Resources
Homosexuality and the Bible
From the Witherspoon Society web site:
"Are you looking for a clear, simple, scholarly statement of how the Bible might inform the church's thinking about homosexuality? If not for yourself, maybe to share with someone else?
One of the earliest - and perhaps one of the best - was published first in 1979, and then in a revised edition in 1996, by Walter Wink, Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City."
You can read the article on the Fellowship of Reconciliation web site.
A
Brief History of the Project, as told by Martha G. Juillerat, Project Founder
The Shower of
Stoles Project did not begin as an organization or program. It began as
witness, a spontaneous outpouring, and it remains a great witness of faith to
this day. In 1993 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) called
for a three-year period of dialogue on the issue of human sexuality. The church
called upon gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians to "come
out" and tell their stories to the church. At the time my partner, Tammy Lindahl
and I were both ordained ministers, serving churches in rural Missouri and carefully
hiding our relationship. After much consideration and careful planning, we
decided to join the dialogues. A few months later, Tammy came out in a dialogue
on the floor of the Heartland Presbytery, effectively ending both our careers
in parish ministry. Only one other openly gay minister, Merrill Proudfoot, was
able to commit himself to the work. Over the next two and half years the three
of us participated in dozens of dialogues throughout the central states.
With so few of us able to share our stories with churches in our region,
it was easy dismiss us. One minister said that although he supported gays in
the church, it wasn't much of an issue because "we've already driven all
the gay folk out." We began seeking ways to share the anonymous stories of
those who were closeted and still serving the church in a wide variety of
capacities.
In 1995, no longer able
to work in the church, I chose to set aside my ordination. It was important for
Tammy and I to impress upon our presbytery the fact that we were only two of
hundreds of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith who were
active in the life and ministry of the church. At the annual meeting of
Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns that summer, we asked GLBT friends
and colleagues to send us a stole, that we might hang them in the church where
our presbytery would be meeting on the day that I was to set aside my
ordination. We were hoping to receive a couple of dozen stoles; instead we
received 80 stoles almost overnight.
After that presbytery meeting the
stoles kept coming, along with cards and letters. By the following spring we
had 200. We bought suitcases at thrift stores and took the stoles to a meeting
of the More Light Churches Network in Rochester, New York. Seven weeks later we had over 350
stoles. By now we realized we had a sacred trust, and we committed ourselves to
creating a project that would allow us to share this collection - and all of
these stories - with the church.
The Shower of Stoles Project has expanded greatly in recent years. The
collection now contains over nine hundred stoles from gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender people in twenty-one denominations, from United Methodist, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in American and United Church of Christ to Southern and Free
Will Baptist, Community of Christ (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints) and Pentecostal. The collection is displayed over a hundred times a
year at sites throughout North America. It has become a vital part of the
broader welcoming church movement, providing education, advocacy and public
witness programs on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith everywhere.
Toward a church as generous and just as God's grace
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is a broad-based, national group of clergy and lay leaders working for a church that is simultaneously faithful, just, and whole. They seek to support the mission and unity of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in a time of potentially divisive controversy. They intend to articulate and act on the church's historic, progressive vision and to work
"toward a church as generous and just as God's grace".
On February 5th, 2003, the Session voted to support the Call to
Covenant Community, making Trinity an official member of the Covenant Network.
A Call to Covenant Community
...from the
Covenant Network web site...
As disciples of Jesus Christ and members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), in reliance on the promise of God's grace, we make the following affirmations about our faith and our church:
We affirm faith in Jesus Christ who proclaimed the reign of God by preaching good news to the poor, binding up the broken-hearted and calling all to repent and believe the good news. It is Christ whose life and ministry form and discipline all we say and do.
The church we seek to strengthen is built upon the hospitality of Jesus, who said, "Whoever comes to me I will not cast out." The good news of the gospel is that all -- those who are near and those who were far off -- are invited; all are members of the household and citizens of the realm of God. No one has a claim on this invitation and none of us becomes worthy, even by sincere effort to live according to God's will. Grateful for our own inclusion, we carry out the mission of the church to extend God's hospitality to a broken and fearful and lonely world.
The people of God are called to be "light to the nations." As God's people, we have a commission rather than a privilege. We believe that the place of the church is in the world and for the world: living the good news, proclaiming grace, working with others for justice, freedom and peace. Thus Christian faith has an inevitable public and political dimension. Because we believe that God is at work in culture and community beyond the church, the church need not be afraid to look and listen for God's voice from outside its own sphere.
