[MLPnews] MLP News September 23, 2007
mlpnews at mylist.net
mlpnews at mylist.net
Sun Sep 23 14:04:24 PDT 2007
More Light Presbyterians
*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 4
Issue 3
September 23, 2007
*In This Issue
*
* Presbyterian Equality Project calls for support of ENDA & the
Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act in Congress
<#Presbyterian_Equality_Project_calls_for>
* Christian Leaders Call for Passage of Non-Discrimination Act
<#Christian_Leaders_Call_for_Passage_of>
* Hudson River Presbytery Passes Ordination Overture to Delete B
<#Hudson_River_Presbytery_Passes>
* Seeking: Solo Pastor, Palisades Presbyterian Church
(Palisades, NY) <#Solo_Pastor_Palisades_Presbyterian>
* Hairspray, Song of Solomon & Presbyterians?
<#Hairspray_Song_of_Solomon_>
* Seeking: Church Music Director, Noe Valley Ministry, San
Francisco CA <#Seeking:_Church_Music_Director_Noe>
* Seeking: Associate for Life and Programs, Montclair
Presbyterian Church (Oakland, CA)
<#Seeking:_Associate_for_Life_and>
* MLP Statement of Gratitude & Celebration of the Rev Janie
Spahr upon her retirement
<#MLP_Statement_of_Gratitude__Celebration>
* What makes a wedding really a wedding?
<#What_makes_a_wedding_really_a_wedding>
* MLP commends ELCA decision that Lutheran bishops are
encouraged to refrain from discipline of ministers in same-sex
partnerships <#MLP_commends_ELCA_decision_that_Lutheran>
* Is Not Love What Matters Most? Synod PJC Decision denies
Same-Sex Couples Equal Marriage Rights in the Presbyterian
Church (USA) <#Is_Not_Love_What_Matters_Most_Synod_PJC>
* Jack Rogers' Midwest Tour across Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas,
Missouri & Illinois <#Jack_Rogers_Midwest_Tour_across_Iowa>
* Presbyterians make history in Atlanta!
<#Presbyterians_make_history_in_Atlanta>
* MLP participates in National Welcoming Church Leadership
Summit <#MLP_participates_in_National_Welcoming>
* More Light Updates...Updated
<#More_Light_Updates...Updated>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presbyterian Equality Project calls for support of ENDA & the Matthew
Shepard Hate Crimes Act in Congress
Presbyterian Equality Project, or PEP, the LGBT civil-rights initiative
of More Light Presbyterians, was recently launched at the National
Welcoming and Affirming Presbyterian Conference, Atlanta, GA over Labor
Day weekend.
The social witness policies of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have called
for non-discrimination, fairness and justice in civil society for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in a
variety of measures for more than three decades.
PEP, the Presbyterian Equality Project as the new LGBT civil-rights
initiative of More Light Presbyterians is collecting and lifting up the
social witness policies of long standing in the Presbyterian Church
(USA) that support nondiscrimination, fairness and justice for LGBT
persons and their families. "While our Church is still seeking the
spirit of Jesus about LGBT persons inside of our denomination, it has
spoken without equivocation about nondiscrimination, fairness and
justice for LGBT persons in civil society," declared Michael J. Adee,
Santa Fe, New Mexico. Adee is an openly gay Elder in the Presbyterian
Church (USA) and National Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians.
Bear Ride, Co-Moderator, said: "We are grateful that official letters of
support for both ENDA and the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act from our
Stated Clerk, Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, are being made available to
members of Congress this next week as these historic decisions are being
made in Washington, DC. Those members of Congress who are Presbyterian
need to know that the social witness policy of their Church supports
both ENDA and the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crime Act, and that both are
matters of Christian faith, justice and public policy."
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070923064120614>*
Christian Leaders Call for Passage of Non-Discrimination Act
The Bishops and Elders Council called for continued support for the
Matthew Shepherd Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of
2007, and ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act during their
recent meeting September 7 - 9, in Sarasota, Florida. A press statement
calling for the passage of ENDA follows this call for support.
More Light Presbyterians is a founding organization of The Bishops &
Elders Council - a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) affirming churches and organizations in the United States and
Canada. The Bishops & Elders Council is convened by IWR, the Institute
for Welcoming Resources, a program of NGLTF, the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force. As an openly gay Elder in the Presbyterian Church
(USA), I am honored and delighted to represent More Light Presbyterians
and serve with The Bishops & Elders Council.
