June 10; 5:30 PM, Social Hall*

June 24-July 1

July 8; 5:30 PM, Social Hall*

August 12; 5:30 PM, Social Hall*

September 9; 5:30 PM, Social Hall*

October 14; 5:30 PM, Social Hall*

November 11; 5:30 PM, Social Hall*

December 2; 5:30 PM, Place TBA

Local Chapter News

There will be a Soulforce demonstration during the June 25th worship service for GA. The Los Ranchos chapter is asking MLP members to please refrain from participating in this event. Negotiations between opposing points of view have not yet failed, which is the second of Dr. King's four points to be met before undertaking such action. The Los Ranchos chapter has been making great progress within our Presbytery by working within the Presbyterian system and doing things the Presbyterian way. The planned demonstration will not aid us and could very seriously damage the good things we have been able to accomplish. (For more details, including the press release from the National Board of More Light, which holds a different position on this matter from that of our local chapter, click here.)

Los Ranchos Presbytery Issues

Articles or opinion pieces written by group members are welcome. Please send submissions to Linda Malcor.

Hot G.A. Topics

by Jim Anderson

As usual over the past twenty, going on thirty, years, LGBT folks and our issues are hot G.A. topics this year. And as usual, they are focusing on ordination, marriage, ministry and membership. Lots of overtures, both pro and con, are coming to the assembly on each of these topics. Here's a brief summary as of March 22, 2000, consisting of excerpts from the changes that overtures propose, and excerpts from selected rationales. For the complete text of overtures and rationales, go to the website for the 212th General Assembly: http://horeb.pcusa.org/ga212/.

Overture 00-13. On Striking G-6.0106b from the Book of Order -- From the Presbytery of Northern New England: Shall G-6.0106b [the infamous Amendment B!] of the Form of Government be stricken from the Book of Order?

Rationale: The peace, unity, and purity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is endangered by the presence of this paragraph in our Constitution. On the one hand, as written, the paragraph has the effect of targeting a group of people for exclusion from ordained office, and therefore carries the potential for being in contradiction with other parts of the Book of Order that mandate an inclusive church. In this regard the church is reminded of the authoritative interpretation of G-6.0106 and G-4.0403 (1998), which states:

On the other hand, as written (with its reference to The Book of Confessions), the paragraph creates a set of potential circumstances that render it either completely unenforceable or selectively enforceable -- both possibilities that make it problematic for the church.

The next overture addresses both ordination and marriage!

Overture 00-41. On Requesting the General Assembly to Declare That All Persons, Regardless of Sexual Orientation, Are Able to Fulfill the Requirements of Church Office -- From the Presbytery of Milwaukee: [Would] declare to the church and to society that 1. homosexual persons are as qualified and capable of fulfilling the requirements of the Book of Order, G-6.0106 as are heterosexual persons; and 2. loving and faithful relationships between persons of the same sex are recognized as worthy of Christian honor, in the same way that such relationships are honored between persons of opposite sexes.

Rationale: We affirm that homosexual orientation of human sexuality is also created by God and is inspired by scriptural references to loving, committed relationships as are heterosexual relationships (e.g., 1 Corinthians 13). We believe that Scriptures speak clearly about the gifts of loving and committed relationships that may be shared faithfully and fully in homosexual and heterosexual relationships without the rubrics of marriage. We affirm that some men and women who live in loving and faithful homosexual relationships are called by God through the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit (cf. Acts 10) to serve the church as elders, deacons, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament. We already experience and celebrate the valuable gifts shared within the church by gay men and lesbian women in various ministries. We affirm that, in response to God's love in their lives, some women and men choose to live in loving and faithful relationships without the rubrics of marriage.

Overture 00-42. On Establishing a Special Task Force to Move Beyond the Current Impasse -- From the Presbytery of Milwaukee: [Would] direct [the G.A.] Moderator to appoint a special task force charged with finding faithful and creative ways to move the denomination beyond the current impasse concerning the question of the ordination of self-affirming, practicing gay and lesbian members to the offices of the church.

Overture 00-43. On Establishing a Situation of Fair Play -- From the Presbytery of Milwaukee: If the assembly wishes to concur with the 211th General Assembly (1999) in delaying any legislative actions regarding G-6.0106b [Amendment B!] to the 213th General Assembly (2001), there should be a concomitant delay in any related judicial actions.