The words of scripture provide life and nourishment; as the psalmist says, they are desirable, delicious, sweet. The Bible is the evidence of God's long, patient and persistent relationship with communities and persons of faith. It is the one true, reliable witness to God's self-giving in Jesus Christ. The process of discerning God's Word in the words of scripture depends on the faithful reading of the Bible by those who seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are committed to the ongoing task of finding in scripture God's call to live out the Christian life in our day and time. We embrace gifts of scholarship, research and dialogue as we seek to understand the Bible's relevance to the ever-changing needs of the world and to circumstances which scripture does not explicitly address.
We seek the gift of unity among all who confess the name of Jesus Christ as Lord. Unity is Christ's prayer for those who would follow him, "so that the world might believe." We hope to maintain communion fellowship with all whose lives are guided by the Christian creeds and by the confessions of Reformed faith. We pledge to strengthen our ties to those who are at risk of being excluded by recent legislative actions of our church. We also want to live in unity with those whose views are different from ours.
Because nothing in life or death can separate us from God's love, we pray that the issues before us will not separate us from one another.
Covenant Statement
Therefore we covenant together to:
- welcome, in the name of Christ, all whom God calls into community and leadership in God's church
- reach out in solidarity and compassion to all who are wounded or excluded by recent legislative actions of our church
- continue to be faithful to the Presbyterian Church (USA), supporting its mission in Christ's name to God's world
- reaffirm our denomination's historic understanding that "God alone is Lord of the conscience" (G-1.0301) both for ourselves and for those with whom we disagree
- trust sessions and presbyteries to ordain those called by God, through the voice of the church, who are "persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord" and whose "manner of life demonstrates the Christian gospel in the church and the world" (G-6.0106a)
- seek pastoral and theological solutions to division in the church
- maintain dialogue, study, and prayer in the spirit of Christ with those with whom we differ, seeking to understand the deeper roots of our disagreements
- seek God's will for the Church through the presence of Christ, the study of scripture, the guidance of our historic confessions, and the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit
- encourage officers and governing bodies of the church to join us in this covenant
As we covenant together in Christ, we commit ourselves to encourage one another through prayer, counsel, and mutual support, through times of challenge, controversy, and hope.
High Noon... At Trinity
[Trinity]
Wed, Oct 26 2011 6:29 PM CDT
- Joy Pipes
"On a lovely Sunday morning in June, Trinity young families, other individuals, and one little old lady (me) joined a GAY PRIDE PARADE being held on Grand Ave. In front of us at the parade were members of 2nd Presbyterian Church (who we partnered with in the walk), and behind us an Episcopalian group--all of us waiting to celebrate our Christian Love for One Another in this happy event!
As we began to move along, young Karl Nelson (age 9) shared his homemade sign with me. Proudly, we showed it to the waving, smiling faces watching us proceed to Tower Grove Park.
The sign spoke for us all: "We are ALL 'fearfully and wonderfully made'." (Psalm 139)
The End --Amen
Archbishop Tutu Writes of His Support
[Trinity]
Wed, Oct 26 2011 6:28 PM CDT
Eminent South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, has written Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons in support of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s recent change in ordination standards:
23 September 2011
The Rev. Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville KY 40202-1396
Dear Brother in Christ,
I am writing you with the request that you share these thoughts with my brothers and sisters in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):
It is incumbent upon all of God's children to speak out against injustice. It is sometimes equally important to speak in solidarity when justice has been done. For that reason I am writing to affirm my belief that in making room in your constitution for gay and lesbian Christians to be ordained as church leaders, you have accomplished an act of justice.
I realize that among your ecumenical partners, some voices are claiming that you have done the wrong thing, and I know that you rightly value your relationship with Christians in other parts of the world. Sadly, it is not always popular to do justice, but it is always right. People will say that the ones you are now willing to ordain are sinners. I have come to believe, through the reality shared with me by my scientist and medical friends, and confirmed to me by many who are gay, that being gay is not a choice. Like skin color or left-handedness, sexual orientation is just another feature of our diversity as a human family. How wonderful that God has made us with so much diversity, yet all in God's image! Salvation means being called out of our narrow bonds into a broad place of welcome to all.
You are undoubtedly aware that in some countries the church has been complicit in the legal persecution of lesbians and gays. Individuals are being arrested and jailed simply because they are different in one respect from the majority. By making it possible for those in same-gender relationships to be ordained as pastors, preachers, elders, and deacons, you are being a witness to your ecumenical partners that you believe in the wideness of God's merciful love.