Please forward this call for the passage of ENDA and the Matthew
Shepherd Hate Crimes Act to your network to empower grassroots support
of both of these important LGBT civil rights protections and federal
laws. Thank you.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070915172601101>
*
Hudson River Presbytery Passes Ordination Overture to Delete B
The word came from the Rev. Ray Bagunolo, pastor of Palisades
Presbyterian Church, Palisades, NY, about the passage of an Ordination
Overture to Delete G-6.1016b and offer a new Authoritative
Interpretation by Hudson River Presbytery.
This overture will go to the 2008 General Assembly. This overture seeks
to remove injustice and discrimination against LGBT persons in the life,
ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This overture
helps to restore trust, integrity and justice in our examination and
call process for deacons, elders and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament
for local congregations and presbyteries.
Concurrences with this Ordination Overture from other Sessions and
presbyteries are possible now. For the text of the Hudson River
overture, click here. For further overture language consultation and
support, please contact Mike Smith of the National MLP Board's
Legislative and Judicial Affairs Committee at mikesmith55 at cox.net
Ray's note from tonight's Hudson River Presbytery meeting follows this
announcement and call for concurrences.
We are grateful for the Sessions of Palisades Presbyterian Church,
Palisades and South Presbyterian Church of Dobbs Ferry, both More Light
Churches, and Hudson River Presbytery, for this first ordination
overture to the 2008 General Assembly in San Jose.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070919041534880>*
Seeking: Solo Pastor, Palisades Presbyterian Church (Palisades, NY)
Palisades Presbyterian Church (Palisades, NY) seeks a Solo Pastor.
We are a Christian community welcoming all as we seek to grow in faith
and serve others. We are a small More Light church, located in Palisades
NY (about 1/2 hour away from Manhattan on the west side of the Hudson
River). We seek a pastor who will plan and lead worship, moderate
Session, work with committees, help develop a strong Christian Education
program, provide pastoral care and spiritual leadership and encourage
membership growth. The pastor we call should have a strong intellect and
be energetic, empathetic and insightful --with a sense of humor along
with a desire to grow in faith, spirit and community with us.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=2007072713365169>
*
Hairspray, Song of Solomon & Presbyterians? <#Hairspray_Song_of_Solomon_>
Marriage Matters was the theme of the previous More Light Update. Many
people, inside the Church and in civil society, believe that marriage
equality, and the question of providing, or denying equal access to
marriage for couples regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
or expression, is one of the defining justice moments of our day.
The principle and wisdom of Separation of Church and State requires us
to consider what marriage means in civil society, and how it is
understood by religious groups. Serious, thoughtful conversations about
what marriage means, how do we support love and families, is the call
for Christians, not a "defense of marriage."
Many of you should have received the most recent edition of the More
Light Update with real stories of real Presbyterians captured by the
theme of "Ourstories." In the midst of some religious institutions,
including the Presbyterian Church (USA), not knowing how to encourage or
inspire Christians to bring body and soul together, or trying to impose
celibacy upon LGBT persons, I am deeply grateful for the creativity and
gifts of Susan Craig, Editor; Brian Spolarich and Travis Stevens, the
National MLP Communications team for another way in Ourstories.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070805183825466>*
* Seeking: Church Music Director, Noe Valley Ministry, San
Francisco CA*
Noe Valley Ministry (San Francisco, CA) seeks a Church Music Director.
Noe Valley Ministry is a Presbyterian church located on Sanchez Street
in Noe Valley in San Francisco. We are a small, dedicated, progressive
faith community, inclusive in membership, leadership and language.
Purpose:
To provide music for the worship life of the congregation that will
further our goals of inviting God into our lives, savoring our joyful
faith, and being nurtured for a week of service, gratitude and praise.
This purpose includes developing, empowering, and inspiring our very
faithful choir.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070807103510816>
*
Seeking: Associate for Life and Programs, Montclair Presbyterian Church
(Oakland, CA)
Montclair Presbyterian Church (Oakland, CA) seeks an Associate for Life
and Programs.
Montclair Presbyterian Church is a family of open hearted, open minded,
joyfully imperfect people. We know and share the radical hospitality of
God. Affirming God's love for the whole world, we work and pray for
peace, justice and reconciliation.
We are a vital and involved church with a large number of committees and
groups. Recently, however, we have come to the decision that we need an
additional resource---a special kind of person with skills, expertise,
and a way with people that inspires their deeper involvement and a
connection with what nourishes them and carries forward the mission of
the church. A person who shares our passion for peace, justice and
reconciliation and knows how to mobilize people with strong commitment
but varying talents, time and energy. A person with the demonstrated
ability to help us build intergenerational community and develop the
organizational infrastructure, training, and communication that will
help us make a difference in our church and in the world.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070807104319394>
*
MLP Statement of Gratitude & Celebration of the Rev Janie Spahr upon her
retirement
It is with a flood of wonderful memories, stories and feelings that the
National More Light Presbyterians Board and I happily join friends,
family and colleagues from around the country to say thank you, Janie,
and to mark this important celebration of your ministry with and through
the Downtown United Presbyterian Church.