Rationale: We ... believe that the church must model integrity within its own structures, and to the world. Such integrity should include fair play with everyone being subject to the same "rules." It seems only fair to us that, if persons are to be denied ordination because G-6.0106b is in the Book of Order with no opportunity for legislative remedy for that situation, then persons should, in like manner, not be subject to any judicial action based upon that paragraph.

Overture 00-46. On Amending G-14.0202a by Adding a New Exemption/ Waiver Clause for Governing Bodies When, in Good Conscience, They Cannot Apply the Requirements of G-6.0106b Justly and Equitably - - From the Presbytery of Santa Fe: If any governing body, in good conscience and led by the Holy Spirit, cannot justly and equitably apply the requirements of G-6.0106b, the governing body may request a waiver of G-6.0106b from the next more inclusive governing body, stating its reasons for seeking such a waiver. The governing body may grant the waiver by a majority vote for not more than three years at a time. The waiver shall be subject to renewal or to revocation at any time by a majority vote. Should revocation of the waiver occur, any person then holding office shall not be affected during the current term of office or call.

Rationale: Waivers are historic, Presbyterian, and constitutional. This waiver would help restore a climate of civility and integrity in the church, as we live together as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). While recognizing the need for church order, provision for the freedom of Christian conscience is fundamental to the Presbyterian expression of Christian faith.

Overture 00-48. On Amending G-14.0202 to Add a Waiver of Requirements Not Essential to Reformed Faith and Polity -- From the Presbytery of Hudson River. Similar to Overture 00-46, just above.

(See also Overture 00-41 above that touches on both ordination and marriage!)

Overture 00-12. On Adding New Sections G-6.0106c, G-11.0403e, and G-8.0302 to Prohibit Ministers of the Word and Sacrament from Performing or Blessing Same-Sex Unions or Ceremonies That Emulate Marriage Ceremonies -- From the Presbytery of Tampa Bay: Officers shall not bless or endorse any behavior in others that is prohibited by this Constitution; The ministry shall not authorize, conduct or participate in worship services or other ceremonies designed to unite, in a covenantal relationship approximating marriage, members of the same sex; Property of a particular church of the PC(USA) shall not be used for purposes which bless or sanction as acceptable any behavior that is prohibited by this Constitution, including ceremonies that seek to bless same-sex unions.

Rationale: Many same-sex unions have been performed by ministers and endorsed by sessions on the technical and legalistic grounds that such unions are not precisely "the same as" a marriage ceremony. Ceremonies and services of worship seeking to establish physical, social and religious relationships between partners of the same sex, whether two males or two females, are designed and constructed to emulate marriage ceremonies, and are often construed by participants, worshipers and guests alike to be weddings in fact, if not in name. Parties to the relationship established are then perceived in their churches and communities as having the same relationship as married couples, while great confusion is generated in many communities by PC(USA) ministers and churches performing and endorsing same-sex union ceremonies, since the PC(USA) is then perceived by the public as officially sanctioning such relationships.

Overture 00-26. On Adding New Section W-4.9007 Prohibiting Same- Sex Unions -- From the Presbytery of San Joaquin: Scripture and our Confessions teach that God's intention for all people is to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness. Church property shall not be used for, and church officers shall not take part in conducting, any ceremony or event that pronounces blessing or gives approval of the church or invokes the blessing of God upon any relationship that is inconsistent with God's intention as expressed in the preceding sentence.

Overture 00-54. On Adding New Section W-4.9007 to State That Christian Marriage Is the Only Form of Personal Union Sanctioned by the Church -- From the Presbytery of Charlotte: Christian marriage between a man and a woman is the only form of personal union sanctioned by the church. Special unions between persons of the same gender or others wishing to live together outside of wedlock, but in a physical union, shall not be sanctioned, encouraged, or condoned in the church. Ministers or other approved persons in the PC(USA) shall not perform such ceremonies and sessions shall not permit such ceremonies to take place on church property.

