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| Assembly rejects proposal for
"change ministry" resources
by Alexa Smith, PNS
LOUISVILLE -- June 13, 2001 -- Citing inconclusive
evidence on the effectiveness of 'transformational' therapies to change
an individual's sexual orientation, the 213th General Assembly opted not
to offer such resources to individuals struggling with their sexual
identity and other sexual practices.
The report came to the floor tonight from the Assembly
Committee on Christian Education and Publication.
Seventy-five percent of the commissioners took the
committee's recommendation and voted to affirm statements by previous
General Assemblies questioning whether 'conversion' therapies produce
lasting reversals in sexual orientation, while simultaneously affirming
that "God is able to do far more abundantly than we could ask or
think," and that God wills us all to be a part of the "New
Creation' that is possible in Jesus Christ."
Commissioners did vote to create a resource on sexual
addictions an aid that Congregational Ministries Division staffer the
Rev. Ed Craxton told the Assembly will cost approximately $12,000 to
produce.
The overture to create transformational resources
(01-41) came from the Presbytery of San Joaquin. But arguments like the
one leveled by Hudson River Presbytery Elder Georgia Hooper-Peek, a
psychologist, represented the majority voice, cautioning that many
homosexuals who undergo such therapy "risk accepting an additional
burden of shame" that may only further deepen psychological
problems.
In other actions, commissioners approved Overture
01-18 from the Presbytery of Baltimore, that adds the deadlines for
General Assembly business to the denomination's annual planning
calendar.
Two commissioners' resolutions one supporting the
Boy Scouts of America and the other questioning whether the organization
excludes gays were referred back to the General Assembly Council (GAC).
Although the GAC has renewed a covenant agreement with the National
Association of Presbyterian Scouters, an independent group, a dialogue
is already under way on these matters.
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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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!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
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. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
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. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
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. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
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