Click here for items on sexual justice posted from mid-2008 through 2009.

Items on sexual justice from past years are archived:

On Tuesday, November 18, John Knox Presbytery voted 77 to 23 (or maybe 71 to 23 – accounts vary) that Scott Anderson’s “affirmation of conscience” as an out gay man, does not violate any essential tenet of the Reformed faith. The Presbytery then voted to enroll Anderson as a candidate for ordination.

When two ministers called on Anderson to speak about his “sexual practice,” another presbyter objected that this line of questioning was inappropriate, and the matter was not pursued.

A personal note: Your WebWeaver thinks “affirmation of conscience” is a much better term than “scruple” (sounding a bit medieval) or “departure” (sounding a bit like what is so often delayed at airports).

The full text of Anderson’s Affirmation of Conscience, in PDF format >>

Presbyterian Outlook provides a good report on the meeting >>

Blame for Prop 8

A memo from Kathryn Kolbert, president of People for the America Way and herself "a mother who has raised two children in a 30-year relationship with another woman," rejects charges by some gay activists who are blaming black Californians for Prop 8's passage.

She says that responsibility for passage of the renewed denial of same-sex marriage rests not with African American voters, but with the Religious Right – and she calls for a forward-looking strategy.

Read her memo here >>

Here is one summary of exit poll reports on the Prop 8 vote, from CNN >>

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PFLAG promises:

"[T]he broad coalition of Americans who support fundamental rights for everyone will continue to work towards a day when the dignity of every American is respected."

This is a note from Jody Huckaby of PFLAG (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) National:

November 6, 2008

Dear PFLAG Family & Friends,

Earlier today our allies in California confirmed that they believe voters have approved Proposition 8, a measure that rolls back marriage equality in the nation's most populous state.

While our families have encountered a heartbreaking obstacle on the road to full equality in California, the broad coalition of Americans who support fundamental rights for everyone will continue to work towards a day when the dignity of every American is respected. Families are defined by a love, and a commitment, that is beyond the barriers of a ballot. No struggle for equality is won easily, and great strides do not come without great strife. They also, however, require the great strength necessary to push forward in the wake of disappointment and persevere in the face of pain.

On Tuesday, millions of Californians stood with our families and valiantly tried to beat back a mean-spirited, un-American attack on LGBT people. While we fell short of the majority we needed to prevail, each time the public has addressed this issue, those who stand with us grow in number. A decade ago, it would have been unthinkable that so many people would have endorsed marriage equality at the ballot box. If we continue the critical work we began this year, it will be unthinkable, a decade from now, that anyone would not.

All of us at PFLAG remain committed to securing the rights our families and loved ones deserve. With a new Administration and new Congress in Washington, there are many reasons to believe that we will soon prevail. As Dr. King to eloquently reminded us, "[T]he arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." On Tuesday, millions of Californians tilted that arc a little bit closer to liberty, and we must now commit ourselves to finding the strength we need to finish the work they have begun.

Sincerely,

Jody M. Huckaby
PFLAG National Executive Director

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A new legal wrinkle: Legality of Same-Sex Marriage Ban Challenged     [11-12-08]

Ashley Surdin reports in The Washington Post: "The future of same-sex marriage in the Golden State will rest, once again, in the hands of its highest court. But this time, its fate will hinge on a different question: Can a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage go before voters? Or must it go before the legislature first?"   The full story >>

Two Presbyterian witness events for marriage equality – and against the discriminatory California Proposition 8 – will be held in Los Angeles and San Francisco on October 28

From More Light Presbyterians:

Please join the Presbyterian Witness Event for Marriage Equality and to Say No to Prop 8 near you, either in Los Angeles or California on Tuesday, October 28 at noon. These events are being organized by California Faith for Equality and Covenant Network of Presbyterians, and supported by PEP, the Presbyterian Equality Project of More Light Presbyterians.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation’s Institute for Welcoming Resources (IWR) and five partner organizations have been awarded a total of $1.2 million from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund to work jointly to expand the number of churches that are welcoming and affirming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and to strengthen their internal capacities. This funding is significant not only because of its dollar amount, but also because it marks a breakthrough in secular foundation support for LGBT faith organizing efforts.

