Tuesday, June 24^th, signup at the GA – look for announcements. Learn how a Christian church survived under a communist regime and how they are dealing with a completely new understanding of "church" in a country that is self-defined as "the most atheistic in Europe." 

Since late November 2007, a total of four Presbyterians have declared their interest in serving as Moderator of the 218^th General Assembly when it gathers in June in San Jose, and for the following two years.

The Witherspoon Society has a practice of not endorsing any candidate for the position, but we do want to provide basic information on the candidates, and help our readers to find more information, especially if they will be serving as GA commissioners with the responsibility for electing the Moderator at the beginning of the Assembly.

We are providing now the Presbyterian News Service reports of each candidacy as it was announced, along with links to the websites of the candidates. We encourage you to get in touch with any or all of the candidates through their websites, asking your questions and letting them know your concerns and convictions.

Also, we will soon be sending a short list of questions to each of the candidates, seeking their responses to be published in the Spring 2008 issue of our newsletter, Network News, which will be sent to all commissioners and advisory delegates, and will also be posted here.

The four candidates are listed here in the order in which they announced their candidacies. They are:

We invite any and all of the candidates to submit occasional "think pieces" of their own for posting here, although we may need to exercise some editorial judgment to insure that submissions from no one candidate too far out-weigh those from the others.  

And you our readers are invited to share comments as well -- as long as they are not [in the opinion of your WebWeaver!] in bad taste, overly hostile or personal, or mere "campaign speeches" for or against any one candidate.

by Toya Richards Hill, Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE – February 14, 2008 – The key issues coming before the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) were outlined here Wednesday (Feb. 13) during a joint meeting of the General Assembly Council (GAC) Executive Committee and the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA).

“There are a number of critical items,” the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly, told the joint group assembled. Both bodies also are conducting business separately this week.

Topping a “Preliminary Top 10 List” are a new form of government and steps toward partnership in world mission.

The Form of Government Task Force (FOGTF), created by the 217th GA (2006), will bring its recommendations for a revised polity to the upcoming assembly meeting June 21-28 in San Jose, CA.

The group is recommending that the Book of Order be amended by substituting a new section entitled “Foundations of Presbyterian Polity” for Chapters I-IV of the current Form of Government. Also recommended is that Chapters 1-6 of a new Form of Government be substituted for Chapters V-XVIII of the current Form of Government.

Partnership in world mission also is expected to be a primary issue addressed by the GA, which will hear the results of a consultation on the issue called for by the previous assembly.

“Renewed Call to Presbyterian Mission in the World! A Dialogue for Our Shared Future,” held Jan. 16-18, brought together leaders from the PC(USA)’s World Mission program unit and a host of other Presbyterian-related groups that do mission.

In a climate where mission is being done by a plethora of bodies with less reliance on the national church for mission sending, consultation planners sought to find common ground via a shared set of core values and practices, and to find a way to move ahead together.

The result of the consultation, held in Dallas, was the document “An Invitation to Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission,” signed by all the participants.

“I was just filled with emotion” after reading the consultation’s document during the gathering, Linda Bryant Valentine, executive director of the GAC, told the joint meeting between COGA and the GAC Executive Committee.

“It was just this sense of unity, … of joining together,” she said. “It was just a precious, precious time.”

The other key issues on the “Top 10 List” of issues facing the GA are:

    * Ecumenical stance and covenants: Action is expected on a wide variety of ecumenical concerns.

    * Peace, unity and purity: This will include proposals to reconsider some or all of the actions of the 217th GA regarding recommendations made by the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity (PUP) of the Church.

    * The Belhar Confession: The assembly will be asked to act on a proposal to take the first step toward adding the confession to the Book of Order.

    * Middle East concerns: Overtures and proposals related to peace and justice issues regarding Israel/Palestine and Iraq will be addressed.

    * Elections: A new GA moderator and stated clerk will be elected.

