[MLPnews] MLP News - June 28 2008

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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.)
June 28, 2008
   Friends, what a blessing the Spirit has manifested in the work of  
the 218th General Assembly in San Jose.  This special edition of  
MLPNews provides a snapshot of some of what happened over the past  
week, but certainly not everything.  For a complete rundown of what  
happened at the GA, also check out these web sites:

OGA 218th General Assembly Site
JustPresbys.org
pc-biz.org


In this issue
Good News from San Jose! 218th GA votes 54% to 46% to end LGBT  
discrimination!
GA Votes to Restore Heidelberg Catechism to Historical Accuracy
[PCUSANEWS] Assembly leaves definition of marriage unchanged
More Joy for More Light
How to Support More Light Presbyterians


Good News from San Jose! 218th GA votes 54% to 46% to end LGBT  
discrimination!

San Jose:  This is an amazing moment in history.  I give thanks to God  
for all of you who have been praying, believing and working for the  
Presbyterian Church (USA) to end discrimination against its own  
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender daughters and sons, sisters and  
brothers in Christ.

Today, the 218th General Assembly of the PCUSA voted 54% to 46% to end  
discrimination against LGBT members of our Church; and to provide  
spiritual and ordination equality for LGBT Presbyterians.

The Assembly approved the Boston Ordination Equality Overture which  
called for a deletion of the "fidelity in marriage, chastity in  
singleness" requirement and lifted up our historic Constitutional  
questions for ordination and installation.  This part of the overture  
requires ratification by the presbyteries in the next year.

Read more...


GA Votes to Restore Heidelberg Catechism to Historical Accuracy

San Jose: The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church voted  
Thursday morning to restore the historic church confession, the  
Heidelberg Catechism, to its historical accuracy!

After rejection of the minority report and extended debate, the  
Assembly voted with a strong 60% majority to restore the Heidelberg  
Catechism to its historic accuracy which did not include a reference  
to "homosexual perversion".

Read more...


[PCUSANEWS] Assembly leaves definition of marriage unchanged

After much docket delay, the Church Polity Committee gave its report  
to the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) late  
Friday afternoon (June 27). It included a lively discussion on the  
definition of marriage, civil rights for same-sex couples and a  
gracious response to congregations wishing to leave the denomination.

Item 04-08, which generated the most discussion of the evening, was an  
overture to change the definition of marriage in W-4.9000 of the  
Directory for Worship to include same-sex couples. The committee  
recommended disapproval of this overture, and the Assembly agreed  
after defeating a substitute motion.

Read more...


More Joy for More Light

More Light Presbyterians join in celebrating the marriage of the Rev.  
Susan Craig and the Rev. Bear Ride – possibly the first same-gender  
Presbyterian clergy to marry since the state of California weighed in  
on marriage equality.  Bear and Susan were married on June 19 at All  
Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, in the presence of family and  
friends, with the Revs Ed Bacon and George Regas and Rabbi Steven  
Jacobs officiating.  Craig and Ride’s four adult children served as  
“Best People,” with Ride’s mother beaming in the front pew.  Elder  
Michael Adee, Executive Director of More Light Presbyterians, and  
Martha Juillerat, founder of the Shower of Stoles Project,  
participated in the joyous celebration, with a number of Presbyterian  
clergy and friends praying, singing and cheering on.
Meg Endy – Craig’s daughter – was the first to call the couple after  
the CA Supreme Court decision was announced, to say, “Now you can get  
married!“ And Cait Scott – Ride’s daughter – reflected at the service  
“Its about time! We are so proud of Mom and Susan.  My brother and new  
step-brother and sister celebrate marriage equality as our own happy  
family expands.”

Michael Adee remarked “I kept wiping tears from my eyes during the  
wedding. It’s historic and momentous for Bear and Susan as they make  
their covenant of love ‘legal’ in the eyes of the state, and historic  
for the Church as it witnesses the blessing and grace of love  
expressed and shared in community.”

Read more...


How to Support More Light Presbyterians

This has certainly been a powerful and productive General Assembly,  
and our work to create a church that truly welcomes all of God's  
children has taken an important step forward.  But the job is far from  
over, and now MLP will focus on the grassroots organizing at the  
Presbytery level to ensure that these legislative actions of the GA  
are passed and implemented.  To do that, we need your help.  MLP  
covets your prayers, your ideas, your e-mails, your suggestions, and  
of course your financial support.

You can contribute to MLP securely online at www.mlp.org/give/.  Your  
dollars go to support our ministries of education, outreach,  
organizing, and development of new resources.

Together we are truly building a church for all God's people!

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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).  Your financial contributions are a key  
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