Another delete-B overture passes! Cascades Presbytery votes "yes" for equality and fairness

Saturday, June 25 2005 @ 09:54 PM

[July 6: edited for clarity]

Reported by MLP Cascades chapter chair Chris Jackson, who was on the scene as Cascades Presbytery (western Oregon) voted 92 yes, 61 no to send a "delete B / delete AI" overture to the 2006 General Assembly. The Cascades overture uses language similar to that suggested by the MLP 2006 GA Overture FAQ - see the FAQ for how you can work to send a delete-B overture from your own presbytery.

This makes the second presbytery that MLP is aware of to vote to send this type of overture to General Assembly next year - the first was Heartland Presbytery which passed its overture in April. A lot of advanced planning went into passing the Cascades overture, with the sessions of 11 churches endorsing the overture in advance, prior to its submission to presbytery. Thanks to all supporters of equality who worked hard in Oregon for today's success.

Chris Jackson's report:

Today at a Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Cascades in Milwaukie, Oregon, the Presbytery voted by paper ballot in favor of sending an overture to GA recommending the removal of "B" and the Authoritative Interpretation. Twenty-five minutes was allowed for discussion, and I was pleased to see that proponents outnumbered opponents at the microphone.

There was no motion to table, move to committee or otherwise postpone the vote, and so it will go to GA.

Kent Organ was particularly helpful in getting this initiative rolling back in January, and Barbara Campbell of St. Mark Presbyterian in Portland, Oregon carried the responsibility of bringing the overture to the meeting. We are lucky to have such people in our neighborhood.

For us in Oregon, one of the 11 States to have stifled the effort for marriage equality last November, this is a breath of fresh air. For a Presbytery that had not recently taken a stand on the matter of inclusivity, this is affirmation that there is still a strong will to be open and affirming.

Chris Jackson - Chair of the Cascades Chapter
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