    * Ordination exams: The issue will be looked at in the context of the self study of the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations, which calls for a special study to identify new directions for the exams and the partnership between presbyteries, seminaries and the GA.

    * Domestic social justice concerns: Various social justice issues will come before the assembly, including the adoption of a new Social Creed and policy papers on serious mental illness, energy and global warming, and pay equity for women.

    * A church for future generations: Two assembly committees will be charged with doing “generative” thinking for the church.

Approved in Stated Meeting February 2, 2008

Brought to Presbytery by the Sessions of the First Presbyterian Church, Albany; First United Presbyterian Church, Troy; Presbyterian—New England Congregational Church, Saratoga Springs; United Church of Greenwich; St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, Spencertown.

                        1. Provide the following authoritative interpretation:

Interpretative statements concerning ordained service of homosexual church members by the 190^th General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the 119^th General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and all subsequent affirmations thereof, have no further force or effect.

                        2. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: 

                            Shall G-6.0106b be stricken?”

Rationale:

1. The present categorical exclusion of certain church members from service in ordained office is unjust to the excluded individuals and spiritually damaging to the body of the church. It creates a category of “second-class membership” and fosters the heretical attitude that those assigned to this category are not really deserving of membership at all, i.e., are not Christians. Profession of faith in Jesus Christ is and must be the only requirement for church membership (Book of Order G-5.0103). Any policy that promotes erosion of this principle does damage to the Body of Christ.

2. According to the Book of Order, “a faithful member accepts Christ’s call to be involved in the ministry of his Church” (G-5.0102), including “participating in the governing responsibilities of the church” (G-5.0102e). G-6.0106b, which bars an entire class of persons from participating in some of the most important areas of church governance, violates the conditions of membership and sets the Book of Order in contradiction with itself.

3. Ordination is an important qualification for participation in the discernment process that sustains the spiritual life of the church at all judicatory levels. Our goal is not to “make” decisions, but to seek to discern God’s intention for us. It has been a long-standing article of faith in our tradition that discernment requires a democratic inclusion of many voices. To rule out certain voices in advance as ineligible is both undemocratic and unjust. True reconciliation that seeks to restore peace, unity, and purity to the church is possible only between equals who mutually share access to power and who acknowledge that all power, ultimately, comes from God.

4. When Christians fall into two sides through disagreement, all involved are obliged to think charitably of those on the opposite side. If G-6.0106b is removed from the Book of Order, the “losers” will not have lost their status as full members of the church, eligible to participate in all decisions, including future decisions about ordination on an individual basis. On the other hand, if G-6.0106b remains in the Book of Order, the “losers” will continue to feel that their very humanity has been cast in doubt by a church that condemns what they understand to be their God-given nature. Deletion of G-6.0106b will honor everyone as a child of God and will permit the assignment of particular duties on the basis of the particular gifts that God has granted.

Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley passes overture to endorse “Amman Call” for Arab-Israeli peace.

Overture to the 218^th General Assembly

 Recommendation

 The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley recommends that, as a constituent member church of the World Council of Churches, the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), meeting in San Jose, CA, June 21-28, 2008, endorse the World Council of Churches’ “Amman Call,” regarding Arab-Israeli peace, issued at the Council’s International Peace Conference, entitled "Churches together for Peace and Justice in the Middle East," at Amman, Jordan, 18-20 June 2007, and keep other actions consistent with the Amman Call’s recommendations.

 Rationale

(The complete statement is found below.)

 A. This document contains ideas that are basic to the Church’s efforts to be faithful to the Gospel call that we be peacemakers, with specific interest in that region where the events central to our faith took place. For instance, it begins with the following statement of “imperatives.”

 1. Almost sixty years have passed since the Christian churches first spoke with one voice about Arab-Israeli peace. For the last forty years the Christian churches have called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. In the very place where Jesus Christ walked upon the earth, walls now separate families and the children of God - Christian, Muslim and Jew -- are imprisoned in a deepening cycle of violence, humiliation and despair. The Palestinian Christians from Gaza to Jerusalem and to Nazareth, have called out to their brothers and sisters in Christ with this urgent plea: "Enough is enough. No more words without deeds. It is time for action."

