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| The Covenant Network has issued this statement following
the conclusion of the 213th General Assembly:
213th General Assembly Affirms
Our Presbyterian Heritage
and Finds a Middle Ground
The 213th General Assembly illustrated the ways the
Spirit can move among and through Presbyterians when we open ourselves
to its presence and to each other. Despite the momentous issues before
this G.A., the tenor of debates and discussions was open, respectful,
and remarkably non-rancorous. Numerous actions of the Assembly focused
on the shared beliefs -- and especially on the grace -- that bind us
together in the Body of Christ.
Most dramatically, this Assembly managed to find a
middle ground in the debates that have threatened to polarize the church
in the five years since the adoption of "Amendment B,"
G-6.0106b. By a 60% vote, the commissioners sent to the presbyteries an
amendment to delete G-6.0106b, reiterate the responsibility of local
governing bodies to determine candidates' fulfillment of constitutional
standards, and remove the force of earlier Authoritative Interpretations
that have supported categorical exclusions from ordained office. The
Covenant Network, which has been working for this outcome and will
actively support it in the presbyteries, greeted this vote with a
statement saying in part:
The action proposed by this General Assembly offers
to the church the long-sought middle ground. This action, if approved
by the presbyteries, would neither require nor prohibit the ordination
of gay and lesbian Presbyterians. Instead, it would return the church
to our historic Presbyterian principles of mutual forbearance and
freedom of conscience on non-essential matters.
(Statements and resources from the discussions of this
matter will be posted later this week.)
This Assembly repeatedly lifted up the Confessions
that are our special heritage as Presbyterians. Moderator Jack Rogers
included in each plenary session a segment from one or another
Confession, which commissioners read together as an affirmation of
faith. The Assembly also directed the Office of Theology and Worship to
prepare educational resources emphasizing the rich expression of the
Lordship of Christ in our confessions, and liturgical resources to
facilitate using the confessions in worship.
The Assembly directed the formation of a Task Force on
Theological Issues to study the theological issues underlying tensions
within the church, and recommended that its work and reflection be
shared by Presbyterians in churches and presbyteries.
In other actions, the 213th General Assembly
 | Approved a major report and recommendations on
domestic violence |
| Approved an important new initiative on campus
ministry |
| Reaffirmed our long-standing engagement with the
National Council of Churches |
| Encouraged ongoing dialogue with the Roman Catholic
Church, seeking to heal centuries-old misunderstandings and mistrust |
| Participated in well-structured anti-racism
training |
Covenant Network board members were grateful for the
chance to meet friends and supporters at numbers of events. An overflow
crowd at the Commissioners' Convocation Dinner were given hope and
encouragement by former G.A. Moderators Freda Gardner and Doug
Oldenburg. Joanna Adams, Pastor of Trinity Church in Atlanta, keynoted
the sold-out Covenant Network luncheon. (Full text, and audiotapes, will
be available soon.)
One commentator called this the "reconciling G.A."
May a similar spirit of openness and mutual forbearance guide the
presbyteries as they consider decisions this coming year.
Read
the statement on the Covenant Network web site.
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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?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE ALL IN
THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
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