Sexual Justice

Sexual Justice:
Archive 2006

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ABC News reports on struggle for lgbt ordination [12-13-06]

MLP’s Michael Adee is used as the lead-in to the story.

The headlines read:

Gay Man Uses Pulpit to Fight for Acceptance

Issue of Ordaining Homosexuals Threatens Schism in Mainline Churches

The story is well worth a look >>

A time to reflect on William Stacy Johnson’s A Time to Embrace, and on same gender relationships [12-6-06]

The first book to come from a member of the recent Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church, has been written by William Stacy Johnson under the title A Time to Embrace: Same-Gender Relationships in Religion, Law, and Politics. Witherspoon Issues Analyst Gene TeSelle takes a thoughtful look at the book, examining Johnson’s description of various attitudes that are being promoted in dealing with same-gender relationships, pro and con.

TeSelle sees this typology of attitudes as very useful, partly because of the breadth of Johnson’s exploration of the different views. Further, he shows how Johnson arrives at his conclusion that (in TeSelle’s words) "same-sex marriage is the only approach that is truly just under U.S. legal principles." TeSelle agrees with that conclusion, but then suggests that for the time being, it may be strategically necessary to accept some compromises along the lines of civil unions, until the American public gains enough awareness to affirm same-gender marriage.

The full review essay >>

Huntsville, AL, people of faith offer creative witness against Fred Phelps’ bigotry [11-25-06]

You have probably read of the accident this past Monday in Huntsville, Ala., when a school bus carrying more than 30 students from Lee High School was forced off of an elevated portion of Interstate 565 downtown.

Two teenage girls were killed at the scene, and two others died later in the hospital. A number of other were listed in critical condition.

For reasons not at all clear, the Rev. Fred Phelps, pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, decided that the funerals of the students needed to be attended by his group, which is most notorious recently for protesting the funerals of US servicepeople with loud jeers and posters reading "God Hates Fags" and so on.

Responding in a creative way that has been used in a number of other such situation, Tom Moss, of the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Huntsville, invited people to pledge contributions for each ten minutes that the Phelps demonstrated. Over $2000 was pledged for the demonstration on Friday. The rest of the story, plus photos >>

Scott Anderson is received as an inquirer for ordination by John Knox Presbytery [11-21-06]

Scott Anderson, the only openly gay member of the former Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church, has been enrolled as an Inquirer under the care of the John Knox Presbytery after a unanimous vote of the presbytery on Nov. 14.

See the report in Presbyterian Outlook >>
For an earlier Outlook report on his decision to seek re-ordination >>

Charges against Rev. Janet Edwards dismissed in Pittsburgh [11-15-06]

Michael Adee, National Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians, has just sent this important good news:

More Light Presbyterians & Friends ----

This just in! Hello from Pittsburgh. The case against Rev. Janet Edwards was dismissed this morning 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. A statement from Janet will follow this report. Bear Ride, Co-Moderator, and Madeline Jervis, who serve on the National MLP Board of Directors with Janet were also present today to stand in solidarity with Janet and to support marriage equality in our Church and country.

Special thanks to all of you who have been praying for Janet and her family.

with hope and grace,

Michael
Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., National Field Organizer, More Light Presbyterians

Read the report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette >>
And now you can read a report from Presbyterian News Service >>

Thoughts from Pittsburgh on the dismissal of charges against Janet Edwards

Darcy Hawk, treasurer of the Witherspoon Society and pastor of Gibsonia Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh Presbytery, sends this note:

We engaged in a muted celebration here in Pittsburgh at the conclusion of the Permanent Judicial Commission hearing on Janet Edwards. The hearing resolved nothing and she is vulnerable to being charged again.

I can't understand why the investigating committee took so long to file charges unless they were hoping for this irresolution. With the suicide of an outed minister and a recent resolution against ordination of gay and lesbian Presbyterians we are getting scads of local media attention. If people inside this issue can't figure out what's going on, it seems unlikely that those outside the denomination have a chance.

Phillip: the story of two brothers, and what exclusion does to both of them [11-9-06]

Witherspooner John C. Bush recently sent us this very personal statement, which was written by a participant during a Montreat Youth Conference, "Crossing Boundaries," last summer. He received it through his daughter and granddaughter, who were at the conference.

The author, Nate, has kindly given us permission to share his statement here.