It is not possible to think about the Welcoming & Affirming Movement in
the Presbyterian Church (USA) without thinking of you. Janie, your
life, preaching, and witness has inspired thousands of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender persons, their parents and families. Your
witness of the God who loves and embraces all persons, not just some,
will continue to give people hope.
Janie, thank you for joining, supporting, loving and walking with other
LGBT pioneers blazing new trails of ministry, advocacy and witness of a
wildly-embracing God and a Church for all people -- some are with us in
heart and spirit like David Sindt, Rosemarie Wallace, Bill Silver and
Howard Warren; and many continue calling the Church and world to live
into a "no-boundaries" Gospel where all are sacred, no one left out...
Sandy Brawders, Chris Glaser, Laurene Lafontaine, Scott Anderson, Lisa
Larges, Martha Juillerat and Tammy Lindahl, Erin Swenson, Bear Ride and
Susan Craig.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070813040245131>
*
What makes a wedding really a wedding?
Fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers -- grandfolks and lots and lots
of kids. Best friends bearing witness ... what makes a wedding really a
wedding?
Love, partners committing themselves to each other for life, the
community gathered, prayers, holy readings, poetry and song. The
exchange of promises and rings, a blessing for a future filled with
hope, and the blessing of God. A kiss, tears, applause and huzzahs,
laughter and toasts.
We were in upstate New York, where my partner Susan united Leslie Gates
and Kati Griffith in a celebration of marriage. Susan had been Leslie's
campus pastor twenty years ago a Princeton, and had been inspired by
Leslie's intellectual and spiritual depth, and her justice convictions.
With Susan's blessing Leslie became part of the community at Borderlinks
following graduation, assisting in the good work of our recent moderator
Rick Ufford-Chase: and there she met Kati Griffith, who was interning
there. Through the years Leslie and Kati received Masters degrees and
one Ph.D. a law degree, and faculty positions at Cornell and SUNY
Binghamton.
Leslie and Kati fell in love. In same-sex relationship, they were
"spiritual outcasts" from their own faith traditions, and became members
of United University Church in L.A., a More Light Church that Susan
served as pastor. For years and years the four of us were in
conversation over matters spiritual, political and personal. So it was
no surprise when they asked Susan to serve as the minister for their
union this past July.
So what made this "celebration of marriage" different from other
same-sex covenanting services and/or holy unions? Kati and Leslie were
already actually married!
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070813041948531>
*
MLP commends ELCA decision that Lutheran bishops are encouraged to
refrain from discipline of ministers in same-sex partnerships
The National Board of Directors of More Light Presbyterians rejoices
with its sister organization of Lutherans Concerned/North America in the
recent decision made by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to
encourage its bishops to refrain from the discipline of ministers in
same-gender relationships. While the ban on LGBT clergy is not yet
completely lifted, we rejoice with Emily Eastwood, Executive Director,
Lutherans Concerned who said of the vote: "The church is on the road to
acceptance. The end of exclusion is in sight."
More Light Presbyterians recognize this life-giving, Gospel-embracing
step toward the realization of full participation for LGBT persons and
their families in the life, ministry and witness of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, a denomination in communion with the
Presbyterian Church (USA).
We celebrate with our LGBT Lutheran sisters and brothers and their
families this historic moment in the life of the ELCA and within the
whole Christian realm. We note with Emily as she expressed yesterday,
"This is a great day for LGBT clergy who will walk into their pulpits
tomorrow knowing perhaps for the first time that this church values
their gifts for ministry more than the policy that would exclude them."
It is the prayer of More Light Presbyterians that the moral courage and
spiritual conviction of Lutherans be a witness and inspiration to the
Presbyterian Church (USA) in its own journey to end discrimination
against LGBT people and to create a Church for all of God's children,
not just some.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070813062922881>
*
Is Not Love What Matters Most? Synod PJC Decision denies Same-Sex
Couples Equal Marriage Rights in the Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church (USA) took a step backward this week in a
reversal of an earlier judicial decision that had ruled that the Rev.
Janie Spahr had acted within her rights as a minister in performing
marriage ceremonies of same-sex couples. The Synod of the Pacific's
PJC ruling reversed the acquittal of Spahr by the Redwoods Presbytery PJC.