 2. We welcome the timely and prophetic statement of the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. We affirm that "the Churches are part of the conflict, because the Churches cannot remain silent while there is still suffering. The role of the Churches is to heal and to bring all sides to reconciliation." Our belief in God reminds us "that all God's children of all religions and political parties are to be respected." We assure the Churches of Palestine and Israel of our prayers, collaboration and resources.

 3. Thus, in Amman, Jordan 18-20 June 2007, days that have witnessed a deepening of the crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories, and also includes the United Nations World Refugee Day, we representatives of Christian churches and church-related organizations from every corner of the earth, affirm the decision of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and launch the "Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum" as an instrument to "catalyze and co-ordinate new and existing church advocacy for peace, aimed at ending the illegal occupation in accordance with UN resolutions, and demonstrate its commitment to inter-religious action for peace and justice that serves all the peoples of the region."

 4. This action has been taken in response to three fundamental imperatives that call us to action:

     * The ethical and theological imperative for a Just Peace
    * The ecumenical imperative for unity in action
    * The Gospel imperative for costly solidarity

B. Among the “challenges” that come from the Churches of Palestine and Israel and to which the statement calls us to respond are these:

 Act with us to liberate all peoples of this land from the logic of hatred, mutual rejection and death, so that they see in the other the face and dignity of God.

 Add your hope to ours in the knowledge that evil and despair have been overcome through the death of our Lord on the Cross and through His Resurrection.

 Partner with us as we seek peace and pursue it. Peace is possible. Christians and Muslims and Jews have, can and will understand one another and live together as neighbors.

 C. The General Assembly would do well to endorse this statement as furthering the long-standing efforts of the PC(USA) for a just peace in the Middle East, and to be informed especially of activities of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum, and about any other ecumenical or interfaith initiatives that would complement the goal of a just and lasting peace.

The Amman Call

 issued at WCC International Peace Conference "Churches together for Peace and Justice in the Middle East"

Amman, Jordan, 18-20 June 2007

Amman imperatives:  

1. Almost sixty years have passed since the Christian churches first spoke with one voice about Arab-Israeli peace. For the last forty years the Christian churches have called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. In the very place where Jesus Christ walked upon the earth, walls now separate families and the children of God - Christian, Muslim and Jew -- are imprisoned in a deepening cycle of violence, humiliation and despair. The Palestinian Christians from Gaza to Jerusalem and to Nazareth, have called out to their brothers and sisters in Christ with this urgent plea: "Enough is enough. No more words without deeds. It is time for action."

 2. We welcome the timely and prophetic statement of the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. We affirm that "the Churches are part of the conflict, because the Churches cannot remain silent while there is still suffering. The role of the Churches is to heal and to bring all sides to reconciliation." Our belief in God reminds us "that all God's children of all religions and political parties are to be respected." We assure the Churches of Palestine and Israel of our prayers, collaboration and resources.

 3. Thus, in Amman, Jordan 18-20 June 2007, days that have witnessed a deepening of the crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories,and also includes the United Nations World Refugee Day, we representatives of Christian churches and church-related organizations from every corner of the earth, affirm the decision of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and launch the "Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum" as an instrument to "catalyze and co-ordinate new and existing church advocacy for peace, aimed at ending the illegal occupation in accordance with UN resolutions, and demonstrate its commitment to inter-religious action for peace and justice that serves all the peoples of the region."

 4. This action has been taken in response to three fundamental imperatives that call us to action:

     * The ethical and theological imperative for a Just Peace
    * The ecumenical imperative for unity in action
    * The Gospel imperative for costly solidarity

5. The premises of this action are the following:

5.1. That UN resolutions are the basis for peace and the Geneva conventions are applicable to the rights and responsibilities of the affected people.

