|
News of the PC(USA) --
archive for January through June 2002 |
Fahed
Abu-Akel elected as Moderator
[6-16-02]
About 9:00 on Friday evening, the 214th
General Assembly elected its new moderator. On the second ballot, the
Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel, born in Palestine and now ministering with
international students in Atlanta, was elected by 296 votes (57%), with
153 votes (29%) going to the Rev. Laird Stuart, former Co-Moderator of
the Covenant Network, and 71 votes (14%) to the Rev. Jerry Tankersley,
whose stated positions have been generally conservative. |
| Berry
Craig's recent essay comparing the Confessing Church
movement to the Puritans of the 17th century has
attracted lots of interest ... and criticism.
You can check out all
the notes we've received so far, but please feel free to add
your own voice to the conversation! [5-29-02] |
| The
Confessing Churches as the new Puritans may fail as the
Puritans did [5-27-02]
Berry Craig, a Witherspoon Society member and
a professor of history at Paducah, Ky., Community College,
observes that the Confessing Church movement looks a lot like
the Puritans, who "failed in large part because they were
too strict and narrow-minded even for the 17th century." |
| The Presbytery of Yellowstone has
refused to name an administrative commission to persuade Anaconda
Presbyterian Church to modify its Statement of Conscience.
[5-25-02] |
| More on "the Katie Morrison
case"
The case recently heard by the Permanent Judicial
Commission of the Synod of the Pacific, growing out of complaints about
the ordination of the Rev. Katie Morrison, is clearly one of some
importance in the ongoing "judicial wars" over sexuality and
ordination.
We have already posted the report
published by the Presbyterian News Service, and now are happy to add
two important contributions:
First is the full
text of the PJC decision.
And we are happy post also a
letter from Lynne Reade, attorney for the Presbytery in this
case. She offers her comments on the case itself, and what she
sees as possible future judicial issues, and wider concerns facing the
church. [5-22-02] |
| What
may be the major issues coming to this Assembly, and how are
they related to one another? Witherspoon Issues Analyst Gene
TeSelle offers information and comments. [5-22-02] |
| Synod
court dismisses complaints against ordination of Katie Morrison
Allegations were not specific enough to meet new,
higher standard, it rules [5-21-02]
Citing a month old decision in a similar case by a
higher church court, the Synod of the Pacific's Permanent Judicial
Commission dismissed two complaints that Redwoods Presbytery failed to
adequately examine a lesbian candidate for ministry before ordaining her
last fall. |
| At
last! Three reports from our
West
Coast mini-conferences on the
Confession of 1967 and our church's commitment to reconciliation and
justice [5-21-02]
In early May, 2002, the Witherspoon Society sponsored
three "mini-conferences" to stimulate reflection on the
relevance of "C-67" for our church today.
Here are three reports from those events:
Kent
Winters-Hazelton reports on all three of them.
Jim Kitchens' paper for
the meeting in Davis, CA, addressed the question of the potential for
division in our church, in light of the challenge of C-67's call to
reconciliation.
Bruce Cameron,
speaking to the group in Eugene, OR, saw C-67 as a confession for when
"the times they are a-changing" -
which is all the time. |
| PCUSA
leaders issue letter on sexual abuse, underlining current policies
and offering resources for action to prevent child sexual abuse. [5-16-02] |
| Mt.
Auburn church in Cincinnati to be studied by a presbytery
commission. [5-16-02]
The Presbytery of Cincinnati on May 15 responded to
two overtures, one aimed at forcing Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church to
submit to the strictures of G-6.0106b, and the other (from Mt. Auburn)
asking for the appointment of a study committee. |
Candidates
for Moderator respond to Witherspoon questions
[5-14-02]
One of the first acts of the 214th General Assembly will be the election
of a new Moderator. To help our readers weigh this important choice, the
Witherspoon Society has asked each of the four candidates to respond
briefly to four questions that reflect Witherspoon concerns -- and, we
believe, concerns of the wider church. |
| Confessing
the faith in our time means being respectful and open and just
[5-6-02]
Witherspoon Issues Analyst Gene TeSelle looks
at implications of the Confession of 1967 for current concerns
about the "Confessing Church" movement, and about
confessing the faith today.
|
| Kirkpatrick
calls for 'leaner' constitution
Says Book of Order isn't meant to be a rulebook or
operations manual [5--6-02]
Presbyterian News Service reports on a one-day
conference in Atlanta, where Stated Clerk the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick
suggested that the church should treat its constitution as a "basic
covenant for our church life" - not as a "manual of
operations" or a list of specific rules governing what he called
"matters that can and should be decided by a session or
presbytery."