Former PC(USA) moderator Rick Ufford-Chase speaks out for marriage equality, and against anti-LGBT legislation in Arizona [11-4-06]

In a guest opinion essay for the Arizona Daily Star, Rick Ufford-Chase, former Moderator of the Presbyter Church, and current Executive Director of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, recently stated his reasons for opposing Proposition 107 on the Arizona ballot, which would deny benefits to same-sex couples, and would define marriage as between one man and one woman.

He concluded his plea by saying:

Questions of how marriage is defined will continue to be debated within our faith communities and across our society. In the meantime, let's assure that our laws embody the best of what our country has always been — a safe haven for those who might be targeted elsewhere because of who they are or what they believe.

Let's honor our country's history as a place of tolerance, mutual forbearance, care and concern for all members of our communities. Those are values that all of us, both in and out of the church, ought to be able to affirm.

The full essay >>

Heartland church inadequately examined ordination candidates, top church court rules
GA Permanent Judicial Commission reverses synod, presbytery courts [10-24-06]

In a reversal for supporters of inclusive ordination in the Presbyterian Church, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission has reversed two lower-court rulings in favor of a Kansas City, MO, congregation that challenged a neighboring church in its ordination of a woman thought to be a lesbian as an elder.

Correction:

We’ve just received this note from Lynne Reade, an attorney and a veteran of service on Permanent Judicial Commissions, correcting our hasty interpretation of the action of the GA PJC in a case relating to Heartland Presbytery. Our apologies for the error, and our thanks to Lynne for the correction.

Sorry, Doug, but your headline about the recent case out of Heartland Presbytery is incorrect - big time. It says, "Heartland church inadequately examined ordination candidates, top church court rules . . .",but that is not what the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission decided. Instead, it dealt only with a preliminary jurisdictional question - an important one, but a limited one.

When we go online to read the decision itself, we see that the case was originally dismissed by the Presbytery PJC at a preliminary stage under Book of Order section D-6.0305d because the Presbytery PJC thought that the Complaint did not state "a claim upon which relief can be granted." The Synod PJC agreed with the Presbytery PJC. Then the General Assembly PJC said that the Complaint did state such a claim and that a trial may proceed if the matter cannot be settled by other means.

The General Assembly PJC did not make any determination about the merits of the case itself.

This General Assembly PJC decision (Remedial Case 218-01) and others can be read online by going to the denomination's Web site www.pcusa.org/gapjc/decisions/decisions.htm (Yes, you have to put in "decisions" twice.)

Best wishes,
Lynne Reade, a Released Presbyterian (former Elder)
Fremont, California

The report from Presbyterian News Service >>

We welcome comments and analyses of this decision and the wider issue of ordination.
Just send a note, to be shared here.

MLP announces No Turning Back declaration and strategy statement [9-28-06]

The Board of Directors of More Light Presbyterians has just released a declaration that they will continue to work "to delete the anti-LGBT G-6.0106b from the Book of Order." They lay out the reasons for this intention, and some of the strategies they will pursue.

What are the true "markers" of the Christian life? [9-28-06]

The Rev. Aurelia Fule, who served for many years on the staff of the Office for Theology and Worship in Louisville, explored this vital question in a recent sermon. Our debates about ordination and sexuality are distorted, she suggests, when we fail to recognize that Jesus and the early church shifted radically from the "markers" that were used by the ancient Hebrews to distinguish the "real people of God" from all others. It's no longer circumcision or ritual purity that serve as markers, she says, but baptism as a mark of God's grace, and the gift of the Spirit.

Theological Task Force member releases new book supporting committed same-gender relationships

Stacy Johnson, professor of systematic theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, and a former member of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church, has just released a book entitled A Time to Embrace: Same-Gender Relationships in Religion, Law, and Politics, in which he analyzes seven different ways that churches have dealt with same-sex unions. His analysis leads him to offer support of same-sex committed relationships. You can look at the book, published by Eerdmans, on the publisher's website.

You can pre-order it on Amazon and save 34% from the Eerdmans price.

For a brief version of Johnson's analysis >>

[9-25-06]

On 9/11, Christian leaders call for an end of fear-based religion, and welcome of all people [9-14-06]

On September 9-11, 2006, Christian leaders whose organizations touch the lives of 98 million Americans gathered in Dallas, Texas, for the Bishops and Elders Council to end the homophobia and heterosexism in churches and to reaffirm Jesus' message of love, welcome, and acceptance of all people.

