[MLPnews] MLPnews September 12, 2005

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MLP News

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....working for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith
in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

	

Volume 2
Issue 8
  Sept. 12, 2005



 

 

 

/Special MLP News editor's note: this edition of MLP News contains 
several responses to the final report of the PCUSA's Task Force 
<http://www.pcusa.org/peaceunitypurity/> on Peace, Unity and Purity, a 
20-member body which was created in 2001 to "develop a process" for 
reflection and discussion within the denomination.  In an action which 
arguably oversteps its mandate and authority, the Task Force recently 
recommended that next year's General Assembly take _no action_ to remove 
anti-LGBT language from the Book of Order.  The Task Force has thus 
taken sides with prejudice.  MLP's response 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050828043719511> was strong and 
rapid, as you can read below.  Over the next 9 months leading up to the 
2006 General Assembly in Birmingham, watch for MLP to offer various 
actions that you can take to support the elimination of anti-gay 
prejudice from our denomination.  This month, we ask that you sign up to 
host a house party <http://www.mlp.org/index.php?topic=comeout> in early 
October as part of our annual Coming Out for More Light Weekend.

/

In this issue:

    TAKE ACTION: Host a "Prelude to Victory" house party on October 8 or 9

    More Light Presbyterians Statement on the Task Force Final Report
    Michael Adee's response to the Theological Task Force report
    Your responses to the task force report
    "Abuse of power": TAMFS response to task force report rejects its
    call for moratorium on delete-B overtures

    Long Time Activist, Bear Ride, named as MLP Co-moderator
    More Light Church in the news: Brown Memorial hosts clergy
    leadership event to support same-gender marriage in Maryland
    A summary of delete-B overtures passed so far
    More Light Update editor and long time activist Chris Glaser to
    finally be ordained... in the MCC
    Another delete-B overture passes: Des Moines Presbytery sends
    Ordination Overture to 2006 General Assembly
    HRC's new Religion and Faith Fellows Program
    Privilege and prejudice theme at college women's conference


*TAKE ACTION: Host a "Prelude to Victory" house party on October 8 or 9*


On October 8 and 9, More Light Presbyterians supporters throughout the 
country will join together and hold house parties as part of our second 
annual Coming Out for More Light Sunday. Become a house party host - 
sign up online now <http://www.mlp.org/staticpages/index.php?page=host>.

House parties this year will include a national conference call, 
featuring an interactive conversation with More Light leaders and MLP 
field organizer Michael Adee. The parties and the calls will strengthen 
our solidarity as a movement, help grow MLP's membership, and increase 
the financial strength of MLP to allow us to work even harder for your 
rights. House parties are easy, fun, and a great way to support the More 
Light movement by asking your friends to join in financial support of 
MLP. Sign up today <http://www.mlp.org/staticpages/index.php?page=host> 
and throw a party for More Light, on October 8 or 9.

- Read the full host invitation and question/answer document 
<http://www.mlp.org/comeout/mlp-host-invite-2005.pdf>.
- Sign up to host a party 
<http://www.mlp.org/staticpages/index.php?page=host>.



*More Light Presbyterians Statement on the Task Force Final Report*


Released Aug. 28, 2005


The National Board of More Light Presbyterians (MLP) wishes to thank the 
twenty members of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity 
of the Church (TTF) for its four years of soul-searching prayer, work, 
reflection and response. The mission was enormous, and much of the 
result has been monumental and heartening. The TTF has now released its 
final section, the recommendations for our consideration. While we can 
applaud much of what the Task Force commends to us, particularly the 
need for continuing discernment of what it means to be the church in the 
21st Century, we are dismayed at one proposal in particular.

The proposal of the TTF that the 217th General Assembly adopt "no 
additional authoritative interpretations, to remove no existing 
authoritative interpretations, and to send to presbyteries no proposed 
constitutional amendments that would have the effect of changing 
denominational policy in the major areas of the task force's report ..." 
is clearly in denial of the very real, very present circumstances that 
affect the day-to-day lives and ministries of lesbian, gay, bisexual and 
transgender Presbyterians.

[...]

Through over 30 years of failure to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and 
transgender Presbyterians from spiritual, psychological, material, and 
judicial violence, the church has violated its own historic principles. 
G-6.0106b must be removed if the church is to repent and go forward in 
peace.
*Read the full statement... 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050828043719511>*

*
Michael Adee's response to the Theological Task Force report*


Released August 27, 2005

Re: Reflecting upon the PCUSA Theological Task Force's call for a 
moratorium on justice and for continuing prejudice and discrimination 
against LGBT persons, our families and allies

These are sad and disheartening days indeed to realize that the 
Theological Task Force charged to lead Presbyterians into the 21st 
Century with a new vision about how to be the Church instead has called 
for a moratorium on justice and seeking justice, as well as a call to 
continue prejudice and discrimination against their own daughters and 
sons, sisters and brothers.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians, our sacred worth, 
faith, spiritual gifts, relationships and calls to ministry were not 
only summarily dismissed, the recommendations of the Theological Task 
Force tragically encourage spiritual violence against us by calling for 
more rigorous examinations focused upon sexuality rather than faith. 
Heterosexist and homophobic assumptions persist within this report and 
its recommendations assuming moral fitness with persons merely in 
heterosexual marriages and assuming immorality with persons who fall in 
love with those of the same sex. Again, one's faith and character, call 
to ministry, desire to serve God in and through God's church seem not to 
matter in the least in this report.
*Read the full statement... 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050827154415267>*