Among those responding to Kirkpatrick, the Rev. Jerry
Andrews, representing the Presbyterian Coalition, said our need for a
detailed constitution reflects the lack of trust and consensus in our
church. Pam Byers, representing the Covenant Network, saw such a
simplification as a way to move forward in mission. |
| 'Downsized'
employees named [5-6-02]
Presbyterian News Service has announced the names and
positions of 43 national staff of the PCUSA whose jobs have been
eliminated in the latest round of "downsizing."
The Witherspoon Society regrets to see this happening
once again, at least partly in response to financial pressures caused by
the refusal of some churches to support a national mission program they
regard as too "liberal." We extend our thoughts and prayers to
those who are being affected by these changes. |
The
Stated Clerk is not a prosecutor
[5-1-02]
A number of groups on the Presbyterian right wing have recently been
demanding that the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) "must act" to
enforce the provisions of our Book of Order, including what is in effect
a ban on the ordination of gay and lesbian Presbyterians in
G-6.0106b.
One
example is found in the Layman Online, reporting on a letter sent by
the Presbyterian Coalition to all church sessions "correcting"
the Stated Clerk.
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick has stated that his
role is not as a prosecuting attorney, an "enforcer" of the
laws of the church.
This view has been
articulated well by Mr. Frank B. Baldwin, Stated Clerk of the
Presbytery of Philadelphia, in an open letter which he recently sent to
all presbytery and synod stated clerks. We share it here with his kind
permission.
In response to the criticisms from the Right, the
executive committee of the Witherspoon Society recently sent a
letter of support to the Stated Clerk.
|
| Witherspoon
supports those accused of "renouncing jurisdiction"
because of issues of ordination and sexuality [4-29-02]
As the Executive Committee of the Witherspoon Society
met on April 21-23, we were keenly aware of the accusations
that have been leveled against a number of our friends and
colleagues in ministry. We have adopted a statement expressing support
for the people who have been accused, and pledged to do what we can to
assist them. |
| A
note of thanks and support to the Stated Clerk
[4-27-02]
Responding to recent harsh complaints about the work
of the Stated Clerk, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the Executive
Committee of the Witherspoon Society voted unanimously to send him a
letter of support. |
The
ax falls in Louisville
[4-25-02]
The 2003 budget unveiled on Monday, April 22, proposes
that 66
full-time staff positions be eliminated -- or 12 per cent of the GAC's work force. In
addition, 34 Presbyterian missionary positions overseas will be left
vacant as incumbents in them retire or complete their terms of service
this year.
Cuts will include an intern position in the Washington
Office,
staff at the Presbyterian United Nations Office, positions in Women's
Ministries, and of course much more.
But fear not. The Layman has the solution!
For
the Layman's response to these cuts, see The Layman Online.
In short, they propose the "solution" which they have been
demanding all along: Keep the 34 missionaries (or more accurately,
replace those who are retiring and otherwise leaving their positions) by
cutting all funding for (Guess what?) the World Council of Churches, the
National Council of Churches, the National Network of Presbyterian
College Women and the Washington Office of the PCUSA.
|
| Paul Jensen
accuses 2 more ministers [4-18-02]
Jensen castigates PC(USA) Moderator Jack Rogers,
vows to keep up pressure
His home congregation dissociates itself from his
actions |
"Top
Ten Issues" for the 214th General Assembly
[4-12-02]
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick has responded to a
number of requests to issue his listing of issues coming to this year's
General Assembly. So check out this year's Top Ten! |
| PCUSA works with many others in
Coalition on Health Care, to deal with the "downward
death cycle" of the US health care system
[4-18-02] |
| What
do you know about a Scots
Presbyterian minister who stopped a lynching in Tulsa in 1921?
You might help in the creation of the
world's first bagpipe opera! [4-10-02] |
| The
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has issued a
statement on the crisis in Israel/Palestine, restating its
"conviction that acts of violence can not lead to security and
peace for Palestinians and Israelis."
The statement expresses appreciation for Pres. Bush's
April 4th statement, and underscores the need for an end to
the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. [4-5-02] |
| The
Presbyterian Antiracism Program has launched its new web page. Mark
Koenig invites you to check
it out. [4-5-02] |
| Self
Development of People this year marks 30 years of helping the poor,
and April 14 has been designated as Self-Development of People Sunday in
PC(USA). Special resources are being made available.
