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GAC leaders issue statement on Peacemaking
Conference address
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- General Assembly Council chair
Peter Pizor and executive director John Detterick have issued the
following statement on the controversy surrounding the keynote address
of the Rev. Dirk Ficca at last month's Presbyterian Peacemaking
Conference:
August 23, 2000
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In his July 29 keynote address at the 2000
Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference, "Uncommon Ground: Living
Faithfully in a Diverse World," the Reverend Dirk Ficca presented
his thoughts on how Christians are to maintain the integrity of their
Christian identity while engaging in a positive way with those who are
religiously different. News stories reporting on the address have
sparked concern on how Ficca dealt with the Lordship of Jesus Christ and
some are calling for a repudiation by PC(USA) leadership. First and
foremost, we want to clearly acknowledge that the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) firmly believes that God has put all things under the Lordship
of Jesus Christ. We believe that God's love and grace for us was
revealed through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus and
that through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, all glory and honor belong to Almighty God. We read Rev. Ficca's
address as affirming this position when he says, "God was in
Christ, reconciling the world to God's self. I believe that with all my
heart."
Second, we want to make clear that it is consistent
with prior General Assembly statements that the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) be involved in activities related to interfaith concerns. The
211th General Assembly (1999) encourages the General Assembly Council
and its ministry units to establish relationships with multi-faith,
interreligious bodies on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
using the criteria of the "Guidelines for Participation in
Interfaith Bodies," adopted by the 204th General Assembly (1992).
Some who attended the conference comment that Rev.
Ficca's statements were well-grounded theologically and very helpful.
His statements strike others as concepts that challenge the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) Constitution as written in our "Book of Order"
and "The Book of Confessions." Regardless, Rev. Ficca speaks
for himself and not for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Given the open
dialogue encouraged at the Peacemaking Conference and given the urging
of previous General Assemblies to engage in interfaith relationships, we
support discussion that responsibly explores how we are to live
faithfully as Presbyterians in a religiously plural world.
Rev. Ficca has given permission for us to distribute
the full text of his presentation. If you would like a copy, please
contact Neva Newlin at nevan@ctr.pcusa.org or 888/728-7228, Ext. 5510.
In Christ,
Peter Pizor
John J. Detterick
Chair
Executive Director
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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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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Witherspoon’s Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, Witherspoon’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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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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If you like what you find
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