[MLPnews] MLPnews December 29, 2006
mlpnews at mylist.net
mlpnews at mylist.net
Fri Dec 29 19:28:51 PST 2006
www.mlp.org
*
MLP News
*
....working for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith
in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Volume 3
Issue 12
December 29, 2006
*In this issue:*
* "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
for LGBT Equality
* Michael Adee on ABC News
* Advent Reflections & Shades of Pink
* Synod of the Trinity blocks enforcement of Pittsburgh
Presbytery's anti-LGBT resolution
* World AIDS Day - Dec. 1st 2006
* Baltimore Presbytery passes pro-LGBT civil marriage rights
resolution
* Charges against Rev. Janet Edwards dismissed
* The Story Unfolds: Rev. Janet Edwards' trial
* "Tough for Gays to Keep the Faith" - Janet Edwards story in
the Washington Blade
* An Open Letter to Ted Haggard & Catholic Bishops: Trust God
Who Made Me Gay
* Is being anti-gay on shaky ground for Christians & good citizens?
* Thanksgiving message from Michael Adee
* PCUSA Stated Clerk's September 2006 letter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for
LGBT Equality
*A Benefit for More Light Presbyterians
<https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=7550> - January 2007
Fundraising goal: $19,340*
Michael J. Adee, our National Field Organizer, is climbing the
world's tallest free-standing mountain, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania,
Africa in January 2007. He is doing this as a benefit to raise money
for LGBT Equality in the Presbyterian Church (USA) through More
Light Presbyterians.
Michael in training for the big climb
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061211145511857>
Taking the Supremes' signature Motown hit song "Ain't No Mountain
High Enough" as his theme, Michael has been training for this
mountain climbing expedition for more than 2 years. Matching the
19,340 elevation at the top of Kilimanjaro, he has set a fundraising
goal of $19,340 for this Benefit. The benefit goal translates into
$1 for every foot climbed.
"As an out gay Christian and activist working for LGBT equality in
the Presbyterian Church and in society, there are plenty of
mountains and valleys. Justice seems so close, at times just over
the horizon," said Michael.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061211145511857>*
Michael Adee on ABC News
/MLP field organizer Michael Adee was recently interviewed on ABC
News. While the PCUSA does not yet embrace LGBT persons in full
membership and ministry, it's not a violation of PCUSA rules to
ordain LGBT people - see the first question in the //MLP legal FAQ
<http://www.mlp.org/resources/mlp-faq.htm>.///
Gay Man Uses Pulpit to Fight for Acceptance
Dec. 9, 2006 - Michael Adee is one of the very few openly gay elders
in the Presbyterian Church. He was ordained by a liberal church in
Santa Fe, New Mexico...//
Adee would like to take the next step and become a pastor who
performs sacraments such as baptism and marriage, but that's
unlikely unless the church changes its policy. Asked if he has a
problem with being a member of a denomination that refuses to ordain
gay and lesbian ministers, he answered, "Yes, I would be
disingenuous if I say anything else."*
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=2006121123083926>*
Advent Reflections & Shades of Pink
/December 19 reflections from Michael Adee/
Of Advent and Christmas, Madeline L'Engle in her book, /The Winter
of the Heart/, said: "This is the irrational season when love blooms
bright and wild. Had Mary been filled with reason, there'd have been
no room for the Child."*
*
Today is the third Sunday in Advent. The third candle is Joy and its
color is pink. Why is this candle different from the others? Some
would say, this candle is pink as the color of the Rose that blooms
in the midst of winter echoing the promise of the prophet Isaiah
that even in the desert there would be life and a blossom.
*Read more...
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061219063527392> *
Synod of the Trinity blocks enforcement of Pittsburgh Presbytery's
anti-LGBT resolution
The Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of the Synod of the Trinity
has issued a stay of enforcement of Pittsburgh Presbytery's
un-tenet-able resolution
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20060831210246487> which that
Presbytery passed in October. Continued Presbyterian court fights
over issues of sexuality are likely to continue until the
denomination finally realizes that the right thing to do is remove
G6.0106b, which is the legislative source of the problem.