[4-3-02] |
| It's
"judicial season" in the PCUSA [4-3-02]
Presbyterian Outlook's Leslie Scanlon traces
what looks like the beginning of a "judicial season" in the
PC(USA), as conservatives bring charges against a number of individuals
who have been involved in support for ordaining gay and lesbian
Presbyterians.
She sees the accusers as operating out of a conviction
that such actions are "defiance" of the Book of Order, while
others see them as acts of conscience, which are legitimate within the
Presbyterian system. |
Two
stated clerks offer comments on the
complaints being filed by Paul Rolf Jensen [4-1-02]
 | Raymond Kersting
ponders the various ways in which such complaints might be handled,
and the standing -- or lack of standing -- of Mr. Jensen to file
such complaints. |
| Frank Baldwin
expresses concern about the cost of all these cases, and hopes that
people on the other side of the issue of ordination will not respond
with charges of their own, no matter how justifiable they might
seem. |
|
|
More reports on complaints against gay-friendly
churches and individuals [3-30-02]
Presbyterian News Service has carried two reports by
Alexa Smith, one detailing the variety of complaints
recently filed by Paul Jensen, and the other surveying the broader
picture of various
challenges being leveled against gay-friendly congregations and
individuals, in the wake of the defeat of Amendment A.
|
| More
complaints filed [3-28-02]
Eight complaints (not "disciplinary cases,"
as stated by the Layman Online) have been filed relating to the
recent ordination of the Rev. Katie Morrison, who is now serving as a
staff member of More Light Presbyterians.
We have a brief summary
of the story, with links to the Layman Online report, comments from
More Light Presbyterians and other. |
| What's
the Word? [3-28-02]
Ruth Kratz points to the depth of meaning in the
understanding of Jesus as the Word of God,
and expresses concern at how that insight is being eroded as some insist
that the Bible -- the book -- is the Word. |
| The
Confession of '67 affirms faith in Christ - and an ethic that flows
from that faith [3-25-02]
Amid all the demands for confessions of faith in
Christ, Gene TeSelle has noticed that a central section of the
Confession of 1967 (C-9.31-32) offers a clear affirmation of faith in
Christ, and links that faith to a radical ethic of reconciliation. That
"ethic" is not so much imperative or moralistic as it is
eucharistic: a thankful response to God's grace shown in Christ.
TeSelle suggests that this passage might well serve as a
prayer at the close of a celebration of the Lord's Supper, combining
both "promise" and "charge." |
| Pastor
gives away his stoles as a symbol of solidarity
[3-25-02]
The Rev. John Mann, pastor of Peace Presbyterian
Church in St. Louis Park, MN, has found a creative way to show through
his ministry his solidarity with those who are excluded from ministry.
He is giving his stoles to people who cannot be ordained, and will no
longer wear stoles until they can, as well.
Read how he describes the path that has led him to
this action. But be aware that if you follow his example, you too may
expect what he describes as "vitriolic" responses. |
| Two
inclusive churches charged [3-19-02]
Two churches that welcome glbt members into leadership
-- Mt. Auburn in Cincinnati and First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin
Park, California -- have both been charged with various offenses. |
| Presbyterian
Washington Office reports on new challenges to conscientious objectors
in legislative proposals for Universal Military Training
[3-13-02]
In line with actions of numerous General Assemblies,
the Washington Office has prepared an excellent summary of current
pressures for some kind of compulsory military service, challenges faced
by anyone who feels compelled by conscience not to engage in such
actions, and Presbyterian thinking on questions of military service.
|
| The
Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (TTF)
has written a mission statement and approved a six-item agenda to guide
its work over the next four years. [We note that the question of
"power," which was part on the GA action creating the Task
Force, seems to have dropped off the agenda.] [3-8-02] |
| Jack
Rogers, the General Assembly moderator, and the Rev. Clifton
Kirkpatrick, the stated clerk, have sent a
letter to the Presbyterian Church (USA) calling for reconciliation
and healing in the wake of the defeat of Amendment 01-A.
[3-8-02] |
|
Presbyterians will join other churches to push for welfare reform
[3-11-02]
At least a dozen
Presbyterians will join more than 80 other representatives of churches
and ecumenical groups next week in pressuring Congress to strengthen the
nation's welfare system.
|
| The
Witherspoon Society expresses deep regret that the presbyteries have
not affirmed Amendment A, and calls for our church to move beyond fear
with courage and hope. [2-22-02] |
| What
are the GLBT members of our PC(USA) saying after the defeat of Amendment
A? [3-4-02]
One strong, clear statement was offered by Martha
Juillerat, director of the Shower of Stoles, in a sermon preached on
Sunday, March 3. It was a call to stay, to work, to be courageous,
because "this Presbyterian Church has the potential and the
resources and the power to change the world. We have the hands to feed a
hungry planet, the arms to rebuild its cities and the feet to march by
the thousands for justice and peace. I believe that this church can and
will be resorted to greatness. That is why I am still here, and that is
why I will never, ever give up." |
| The Presbyterian Church is publishing a
very helpful new on-line magazine called Perspectives.