The legal team representing Janie and this landmark marriage equality
case in the Presbyterian Church (USA) indicate they will appeal this
decision. Two articles about the case and this Synod PJC decision
follow this announcement and call for prayer. For "More Light on
Marriage," educational resources and statements about marriage equality,
holy unions, sexual ethics for all Christians --- go to www.mlp.org.
<http://www.mlp.org/>
Several key matters are at stake with this case and decision. For a
religious institution to cling to a binary view of gender is a failure
of recognizing God's palette of creation. Our own hearts, human
experience, the sciences and even our own spirits reveal to us that
there is no simple notion of what is a man or a woman, or that love is
limited to opposite sex hearts only. This decision reveals that our
Church is out of step when it comes to recognizing and embracing all of
God's good creation which includes God's lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender children and their families. God's good creation includes
God's gift of sexuality and love which is not a possession of
heterosexuals only.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070825054702452>
*
Jack Rogers' Midwest Tour across Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri & Illinois
The Rev. Dr. Jack Rogers, Moderator of the 213th General Assembly,
Presbyterian minister, Professor Emeritus of Theology at San Francisco
Theological Seminary & Fuller Theological Seminary, and author of the
best-selling JESUS, THE BIBLE & HOMOSEXUALITY, EXPLODE THE MYTHS, HEAL
THE CHURCH.
We commend to you a new speaking and book-signing tour by Jack Rogers
across the Midwest this fall. If you are near one of these locations, we
encourage your participation --- and bring family and friends from your
local church, college or seminary community.
This past weekend Jack offered a powerful and inspiring keynote address
and workshop at the National Welcoming & Affirming Presbyterian
Conference 2007 in Atlanta produced by More Light Presbyterians and
hosted by North Decatur Presbyterian Church.
Jack's presence, teaching and sharing why he changed his mind, beliefs
and heart regarding homosexuality, LGBT people and their families in
both Church and society tells the remarkable journey of a Christian who
is open to God's Spirit.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070907171114120>
*
Presbyterians make history in Atlanta!
MLP holds first National Welcoming and Affirming Presbyterian Conference
Presbyterians from 18 states made history in Atlanta by participating in
the first National Welcoming & Affirming Presbyterian Conference over
Labor Day weekend. Produced by More Light Presbyterians and hosted by
North Decatur Presbyterian Church, the Conference theme was "Liberating
Love, Celebrating Hope!"
Participants and volunteers were greeted with large rainbow-colored,
hand-painted banners declaring "All Are Welcome" outside and inside of
the church. These joyful banners were created for the Conference by the
children of North Decatur Presbyterian Church in their recent Vacation
Church School. And, it was so, everyone really was welcome and respected
as children of God within the embrace of this Conference and the host
church.
Atlanta-area Presbyterians participating in the Conference joining those
who traveled from across the South and every corner of the United States
resulted in Conference attendance exceeding 200. For nearly a third of
the participants, this was their first LGBT-affirming conference.
Keynote speakers were Jack Rogers , Moderator, 213th General Assembly;
Erin Swenson , Presbyterian minister and transgender educator; and
Michael J. Adee , National Field Organizer. Conference preachers were
Susan Craig , Presbyterian minister and Travis Stevens , theological
student at Harvard Divinity School.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070906061009168>
*
MLP participates in National Welcoming Church Leadership Summit
Twelve national Welcoming Church leaders from the United States and
Canada working for full participation and LGBT equality within their
denomination or faith tradition for LGBT persons and their families met
August 27 - 29 in Minneapolis. The leadership summit was held by IWR,
the Institute for Welcoming Resources, a program of NGLTF, the National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
The host church was Macalester-Plymouth United Church, St. Paul, on the
Macalester College campus. Macalester-Plymouth United Church is
affiliated as a More Light Presbyterian and Open and Affirming
Congregation. Heidi Vardeman serves as the Senior Minister with Tom
Ewald as the Associate Minister.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070912091819310>
*
More Light Updates...Updated
We just published the last six More Light Updates to the More Light
Update - MLU page on this site in PDF format. Sorry we've been tardy in
this.
Our normal policy is to publish all but the most recent MLU on the site,
reserving the most recent issue for paid MLP supporters who receive a
paper copy in the mail. Moving forward we're going to continue that
practice.
We hope that these are helpful to you in your churches and presbyteries.
<http://www.mlp.org/mlp2007>
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20070921123408397>
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MLPnews is published regularly by More Light Presbyterians
<http://www.mlp.org/>. Text not attributed otherwise is copyright ©
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which works for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
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