More Light Presbyterians was represented in the gathering by Dr. Michael Adee, and That All May Freely Serve by the Rev. Janie Spahr, and there was a special display from the Shower of Stoles Project. The story, and the leaders' statement >>

Charges filed against Rev. Janet Edwards in Pittsburgh Presbytery for performing marriage for two women [9-13-06]

Michael Adee, National Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians, has issued a call for prayers for her, her witness, her family and her presbytery.

Read his statement, along with an AP report >> And see the Presbyterian News Service report >>

'No gay clergy' is the message from Sacramento Presbytery [9-11-06]

Witherspoon member Jill Sherrill has shared two news stories from the Sacramento Bee, reporting on successful efforts by conservative church leaders to pass four resolutions in the Presbytery of Sacramento. All four were passed during the 4-hour meeting, although (Jill reports) proponents of the resolutions were "warned repeatedly during the meeting ... that their actions are unconstitutional and will not pass muster in the PCUSA judicial system, nor the California courts."

The resolutions, as reported by the Bee, institute these rules for the Presbytery:

Candidates for ordination must comply with traditional ordination standards.
The Presbytery must not recognize candidates who fail to do so.
Any congregation may withhold money from the national church in protest, and the Presbytery will not make up the difference.
The Presbytery must allow individual congregations to withdraw from it with their property in protest.

The first news report deals with church discussions leading up to the Presbytery meeting.

The second story reports on the Presbytery meeting and its actions.

That All May Freely Serve urges support for Heartland Overture, and calls for resistance to "[a]busive power, which we strongly lament is not addressed by the Report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity ..." [6-9-06]

The statement adds:

Since TAMFS affirms elements of the authoritative interpretation proposed by the Task Force to be appropriate constitutional provisions (See longer response in "On Not Growing Weary in Well-Doing".) of which governing bodies should be aware, we believe it would be positive to raise the provisions of G-6.0108 up to presbyteries and sessions for their consideration in dealing with candidates for ordination and/or installation.

The full text of the TAMFS statement >>

On dealing with sexuality issues, it's a question of ...
Response time ... and Collateral Damage
[6-6-06]

As the 217th General Assembly approaches, this thoughtful reflection comes from a frequent Witherspoon visitor, Karen Ellen Kavey, of Chappaqua, New York. She writes: "sometimes I feel as though I'm calling the Fire Department, only to be told: 'Perhaps ....if we can get a consensus....we can come over next Tuesday (or Wednesday)....We're continuing to discuss it.....We'll see....' "

Homosexuality and the Bible are debated as vote comes June 6 on "marriage amendment" [6-4-06]

Associated Press writer Richard N. Ostling outlines briefly the main arguments on both sides of the debates about same-sex marriage, with The Religious Coalition for Marriage gathering an unusual collection of churches demanding a constitutional amendment, and opposition to such an amendment being coordinated by Clergy for Fairness, which draws support from the Episcopal Church majority, United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalist Association, liberal Judaism and the largely gay Metropolitan Community Churches, among others. The full report >>

Senate vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment scheduled for next week [5-31-06]

Clergy For Fairness has been circulating an Open Letter to U.S. Senators, urging them to oppose the so-called Federal Marriage Amendment for the sake of individual rights and religious liberty. The Senate will be voting on the amendment next week, so they are calling on their supporters for further efforts.

About 2,000 clergy members have so far signed the letter, and they are seeking more signatures, urging people to spread the word.

They also ask supporters to encourage their congregations to oppose the amendment.

They also provide resources for sending e-mail directly to Senators.

And finally, they provide help for writing letters to the editor at local newspapers.

Visit clergyforfairness.org to find out more about what you and your faith community can do. This site now contains additional updated resources for your use, such as:

• Talking points about the threat this amendment poses to religious liberty.
• Sample sermons from a variety of faith traditions.
• Ways to get more involved including tips on writing letters to the editor and all you need for a congregational postcard campaign.
• Denominational statements opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Church of Scotland continues to allow blessing of same-sex civil partnerships, as dictated by individual conscience [5-31-06]

Former PC(USA) pastor John Mann allows as how "hell has not frozen over."

He also sends a recent booklet on same-sex partnerships, and how the Church of Scotland might live with differing opinions about them.

