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Home > General News
More Light Presbyterians statement on the Redwoods PJC decision |
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Saturday, March 04 2006 @ 02:17 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More Light Presbyterians Celebrates Redwoods PJC Decision Clearing Rev. Janie Spahr and Affirming the Right to Perform Same-Sex Marriages
March 4, 2006
Media Contacts:
Bear Ride, Co-Moderator (626) 683-9002
Kim Smith-King, Co-Moderator (952) 473-2711
Michael Adee, National Field Organizer (505) 577-0086
Web: www.mlp.org
Santa Fe, NM: More Light Presbyterians celebrates the decision of the Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of Redwoods Presbytery that vindicates the faithful pastoral conduct of the Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr in her
ministry within the Presbyterian Chruch (U.S.A.). Spahr was accused
of violating her ordination vows in blessing the unions of same-sex
couples in using the language of the couples' own choosing, including
the language of marriage.
Noted MLP Co-Moderator Bear Ride, "the decision of this Permanent Judicial Commission gives hope to all of God's children who commit themselves, one to another, in covenantal bonds."
We commend the findings of the PJC that suggest that the Directory of Worship's reference to marriage as between a man and a woman is "a definition not a directive;" "the subject of same-sex marriages has not been shown to be outside of, or contrary to, the essentials of the Reformed faith;" affirms the right of conscience for clergy to perform same-sex marriages; and that "conscience takes precedence over propriety."
"This decision is a watershed moment in the life of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and for Christianity in its declaration that the Good News of God's love is for all people, not just heterosexuals. It is also an official recognition of same-sex love and relationships and the right of clergy to offer God's blessing upon same-sex unions," observed Michael J. Adee, MLP National Field Organizer and openly gay Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe, NM.As More Light Presbyterians we are inspired by the PJC's concluding affirmation on the primacy of the Gospel in the conduct of the Church which said that:
"We [the PJC] affirm that the fundamental message of the Scriptures and Confessions is the proclamation of the Good News of God's love for all people. It is a message of inclusiveness, reconciliation and the breaking down of barriers that separate humans from each other, and that this proclamation has primacy in the conduct of the Church."
In the wake of this March 3, 2006 Redwoods PJC decision, Bear Ride declared that: "We celebrate with Janie and move forward as a community in gratitude to God's wildly inclusive love and grace which gives us hope."
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