The recipients are the Task Force’s Institute for Welcoming Resources, which works with the welcoming church movement in 30 Christian denominations; Integrity, which works within the Episcopal Church; Lutherans Concerned/North America, which works within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; More Light Presbyterians, which works within the Presbyterian Church (USA); Reconciling Ministries Network, which works within the United Methodist Church; and the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns.

This invitation for action has come to us from the Rev. Cedric A. Harmon, Associate Field Director for Religious Outreach, Americans United for Separation of Church and State:

I am sharing with you an opportunity to express your support for Marriage Equality at this highly politicized moment. As each of you know there are several ballot initiatives under consideration that would invalidate existing and/or prohibit future marriages between persons of the same gender. The Religious Institute for Sexual Morality Justice and Healing (on whose Board I serve) is seeking to demonstrate that there is significant support for Marriage Equality among ordained clergy. If you are so inclined; please add your name to the attached endorsement statement and share this with your peers.

The goal is to collect a substantial list of signers by August 15, 2008. The Religious Institute will publicize the level of religious support through media outlets and print media in advance of this fall’s election. I appreciate any assistance you can offer in this effort to present an honest assessment of communities of faith on this issue.

Observations on the legalization of gay marriage in California    [6-2-08]

Many progressive Presbyterians are heartened by the action of the California Supreme Court on May, legalizing same-sex marriages. An article in The Nation puts this action in the wider context of U.S. politics and culture, while also pointing out that for Californians, it’s not such a big change, after all.

Richard Kim writes: 

The California gay marriage debate illustrates important national trends . . . Growing numbers of Americans favor gay rights, including some form of partnership recognition for same-sex couples, especially when framed as economic and legal rights. This is particularly true of young voters . . . [b]ut this trend also holds true for voters of all ages . . .

Read the full article >>

This news was posted by More Light Presbyterians on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

This morning, the decision of the California State Supreme Court striking down the ban on same-sex civil marriage was announced. This is a huge victory for marriage equality. This is the simple recognition of same-gender loving couples and that our relationships and families deserve equal treatment under the law and in civil society. 

. . . When the 218th General Assembly meets in San Jose next month, we will be meeting in a state that supports marriage equality and same-sex civil marriage. We give thanks for the opportunity for our General Assembly to adopt the Baltimore Overture on marriage equality.

The rest of the MLP statement, with links to news reports from the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times

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California marriage decision respects boundaries between religion and government, says Americans United

Religious groups remain free to make decisions about marriage in keeping with their theology, says AU's Lynn

GAPJC rules that by definition, same-sex ‘marriage’ cannot be performed    [4-29-08]

Presbyterian News Service reports from Louisville: In a reversal of a lower church court ruling, the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr has been found not guilty of violating the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s constitution by performing same-sex ‘marriages’ for two lesbian couples.

The complicated verdict of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly (GAPJC) — the church’s highest court — was released on Monday (April 29).

It found that Spahr, who conducted two same-gender marriages in 2004 and 2005, could not be “found guilty of doing that which, by definition, cannot be done.”

The ruling reverses a decision by the PJC of the Synod of the Pacific, which on appeal had ordered the PJC of Redwoods Presbytery to “rebuke” Spahr for conducting the ceremonies after the presbytery’s court had found her “not guilty.”

The full news report >>

For the full text of the GAPJC decision (about ten pages in PDF format)

Spahr’s lawyers: There’s no constitutional ban on same-sex weddings     [4-25-08]

From Presbyterian News Service – Lawyers for the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, who is facing charges for performing weddings for two lesbian couples, told members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s highest court on Friday (April 25) that there is no language in the denomination’s constitution that prohibits same-gender couples from marrying.

Spahr, in a reversal of an earlier decision, was found guilty last year of violating the PC(USA)’s constitutional ban on performing same-sex marriages. In August, the synod PJC ruled 6-2 that while Spahr, who lives in San Rafael, CA, “acted with conscience and conviction,” her actions were still at odds with the church’s constitution when she married the couples in 2004 and 2005.

The synod ruling reversed a March 2006 decision by the Presbytery of the Redwoods’ PJC that found Spahr acted within her rights as an ordained minister when she married the two couples.

General Assembly PJC members will deliberate and then issue a written decision on Monday (April 28), which is to be released the following day online at www.pcusa.org/gapjc/decisions/decisions.htm after confirmation that both parties have received the ruling. But the ruling probably will be no secret by then since Spahr has scheduled a Monday press conference in Tiburon, CA, to respond to the ruling.