 5.2. That Palestinians have the right of self-determination and the right of return.

 5.3. That a two-state solution must be viable politically, geographically economically and socially.

 5.4 That Jerusalem must be an open, accessible, inclusive and shared city for the two peoples and three religions.

 5.5 That both Palestine and Israel have legitimate security needs.

 5.6. That the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal, and constitute an obstacle to peace.

 5.7. That the "Separation Barrier" constructed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories is a grave breach of international law and must be removed from the occupied territory.

 5.8. That there is no military solution for this conflict. Violence in all its forms cannot be justified whether perpetrated by Israelis or Palestinians.

 5.9. That comprehensive regional peace is indivisible from a just peace in Israel and Palestine.

 5.10. That the life and witness of local churches is at the center of worldwide church advocacy for a just peace.

 6. We understand the mandate of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum to be a space where we will develop comprehensive strategic approaches to the two processes of peace making and peace building. An inclusive core group convened urgently by the WCC should be mandated to facilitate this and also ensure improved coordination between all actors. The core group will be informed by the reports of the working groups of the Amman conference, and that its composition and mechanism be designed and announced by the WCC.

 7. Peace building will include the following:

 7.1. Furthering theological and biblical perspectives and Christian education resources around those issues central to the conflict.

 7.2. Developing strategies that will support the processes of justice and reconciliation, including inter-religious dialogue and cooperation.

 7.3. Strengthening the churches' responses to the occupation.

 7.4. Recognizing, encouraging and cooperating with all efforts of Israeli and Palestinian civil society that are in accord with the vision and goals of the PIEF.

 8. Peace making will include the following:

 8.1. Defining and promoting measures, including economic ones, that could help end the occupation and enhance sustainable growth and development.

 8.2. Strengthening existing efforts and identifying new models of church solidarity in action. Supporting local churches and church related organizations not only to survive and continue their powerful ministries, including educational, health, cultural and social services, but also to thrive and be witnesses of hope.

 8.3. Developing a long-term advocacy strategy in order to mobilize all of our constituencies and influence change.

 Amman challenges:

 9. We have heard the voices of the Christian churches of Palestine and Israel challenging and saying to us:

 9.1. Act with us to liberate all peoples of this land from the logic of hatred, mutual rejection and death, so that they see in the other the face and dignity of God.

 9.2. Pray with us in our efforts to resist evil in all of its guises.

 9.3. Raise your voices along with ours as we speak "truth to power" and name with courage the injustices we see and experience. The illegal occupation has stolen two generations of lives in this tortured place, and threatens the next with hopelessness and rage.

 9.4. Risk the curses and abuse that will be aimed at you and stand in solidarity with us and with our Palestinian brothers and sisters of all faiths as we defiantly reject the possibility that occupation will continue.

 9.5. Help us to tear down walls and build and rebuild bridges among all peoples in the region. Extremism on all sides produces chaos. It threatens to divide us and to destroy bridges among peoples that would lead to reconciliation and peace.

 9.6. Add your hope to ours in the knowledge that evil and despair have been overcome through the death of our Lord on the Cross and through His Resurrection.

 9.7. Insist with us that all dispossessed peoples, all refugees, have the right to return.

 9.8. Partner with us as we seek peace and pursue it. Peace is possible. Christians and Muslims and Jews have, can and will understand one another and live together as neighbors.

 10. And we representatives of Christian churches and church-related organizations from every corner of the earth, we respond:

 11. Yes, we will. Together we will act and pray and speak and work and risk reputations and lives to build with you bridges for an enduring peace among the peoples of this tortured and beautiful place –Palestine and Israel– to end these decades of injustice, humiliation and insecurity, to end the decades of living as refugees and under occupation. We will work with you to seek peace and pursue it. We have allowed too much time to pass. Time has not served the cause of peace but has served the cause of extremism. This is our urgent cause that cannot wait.