The request for a stay of enforcement was submitted in November as
part of a formal remedial complaint by the sessions and ministers of
Sixth Presbyterian <http://www.sixthchurch.org/> (More Light) and
East Liberty Presbyterian <http://www.cathedralofhope.org/>.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061210154546557>*
World AIDS Day - Dec. 1st 2006
December 1st is World AIDS Day. It is a day of remembrance, ministry
and action. HIV/AIDS has been with us for more than 25 years.
College and high school students have not known a world or life
without HIV. "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise" is the World AIDS Day
Campaign theme for 2006.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061129122003213>*
Baltimore Presbytery passes pro-LGBT civil marriage rights resolution
/In a series of votes which closely mimics the national discussion
and incremental progress towards marriage equality for LGBT people,
on Nov. 16 the Presbytery of Baltimore narrowly replaced a
resolution brought by nine sessions calling for full LGBT civil
marriage equality with an "everything but marriage" resolution which
then passed 73 to 44. //Our field organizer Michael Adee offers
more details about the Baltimore resolution below./
More Light Presbyterians & Friends --
The day after charges against the Rev. Janet Edwards, parish
associate, Community of Reconciliation, Pittsburgh, PA, a More Light
church and National MLP Board member, were dismissed in the
Presbytery of Pittsburgh for officiating at the wedding of a lesbian
couple -- the Presbytery of Baltimore passed a resolution supporting
civil and legal rights for same gender couples.
The story of this resolution and its process follow this announcement.*
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061123211255385>*
Charges against Rev. Janet Edwards dismissed
/An on-site report filed Nov. 15./
Hello from Pittsburgh. The case against Rev. Janet Edwards was
dismissed this morning (Nov. 15) by the Pittsburgh Presbytery
Permanent Judicial Commission on procedural grounds. Hundreds of us
were gathered for the trial this morning to be of support to our
friend and colleague, Janet, who serves on the National Board of
More Light Presbyterians and as parish associate of her beloved
church, Community of Reconciliation, a More Light Church.
Charges against Presbyterian pastor dismissed
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
A church trial for a Presbyterian minister ended this morning after
a panel decided that the charges against her for conducting the
wedding of two lesbians were filed four days too late.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061115133851298>*
The Story Unfolds: Rev. Janet Edwards' trial
/From our field organizer Michael Adee./
More Light Presbyterians & Friends - *
*The passionate convictions, witness and ministries --- and trial
yesterday in Pittsburgh --- of our friend and colleague, the Rev.
Dr. Janet Edwards*, * Presbyterian minister, spouse, mother of two
sons in college, spiritual director, parish associate at Community
of Reconciliation, Pittsburgh, a More Light Church, and National MLP
Board member --- embody the growth and strength of the welcoming and
affirming movement in our Church and other faith traditions. *
*
Over and over Janet speaks her heart and mind in gentle, strong and
respectful ways: /"Scripture teaches me that the heart of marriage
is the love and commitment between the partners. Life has taught me
that gay and lesbian partners can show as much love and commitment
as anyone else."
/*Read more...
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061116132603868>*
"Tough for Gays to Keep the Faith" - Janet Edwards story in the
Washington Blade
Elizabeth Perry's national article today [Nov. 28] reviews recent
anti-gay activity within the Presbyterian Church (USA), North
Carolina Baptists and the recent meeting of U.S. Catholic Bishops.
Perry arrives at the conclusion those of us who are lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender understand all too well because we live it
- we are living through it - we are working for change in the midst
of it -- homophobia and heterosexism are testing the boundaries of
the Gospel, what it means to be a Christian, and whether we will
follow Jesus' teaching and example of loving God, neighbor and self,
or not. *
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061128190704808>*
An Open Letter to Ted Haggard & Catholic Bishops: Trust God Who Made
Me Gay
/From our field organizer Michael Adee/.
