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In support of the Moderator |
| The latest signer
of the Call to Civility sent a note
which sums up the thinking of many
[4-5-02]
Please add my name to the many who have joined
in a "call to civility." I want to support the legitimacy of
the election of Jack Rogers as Moderator at last summer's General
Assembly and challenge those who concluded that the Assembly was not
guided by the Spirit in its decision-making.
But more than that, I want to support those
calling for greater civility in our conversations around issues about
which we may have differences of viewpoints, and even beyond that, for
greater acceptance not only of positions but of actions of inclusivity
which some may disagree with. Our peace as a church will only come when
we can live together in unity regardless of our differences and allow a
broader degree of ministries to exist. We may not all agree on what
constitutes sin. That's all right. Let's each of us live in the freedom
of our own conscience, responsible before God -- accepting and agreeing
to what is absolutely essential to our faith, but allowing greater
freedom in matters of difference. By and large we have been able to do
this in regards to the abortion issue. We need to do this likewise in
regards to our affirmation and full inclusion of gays and lesbians.
Al Gephart, pastor
University Presbyterian Church
139 E. Alameda Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85284
www.upctempe.org
Do you want to add your own name, or
perhaps ask your session or other group to consider endorsing the Call
to Civility? Please just send
a note!
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An
elder writes in support of the Moderator
[10-18-01]
I was deeply disturbed to read in my most recent issue of Outlook
that certain parties have been taking potshots at our Moderator, Jack
Rogers. It isn't too difficult for me to imagine just who that might be.
I have been an admirer of Jack Rogers for many years. I have read his
books and sometimes view/listen to his videos which I own. These I find
most helpful in my faith walk and in my responsibilities as an Elder in
my church.
I was very, very pleased when it was announced that he would be a
candidate for Moderator and that he had been elected. Subsequently I
learned what a fine job he did at the podium of that General Assembly
meeting.
I find Psalm 62: l-8 exposes this situation very
well.
Thank you for letting us know what is going on. I shall call this to the
attention of the Session of my church.
Elder Marjorie (Marge) Coombs
Presbytery of the Inland Northwest
First Presbyterian Church
Spokane, Washington
Psalm 62
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him
comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be
shaken.
3 How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of
you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take
pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they
curse. Selah
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope
is from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be
shaken.
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is
in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah. |
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Visit
our lively
new website! |
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GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
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Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
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Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
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Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
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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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