 Good News! The Presbytery of West Jersey is the 20th Presbytery to "flip" from a No Vote in 2001-2 on Ordination to a Yes Vote on Amendment 08-B in 2009.
West Jersey is also the 47th presbytery to vote "Yes," which means that we have already exceeded the pro-LGBT total achieved in 2001-2. And, we have a large number of traditionally-supportive presbyteries yet to vote.
The Presbytery of West Jersey voted 88 Yes to 80 No on the 218th General Assembly's Ordination Amendment 08-B on Tuesday, March 17, at First Presbyterian Church, Mechantville, New Jersey. The opposition vote to ordination equality in 2001-2 was 80 Yes to 83 No.
The Presbytery of West Jersey serves 65 churches in the southern part of New Jersey and its ministry center is Haddon Heights, NJ. The mission of the Presbytery of West Jersey reveals why a vote to end discrimination against LGBT Presbyterians and their families is possible within this presbytery. The mission of the Presbytery of West Jersey is "to nurture the Christian faith, life and common witness of our congregations and pastors. Open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, we seek fresh ways to serve and grow, praying that in and through us God will make all things new."
Special thanks to all those working to end discrimination against LGBT Presbyterians and their families now in the Presbyteries of West Jersey. We are particularly grateful for Rev. John Scotland, Rev. Heidi Peterson, Sonnie Swentson and Rev. Debra Peevey for offering resources and information on 08-B in this presbytery. You are an inspiration.
The 20 Presbyteries that have flipped from "NO" in 2001-2 to "YES" in 2009 so far include: Western North Carolina, Lake Huron, East Tennessee, Cimarron, Southeastern Illinois, Charlotte, Maumee Valley, Great Rivers, Scioto Valley, Sheppards & Lapsley, Tres Rios, New Hope, Greater Atlanta, Ohio Valley, Arkansas, Yellowstone, Whitewater Valley, Transylvania, Eastminster and West Jersey.
We want to alert all of you working in local presbyteries to pass 08-B to prepared for any of the "No Action" efforts in your presbytery and be ready to address them.
Some opponents of Amendment 08-B are saying that when 08-B passes, then pastors who vote against 08-B, oppose LGBT ordination or the ministry offered by LGBT Presbyterians, would not be allowed to serve which is simply not true.
Thanks be to God for the Presbytery of West Jersey for taking a stand for justice and calling for the end of discrimination in our Church. Together We are building a Church for all God's people.
with hope and grace,
Michael
PS -- Special thanks to Bruce Hahne, recent National MLP Board Member and Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto, CA, a More Light Church for number-crunching and analysis of trends so far for Amendment 08-B -- go to http://yeson08b.blogspot.com/
Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., Executive Director & Field Organizer
Answering God's Call to Serve! YES on 08-B Campaign
For resources, stories, presbytery vote tally, and news from More Light Presbyterians
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