Jack Rogers on Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality

Kenneth Smith, president of the Witherspoon Society, reviews Dr. Jack Rogers' latest book, exploring further his new understanding of the Biblical perspective on sexuality and the church. [4-21-06]

A disaster for abstinence ideology [5-25-06]

Esther Kaplan, a radio and print journalist and a community activist, writes of sad news out of Uganda last week. The Bush administration's $1 billion experiment in using abstinence messages as the basis of HIV prevention has born its first fruit: In a public speech on May 18, Uganda's AIDS Commissioner Kihumuro Apuuli announced that HIV infections have almost doubled in Uganda over the past two years, from 70,000 in 2003 to 130,000 in 2005. And despite this chilling wake-up call, Bush has empowered Christian right activists to continue to push their abstinence-only agenda at a UN Special Session on HIV/AIDS, to begin next week. According to a State Department email that Kaplan obtained, the official U.S. delegation is stacked with some of the very people who contributed to the debacle in Uganda. More >>

Presbyterian-related Hastings College observes week of events for GLBT equality [4-17-06]

Michael Adee, National Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians, reports on his week at Hastings, where students organized a week of education, awareness and solidarity events and experiences on campus to provide safety for and understanding of LGBT persons and their families. More >>

The Reformed Review looks at "homosexuality and the church" [4-3-06]

The Autumn 2005 issue of The Reformed Review, published by Western Theological Seminary, is focused on some of the main questions raised by conservatives about same-sex unions and various other questions. For the table of contents and links to all the articles >>

James Brownson deals with the tension faced by pastors in dealing with "gay unions," as they strive to maintain a "consistent witness" to what he views as the biblical rejection of such relationships, and the need for "pastoral accommodation" to the realities of today’s society.

Robert Gagnon takes over 100 pages to do a critical commentary on the recent book by David Myers and Letha Scanzoni, What God Has Joined Together? (The book itself is just about 200 pages long!) Gagnon’s article >>

But also in the issue is an article (far shorter) by David Myers himself, offers a summary of the book’s exploration of the good reasons for supporting gay marriage. He even provides a one-page, 10-point summary of the book’s conclusions, which he has graciously allowed us to post here. David Myers is the John Dirk Werkman professor of psychology, Hope College, Holland, Michigan.
Myers’ article >>

Redwoods Presbytery files appeal of Spahr’s same-sex-marriage acquittal

Case goes next to the PJC of the Synod of the Pacific [4-3-06]

Presbyterian News Service reports that Redwoods Presbytery has announced that it will appeal the March 2 acquittal by its Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr on charges that she violated the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s ban on performing same-sex marriage ceremonies. The full story >>

LGBT and straight students at Princeton Seminary spend a week around the theme "Generosity of Spirit"

Michael Adee, National Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians, is visiting for the event, and sends this report. [3-29-06]

Princeton, New Jersey:

Greetings from Princeton Theological Seminary and their annual BGLASS Week. BGLASS is the LGBT and straight supportive student ministry on campus. The BGLASS student advisory board chose the title "Generosity of Spirit" as this year's awareness, educational theme. This theme is printed on the bold green 2006 BGLASS T-shirts that are symbols of solidarity and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and staff on campus. The rest of his report >>

Torture happens in the US, too, says Amnesty International report

Police target lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the USA [3-27-06]

In a new report AI reveals a range of human rights violations perpetrated by law enforcement officials against LGBT people in the USA. Whilst some of these abuses are so violent that they amount to torture, by far the more pervasive are those abuses committed day in and day out, making life intolerable for many members of the LGBT community. The full article >>

More Light Presbyterians calls the church to do RIGHT -- NOW
[3-20-06]

From the Board of More Light Presbyterians:

We invite you to take a stand and speak out for equality - Right Now.

As the 2006 General Assembly in Birmingham this June draws near, despite the clear voice from the twenty-two overtures calling for the elimination of anti-gay policies and laws from the Presbyterian Church, we're already hearing the same voices of fear and equivocation that we always hear, year after year:

"Now is not the time."
"We can't move too quickly."
"We don't want to offend anyone."
"There must be some third way."
"Let's have a moratorium on legislative change."

We say: ENOUGH.

Enough delays.
Enough injustice.
Enough discrimination.
The time for equality is now. Right. Now.

The MLP Call to do RIGHT, NOW >>

You can read this important statement right here, and respond, if you want to, by going to the MLP website.

