Semp. Reformanda

Barbara Kellam-Scott, the Moderator of Semper Reformanda, has sent an open letter to Mr. John Detterick, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, as the GAC meeting continues in Louisville.

Semper Reformanda
(Always Being Reformed)

[published here on 12-14-00]

Dear Members and Colleagues:

The inclusion of Semper Reformanda News and Views in this issue of the Witherspoon Network News marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration between two organizations that share many of the same faith commitments and aspirations for justice. It is our hope that the cause of reform in the church and justice in society will be strengthened through our mutual cooperation.

Looking beyond the national election, important as that is for all of us, we know that the work of seeking justice will continue to be our calling in the church and society. We know that this is a moment in time -- perhaps a Kairos moment -- when creative vision and imaginative initiatives are needed in relation to decisions that are being made in the church and in our national life. We believe that God is at work doing new things through people who are open to the reforming work of God's spirit.

Positive change often has its beginning in ways that seem to go against the trends. What are some of the signs of the times?

Growing leadership by creative women at every level in church and society;

Emergence of leadership by racial and ethnic groups within the churches and new patterns of partnership;

Urban church ministries of social and economic self-development in many cities across the nation;

Renewed focus on doing serious theology that generates commitment for justice;

Continuing struggle for inclusion of all persons in church and society regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, or socioeconomic status;

Birth of a new and more inclusive ecumenical movement at the national level growing out of the coming demise of the National Council of Churches;

The call for a new Auburn Affirmation coming from David Bos, pastor at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Rochester. (The historic affirmation of 1923 upheld that Presbyterian unity is in commitment to Christ, not in commitment to the details of the Confessions or the Constitution).

We believe that a movement is growing from faith-based commitment and theologically informed effort to create a new center of consensus in our Presbyterian Church that will enable the church to move forward in ways that are both faithful and progressive.

We invite you to affirm this moment in time as an opportunity and a challenge for reform, as a time for a new affirmation that will strengthen our unity in Christ and move the church ahead in a progressive direction.

Yours faithfully in Christ.

Barbara Kellam-Scott, Moderator
Nile Harper. Vice Moderator

A major
Ghost Ranch event this summer!

July 28 - August 3, 2008

Paths toward Peace and Justice:
Spirituality, Earth-Care, and the Prophetic Word in a time of Violence

More info >>

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An index of our reports from

BECOMING NEIGHBORS:
An Invitation
to Global Discipleship

A Witherspoon conference
on global mission and justice

September 16 - 19, 2007
Louisville, Kentucky

Check out our report from the Conference
on
Terror, Torture,
and Security