In January, 2002, many Presbyterians received a letter from the editor of ReFORM magazine, soliciting suggestions for what should be declared as "essential tenets" of the Reformed faith. On January 23, 2002, we posted a response to the letter, explaining our reasons for not offering a reply to the letter.  

The Rev. Blair Moffett, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, Connecticut, offers another response to that solicitation.

The Christian Science Monitor presents an impressive survey of the religious voices reminding the U. S. Senate of the "moral obligations" involved in their deliberations on energy policy.

"In general, the religious leaders take a line clearly at odds with the Bush administration: They favor more conservation and renewable energy sources, plus a 'substantial' increase in vehicle fuel economy; they oppose more oil drilling, especially in wilderness areas. Referring to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where President Bush wants to drill for oil, the religious leaders say, 'Conservation is a morally superior alternative to drilling in such places.'"

It includes registration information, and the text of the Registration Book.  Online registration will be available soon. (The detailed schedule of events is in Adobe Acrobat [PDF] format.)

Latest reports:

YES:
NO: Sacramento (a switch, voted "yes" on 97-A); Wabash Valley; North Puget Sound; Palo Duro; Yukon; New Hope; Glacier; Middle Tennessee; Tampa Bay; Southeastern Illinois (switched, voted "yes" on A-97); Central Nebraska; Tres Rios

We'd like to hear your comments on our statement, and on the defeat of "A."  Please send a note!

The Covenant Network statement affirms that "our congregations will continue to extend the welcome of Jesus Christ to all who trust in him as their Savior and wish to share in the mission and ministry of his church. We grieve with all who are excluded by the policy of the church, and we are saddened by the waste of gifts from which the church will not benefit."

They add that "although the amendment has failed, ... 43% of ministers and elders voting in presbyteries thus far have voted for it."

Immigration issues and campaign and election reforms lead off Congressional agenda

This look ahead at the new session of Congress was published before they reconvened on January 23, but it highlights a number of the issues of concern to the PC(USA): immigration, election reform, and faith-based initiatives.

The vote on Amendment 01-A, as of unofficial reports through February 19, is 40 yes and 87 no. The vote of 87 is sufficient to defeat the amendment that would have removed some of the most serious barriers to the full inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians in the ordained ministries of the Presbyterian Church.

The latest results:

YES: Winnebago - 50 - 20
NO: South Louisiana - 51 - 71

We'll have more to say soon, but that's about it for now.

Jenny Lin, the intern named by Semper Reformanda to serve this year in the Washington Office of the PC(USA), reports on her experience so far.

John Rozendaal of Carroll, IA, reported the vote from Prospect Hill Presbytery (24 yes - 62 no).  He commented that "Most voices in favor came from the laity. Maybe most of us clergy are 'talked out.'"

We hope you'll join us!

Friday, June 14

"Opening the Cornerstone" - 8^th Annual Semper Reformanda conversation. From 2 to 6 p.m., with a focus on the Confession of 1967.

Commissioner Orientation, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. An opportunity for commissioners and others to learn of the issues before the assembly and how to be an effective participant, reflecting a progressive point of view. This event will follow the Covenant Network dinner and will be held in conjunction with it.

Sunday, June 16

Witherspoon Society Luncheon, 12:30 to 3 p.m.  Keynote speaker will be Doug Ottati, professor of theology and ethics, Union Seminary, Virginia, speaking on "A Theology for Progressive Presbyterians." We will be celebrating the Confession of '67. 

Tuesday, June 18

Witherspoon Society Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting, 6 to 8 p.m. The annual Andrew Murray Award will be presented to the Rev. Kathy Lancaster, who has just retired as editor of Church & Society Journal. She will be the keynote speaker for the brief program, which will be followed by the Annual Meeting of the Witherspoon Society.

Witherspoon Party and Dance, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Here's a chance for committee-worn commissioners and friends to relax and celebrate whatever it is they're ready to celebrate. Tickets will be on sale at the door!

NO: South Alabama; Cimarron - 16 - 20; Providence - 38 - 63; Yellowstone - 29 -37

The Presbyterian Washington Office reminds us:

Wednesday (Feb. 13^th) the House will probably consider campaign finance reform - so it's time to let our representatives know what we think!

If you're making plans for the summer and want to know about interesting possibilities for broadening your faith experience, check out the web sites of the three national PC(USA) conference centers: Ghost Ranch, Stony Point, and Montreat.

as reported on PresbyWeb on Feb. 11, 2002

The latest presbyteries reporting:

YES: Northern New England - 75 - 40; Susquehanna Valley - 43 - 27; Southern New England - 109 - 72.

NO: Providence - 38 - 63; Yellowstone - 29 -37; Florida - 42 - 66; St. Augustine - 66 - 105; Trinity - 42 - 114; James - 130 - 190; Memphis - 59 - 99; New Covenant - 120 - 214. (All voted on 01-A as they did on 97-A.)

[2-11-02]

In the current flood of reports of clergy sexual abuse, ranging from the highly publicized cases in the Roman Catholic church to the Hare Krishnas, little has been said to point to the clerical conspiracies of silence that have perpetuated the problems. This may be changing, and that looks like a good thing.