[3-6-02]
Check out details on the articles in their first
issue. |
| Deadline extended for "Changing
Families" study document [3-4-02]
ACSWP provides more time for feedback on church's
evolving policy.
Further comments are invited on the church-wide study
document, Changing Families [and you may want to offer
comments, notes your WebWeaver]. |
Talking
about the Trinity [3-4-02]
Shawn Coons, a Candidate for Ministry under care of the
Presbytery of East Iowa, recently posted a note in the
WITHERSPOON MEMBERS meeting on PresbyNet, as a response to a
Guest Viewpoint" essay on our language about the Trinity,
by the Rev. James C. Goodloe IV.
Coons writes: "All language about God is
incomplete and insufficient. How can we use the finite to
completely describe the infinite?" |
| The Permanent Judicial
Commission of Central Florida Presbytery has ordered the Session
of First Presbyterian Church of
Sebastian to rescind their "Confessing Church"
statement [2-28-02] |
| Pastor
Blair Moffett responds to the "survey" on "essential
tenets of the Reformed faith." [2-28-02]
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.
|
| Aurelia
Fule ponders the defeat of Amendment A, and suggests that a
"moratorium" might help us move beyond the current
impasse. [2-28-02] |
| An
e-mail from Jonathan Justice
responds to what he sees as "lies" by one speaker in the
Coalition's anti-Amendment-A video. [2-25-02] |
| More
Light Presbyterians has issued a statement regretting the defeat
of Amendment A, which would have moved our church toward more openness,
and expressing gratitude for all those who have worked for that goal and
will continue that work. [2-20-02] |
| Presbyterian
News Service reports on the defeat of Amendment A
[2-20-02] |
| United
University Church in central Los Angeles exemplifies the idea of a
whole gospel congregation -- reaching out to its ethnic mix of
neighbors and helping their children broad their worlds and their
skills. [2-20-02] |
| Witherspoon
plans regional workshops on Confession of 1967 [2-16-02]
Convinced that we and our church need to recover a
positive vision of our mission in the world, the Witherspoon Society
will hold a series of workshops in different parts of the country,
beginning a with series on the West Coast in early May 2002. The focus
will be on "C-67," building on the recent conference
at Stony Point, NY. |
| Seminarians
at Union Theological Seminary/PSCE in Richmond, VA, have formed an active
progressive group called Kairos. They
recently held a program with Jane Spahr and Katie Morrison speaking on
issues of social justice. Student leader Kate Van Brocklin
reports. [2-16-02] |
| "Caring
for God's Creation: Making the World Safe for Children" is the
theme of resources offered by the National Council of Churches for
congregational observances of Earth Day Sunday (April 21, 2002).
[2-18-02] |
| The
Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) is still seeking
nominees for a task force on people with
disabilities. The deadline is Feb. 28. [2-18-02] |
C-67
and "The Hope of Reconciliation Today"
a special report from Gene TeSelle [2-6-02]
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.
|
| The
phenomenon of fundamentalism [2-8-02]
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?
Barbara Kellam-Scott reflects on these questions, out
of an ongoing conversation on PresbyNet. |
| Criminal
Justice Sunday is February 10, 2002, on the calendar of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The year's theme is the third of a
three-part series that analyzes how victims, offenders, and communities
participate in and help shape the United States criminal justice system.
We know that all three constituencies have physical, spiritual, and
psychological needs that the criminal justice system must meet if it is
to address the problem of crime in a holistic and healing manner -- and
the church has an important role to play in this process.
The Social Justice Program Area of the National
Ministries Division has prepared resources for worship, background
readings, and more. Visit
their web page for details. [2-8-02] |
| Studying today's issues through eyes of
faith [2-6-02]
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.
|
| How shall our church
consider the "Essential Tenets of the
Reformed Faith"? [1-23-02]
For several years there have been calls for
a definition of the "essentials" of the Reformed faith. This is
one of the topics that will doubtless come before the recently appointed
Theological Task Force. And we notice that Presbyterians for Renewal has
recently sent out a survey, in what appears to be an effort to produce
their own set of "essentials."