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me, You know when I sit down
and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. ... /For
it was you who formed my inmost parts; you knit me together in my
mother's womb/. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well." Psalm 139:
1, 13 -14, A Psalm of David*.
*
My first memory of hearing this text from the Hebrew Scriptures was
at a youth group Bible study. These words were like electricity
running through my heart, body and soul. It was God who made me* *
and made me good*. *I was certainly not the only gay person in that
youth group trying to put together my faith with my reality;
although I thought it was a singular experience back then in
provincial southwestern Louisiana.*
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061117172205475>*
Is being anti-gay on shaky ground for Christians & good citizens?
/Commentary on a recent Tom Teepen column by Michael Adee/
Is the Presbyterian Church (USA) anti-gay? Is being anti-gay on
shaky ground for Christians & good citizens?* *
* Is the Presbyterian Church (USA) an anti-gay denomination?
* Is there any Christian virtue, ethic or compassion in "love
the sinner, hate the sin" as applied to "homosexuals" or
rather lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons?
* Is the Christian Church in a Galileo II phase?
* What is the real world affect upon LGBT persons & their
families by the ecclesiastical battles over homosexuality?
Syndicated columnist Tom Teepen's column today [Nov. 27] in New
London, Connecticut's The Day online newspaper offers us an
outsider's view into Christianity's relationship with LGBT persons
and our families.*
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=2006112706172270>*
Thanksgiving message from Michael Adee
More Light Presbyterians & Friends --
This Thanksgiving Season, know that Bear Ride and Kim Smith King,
Co-Moderators, the National MLP Board of Directors and I, all of us
give thanks for you.
We give thanks for your commitment to a welcoming and affirming
Church that embraces all of God's children, not just some. We give
thanks for your partnership with us in working together to build a
Church for all God's people. We give thanks for your faithful work
toward achieving spiritual, ordination and marriage equality in our
Church, and for the progress we can celebrate together.
*Read more...
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061123211735414> *
PCUSA Stated Clerk's September 2006 letter
/To catch us up on some news from a few months back: at least partly
in response to ongoing Presbytery-level anti-LGBT efforts to pass
un-tenet-able overtures
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20060831210246487> - which
typically seek to turn every use of the word "shall" in the Book of
Order into an essential of religious faith - PCUSA Stated Clerk
Clifton Kirkpatrick sent the following letter to Stated Clerks
throughout the denomination. This is in essence a "you can't do
that" letter which calls out some specific types of Presbytery
actions as prohibited under national denomational rules./
Office of the General Assembly
September 8, 2006
To Presbytery Stated Clerks
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Dear Colleagues:
I hope all of you are doing well as we begin a new program year in
the life of the church. I continue to be grateful for your good
leadership in the presbyteries of our church and count it a great
blessing to be your friend and colleague in this ministry.
This is a challenging time to be stated clerks. I know that in
certain parts of our church there are deep disagreements and
anxieties over actions of the 217th General Assembly, ordination
standards, the trust clause, and the future of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). So, while it is a challenging time, I believe it is
also a time in which our calling to strengthen the ecclesial life of
the church and to encourage faithfulness to our Constitution is more
crucial than ever. *
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=2006121015212380>*
* <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20061108193011231>*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MLPnews is published every 3-4 weeks by More Light Presbyterians
<http://www.mlp.org>. Text not attributed otherwise is copyright ©
2006 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. To unsubscribe, reply
to this message and let us know your email address.
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 at
our secure Groundspring site
<https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=7550>, or print
and mail in a paper contribution form
<http://www.mlp.org/staticpages/resources/joinform.htm>. For stock
donation inquiries, please email us at membersupport at mlp.org
<mailto:membersupport at mlp.org>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mylist.net/archives/mlpnews/attachments/20061229/e711aa56/attachment.htm
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/gif
Size: 7913 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://mylist.net/archives/mlpnews/attachments/20061229/e711aa56/attachment.gif
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 30797 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://mylist.net/archives/mlpnews/attachments/20061229/e711aa56/attachment.jpg
More information about the Mlpnews
mailing list