Overture 00-58. On Requesting an Authoritative Interpretation Clarifying the Responsibility of Pastors and Session for Worship and Pastoral Care -- From the Presbytery of the Western Reserve: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms that it is the responsibility of pastors and sessions to determine appropriate worship and pastoral care for their congregations, including services of worship that seek to celebrate and nurture relationships.

Rationale: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a long tradition of trusting pastors and sessions with careful and prayerful discernment about what constitutes faithful worship and compassionate pastoral care appropriate to the circumstances of their members and communities. For the peace, unity and purity of the church, it is vital that this tradition be reaffirmed.

Overture 00-38. On Developing Resources for Ministry with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Persons -- From the Presbytery of San Francisco (with a similar overture also coming from the Presbytery of Indian Nations in Oklahoma): [Would] direct the General Assembly Council to have the Congregational Ministries Division to do the following:

1. Survey congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to elicit stories that will identify
   1. ministries of outreach and evangelism that have been effective in reaching gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members of their communities;
   2. specific congregational programs ministering with and to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families, and friends;
   3. approaches of pastoral care that are sensitive to the particular needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families, and friends; and
   4. lessons learned from successes and failures.
2. Use the survey responses in the development of resources and tools to assist congregations in ministries of evangelism, programming and pastoral care with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families, and friends.
3. Consult with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the development of the survey and the resources.
4. Distribute the resources to all congregations, presbytery and synod resource centers, and committees on ministry by December 31, 2002.

Rationale: In many congregations and communities, outreach to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons is a crucial opportunity for evangelism. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families, and friends have the same pastoral care needs as other persons, as well as needs particular to their circumstances. In numbers of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) churches, there are faithful and effective programs addressing these particular situations, of which others are not aware. Sharing our stories and experiences with one another in the church will help congregations and pastors as they seek to respond to emerging needs in this particular group of God's people.

Overture 00-40. On Amending G-4.0403 and G-14.0201 to List Sexual Orientation as a Category Not to be Excluded -- From the Presbytery of Milwaukee: Persons of all racial ethnic groups, different ages, sexual orientations, both sexes, various disabilities, diverse geographical areas, different theological positions consistent with the Reformed tradition, as well as different marital conditions (married, single, widowed, or divorced) shall be guaranteed full participation and access to representation in the decision making of the church. Every congregation shall elect men and women from among its active members, giving fair representation to persons of all ages and of all racial ethnic members, sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities who are members of that congregation, to the office of elder and the office of deacon, or either of them, in the mode most approved and in use in that congregation.

Rationale: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) commits itself to inclusiveness, and in the Book of Order carefully lists some, but not all, categories of persons against whom society and the church have, in the past, been prejudiced, but should now include. We have been and continue to be distressed that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continues to maintain barriers within its life and leadership against persons who represent different sexual orientations in their public life, which suggests that there are two unequal groups of members within the church -- those who are self-affirming practicing homosexual persons, and those who are not.

Overture 00-60. On Amending G-5.0103 to Clarify the Policy of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Welcoming Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Persons as Church Members -- From the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area: The congregation shall welcome all persons who respond in trust and obedience to God's grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the membership and ministry of his Church. No persons shall be denied membership because of race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, worldly condition, or any other reason not related to profession of faith. Each member must seek the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons. ... Failure to do so constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the gospel.

Rationale: The church is called to offer the hospitality of Jesus Christ to all, regardless of their worldly condition, and to welcome them as members of the church, his body. The recent actions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to prohibit the ordination and installation of self-avowed, practicing, gay and lesbian persons as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament have created confusion in local congregations and among potential new members about the church's policy regarding welcoming gay and lesbian persons as members of the church. In our contemporary society, gay and lesbian persons are often victims of marginalization, discrimination, exclusion, and even deadly violence. It is important to emphasize that the church, in contrast, specifically welcomes into its membership persons against whom society still often discriminates, such as racial and sexual minorities. While Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, he consistently reached out to, welcomed, and included those who were marginalized or ostracized by their contemporaries.

MLP will have a double booth, No. 251, opposite the National Ministries Division area in the exhibition hall. Folks interested in helping to staff the booth, please contact Jim Anderson, jda@scils.rutgers.edu, 732-249-1016 or 732-932-7501. MLP will also have a hospitality suite, but we don't yet know the location.