For freedom Christ has set us free. In Christ we are not bound by old, narrow prejudice, but free to embrace the full humanity of our brothers and sisters in all our glorious differences. May God bless you as you live into this reality, and may you know that there are many Christians in the world who continue to stand by your side.
God bless you.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (Cape Town, South Africa)
Social Justice Update: Gay & Lesbian Legislation
[Trinity]
Wed, Oct 26 2011 6:25 PM CDT
"Equality in Missouri - An Update on Legislative Actions"
Did you know that in St. Louis County gay people can still be fired from their job, denied housing, and access to public accommodations, such as retirement facilities? Our speaker from PROMO, Missouri's statewide organization that advocates for LGBT equality, will speak on efforts to extend non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Trinity's Session publicly supported PROMO's safe Schools Act work last year. See www.PROMOonline.org for more information. Adult education class: Sunday, October 30, 9:30am, Weems Chapel. Andrew Shaughnessy, St. Louis Regional Field Organizer, PROMO
LGBT Advocates Need Public Progressive Faith
[Religion Dispatches Magazine]
Sun, Jul 3 2011 7:23 AM CDT
What role does the church have in publicly engaging in advocacy for lesbian, gay. bisexual and transgendered people? [more]
Fair & Just Breakfast
[Trinity]
Sat, Jul 2 2011 8:49 AM CDT
Trinity Members March to Support GLBT Community
[Trinity]
Sat, Jul 2 2011 8:38 AM CDT
- by Liz Nelson
16 of us -- from little Franki to Ms. Joy Pipes -- gathered near Tower Grove Park to march with Second Presbyterian Church, united as "Presbyterian Pride"...proud of our recent vote to overturn the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the church and proud to support our GLBT brothers and sisters in Christ. We carried signs, dyed our hair and waved and cheered back at the crowd. Do we straight Christians take our relationship with our church, our God and our faith for granted, forgetting there are others who have been shunned, bullied and cursed by organized religion and by the church homes they love?
more pictures...
Presbyterian Church Lifts Ban on Gay Clergy
[PC(USA)]
Fri, May 13 2011 7:12 PM CDT
While the Office of the General Assembly awaits official tallies, it appears that a majority of the 173 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have approved a change in PC(USA) ordination standards.
At its meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, the Presbytery of Twin Cities Area became the 87th presbytery to approve an amendment that will remove the constitutional requirement that all ministers, elders, and deacons live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness" (G-6.0106b in the church's Book of Order).
The new language reads, "Standards for ordained service reflect the church's desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate's calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate's ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates."
The new provision reaffirms the long-held right and responsibility of ordaining bodies (local church sessions for deacons and elders or presbyteries for ministers) to determine the suitability of each candidate for ordination. The effect of the new language also opens up the possibility that persons in same-gender relationships can be considered for ordination.
[more]
Gay Pride Parade March with 2nd Pres. Church
[Trinity]
Fri, May 13 2011 7:10 PM CDT
Save the date of Sunday, June 26th @ noon as the day interested Trinity members will join with 2nd Presbyterian Church to march in St. Louis' gay pride parade in Tower Grove Park.
Inching Closer to a Church as Generous and Just as God's Grace
[Trinity]
Wed, Mar 30 2011 7:11 PM CDT
- Dan Anderson-Little
As many of you are aware, the Presbyterian Church is voting (again!) to decide whether to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian persons who are in committed relationships. This fight has been going on since 1978 when the General Assembly voted to give "authoritative guidance" on the matter and effectively barred gay and lesbian persons from being ordained. In 1996, the General Assembly (GA) approved a constitutional amendment to our Book of Order which made this prohibition binding. Since 1996, there have been three attempts to overturn the that part of the Book of Order (officially known as G-6.0106b), all of the unsuccessful.
At last summer's meeting the GA again approved an amendment to overturn the ban. The Assembly's approval meant that all 173 presbyteries had to vote on the amendment--if 50% +1 of them approve the amendment, the ban would be lifted; if not, it would stay in place. The last time GA sent an amendment to the presbyteries (2008), it lost by 17 presbyteries--which means that if 9 presbyteries who voted no in 2008 changed their vote, the ban would be lifted. We are in the midst of the presbyteries voting right now and so far, the results are extremely encouraging. As of March 23, 2011, 125 presbyteries have voted. The vote count so far is 73 in favor of dropping the ban, 51 against dropping the ban, and one tie which is counted with the "no" votes. More importantly, to date 14 presbyteries that voted "no" two years ago have voted "yes" this time (and one that voted "yes" two years ago switched to a "no.") That means if the rest of the votes hold the same as two years ago, the ban to ordination will be lifted.