At its Stated Meeting September 18, 2007, the Heartland Presbytery passed the following overture to the 218th General Assembly:

Heartland Presbytery
Mission Outreach and Social Justice Division

Overture. Heartland Presbytery overtures the 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to do the following:

1. Reaffirm the statements of the 183rd, 187th, 192nd, 193rd, 195th, 196th, 199th, 201st, 202nd, 204th, 205th, 206th, 208th, 210th, 211th, 213th, 215, and 216th General Assemblies (1971, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003. 2006) reflecting the determination of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that protection of the environment is an essential part of the Christian faith.

2. Direct the Director of the General Assembly Council to reinstate the Office of Environmental Justice in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as a vital and integral part of the ministry and mission of the Church to help protect and save God’s creation.

Rationale:

The Office of Environmental Justice has served as a vital link between the General Assembly Office and the local church, providing essential leadership and resources. The office/staff have served to interpret environmental issues, stewardship of creation issues, and to help put into action the other resolutions the church has already put into place. The office was removed at a time critical to sustaining the planet and life on earth as we know it.

Scripture proclaims, "You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." (Nehemiah 9:6) Ours is a God concerned not only with humanity but all of creation, a God whose spirit is the breath of all life and whose glory is manifest in the creation we share.

The Book of Order (W-7.5001a) states that God calls the Church in the power of the Holy Spirit to participate in God’ work of creation and preservation. In (W-7.5003), it reminds us that we are stewards of God’s creation who hold the earth in trust…

Justice, peace and the environment are interrelated. Whenever we humans abuse the environment, whenever we engage in non-sustainable consumption of our earth's finite resources, we are not only endangering the future of life on our planet, but we are committing acts of violence and injustice against other life -- both present and future. Protecting and restoring creation is central to our own survival.

Caring for the environment is another way to care for people. We care about people who are hungry and impoverished as well as people who are the victims of pollution and resource depletion; we care about people who share the planet with us today as well as future generations. When we think of loving and caring for our neighbor as Jesus taught us, let us realize that we all live upwind and upstream from someone else -- both in time and space. Ecosystems and people systems are intricately interwoven and interconnected, forming the tapestry of life.

We in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have a rich tradition of justice and reverence for life. Included in our mission is responsible and faithful stewardship of God’s earth. We have been commanded to tend the garden.

Historical References

In 1954, the Presbyterian Church stated:

We call upon the Christian conscience to recognize that our stewardship of the earth and water involves both a land-use program that recognizes the interdependence of soil, water and man and the development of a responsible public policy which will resist the exploitation of land, water, and other natural resources, including forests, for selfish purposes and maintain intelligent conservation for the sustenance of all living creatures through future generations (PCUSA, 1954, p. 198).

This stewardship commitment has been repeated and reaffirmed by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessors, as follows:

1967    The Confession of 1967 stresses the justice of sharing resources and the interdependence of resources and living creatures.

1971    The 183rd General Assembly accepted the Christian Responsibility for Environmental Renewal statement that calls for a new order of values based on an "eco-ethic" and a Statement on Environmental Renewal. (UPCUSA, 1971, pp. 578-583)

1975    A recommendation is made to the 187th General Assembly to affirm advocacy of the protection of wildlife areas and parklands. (UPCUSA, 1975, p.59)

1980    The 192nd General Assembly votes to (1) develop educational resources on the adverse impact that careless technology has on the environment and health of the unborn; (2) instruct the Board of Investment Committee to review corporate responsibility regarding manufacture of dioxins. (PCUS, 1980, p.56)

1981    The 193rd General Assembly pledges support of the United Nations Drinking Water and Sanitation Decade, 1981-1990, calling upon Presbyterians to develop lifestyles that are consistent with the necessity to conserve water. (UPCUSA, 1981, p. 254)

1983    The 195th General Assembly urges the session of each congregation in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to consider making a "Commitment to Peacemaking" that included "making peace with the earth -- involve the congregation in efforts to protect and restore the environment."

