The 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) passed a measure lifting the decade long ban on ordaining openly LGBT clergy. The ordination changes now go through a Presbytery wide ratification process. Hours after the ordination vote, commissioners postponed the discussion on marriage. Michael Adee and others provide some key perspectives about the General Assembly in a July 15 article in The Bay Area Reporter.

In striking down the celibacy requirement, the Presbyterian Church (USA) adopted "one standard for all," said Michael Adee, executive director of More Light Presbyterians (http://www.mlp.org), an LGBT advocacy organization. "Instead of looking at one's marital status or sexual orientation or gender identity, it's about a person's life, faith, and character," he said.

Previously, candidates for ordination as ministers, deacons, and elders were held to a "fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness clause," which in effect, Adee said, "mandated compulsive heterosexuality or the imposition of celibacy or chastity, depending on how one reads the text."

Under the new overture, the wording of "joyful submission to worship of Christ" replaces the language of "fidelity" and "chastity."

Oklahoma native Heather Grantham, a seminarian at the Marin County-based San Francisco Theological Seminary, considers the new ordination standard "a better and higher standard," she said, adding, "It's a step forward on all fronts, whether gay or straight."

Now, "it's not all about sex," said Grantham, who attended General Assembly in two capacities, young adult and theological student advisory delegate. She also serves as family ministry director for the Noe Valley Ministry Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, which is a More Light welcoming and affirming congregation.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the last year, the District of Columbia’s City Council and Congress approved same gender marriages as legal for the District. Many of us applauded the hard work of many who testified, agitated, and bent history’s arc toward justice. It was due to the strong work of the city council, human rights advocates, LGBTQ organizations, and a committed core of ministers called The D.C. Clergy United. I am deeply proud to have played a small part in the work to make a positive move in this essential civil rights issue of my generation.

When I found a haven within the Reformed family almost twenty years ago, it was as a battered ex-fundamentalist/evangelical who saw love and affirmation within its walls. Many of my gay and lesbian friends had already abandoned the church because it was a place where they felt excluded. Yet, I felt mentored in my beliefs and deeply supported by friends in the PC(USA). They helped restore me to a faith that had been so deeply damaged and broken by legalistic moralists. I grieve when I think of those church leaders who related that this was a denomination where my conscience could be free and that there was a place for me. I am glad that they have passed on and do not have to endure the pain that some of us face these days. Unfortunately, our pews and clergy have become more aged, so when we discuss the approval of same gender marriage in the Presbyterian Church (USA), our church has resorted to becoming that same legalistic church of old.

On the issue of same gender marriage, I stand with the teaching of Pauline Christology when he claims to the uncircumcised gentiles of Galatia and Rome “against such things there is no law.” I do not believe that our 219th General Assembly, or anyone for that matter, has the authority to bind the conscience on matters that the Spirit of God is directing portions of her church. I therefore cannot follow the definition of marriage set out by our current Book of Order. Through prayer, careful study of Scripture and discernment, I believe that this definition is unnecessarily restrictive to our members whom we claim have full membership rights within our churches.

The 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met from Friday, July 2 to Saturday, July 10 in Minneapolis, MN. The following links provide a summary of the posts to More Light Presbyterians 219th General Assembly Blog.

Legislation

• Legislative Summary for LGBT Issues 
• MLP's Legislative Goals

• MLP Board Statement
• Scarves
• "Love Makes a Family" Photo Set

• Welcoming Worship Celebration (Photo Set)
• Educational Luncheon (Photo Set)
• Witness (Photo Set)
• Reception & National Celebration Dinner (Photo Set)
• Soulforce Press Conference (Photo Set)
• More Light at the Movies

• Press Releases
• Press Conferences
• Media Coverage

• Marriage (Overtures, Concurrences)
• Ordination (Overtures, Concurrences)
• Health (Overtures, Concurrences)

MLP will host a Marriage Equality luncheon on July 6 at the General Assembly. There are thousands of same gender loving couples in our Church. We want you to be part of a tapestry of LGBT couples creating a "Love Makes a Family" display at this educational event. Send your favorite family photo in digital format to antony@mlp.org. Please let us know if you want to be included in the online gallery as well (see below).

To inspire you to send in your photograph, check out this photo gallery of couples who have already sent in their pictures and given us permission to include them in the online gallery.

Visit the Love Makes a Family Gallery...

God of justice and God of love, we give you thanks for each hand that participated in the creation of these rainbow scarves. We give you thanks for their color, colors that remind us that you have intentionally created a beautifully diverse world. We give you thanks that they are a reminder to us of your unending love for your creation. Breathe your Holy Spirit upon these scarves, so that, as they make their way to Minneapolis, and as they are placed around the shoulders and necks of members of your body at the General Assembly, these scarves might be trumpeters of your Good News that your love is an inclusive love. May the Church live into this Good News, being leaders in your world, rejoicing in your extravagant love, and actively praying and working to end discrimination in the church so that your love might be known and felt by all. In the name of the Creator, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Please keep knitting and praying your way to GA!!! Thanks!!

Peace,
Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards
Co-Moderator for More Light Presbyterians

Here is the June 2010 issue of More Light Update with a special focus on the upcoming 219th General Assembly. You may read the digital paper version below or download and print a PDF version from the More Light Update's archive area.

For the best view, click "Fullscreen" below. When you want to return to MLP's webpage, simply click the red letters, "Exit Fullscreen".

More Light Update June 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are asking you, as a leader in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to take a bold step to reduce the stigma associated with HIV testing in the United States. We are asking you to be tested for HIV publically at the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Minneapolis in July 2010. We are not asking you to reveal your status, only to be open about your willingness to be tested, as an act of solidarity with those living with HIV, and as an encouragement to all people to know their HIV status.

It is estimated that over 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV,[1] and in Washington, D.C., prevalence rates have reached an alarming 3%.[2] The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that around 56,000 Americans are infected each year, and around 20% of those infected with HIV do not know their status.[3] Studies have shown that individuals who know their HIV+ status reduce their risk behaviors,[4] yet many people avoid getting tested either because they do not perceive themselves to be at risk or because of the stigma associated with testing.