Voting on A

Voting on Amendment 01-A

Last updated on 03/10/10

Amendment 01-A defeated by 46 to 127 [4-18-02]

The votes are all in, and Amendment 01-A has been rejected by the presbyteries, by a vote of 46 in favor of approving , 127 opposed.

The Presbytery of Alaska cast the final vote, with a margin of 15 yes and 24 no votes.

You can check the detailed voting list on PresbyWeb

or on the Covenant Network web site.

And it's interesting to look at a map of the U.S. showing the geographical distribution of the presbytery votes.

Comments? Ideas? Please send a note and we'll share them here.

The vote on Amendment 01-A: 46 yes - 120 no [3-13-02]

Recent votes:

YES: New Brunswick, Cascades; Lake Michigan; Miami; Grand Canyon (122 - 96 - a shift from past votes in favor of 96-B and against 97-A.

NO: Cincinnati, Indian Nations

We've received comments from participants/observers in a number of these presbyteries.

Your reports and comments are always more than welcome. Just send a note!

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]

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]

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."

Aurelia Fule ponders the defeat of Amendment A, and suggests that a "moratorium" might help us move beyond the current impasse. [2-28-02]

Palo Alto Presbyterians stand firm in support of gays and lesbians [2-22-02]

More Light Presbyterians has issued a statement regretting the defeat of an action that 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]

Other reactions to the defeat of "A" [2-22-02]

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."

The Layman Online calls the action "a victory for Biblical morality."

Presbyterian News Service reports on the defeat of Amendment A [2-20-02]

Here's a hymn you may want to use on Sunday -- with words by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette that affirm God's all-embracing love in Christ. [2-20-02]

The vote on Amendment 01-A as of Feb. 25: 40 yes - 104 no [2-25-02]

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

	Click here for more reports on voting.
	PresbyWeb's table on voting will provide you with more complete data. And for analysis of the voting from a more progressive perspective, check out the Covenant Network web site.
	We welcome reports on debates and voting, as well as comments and analysis. Just send a note!

Amendment A is defeated [2-19-02]

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

The vote on Amendment 01-A: 39 yes - 86 no (as of 2/16)

The most recent reports:

YES: Northern Waters - 41 - 30 (a shift from their vote against 97-A); John Knox - 66 - 64; Mid-Kentucky - 113 - 63; East Iowa - 78 - 69.

NO: North Alabama - no; Prospect Hill - 24 - 62; Shenandoah - 77 - 146; Lake Erie - 37 - 65; Flint River - 20 - 71; Arkansas - 92 - 96.

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.'"

The vote on Amendment 01-A: 35 yes - 80 no (2/14)
Results of this week (all voted the same way on 97-A) :

YES: Boston - 59 - 42

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

Reflections on the voting [2-12-02]

Doug Nave, an attorney who was Overture Advocate for New York's overture that became the basis of Amendment A, reflects on the voting thus far.

The vote on Amendment 01-A: 34 yes - 78 no [2-11-02]

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.)

The vote on Amendment 01-A: 31 yes - 70 no [2-8-02]

The latest presbytery votes:

YES: Utica - 24 - 8; Albany - 74 - 28 (11 abstentions)

NO: Lake Huron - 42 - 64; Pueblo - 25 - 77; St. Andrew - 11 - 86; Scioto Valley - 103 - 105 (a shift from earlier votes)

Voting on Amendment A [2-4-02]

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.

The latest voting on Amendment A [2-2-02]

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.

The vote as of January 29: 26 yes - 62 no

The latest votes:

YES: Palisades 59 - 33

Barbara Kellam-Scott describes the debate in Palisades, and shares her own comments, which point out that the real issue is trust -- in one another and our Presbyterian Church, and in our gracious God.

NO: Great Rivers 99 - 108 (a shift from opposing Amendment 96-B); Huntingdon 26 - 62

Voting on Amendment A [1-28-02]

The vote on 01-A this past weekend: 8 yes - 11 no.
Total thus far: 25 yes - 60 no

The most recent votes are these:

YES: Sierra Blanca 18 - 17; Long Island 87 - 28; New Castle 65 - 55; Northern Kansas 73 - 49; Geneva 65 - 35; Heartland 150 - 139; de Cristo 70 - 55 (supported 96-B and 97-A, rejected 00-0 (so this is a partial shift in voting); Elizabeth 70 - 58.