We do not feel this is a legitimate or helpful way to
address denominational concerns. Witherspoon board member Barbara Kellam-Scott
explains why. |
| Presbyterian
Washington Office announces position opening for an Associate
for Domestic Poverty and Environmental Issues [1-23-02] |
| Jerry
Tankersley nominated for Moderator [1-23-02]
Presbyweb
reports that Dr. Jerry Tankersley, pastor of Laguna Presbyterian
Church, in Laguna Beach, California, has been endorsed by Los Ranchos
Presbytery for the position of Moderator of the 214th General
Assembly.
Hans Cornelder, editor of PresbyWeb, quotes Tankersley
as saying "The General Assembly needs Christ-centered leadership
that honors Scripture as the Word of God."
Tankersley joins the
Rev. Laird Stuart in seeking the office of Moderator.
You can learn more about him, and read some of his
sermons, on the church's
web site. |
The
real roots of the "Confessing Church Movement"
-- a protest not against Nazi tyranny, but against the abolition of
slavery
[1-22-02]
Prof. Stephen Haynes of Rhodes College explores the
historic antecedents of the "Confessing Church Movement,"
which he finds not in the Confessing Church of Germany, risking its
existence to protest a tyrannous regime, but in a movement started 140
years ago in August, Georgia, "for the purpose of salvaging the
sanctity of the church. The time had come, they believed, to repudiate
an apostate denomination, one that had fatally mingled the gospel with
politics and that was determined to ignore the clear witness of
Scripture. These men called their movement the Presbyterian Church in
the Confederate States of America."
|
| Presbyterian
Paranoia?
It may help us to understand the current tensions in
the Presbyterian Church if we see some conservative efforts as
reflecting the larger picture of "the paranoid style in American
politics." Witherspooner Berry Craig offers these reflections. He
is an associate professor of history at Paducah Community College, and a
member of Mayfield, Ky., First Presbyterian Church.
[1-21-02] |
| Covenant
Network appeals for unity
The Covenant Network has sent a
letter to all pastors and clerks of session, encouraging them to
consider seriously our Presbyterian commitment to the unity of the
church. They see "the greatest danger to the unity of the
church" as coming "not from those who advocate change but from
a different source. It is summarized in a statement, 'A Strategic Vision
for Transformation of the PCUSA,' recently issued by the Presbyterian
Coalition." [1-19-02] |
COCU
becomes CUIC, with a focus on racism
[1-19-02]
More than 300 leaders from nine denominations
representing 22 million American Christians are gathering in Memphis
this weekend to celebrate a culmination of 40 years of unity talks, as
the member churches of the Consultation on Church Union (COCU) become
Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC). This new level of unity will not be
structural, as envisioned by many as the movement began in 1960. But the
churches will recognize each other's ministries and ministers and will
seek to achieve greater visible unity. And perhaps most important, the
churches will work together to overcome the racism which still divides
American people and churches - as they are demonstrating by the time and
place of their celebration. |
| Presbytery
of the Twin Cities Area approves
Amendment A by 197 to 112, with 1 abstention [1-12-02] |
| Many
churches will help feed the hungry on "Souper
Bowl" Sunday, Feb. 3 [1-8-02] |
| Churches
move toward greater unity [1-8-02]
The Presbyterian Church (USA) and 8 other
denominations are moving another step toward unity as the new Churches
Uniting in Christ emerges from the Consultation on Church Union. |
| A
Presbyterian Panel study suggests
that pastors are evenly divided on "A," but elders tend to
oppose it. [1-2-02] |
| Richard
Mouw urges conservatives to stay in the PC(USA). Toby
Brown questions his assertion that evangelical leader J. Gresham
Machen was truly a "traditional" Presbyterian. [1-2-02] |
|
News and commentary of the
Presbyterian Church for 2001 is archived
on its own page. |
| Reports
and commentary on the PC(USA, from April
through December, 2001, are indexed on a new page. |
| News
about the PC(USA) from December
2000 through March, 2001, is now listed on a new page. |
| For
more news notes and links to longer stories, from July through early
December, 2000, click here. |
|
For
reports on the controversy over the Peacemaking Conference (Summer,
2000) and
statements by speaker Dirk Ficca,
click
here.
|
|
For reports and comments on the
212th General Assembly (2000)
click here |
The Washington Office -- the best-kept
secret in the PC(USA)?
How to make use of it! |
|
There's more news in these areas: |
| Covenant
Network |
| Women's concerns |
| Sexual
Justice |
| Ecumenical
Relations |
|
The
Religious Right |