I am honored to be a Board member of one of the advocacy groups that are working for a more inclusive and hospitable church, the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. The Network was formed in 1996 to overturn G-6.0106b. Most of the founding members assumed that they would be in business for one year as they would successfully reverse this pernicious piece of church law. Sadly, the fight has been longer than anyone would have guessed. But this may be the year when the rest of the church can embrace what Trinity has always known: that God calls all people without regard to "gender, race, ethnic origin, worldly condition, sexual orientation, disability, or any other human condition."
So what can you do to help make this the year when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) becomes more generous and just? Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Learn more. Here are two organizations that are working hard to overturn the ordination ban: Covenant Network of Presbyterians and More Light Presbyterians.
- Pray for our church in this season of discerning and voting.
- Donate to the work of the Covenant Network as they help organize Presbyterians who dream of a new day for our denomination.
Next week, I will share some thoughts on why it takes Presbyterians so darned long to make changes.
Suicide Prevention Training Workshop
[Trinity]
Wed, Mar 30 2011 7:08 PM CDT
Last call to attend this event as part of Trinity's effort to more actively support gay teens. Important information to learn. No need to register.
Tuesday, March 29, 7-10 pm
Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri
1905 S. Grand Blvd
Suicide Prevention Training Workshop
[Trinity]
Sat, Mar 12 2011 7:51 AM CST
As part of Trinity's effort to more actively support gay teens, we are exploring how we can collaborate with existing community resources and/or fill a niche need. This training will educate interested members about a key concern, while creating networking opportunities. It's free to attend. Join Liz Nelson, Elaine Pontius & Mark Merritt.....:
Tuesday, March 29, 7-10 pm
Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri
1905 S. Grand Blvd
Effort to drop ban on gay clergy leads in PC(USA) voting
[The Christian Century]
Sun, Mar 6 2011 7:15 AM CST
More than halfway through the balloting by regional presbyteries, a proposal to permit ordination of openly gay and lesbian pastors in the nation's largest Presbyterian denomination holds a lead.
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) last year approved dropping the ban on gay clergy by a 373-323 vote, but ratification by a majority of PCUSA's regional units, or presbyteries, is required to make the change. Three similar attempts to adopt the proposal have failed in the last 14 years.
[more]
Follow up on Our Gay Marriage Conversation: Video
[Trinity]
Mon, Feb 7 2011 7:03 PM CST
19 year old Speaks to Iowa House of Representatives
He has two mothers and is speaking against House Joint Resolution 6, which would end civil unions in Iowa. This is his statement on the impact of being raised by a gay couple.
Dan's Sermon Challenge: Supporting Gay Teens
[Trinity]
Sat, Jan 29 2011 10:33 AM CST
Does anyone have the desire to respond to Dan's sermon challenge last Sunday, where he noted that we have the opportunity to live our welcoming statement by creating a safe space for gay/questioning teens and by being more public in our support of their struggles? Speak with Dan or the office if you'd like to be part of the conversation.
The Impact of Trinity's Ministry
[Trinity]
Mon, Oct 25 2010 8:00 PM CDT
- Rev. Dan Anderson-Little
On Sunday evening, October 24, I was a member of a panel at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in South City. The purpose of the panel was to help members of Gethsemane explore the possibility of becoming an openly welcoming congregation to gay and lesbian persons. This is the second time this year that I have been invited by local churches who are moving in a more welcoming direction (the other church was Hope UCC in South City where I preached and led a forum in February). Both times I was asked because Trinity has a strong and metropolitan-wide reputation for being a welcoming and hospitable church, especially to gay and lesbian persons.
At each event, it has been my joy to share this congregation's 20 year journey of openly and honestly learning how to be more and more welcoming. I share stories about how our Statement of Welcome has been one of the important parts of our church life that has drawn people to our congregation. I speak about how being a welcoming congregation has blessed our entire membership. I also tell these congregations that this has been a long journey: Trinity adopted its Statement of Welcome 12 years ago, but for many years before that, the congregation was working to make both the congregation and the denomination a more welcoming place.
I am excited to share with you that this Spring, Hope UCC voted to become an Open &Affirming congregation (and official designation of a welcoming church in the UCC). Sometime next year, I anticiapte that Gethsemane will vote to become a Reconciling in Christ congregation (the official designation in the Lutheran Church). Trinity's ministry is having an impact in the world, and it is my honor to be a part of it.