Since September 11, the President's use of moral rhetoric has been striking - and has apparently helped him to gain and keep his awesome standing in the polls. The rhetoric has reached new heights with his declaration of war on "the Axis of Evil."

Check out a recent letter asking members to renew their membership, and new folks to join up.  

We are also seeking funding for a vital initiative during the coming year, including a staff person to plan and coordinate local conferences on "the whole Gospel church" and the Confession of 1967.

You can now use your credit card to make payments!  (The PayPal system is easy and secure.)

The events of September 11 have made all of us aware of "fundamentalism" in a new way.  But just what is it, what are the roots from which it draws such strength, and how can we understand and respond to it?

The Presbyterian Washington Office reports that Congress now has a bill that would remove the IRS regulation against houses of worship supporting or opposing particular candidates during an election.

They offer a comment from our Constitutional Services department in reference to the issue, as well as an article by Laura Goodstein.  You may want to contact your member of the House with your opinion on this.

A group of about 120 converged on the Stony Point Conference Center February 3 and 4 for a conference on the Confession of 1967. As Chris Iosso said in opening the conference, "This is the beginning of the 35th anniversary celebration of the Confession of 1967." It is a celebration that the Witherspoon Society hopes to continue by sponsoring a series of regional conferences on "C-67."  One of the participants in the audience commented that "the hope of the church lies in this kind of theological reflection." Other participants seem to agree.

Speaking of C-67, that confession of faith calls us to "study ... both the Bible and the contemporary world." This call leads the Rev. Bruce Gillette to suggest readings from leading newspapers on "the imaginary axis threat," and on the President's proposed increase in military spending - in contrast to more constructive ways of responding to threats of terrorism.

After a long struggle to get his idea of providing social aid to and through religious organizations, President Bush seems to be nearing a compromise in the U.S. Senate that would allow government funds to go to religious and other non-profit groups for social service programs. 

Latest totals: 29 yes - 66 no

YES: New York City - 61 - 31; Western Reserve - 131 - 73; Palisades - 59 - 33; Santa Fe - 108 - 42.

NO: Utah - 21 - 32 (a shift from earlier votes); Stockton - 14 - 44; Plains and Peaks - 60 - 91; Missouri Union - 34 - 46.

One member of Stockton Presbytery reports that in their voting on Saturday, with 14 in favor of "A" and 44 against, and one abstention, "the process was civil and sought to avoid direct conflict in this small and mainly fundamentalist presbytery." This person notes a sense of surprise that there were as many as 14 votes in favor of A, given the conservative climate in the presbytery.

Such adoptions are now banned in three states, while seven states and Washington, D.C., permit them by law or court ruling. Elsewhere there is great variation in law and in practice, but clearly such adoptions are not easy. Many observers have noted that the Academy is widely respected, and their support for adoptions will probably be taken seriously by many courts and legislatures.

The urgent issues facing that African-American community - homelessness, drugs, crime and hunger - have been set aside in the focus on "homeland security" since September 11^th. As Black History Month begins, church leaders in Washington, DC, are calling for renewed attention to social issues as well as to security. Check out the full story in the Washington Post.

The L. A. Times reports more fully on James Towey's background, and on current efforts at compromise.

Santa Fe Presbytery voted this morning on amendments. There was brief debate on A, which was described by one observer as "civil, loving, wrapped in prayer." The vote was 108 to 42 in favor.

The total vote and Amendment A, adding this to others recently reported, would be 26 yes to 64 no.

Other recent votes:

YES: Palisades: 59 - 33.

NO: Plains and Peaks: 60 - 91; Missouri Union: 34 - 46: Great Rivers 99 - 108; Huntingdon 26 - 62.

"Far from Home" -- looking at the reality of refugees through the experience of Jesus

In a world where millions of people live as refugees, Jesus' "flight into Egypt" gives us a new perspective - and perhaps a new compassion - for people who are forced to live as strangers in strange lands. Including our land, and our communities.

Something new is coming: Word and World: A People's School, which will be " an exciting new experiment in alternative theological reflection for activists ... designed to nourish faith-based movements of service, solidarity, justice, peace and social change by building capacity for analysis and faithful work and witness."

The House Armed Services Committee is considering a bill that would require everyone registered for the draft to serve up to one year in the armed services. The proposed Universal Military Training and Service Act of 2001 would mandate that men aged 18 to 22 serve between six months and a year in basic military training and education.

Here's an on-line report from the campus newspaper at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

And there's another report in the Maine Commons.

Richard Just, writing in The American Prospect, found much to like in the President's State of the Union address - above all his call for universal voluntary service. He noted, though, that what the President did not say - about Enron and campaign finance reform, and about controversial issues such as embryonic stem cell research and military courts - showed him building support where post-9/11 unity still seems strong, and avoiding the more difficult domestic issues that must somehow be confronted.

Resource packet for the debate on Amendment 01-A

The Witherspoon Society is making available a packet of materials to aid our church in the debate on Amendment A.  Most of the material is already on this web site, but a print form is easier to share.

You can check out the list of contents, and how to order.

To wander through earlier headlines and links:

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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!

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?