Spahr has organized several events surrounding the appeal hearing, such as a silent witness at the Presbyterian Center before the PJC hearing, and a worship service and reception following the hearing at Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati.

The full story from PNS >>

More Light Presbyterians call for Marriage Equality with GAPJC decision and support for the Baltimore Overture at 218th G.A. in San Jose       [4-25-08]

 "Each person --- regardless of gender, sexual orientation or bodily condition -- has a moral right to love and be loved." This excerpt is from "More Light on Marriage," teaching resource on marriage equality included as a file with this email from the MLP web site: www.mlp.org

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has two upcoming opportunities to recognize and affirm that moral right to love and be loved. First, this next week in the decision its highest judicial court, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, will render in the case against the Rev. Janie Spahr for officiating at weddings of same-sex couples; and this June in San Jose with consideration of the Baltimore Overture to the 218th General Assembly on marriage equality.

Last night, Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville, a More Light Presbyterian Church, held a worship service celebrating the covenant of justice and love in support and solidarity for LGBT Presbyterians and their families who find themselves caught in a polity battle within their own beloved denomination over an archaic definition of marriage between a man and woman, as if same-sex love did not exist; or if gender was so simply understood or experienced in the lives of real persons and families.

From Louisville today, Rev. Ray Bagnuolo, who serves the Palisades Presbyterian Church, Palisades, NY, a More Light Church, reported on this morning's silent vigil at the National PCUSA Center and the GAPJC hearing: "This morning, the appellants and prosecution presented their arguments before the GAPJC in Louisville. Prior to the hearing we worshipped together, in a group of about 100, which included many from the GAPJC, and employees of the Presbyterian Center in Louisville."

A worship service celebrating the lives, faith and relationships of all God's people, including God's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children and their families will be held tonight at Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, OH, a More Light Church. A reception hosted by the congregation will follow to thank Rev. Janie Spahr and her legal team for their faithful witness.

As More Light Presbyterians, we stand with all Presbyterians who experience the gifts and joys of love, intimacy, relationships and family. We believe and we know that the most important thing is the quality of the relationship, not the gender of someone's spouse, beloved or partner. Body and soul are one, they cannot be separated; and when the Church attempts to do so, or legislate that separation, great harm is done.

God's gifts of love are not limited by gender any more than they would be limited as we have thought in the past by race or ethnic background or other human conditions. It is time for the Church to do right by its LGBT daughters and sons, sisters and brothers and support love and marriage equality. It is time for the Church to do right by the God who creates all of God's children, LGBT or straight, and Who gives these gifts of love and family.

We stand today with our sister Rev. Janie Spahr and all persons, couples and families who are given God's gifts of love. We give thanks for the More Light Churches, More Light Chapters and groups in Kentucky and Ohio who are providing hospitality, sanctuary, ministry and witness during this GAPJC trial and decision. 

We are praying for discernment, moral clarity and spiritual courage for the GAPJC to honor the creation and gifts of our God.

with prayers for our Church today and in the days to come,

Michael

Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., Executive Director & Field Organizer

More Light Presbyterians, 369 Montezuma Avenue # 447, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 USA (505) 820-7082, michaeladee@aol.com , www.mlp.org

More Light Presbyterians was founded in 1974. More Light Presbyterians is a National LGBT Affirmation & Equality Network of individual members, families, churches and local chapters working for spiritual, ordination and marriage equality in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Saturday, May 3, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Arlington, VA
Sponsored by More Light Presbyterians/Open Doors Chapter

Designed for people in the Washington, DC - Baltimore area

Featuring Carol Howard Merritt, Associate Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC and Author of Tribal Church

Workshops: Engaging Young Adults * The Bible and Human Sexuality * Welcoming GLBT Families * Why More Light? * GA Update

Lunch & child-care provided, Cost for lunch is $10.00.

Celebrate More Light Sunday – Tell the PCUSA "It's About Time!"     [4-16-08]

More Light churches and other supportive congregations across the country are getting ready for a special celebration of the gifts of LGBT Presbyterians. The annual More Light Sunday – set for June 1 – is a wonderful time of worship. It is a chance to lift up what being a More Light church means to your congregation. And this year, since More Light Sunday comes three weeks before General Assembly, there will be perfect opportunities for your congregation to send supportive messages directly to the Assembly, saying "It's About Time" for the church to embrace LGBT people as fully as you do.