*Your responses to the task force report*

/Here are extracts from some of the responses and comments recently 
posted to MLP's two-way email lists 
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/morelightpresbyterians/>, anonymized as 
needed for privacy. They are fairly representative of the opinions 
expressed on the lists since the TTF released its report. The responses 
here, of course, don't necessarily represent the official position of 
MLP - they're a collection of voices from many people with many 
backgrounds./

"Reading the Task force recommendation that we stop all efforts at 
change and reform within our denomination leads me to the conclusion 
that as a 43-year-old gay man I may as well leave the denomination of my 
birth and heritage. If the church adopts these recommendations, I know 
that I will never be welcomed in this church. That grieves me, but what 
grieves me even more are the thousands of LGBT teenagers growing up in 
Presbyterian churches who are being told by this that they are somehow 
"less than", "not worthy", and certainly "not equal" in the sight of 
God. ... Truly a church where all are not welcomed as equals in the 
sight of God is not a church, but a discriminatory private club."
- A.F., California
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050901113505208>*

*

**"Abuse of power": TAMFS response to task force report rejects its call 
for moratorium on delete-B overtures*
*
*/TAMFS <http://www.tamfs.org> has released a 10-page statement and 
analysis 
<http://www.tamfs.org/2005/Task%20Force%20Final%20Reponse/09.01.2005%20Task%20Force%20Response%20Final.pdf> 
in response to the PCUSA theological task force's 
<http://www.pcusa.org/peaceunitypurity/> final report. The statement 
recommends that presbyteries continue to send delete-B overtures 
<http://www.mlp.org/resources/overturefaq.html> to the 2006 General 
Assembly and criticizes the Task Force report for its failure to mention 
the ongoing attacks against LGBT people within the PCUSA. TAMFS and More 
Light Presbyterians are therefore in total agreement that there should 
be no delay in ongoing efforts to use the Presbyterian legislative 
process to remove G6.0106b and other anti-LGBT Presbyterian policies. A 
brief extract from the TAMFS statement appears below./

"... In the midst of the atmosphere of fear and hostility that 
'definitive guidance' and G6.0106b have engendered toward LGBT members 
of the church, it has been LGBT members who most often have demonstrated 
extraordinary forbearance...

Attempts at dialogue and interaction with those in the church who fail 
to recognize our full humanity have brought many of us face-to-face with 
cruel cutting remarks, inhumane and mean-spirited character attacks, 
threatened or actual disciplinary complaints and charges of heresy, as 
well as destruction of careers. At the same time, those within the 
church who have engaged in some of the most egregious attacks against 
our humanity have experienced no repercussions from the larger church 
for their actions... We have a grave concern that the Task Force's 
proposed 'season of discernment' does not mention any plan to hold 
anyone accountable for inhumane and inhospitable treatment of LGBT people...
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050905195054586> *


*
Long Time Activist, Bear Ride, named as MLP Co-moderator*


The National Board of More Light Presbyterians announces the election of 
The Rev. Dr. Bear Ride as national Co-moderator. She replaces outgoing 
Co-moderator, Dr. Donna Riley, whose term on the National Board expires 
this year. The Rev. Dr. Erin Swenson, the continuing Co-moderator said, 
"We were indeed fortunate to have had the association with Donna Riley 
for so many years going all the way back to the merger of Presbyterians 
for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC) and the More Light Churches Network 
(MLCN). Bear's election will certainly continue the tradition of 
excellent leadership which has become the hallmark of More Light 
Presbyterians."
*Read the full article, with photo... 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050905104050503>*

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More Light Church in the news: Brown Memorial hosts clergy leadership 
event to support same-gender marriage in Maryland*


/Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church 
<http://www.brownmemorialparkavenue.org/>, a More Light church in 
Baltimore, recently hosted a multifaith signing of a statement in 
support of equal marriage rights for same-gender couples. Below are 
extracts from an Associated Press article about the statement. You can 
also read the Baltimore Sun's report of the event 
<http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-gaymarriage0829,1,5856920.story?coll=bal-home-headlines> 
and its context at the Sun's web site./

*Same-sex marriage suit set to open in city court*
Group of Md. religious leaders calls for end to ban on gay unions
By Brian Witte
The Associated Press

A day before court arguments challenging Maryland's ban on same-sex 
marriage, a group of Maryland religious leaders signed a statement today 
in support of marriage protections for same-sex couples...
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050903090618973> *

*
A summary of delete-B overtures passed so far*


As a recap and because we missed one overture earlier this year, here's 
a summary of the delete-B overtures to date that we know have passed, 
and have been sent by presbyteries to the 2006 General Assembly. To send 
a delete-B overture from your presbytery, take a look at the MLP 2006 
General Assembly Overture FAQ 
<http://www.mlp.org/resources/overturefaq.html>. MLP is also happy to 
offer advice and assistance to equality supporters who'd like to pass a 
delete-B overture within your Presbytery... just drop a note to our 
field organizer Michael Adee <mailto:michael at mlp.org>.