Redwoods PJC decision clears Rev. Janie Spahr, affirms the right to perform same-sex marriages
[3-4-06]

The Permanent Judicial Commission of Redwoods Presbytery has affirmed the conduct of the Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr in her ministry within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as she officiated at the marriage services of two same-sex couples.

The PJC found that the Directory of Worship's reference to marriage as between a man and a woman is "a definition not a directive;" "the subject of same-sex marriages has not been shown to be outside of, or contrary to, the essentials of the Reformed faith;" affirms the right of conscience for clergy to perform same-sex marriages; and that "conscience takes precedence over propriety." More >>

Rev. Jane Spahr on trial for performing weddings [3-3-06]

The Rev. Jane Spahr, of San Rafael, California, went to trial yesterday (March 2) before the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery of Redwoods Presbytery. She was on trial for two lesbian couples in violation of the denomination’s official position that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman.

If found guilty, Spahr could be removed from the ministry after more than 30 years. She argues she was honoring her personal conscience and relationship with God when she officiated at the weddings in 2004 and 2005.

Opening arguments were presented and all witnesses were called and testified on Thursday, March 2. The trial was to resume today, with closing arguments limited to 50 minutes. Spahr’s website reports that the Permanent Judicial Commission moderator was "shooting a for noon finish. If the PJC is of like mind, the decision could be rendered immediately or may take weeks and be delivered by mail."

We have received no reports of today's developments as of 8:00 pm CST.

Go to Spahr’s website for the latest, including lots of photos >>

More Light Presbyterians has (umm, have?) a report on yesterday’s hearing, filed by board member Heather Reichgott. She reports that in her testimony, Spahr said of the two ceremonies at which she officiated, "I feel that if I did not do these ceremonies I would go against the God I know, the God of welcome and hospitality. I would be going against my conscience and my faith. I believe the most important thing Jesus said was about love, a love that is not power-over, a love that seeks to travel together. The love between a couple must be that kind of love, regardless of sexual orientation."
The MLP report >>

Earlier reports:

An Associated Press report dated March 1 >>

A February 6 report from Presbyterian News Service >>

More Light conference affirms the gifts lgbt people bring to the church ... and faces the challenges

Naomi Tutu offers keynote address [2-13-06]

More Light Presbyterians held a regional conference in Nashville, February 10-12, with about forty or fifty in attendance. Much of the planning was done by the local MLP chapter, with participation from members, elders, and ministers in at least seven different congregations.

The dynamics of the conference were best expressed during one of the closing meetings. A straight person expressed gratitude for being made to feel welcome. In response a few GLBT participants said they had been surprised to find straight people there. This led to a statement that GLBT people are a gift from God, often with more than the usual amount of talent and grace. The rest of the story >>

A way to support those excluded from ordination [1-26-06]

Lynne Reade has been a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church for almost 40 years. On January 15 she was granted her request to her Session that she be released form the exercise of ordained office, to stand in solidarity with all those faithful Presbyterians who are excluded from ordination because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Read her statement >>
Copy her application for release to use if you choose to take the same action >>

MLP publishes a new educational resource on Biblical views of sexuality & homosexuality
[1-16-06]

The Rev. Barbara Swartzel Anderson, PCUSA clergywoman and pastor, has written a new education resource that Michael Adee, National Field Organizer of More Light Presbyterians, recommends for us by individuals, congregations, youth groups, campus ministries, seminary communities and MLP chapters.

We are happy to post the full text here. Adee adds that "you can copy this for your use. Please know that this educational resource is copyrighted by the author and generously being shared with MLP by her."

Adee also says, "Please do circulate and share this new educational resource. It could be very helpful to persons who seek "more light" on what the Bible says and does not say about human sexuality, marriage, homosexuality, same-sex relationships and same-sex love, hospitality, and what it means to be family and to be the Church."

For more educational resources go to www.mlp.org

Ecumenical Welcoming Church Leaders' Summit held in Saint Paul, MN

During an important series of meetings among various groups working for justice and full inclusion for lgbt Christians, Martha Juillerat was honored on her tenth anniversary as National Program Director of Shower of Stoles Project. This celebration also marked the transition and transfer of the Shower of Stoles Project to the Institute of Welcoming Resources. [1-9-06]

	For reports from 2007 >>
	Archived reports from 2005 >>
	Items from 2003 and 2004 >>
	Items from 2000 through 2002 >> .