John Dart writes in The Christian Century on how three of the major Protestant denominations – the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church (USA) – “continue to move to and fro on issues of sexuality, with leaders often expressing concern about whether the churches will survive the turmoil.”

The National Board of Directors of More Light Presbyterians has announced that Dr. Michael J. Adee has been named as the Executive Director & Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians. This decision was made at their recent national board meeting at Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Santa Fe, NM.

Join us for the

“WEDDING JUSTICE AND LOVE”
Events in Louisville, KY and Cincinnati, OH
April 23-26

[3-17-08]

This is the final appeal in a disciplinary case against Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr for performing LGBT marriages as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA.

Thursday, April 24^th

Silent Witness, 4:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church Center, Louisville
Worship Service and reception, 7:00 pm at Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville

Friday, April 25^th

Silent Witness, 8:00 am followed by the appeal, 9:00am, Presbyterian Church Center, Louisville
Worship Service and reception, 7:00 pm at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati

Saturday April 26^th

“Wedding Justice and Love in Faith Communities” – 9 am to Noon, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Campus, Hundley Hall, 1044 Alta Vista Rd., Louisville, KY

From:  Your Candidates and Inquirers for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer      [3-6-08]

Re: Bush vs. Presbytery of Pittsburgh PJC Ruling Regarding Ordination Standards and G-6.0106b

We, your sisters and brothers in Christ, your colleagues in ministry, faithful members of Presbyterian churches are saddened by the recent ruling of the Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) which singles out the requirement of fidelity in heterosexual marriage and chastity in singleness as an essential tenet of Reformed faith. This ruling contradicts some of the most important work of the Peace Unity and Purity Task Force, which put forward a more gracious and open way for us to live together as the body of Christ in the midst of our differences.

Eighth grade boy shot and killed for being gay
[2-25-08]

Michael Adee of More Light Presbyterians offered this reflection for Presbyterians:

It is a tragic day when a teenager kills another teenager for being different, ostensibly because he was gay – and because he did not conform to conventional male dress codes. Lawrence King, at age 15, is dead and Brandon McInerney, age 14, is charged with his death as a hate crime.

King had recently come out as gay to classmates, and his recent wearing of mascara, lipstick and jewelry to school resulted in bullying by male students at school. Being different, being gay or transgender should not cost someone their life, not in this country, not anywhere in the world.

More Light Presbyterians and I give thanks to God for a pastor who gets it and who lovingly and powerfully evoked Psalm 139 at a memorial service for Lawrence King at Westminster Presbyterian Church: "God knit Larry together and made him wonderfully complex ... Larry was a masterpiece,” said the Rev. Dan Birchfield, pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Oxnard.

Those close to this situation in Oxnard clearly declare that homophobia is the cause of this hate crime and has resulted in the death of one teenager and the ruin of the life of the other who shot him in cold blood.

More Light Presbyterians and I offer our condolence and prayers for the family and friends of Lawrence King, and for Brandon McInerney and his family, too. May the God of Love hold Lawrence in an eternal divine embrace, and work in the heart, conscience and life of the one who shot him. We offer our thoughts and prayers for E.O Green Junior High School and the community of Oxnard.

The Church is not blameless in these tragic situations. What are we teaching in our congregations, Christian Education classes and in our homes about human sexuality, gender identity and gender expression? What are we teaching about same-gender love and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons? How do our church laws and mistranslations of Scripture contribute to homophobia; therefore, providing sanction for such fears and hate crimes?

Finally, how does heterosexism and heterosexual privilege silence these life-giving and life-saving questions?

Those of us who are gay, or transgender, lesbian, bisexual or questioning, whether we are out or not, know deep in our bones that this could have been me, it could have been us. Our parents and families know and fear this, too.

Because of the LGBT-Affirming Overtures on ordination and marriage equality being sent to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) the silence of heterosexism and heterosexual privilege will be broken. Moreover, homophobia will be challenged and a life-saving word of love, acceptance and grace can be offered to all children and families... including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, same-gender loving, and questioning.

Sadly, Lawrence King does not get a second chance to life on this earth. The Presbyterian Church (USA), however, does get another chance to get it right in San Jose this June. May this be so.

