Palo Alto church stands firm

This statement was released by First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto to Bay Area newspapers.

Palo Alto, CA - February 20, 2002 - The First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto today announced that the congregation would stand firmly in support of Lesbian and Gay Presbyterians in their struggle for inclusion and ordination. This announcement comes in light of the defeat of a measure that would have overturned a ban on ordaining homosexuals within the Presbyterian denomination. The Rev. Jeffrey Vamos of First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto said, "We've been a More Light Church for sixteen years, and that means we invite members to participate in our leadership based on the gifts they bring and their professions of faith. Gay or straight, single or married, male or female, regardless of color or ethnicity, those who are called by God to serve God's people will be considered for leadership. God's spirit will continue to guide us in who we choose to help us do God's work."

At the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) last year, an amendment to the denomination's constitution, known as the Book of Order, was approved which would have effectively removed the de facto ban on ordaining practicing homosexuals from leadership. That amendment needed ratification by a majority of the regional governing bodies, known as Presbyteries. Thus far, 40 Presbyteries have voted in favor of the amendment, with the opposition having pushed past the 51% mark this week. "This is a setback, but it is not the end of the struggle." Rev. Vamos said. "Unfortunately, the vote on this issue was clouded by the threats of certain congregations to leave the denomination if this amendment passed. It is important for us to state now that we, instead, vow to stay on and persist until justice is achieved."

Elder Derrick Kikuchi, member of First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto's More Light Committee commented, "We want the people of the Bay Area to know that despite the way this vote went, there are still many congregations holding their doors wide open to Lesbian and Gay people. God calls us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide shelter for the homeless, lift the spirits of those who are mourning, and speak out against injustice. Those calls are found over and over again in the Bible. I want everyone to know that any who are called by God to do that work will be welcomed by More Light Churches like ours and the thousands of other welcoming organizations found within every single mainstream Protestant denomination."

For more information, please visit http://www.fprespa.org/morelite.htm

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?

Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch Seminar!

GHOST RANCH SEMINAR

July 26-August 1, 2010

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