- April 19, 2005: Heartland Presbytery ( MLP article here 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050419234203172>)
- May 24, 2005: Western Reserve.
- June 25, 2005: Cascades Presbytery ( MLP article here 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050625215429481>)
- June 28, 2005: Detroit Presbytery ( MLP article here 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050628223732981>)
- August 20, 2005: Des Moines Presbytery ( MLP article here 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050822203443636>)


*
More Light Update editor and long time activist Chris Glaser to finally 
be ordained... in the MCC*

/Chris Glaser, a Presbyterian who among his numerous activist tasks 
currently serves as editor of our print publication the More Light 
Update <http://www.mlp.org/staticpages/index.php?page=update>, invites 
one and all to attend his ordination on October 2 in Decatur, GA. In his 
biography <http://www.chrisglaser.com/biopage.html>, Chris notes that he 
was the only openly gay member of the "Presbyterian Task Force to Study 
Homosexuality", whose report recommending ordination for gay people was 
rejected by Presbyterian General Assembly in 1978. Had the Presbyterian 
Church followed the Task Force's advice, Chris would be able to lend his 
pastoral skills and compassion in an ordained position within the PCUSA 
today./

Dear Friends,

I welcome your presence and your prayers at my ordination to MCC 
<http://www.mccchurch.org> on World Communion Sunday, October 2, 2005 at 
3 p.m. at Christ Covenant Metropolitan Community Church, 109 Hibernia 
Ave., Decatur, Georgia 30030, followed by one heckuva party at the 
church. The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator-elect of UFMCC, will 
preach. Clergy are welcome to vest, but it is not necessary. Rev. Peg 
Beissert has generously provided for the alb I will be wearing.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050823143901964>
*



*Another delete-B overture passes: Des Moines Presbytery sends 
Ordination Overture to 2006 General Assembly*

/Reported by our field organizer Michael Adee. Thanks to all who worked 
on this overture in Des Moines Presbytery, and special thanks to Ted 
Coppock of Westminster Presbyterian <http://www.westpres.org/> for doing 
the pro-overture presentation to the presbytery./

Good News from the Midwest! Des Moines Presbytery passes Ordination 
Overture to 2006 General Assembly

Ted Coppock, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines and MLP Liaison 
for Iowa, reported today of the good news that the Des Moines Presbytery 
passed the Ordination Overture during its meeting this past Saturday, 
August 20, 2005. This is the second time that the Des Moines Presbytery 
has passed an ordination overture. With 78 persons eligible to vote, the 
overture passed with 42 in favor, 34 opposed and 2 abstentions. In 2004, 
it was Des Moines Presbytery to pass the first ordination overture. This 
year, it was Heartland Presbytery in nearby Missouri and Kansas.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050822203443636>*

* <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050822203443636> *

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*HRC's new Religion and Faith Fellows Program
*

/Of particular interest and opportunity to our LGBTQ college and 
seminary students, candidates, etc. is this just-announced new program 
with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Washington, DC.  Please circulate 
this information among your campus ministry, seminary community, MLP 
Chapter, church, presbytery and other networks. /

*[...] Description of Religion Fellow Duties.* HRC appoints up to one 
full-time (37.5 hours/week) or two part-time (12 hours/week) Religion 
Fellows for the spring and fall semesters and one full-time summer 
Religion Fellow. Religion Fellows work with the HRC Religion and Faith 
Program Director and Manager, religious leaders from across the 
religious spectrum, lay leaders, organizational allies, and affirming 
LGBT organizations on church policy and legislative matters.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=2005081209060019>*

*
*

*Privilege and prejudice theme at college women's conference*

(CHICAGO, Presbyterian News Service) - Changing the world isn't on the 
agenda, but it's a goal of the annual leadership conference of the 
National Network of Presbyterian College Women (NNPCW).  More than 35 
young women of different faiths, abilities and ethnicities from around 
the country have gathered here to tackle discrimination and live up to 
the event's theme, "Many Hands, One Spirit: Confronting Prejudice 
through Education and Social Action."
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050801103351777>*

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MLPnews is published every 3-4 weeks by More Light Presbyterians 
<http://www.mlp.org>.  Text not attributed otherwise is copyright (c) 
2005 More Light Presbyterians.  MLP permits and encourages the 
noncommercial forwarding of this email message in its entirety.  Send 
your news items and (small) photos to news at mlp.org.  To subscribe to 
MLPnews, visit www.mlp.org and use the MLPnews subscription box at the 
top of the web page.

More Light Presbyterians is a member-supported, 501c(3) organization 
which works for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and 
transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the 
Presbyterian Church (USA) <http://www.pcusa.org>.  Your financial 
contributions are a key part of our witness, activities, and efforts to 
bring equality to the PCUSA.  You can contribute to MLP online, or print 
a mail-in signup form, at www.mlp.org/join.html 
<http://www.mlp.org/join.html>

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