Media release from More Light Presbyterians, Pittsburgh, PA: February 7, 2008
[2-8-08]

Today at Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Presbytery voted 128-94 in support of sending the Heidelberg Catechism Overture to the 218th General Assembly in San Jose.

Submitted for consideration by the Sessions of Sixth Presbyterian Church, Community of Reconciliation and East Liberty Presbyterian Church, this Overture's intention is to correct the mistranslation in 1962 which added the phrase "or of homosexual perversion" that was not part of the original Heidelberg Catechism. The Heidelberg Catechism is part of the Book of Confessions for the Presbyterian Church (USA). Sixth Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh and Community of Reconciliation, Pittsburgh, are More Light Presbyterian Churches.

Andreas Kurt Schuele, Professor of Biblical Theology, Union-PSCE, Richmond, VA offered an advisory opinion on this Overture to Pittsburgh Presbytery.

Click here for more information about the Heidelberg Catechism and this Overture on the National MLP Website. 

A debt of gratitude is owed to Professors Johanna Bos and Christopher Elwood of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, for their faithful scholarship which revealed the errors and mistranslations within the 1962 translation of the Heidelberg Catechism from its original form and languages.

The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will now have the opportunity to restore the Heidelberg Catechism to its original form and meaning, when it meets in San Jose, June 21 - 28, 2008.

Michael J. Adee, National Field Organizer, More Light Presbyterians
(505) 820-7082, michaeladee@aol.com, www.mlp.org

At its regular meeting on Saturday, Feb. 2, the Presbytery of Albany voted by 69 to 41, with 2 abstentions, to send to the 218^th General Assembly an overture to delete G-6.0106b from the Book of Order. It also approved a new Authoritative Interpretation which would rule that “Interpretative statements concerning ordained service of homosexual church members 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 affirmations thereof, have no further force or effect.”

Thanks to Terry Diggory, of Saratoga Springs, NY, for this report.

A report from Doug King, Witherspoon WebWeaver

By a more than 2/3 margin, the presbytery expressed its discernment that Dr. Capetz' refusal to accept the demand for a "vow of celibacy" imposed by G-6.0106b does not constitute the denial of an "essential" provision of the Book of Order, and that he therefore is restored to the ordained ministry.

Set for July 17–20, in rural Indiana

retreat 2008

For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, or questioning Presbyterian Inquirers and Candidates Candidates for Ministry of Word and Sacrament

Why Do We Need to Gather?

• Offer pastoral care to one another.
• Discover our path towards justice.
• Laugh and cry in the presence of God.
• Develop a network of support.
• Worship to inspire spiritual strength for the journey.
• Set goals for the coming year.
• Claim our call in changing the church!

All those in the “in-care process” are invited to retreat from July 17–20 in rural Indiana.

We hope to create a safe space for all inquirers and candidates to feel comfortable, no matter how “out” they can be. The retreat will be facilitated by participants from the 2007 retreat and by lesbian and gay individuals recently ordained.

Retreat cost is $250. In order to gather all LGBTQ inquirers and candidates,very substantial scholarships are available to all who are in need. We gratefully thank supportive organizations for their commitment to the participants and their financial support in helping us gather.

If you are an inquirer or candidate and feel this retreat would be helpful, or if you know someone who is in the “in-care process” please call Mieke’s confidential voicemail at 917-441-8638 or email mieke@presbyterianwelcome.org.

Call or email for an application. Deadline: July 1, 2008. Space is limited

For more information:
917.441.8638
info@presbyterianwelcome.org
www.presbyterianwelcome.org

Presbyterian Welcome’s mission is to build up and repair the Body of Christ by working for the full inclusion of all disciples without regard to sexual orientation and gender identity.

More Light Presbyterians reflect on King and his meaning and call for us today   [1-22-08]

This statement was prepared by Michael Adee, National Field Organizer of MLP

Today we are called to remember the life, teachings and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Today we mark the forty-fifth anniversary of Dr. King’s powerful “I Have A Dream,” speech delivered at the Lincoln Memorial at the March on Washington in 1963.