Being A Welcoming Church in the Midst of a Hostile Culture
[Trinity]
Sun, Oct 17 2010 10:05 AM CDT
- Rev. Dan Anderson-Little
Over the past couple of weeks we have again been reminded how hostile our culture can be to gay and lesbian persons, especially gay and lesbian teenagers. Trinity has a special calling to be a safe, welcoming and loving community to all persons, especially those who have been scorned and abused by the larger society. As a congregation, we need to come out of the closet and make our welcome known. We must speak up and speak out.
For a great reflection on a Christian approach to welcoming gay and lesbian persons, read this blog post written by a Presbyterian laywwoman in California.
Covenant Network leaders outline position, way forward
[PC(USA)]
Fri, Nov 9 2007 4:46 PM CST
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians' leadership pledged to be on the front lines to assist individuals, congregations and middle governing bodies in implementing the authoritative interpretation (AI) of the Book of Order that gives ordaining bodies greater leeway in applying ordination standards.
"We pledge our legal, advisory, and educational resources for those in the ordination process," the network said. "As we look toward the next General Assembly, we will continue to monitor both local ordination/installation practices and judicial decisions to determine which additional measures we should pursue at this time to achieve our longstanding goal: a church as generous and just as God's grace."
[more]
The Covenant Network
[Trinity]
Fri, Mar 30 2007 6:36 PM CDT
- Dan Anderson-Little
As many of you know, I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. The Network was formed ten years ago by a group of Presbyterian leaders who were deeply troubled by an addition to our church's constitution that barred openly gay and lesbian persons from being ordained as a minister, elder or deacon. For the past ten years, the Network has worked to educate the church about ordination issues especially around the issue of human sexuality and has worked legislatively to change the constitution so that all who are called by God to church office can serve. While the Network has done a significant job in helping Presbyterians grapple with these issues, the constitutional ban remains.
A big change in our church happened this last summer when the General Assembly (the highest legislative body of the denomination) met. In 2001, the Presbyterian Church appointed a special task force to study and discern how the church might move past its current impasse, especially in the area of ordination. This task force included members across the theological spectrum. The Theological Task Force for Peace, Unity and Purity in the Church met for four years and made its unanimous recommendations to the General Assembly in June 2006. The Task Force recommended that the church return to its historical stance of "scrupling" - that is, candidates for ministry could declare a scruple about a doctrine or standard of the church. In this instance, a "scruple" is a departure from commonly held doctrine or practice. The local governing body would then have to decide whether that scruple involved an "essential" or not; if it did, the governing body would not approve the candidate for ordination; however, if the governing body did not consider the scruple an essential, it could approve the candidate for ordination.
The General Assembly, by a small margin approved the recommendations of the Task Force. By its vote, the General Assembly made this recommendation its Authoritative Interpretation (AI). Some in the church see this as an important way forward trusting local governing bodies to appropriately discern who is called to ministry and to understand what the essentials of the faith are; others are alarmed that the church would not or could not declare its "essentials," leaving such important and weighty matters to local governing bodies, which would mean that every presbytery and session could have different ordination standards.
After the General Assembly the Covenant Network made two important affirmations: one, it remains committed to removing the obstacle to ordination; and two, it is committed to helping churches and presbyteries live with the new AI. The Network believes that while the AI is not final hope for the church, it is an important step as we move forward. The Network will support the AI by providing resources (in print and on line), legal assistance, and conferences.
Each Fall, the Covenant Network sponsors a major conference to celebrate, educate and support. This year's conference will be held in Atlanta from November 1 - 3. This conference will feature national speakers and preachers and is open to all. If you are interested in attending, please speak with me. I would be delighted to help you get there.
For more information on the Covenant Network, visit http://www.covenantnetwork.org/home.htm.
Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality
[More Light Presbyterians]
Sat, Apr 22 2006 8:00 AM CDT
Jack Rogers, Professor of Theology Emeritus at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a former moderator of the PCUSA, has written a new book titled Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church.
In this sure-to-be controversial book, former seminary professor and church official Jack Rogers argues unequivocally for the ordination of gays and lesbians and for the extension of full and equal rights in society to all people who are homosexual. Christianity, he observes, has moved through history in the direction of ever-greater openness and inclusiveness. Today's church is led by many of those who were once cast out: people of color, women, and divorced and remarried people. It is inevitable, he believes, that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people will one day walk in the same steps as other Christian leaders.