NO: Wyoming no (a switch); Eastern Virginia 70 - 98; Beaver-Butler - No; Santa Barbara 39 - 101; Lackawanna 26 - 49 (a shift from earlier votes); Upper Ohio Valley 18 - 80; Pacific 99 - 100; Salem 160 - 187; Greater Atlanta 235 - 283; Western North Carolina 100 - 166; Northern Plains 35 - 51 (a switch).

Note that the votes in de Cristo and Pacific presbyteries were decided by margins of just one vote. Getting out the vote still matters!

The vote on Amendment 01-A: 17 yes - 49 no
[1-23-02]

The latest votes reported: Milwaukee (68 - 35); Denver (115 - 69); Lehigh 50 - 62); Riverside (18 - 94); National Capital (220 - 116); Carlisle (58 - 81)

Voting on Amendment 01-A: Current totals are 14 yes - 46 no [1-21-02]

Three presbyteries have voted recently as they did in 1997: Missouri River Valley (65 - 68 against - closer than votes on B and A); Des Moines (69 - 46 yes); Redwoods (102 - 49 yes). Two have shifted from some previous votes that have supported ordination: North Central Iowa (46 - 65 against), and Kiskiminetas (35 - 76).

The latest votes on 01-A [1-15-02]

Total vote is now 12 for and 42 against

Presbyteries voting on January 15th: Donegal (77 - 118); East Tennessee (no); Maumee Valley (51 - 70 - a shift from rejecting Amendment B in 1997, and supporting Amendment 97-A in 1998).

Hans Cornelder of PresbyWeb now says that "if the remaining presbyteries vote on 01-A as they did on 97-A, amendment 01-A will fail by 53 yes - 120 no."

These reports came in from voting last week:

Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area approved Amendment A by 197 to 112, with 1 abstention

Muskingum Valley rejected 01-A by a vote of 51 - 117 [1-12-02]

John Calvin Presbytery rejected 01-A by 16 - 76; Giddings-Lovejoy approved it by 115 - 106. Both voted as they have in the past on this issue.

As of January 9, the vote on Amendment 01-A stands at 10 yes and 37 no. [1-10-02]

Latest: Newton: yes (82 - 34); Chicago: yes (247-170); San Francisco: yes (216 - 186)and Eastminster: no (54 - 65) (all four voted the same way on 97-A).

Hans Cornelder of PresbyWeb comments: "If the remaining presbyteries vote on 01-A as they did on 97-A, amendment 01-A will fail by about 54 yes - 119 no. However, if current patterns continue, the margin will be larger."

San Francisco Presbytery, at its meeting on September 9, approved Amendment A by a vote of 216 yes to 186 no.

Can you share a report from your presbytery's debate and vote? Please just send a little note!

Amendment A slips farther behind in voting

Effort to restore ordination decisions to presbyteries and sessions trails 7-35 with 25 percent of the vote in

by Jerry L. Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service

[posted here 12-14-01]

A Presbyterian Panel study suggests that pastors are evenly divided on "A," but elders tend to oppose it. [1-2-02]

LOUISVILLE - 10-December-2001 - With nearly 25 percent of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s 173 presbyteries having voted, Amendment 01-A - which would delete G-6.0106b from the church's Book of Order - is losing by a wide margin.

The unofficial tally on the controversial measure, as of Dec. 10, is 7 in favor and 35 opposed. One presbytery - Boise - rejected the measure on a tie vote, 20-20.

More importantly, three of the 35 presbyteries that have voted "no" - Minnesota Valleys, Ohio Valley and Western Kentucky - voted "yes" on a similar measure in 1997 that lost 57-114. No presbyteries have "switched" the other way, which means that if all remaining presbyteries vote the same way they did in 1997, Amendment 01-A would lose 54-119.

G-6.0106b states: "Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament."

