|
| |
Outlook
urges rejection of Amendment O as "bad polity"
[1-5-01]
|
Barbara
Kellam Scott, Semper Reformanda moderator, comments. |
|
In the January 15 issue of Presbyterian Outlook,
editor Robert Bullock has joined with William Stacy
Johnson to recommend the Amendment O should be rejected by the
presbyteries. In part, they urge that this be done as an "act of
unity" on an issue about which Presbyterians are still not of one
mind. Further, they argue that the amendment is unnecessary, since the
Constitution of the PC(USA) already makes clear that marriage is a
commitment between one man and one woman.
Acknowledging the concern of many Presbyterians to
protect the sanctity of marriage, they nevertheless suggest that this
step "is in fact an over-reaction." And it is a dangerous one
because it would limit (for example) prayers at the baptism of a child
being raised by a same-sex couple, since the prayers at baptism include
prayers of blessing for the family as well as for the child.
This new rule, then, would place very tight restrictions on the pastors
of our church, and, they assert, "Such a binding of a pastor's
conscience is not only unwise, it is unprecedented in the Presbyterian
and Reformed tradition. It is hard to see how such a potential policing
of pastoral practice either serves the gospel or reflects the ministry
of Jesus who drew near unto those whom others wished to shun."
Click
here for the full editorial on the Outlook web site.
|
Semper
Reformanda moderator responds to Outlook editorial
[Note dated 1-5-01, published here on 1-10-01]
To the editors,
I congratulate you on your Jan. 15 editorial,
"Amendment O is Bad Polity." Your reasoned and well-modulated
presentation captures all but one of the points that have convinced me
to oppose ratification of this amendment. The one additional point I
would make is that the amendment's potential
effects in limiting ministry are not limited to ministry to gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. If this amendment were in
place in the Directory for Worship, I would feel as bound to warn my
session of the potential consequences of baptizing the child of an
unmarried heterosexual couple as I would concerning the
child of a gay couple.
If our great commission is to make disciples of all
people, how dare we preset limits on whom God may recognize as a family
within our congregational families, and who shall be recognized as a
member of the household of God?
Barbara Kellam-Scott
Sussex NJ (worshiping in Franklin Lakes)
Moderator, Semper Reformanda (Always Being Reformed)
|
| |
|
Some blogs worth visiting |
| |
|
PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
| |
|
Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
| |
|
John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
| |
|
John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
| |
|
Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
| |
|
Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE ALL IN
THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
| |
|
If you like what you find
here,
we hope you'll help us keep this website going ... and growing!
Please consider making a special
contribution -- large or small -- to help us continue and improve
this service.
Click here to send a
gift online, using your credit card, through PayPal.
Or send your check, made
out to "Witherspoon Society" and marked "web site," to our
Witherspoon Bookkeeper:
Susan Robertson
9650 Clover Circle
Eden Prairie, MN 55347 |
| |
|