[more]
'We don't know, but we're not lost'
[PC(USA)]
Fri, Nov 4 2005 8:52 PM CST
[PC(USA)] Christian discipleship is a mystery to be embraced, no matter how much or how little we understand it, Presbyterian essayist and poet Kathleen Norris said Friday in a speech to the Covenant Network of Presbyterians during its national conference in Memphis.
[Link] [more]
10th Anniversary of the Shower of Stoles Project
[More Light Presbyterians]
Sat, Oct 15 2005 8:43 AM CDT
[More Light Presbyterians] The National Board of Directors of More Light Presbyterians recognizes and celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Shower of Stoles Project this month. We offer this recognition with mixed emotions because this marks the 10th Anniversary of the birth of the project wherein its founder, Martha Juillerat set aside her ordination as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
[Link] [more]
"Change Ministries": Bad Theology & Bad Medicine
[Michael Adee - More Light Presbyterians]
Thu, Jun 23 2005 5:29 AM CDT
[Michael Adee - More Light Presbyterians] "Sadly in 2005, as I travel our church and country I still encounter younger or older women and men who have been pushed into so-called change ministries by fundamentalist-oriented pastors, their parents and even some Presbyterian clergy or churches. In their search to accept, affirm and embrace themselves as children of God being created good in the image of God just like heterosexuals, our sisters and brothers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning are simply seeking to integrate their sexuality or gender identity with their faith."
[Link] [more]
Speaking The Name
[Covenant Network]
Wed, 10 Nov 2004 01:48:03 GMT
[Covenant
Network]
"If you should wake from ... a heavy sleep to find yourself looking at a
creature in whose eyes you recognize the family resemblance to dust - someone
whose voice speaks so gently as to drown out the clamor of the rest of
creation, whose company offers a depth that is both terrifying and exquisite -
if you should find yourself looking at someone in whose stature you recognize
the strength to join the work that needs to be done as your equal and to make
it your own, together - someone in whose bearing you recognize a common
understanding of the stakes of what lies ahead - one in whose presence you feel
the essential loneliness of your existence transfigured... If you should wake
from such a sleep to find yourself in such a presence, then perhaps the living
breath God breathed into you before ever you knew who you were might rise to
your lips, there to be formed into words by which you might again utter
relationship into being. But this time the speaking of the name will be an
exercise of cosmology - not mere taxonomy. This time all of you will speak:
your eyes, your stature, the bearing of your spirit, every atom of your body.
And the words you speak will change the shape of creation: This at last is bone
of my bone and flesh of my flesh."
A sermon delivered to the 2004 Covenant Network Conference by the Rev. Richard E.
Spalding - Chaplain of Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts
[
more]
"Are You Saved?"
[Covenant Network]
Tue, 09 Nov 2004 02:48:09 GMT
Frederick Buechner put it this way: "No matter who you are and what you've done,
God wants you on his side. There is nothing you have to do or be. It's on the
house. It goes with the territory." There must be some minimum standard. How
could salvation be available to absolutely everyone? That is the claim of
scripture and the claim of the Christian tradition but we never seem to believe
it. Surely there must be a catch, some book I need to read, some technique of
prayer you need to master. There must be some minimum standard. How could
salvation be available to absolutely everyone?
A sermon delivered to the 2004 Covenant Network Conference by Amy Miracle,
Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa
[
more]
Mieke says "Thanks"
[Trinity]
Wed, 03 Nov 2004 06:00:00 GMT
Dear Rev. Anderson-Little, Elder Roman and the Session of Trinity;
On behalf of the Steering Committee for Presbyterian Welcome, thank you for your
financial support of this shared ministry working towards denominational
renewal, integrity, and honesty, challenging our Church to be a welcoming
community - a Church as inclusive as God's grace.
I have been so proud to talk about Trinity in my journey - the church that has
helped me become all of who God has created and is creating me to be. Your
witness to the larger church and world has been critical in my development. It
means the world to me that you support Presbyterian Welcome and that you are
also working so hard to make our denomination a place where all people's gifts
can be expressed for the glory of God.
As we come closer to achieving our goal of deleting G-6.0106b from the Book of
Order, we understand there is still more work ahead of us to make the Church a
truly inclusive and welcoming place. Your tax-free contribution of $500.00
allows us to continue our work throughout the Synod of the Northeast and
through our entire denomination, and to take a leadership role in discerning
the future of this movement.
Again, thank you for your support of me, my present ministry, and your work
within this denomination. Please let me know if I can be helpful to you in your
ministry.
Faithfully Yours,
Rev. Mieke Vandersall
Minister Director - Presbyterian Welcome