More Light Presbyterians is committed to ending racism along with removing sexism, heterosexism and homophobia from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the body of Christ. Today, we call all Presbyterians to study for the first time, or again, the teachings and writings of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his challenge to end prejudice and discrimination against African-American persons and their families. Today, we call upon all Presbyterians to take seriously the life-taking force of racism within our Church and world… and for those of us who are white, to be mindful of white privilege and internalized racism within us.

We have much to learn from and be grateful for from the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Movement, to be sure. What are some of the parallels and lessons for us, for the LGBT Equality Movement in the Presbyterian Church (USA)?

More appreciation expressed for San Francisco Presbytery action furthering the candidacy of Lisa Larges

Bear Ride, of Pasadena, CA, Co-Moderator of More Light Presbyterians, is quoted as saying: "We are so delighted to see the Presbyterian Church (USA) recognize and confirm the call and gifts for ministry of our friend and sister, Lisa Larges. We have known for many years that God called and gifted Lisa for ministry and it's time for Lisa to be ordained by the Church that she loves and so deeply cares about!"

They also have posted Lisa’s personal “Statement of Departure from G-6.0106b And Affirmation of Essentials of Faith and Polity,” which she provided to the Presbytery. It’s good reading!

The Board of Covenant Network has also issued a statement, which expresses appreciation for the careful, discerning work of the Presbytery, and then says:

We also celebrate this week with Lisa Larges.  She has been an inquirer or candidate for ministry for twenty-two long years, waiting patiently for her gifts and call to be affirmed while the church fought its battles.  She has preached at national conferences including our own, and her extraordinary gifts for ministry are recognized around the country.  On Tuesday, January 15th, she was examined by San Francisco Presbytery and found ready to receive a call.  The presbytery responded to her stated departure from G-6.0106b and her call to ministry with a civil debate and a positive vote.

We have a long way to go as a church to be as just and generous or as bold and missional as the church God needs and desires.  The church has not solved its division over sexuality and ordination.  But yesterday it took a modest but significant step forward.

The full statement >>

Wednesday, 16 January 2008 – report from That All May Freely Serve

In a landmark decision the San Francisco Presbytery (a regional jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church encompassing 80 local churches) voted on January 15 for Lisa Larges, an open lesbian, to be moved forward in the process toward ordination.

A 2006 action of the national Presbyterian church allowed Presbyteries some greater freedom in determining whether open lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons can be ordained. Larges made a statement of conscience regarding the church’s policy of exclusion and the Presbytery determined that she was fit for ordination and that her statement of conscience did not counter essential beliefs of the church. Larges has been a candidate seeking ordination since 1985.

That All May Freely Serve is deeply grateful to the Presbytery of San Francisco for its commitment to find a way to live more graciously with one another. We remain committed to the full and complete removal of all barriers to ordination for all whom God calls to serve the church.

See also the Associated Press report, which notes that “Those who oppose Larges' application said they would appeal Tuesday's decision through the church court.”

Lisa Larges serves as the Minister Coordinator of That All May Freely Serve

Witherspooner John Shuck comments:

Congratulations, Lisa! Actually, I should say Congratulations, SF Presbytery for doing the right thing. Lisa is a woman blessed with all the gifts for ministry. We are fortunate to have her.

Paul Capetz, a professor at United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities, set aside his ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 2000, because he could not accept the exclusionary policy enacted by the church in what was then known as “Amendment B.” He has now asked the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area to allow him to declare a scruple regarding the denomination’s ordination standards on sexual practice, and to be reinstated to the ministry.

The Presbytery had been scheduled to vote on Capetz’ request at a special meeting on Dec. 1, but postponed that discussion. The presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, which voted 11-3 to support Capetz’ request, was asked to provide “a clear statement of what the departure from the constitution is and what was the rationale of the committee on ministry to recommend his reinstatement.” The Committee on Ministry has now provided that statement, and Capetz’ request has now been scheduled for consideration at another special called meeting of the presbytery, on January 26.

Capetz’ case is one of the first in which a presbytery is being asked to decide whether to grant a scruple — a deviation from the standards based on conscience — regarding the language in the PC(USA)’s ordination standards, which limit ordination to those who practice fidelity if they are married or chastity if they are single. (See the report on the action by San Francisco Presbytery approving Lisa Larges’ claim of a “scruple.”)

Read Capetz' statement explaining the reasons for his decision in 2000 to lay aside his ordination, and his decision now to request reinstatement to the ordained ministry.