1984    The 196th General Assembly calls upon Congress of the United States to reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide and the oxides of nitrogen to a level that will protect the most sensitive environment and states that human stewardship is not a "dominion of mastery" and calls us to exercise respect for the integrity of natural systems and for the limits that nature places on economic growth and material consumption. (PC(U.S.A.), 1984, p.349)

1987    The 199th General Assembly votes to urge the United States government to assure acceptable disposal sites for high-level nuclear waste. It also votes to urge each Presbytery and local church to encourage and support alternatives to pesticides and support the victims of pesticide poisoning. (PC(U.S.A.), 1987, p. 796)

1988    The Environmental Justice Office is created to study past environmental policies of the United Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbyterian Church in the United States to create a combined report of environmental concerns for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Environmental Justice Office is a ministry of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), lodged in the National Ministries Division, Social Justice Program Area, and is now actively involved in creation care and environmental justice issues.

1989    The 201st General Assembly calls for governments to strengthen regulations and enforcement regarding transportation of oil and hazardous substances, in response to the Exxon-Valdez tanker spill in 1989. (PC(U.S.A.), 1989, p. 642)

1990    The 202nd General Assembly passes "Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice" affirming "creation cries out in this time of ecological crises," calling the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to respond to this cry and engage in an effort to make the 1990s the "turnaround decade," providing the foundation for the work of the Environmental Justice Office. Also, the 202nd General Assembly calls attention to the problem of global warming and encourages the United States government to take steps toward incorporating environmental damage and depletion into "full-cost pricing." (PC(U.S.A.), 1990, p.646-670).

The Affirmation of Faith from that General Assembly noted that “Restoring Creation is God’s own work in our time”,….and that “The love of neighbor, particularly “the least” of Christ’s brothers and sisters, requires action to stop the poisoning, the erosion, the wastefulness that are causing suffering and death.—The future of our children and their children and all who come after is at stake. In this critical time of transition to a new era, God’s new doing may be discerned as a call to earth-keeping, to justice, and to community.”

1992    The 204th General Assembly directs all future General Assemblies to print all official reports on recycled and recyclable paper and to direct all related bodies to use recycled and recyclable paper for all reports and publication. (PC(U.S.A.), 1992, p.846)

1993    The 205th General Assembly reaffirms the "Call to Restore Creation", receives the document "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity" as a prophetic word to the church, urges President Clinton to follow new policies from the Earth Summit and directs the Social Justice and Peacemaking Unit to advocate for policies that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions. (PC(U.S.A.), 1993, pp. 896-897)

1994    The 206th General Assembly, within the context of its "Resolution on the United States in Its Asia-Pacific Relations", listed five basic principles by which past General Assemblies have been guided related to international affairs. One of the principles, and the resolution that follow it, relates specifically to the environment. "The General Assembly has advocated new understanding of the relationship among human life, institutions, and the total stewardship and care for the planet, which is the common heritage of all peoples . ."(PC(U.S.A.), 1994, pg. 310)

1996    The 208th General Assembly adopts the paper Hope for a Global Future: Toward Just and Sustainable Human Development as policy for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Just and sustainable human development is the comprehensive enhancement of the quality of life for all, present and future; it necessarily involves the integration of economic, social, political, cultural, ecological, and spiritual dimensions of being.

1998    The 210th General Assembly calls upon the United States to ratify the protocol negotiated in Kyoto and urges Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and institutions to pursue energy efficiency and conservation in their buildings and property.