The votes:

YES (7): Baltimore, Cayuga-Syracuse, Eastern Oregon, Genesee Valley, Hudson River, Northern New York, San Jose.

NO (35): Boise, Central Florida, Central Washington, Charleston-Atlantic, Coastal Carolina, Dakota, Foothills, Holston, Inland Northwest, Los Ranchos, Minnesota Valleys, Mississippi, Noroeste, Northeast Georgia, Northumberland, Ohio Valley, Olympia, Peace River, Peaks, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Joaquin, San Juan, Sheppards and Lapsley, Southern Kansas, Suroeste, Transylvania, Tropical Florida, Washington, West Virginia, Western Kentucky, Whitewater Valley.

Please share your analysis, comments, experiences in your presbytery! Send a note!

For a clear and current listing of the votes, check the PresbyWeb site.

Early returns show Amendment A is in trouble

24 of first 28 presbyteries to vote would keep "fidelity/chastity" provision

[11-29-01]

by Jerry L. Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service

(with the latest results added from PresbyWeb as of 11/28/01)

LOUISVILLE - 26-November-2001 - With about 15 percent of the votes in, Amendment A - which would delete G-6.0106b from the Book of Order - has been rejected by 24 of 28 presbyteries.

A majority of the presbyteries - 87of 173 - must vote to ratify the amendment in order for it to take effect.

While the number of presbyteries that have voted is small, there is no indication that the church's mind has changed since the last attempt to delete G-6.0106b in 1997, when a similar proposed amendment was defeated 57-114.

The four presbyteries that have voted to delete G-6.0106b - Baltimore, Eastern Oregon, Genesee Valley, and Cayuga-Syracuse - also voted to delete it in 1997.

One presbytery that voted to delete the provision in 1997 - Western Kentucky - has "switched" its vote this year. The other 21 presbyteries voted "no" on both occasions.

If the remaining 149 presbyteries vote as they did in 1997, the proposed amendment would fail by about 56-116.

The unofficial tally, as of Nov. 28:

YES: Baltimore, Eastern Oregon, Genesee Valley, Cayuga-Syracuse.

NO: Boise, Central Washington, Charleston-Atlantic, Dakota, Foothills, Inland Northwest, Mississippi, New Harmony, Noroeste, Northumberland, Olympia, Peace River, San Diego, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Joaquin, San Juan, Sheppards and Lapsley, Southern Kansas, Suroeste, Transylvania, Tropical Florida, Washington, Western Kentucky.

A NOTE FROM YOUR WEBWEAVER:

Some observers have noted that opponents of "A" have apparently been encouraging some conservative presbyteries to vote earlier than they might normally, in order to give an impression of a strong tide running against the proposed change.

The vote on 01-A in San Gabriel Presbytery

Opponents praise "self-control," but seem to show little of it [11-29-01]

Voting on Amendment A: 2 for, 7 against [10-24-01]

Hans Cornelder, proprietor of PresbyWeb, is once again reporting results of presbytery voting, this time on Amendment 01-A, in a nice clear table, comparing the votes to previous voting on Amendment B (in 1996/97), which was approved by 97 - 74; Amendment A, which would essentially would have "repealed" Amendment B (G-6.0106b) in 1997/98, and which was defeated by 57 - 114; and last year's Amendment O, to ban holy unions, which was defeated by 73 - 100.

So far 2 presbyteries - Baltimore and Eastern Oregon - have approved Amendment A; 7 have rejected it.

We will offer regular updates on the voting here, but will leave the table-building to others. We'll help you find them, though!

Baltimore Presbytery affirms Amendment 01-A

[10-3-01]

In what may be the first presbytery vote on Amendment 01-A, the Presbytery of Baltimore approved the amendment to open the way for sessions and presbyteries to follow their own processes of discernment in matters of ordaining gay and lesbian people as elders and ministers. The Presbytery met on September 27, at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Joppa MD.

The vote was 106 in favor of "A," 56 against, with one abstention.

For a full report by Jim Tiefenthal on the debate and the vote, visit the web site of That All May Freely Serve.