1999    The 211th General Assembly again calls upon the U.S. to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, urges the United States to go beyond Kyoto targets for carbon dioxide emission reductions, directs the Presbyterian Center in Louisville and all other properties of the General Assembly to minimize fossil fuel energy (along with urging local congregations to do the same), and directs the General Assembly to promote education regarding global warming and other environmental concerns. (PC(U.S.A.), 1999, pp. 669-670)

2001    The 213th General Assembly calls to issue and disseminate the Call to Halt Mass Extinction. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) calls Presbyterians, other citizens, governments, and societal institutions to face the severity of this threat and to take steps to prevent mass extinction and preserve the biodiversity essential to the flourishing of life. (PC(U.S.A.), 2001, pp. 473-475)

2003    The 215th General Assembly calls on the United States government to join the world effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to develop and enact a national emergency response, underwritten by law, with adequate financial support, and economic enforcement mechanism, to be fully functioning by 2005, with targeted reductions by that time. (PC(U.S.A.), 2003, p. 617)

2006. The 216^th General Assembly asked that votes that the Church ask its members to “make a bold witness by aspiring to carbon neutral lives”. It was noted that “without significant changes in public policy and corporate behavior to complement actions of personal discipleship, massive and irreversible climate changes will only accelerate over the next century.” (PC(U.S.A.) Memorandum; Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy Dec 4, 2006)

Are you looking for a hint of changes to come in the style of the coming 218^th General Assembly? When the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) met recently, it sought to follow a directive of the 217^th Assembly by using a "discernment model" for decision-making rather than the traditional parliamentary procedures.

The Rev. Ray Bagnuolo has sent this introduction of an overture that is being submitted to the Presbytery of Hudson River:
 

On Monday, September 10, 2007, the Faith & Order Committee of the Presbytery of Hudson River, New York, will consider an Overture from the Palisades Presbyterian Church, New York, for the deletion of G-6.0106b and a New Authoritative Interpretation, which would remove the amendment and language from the Book of Order that is most frequently used to prevent sisters and brothers who are Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) from serving as leaders in the PC(USA).

The committee will consider the options available, which include sending the overture to the September 18^th meeting of the Presbytery at the Presbyterian Center at Holmes, Holmes, NY. If approved, it would then be sent to the Office of the General Assembly as an overture to the 218^thGeneral Assembly to be held in San Jose, California, June 21 - 28, 2008.

The Presbytery of Hudson River is in a unique position to lead in moving the overture, which is virtually the same as the Heartland Overture with which it concurred prior to the 217^th General Assembly. The presbytery has long been a supporter of amendments for the deletion of G-6.0106b, as well as calling openly LGBT individuals to serve in positions of leadership. If the overture is sent to the September meeting of the Presbytery and approved, it would provide other presbyteries across the country with an opportunity to concur, and ample time to meet the 120 day deadline prior to the General Assembly, the cut-off for overtures and concurrences.

In presenting the Palisades, NY, Overture, which could become the Hudson River Overture, it is hoped that a clear and focused debate will take place on G-6.0106b and the Authoritative Interpretation, a conversation which has been somewhat obscured by other legislation over the last several years. It is believed that even those who might oppose the deletion of G-6.0106b, while voting against the overture, will find some measure of willingness to move forward since such proposed legislation would refocus the conversation on the amendments of Constitution, rather than interpretation of the Book of Order using such methods as "scrupling," based on the 1724 Adoption Act. While these methods and others recommended by such reports as the Theological Task Force of Peace Unity and Purity are important considerations, the continued presence of G-6.0106b and the Authoritative Interpretation are deep wounds to the church that cannot begin to truly heal until they are removed.

The overture is a prayer, in itself, for healing and finding ways to move ahead with our differences, rather than drawing lines to separate us.

We ask for your prayers as we move forward over the next several days. We welcome your comments, which will be passed along to the committee, and we thank you for entering into this sacred place into which the Spirit has led us.

In hope, prayer, and peace,

Ray Bagnuolo, Openly Gay Minister of the Word and Sacrament
Palisades Presbyterian Church, Interim Minister

Attachment: Copy of the Palisades, NY Overture (Heartland-based Overture)

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:

If you like what you find here,
we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and growing!

Please consider making a special contribution -- large or small -- to help us continue and improve this service.

Click here to send a gift online, using your credit card, through PayPal.

Or send your check, made out to "Presbyterian Voices for Justice" and marked "web site," to our PVJ Treasurer:

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

Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:

John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive

Got more blogs to recommend?