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Santa Fe, NM: "Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly with your God" is the theme for the upcoming 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in San Jose, CA, June 21 - 28. In a time like now, and in the world as it is, the ancient Hebrew prophet Micah's call has a profoundly contemporary and timely ring.
Many important matters of vision and mission face this Assembly and our Church: the election of a new Stated Clerk; the election of the Moderator of our Church; the growing needs of our country and world in terms of peacemaking, economic justice and addressing the real world problems of hunger, homelessness, HIV-AIDS within the USA and around the globe, fair and just immigration policy, etc. And, before our General Assembly is the opportunity to respond to the Call from within our Church to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their families through prayerful consideration and passage of the LGBT-Affirming overtures that support spiritual, ordination and marriage equality. This indeed seems to be a kairos moment in the life of our Church.
LGBT-Affirming Ordination overtures are the Hudson River and Cincinnati Presbytery Overtures. The Baltimore Overture that supports a loving and faithful relationship between two partners, regardless of gender, is an LGBT-Affirming Overture that promotes a more just and loving definition of marriage within our Directory for Worship. Correcting the mistranslation within the later Heidelberg Catechism removes the anti-gay prejudice placed into this historic confession and restores integrity to our Book of Confessions.
For details about these LGBT-Affirming Overtures and ways to serve on the MLP GA 2008 Volunteer Team, go to the GA Landing Page on our web site at:
The National Board of Directors of More Light Presbyterians unanimously adopted the following statement at its February 2008 board meeting in Santa Fe, NM. As we approach the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in San Jose, we covet your prayers, support, and help as we work to make our Church one that welcomes and affirms all of God's people.
Please do forward this statement, prayer and Call to Action for the 218th General Assembly to those who are praying, working and believing that God is at work in our midst; that the teachings, example and Gospel of Jesus Christ call and inspire us to be a Church that does not discriminate against any of God's children; and that the Spirit is doing a new thing in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The "It's About Time!" statement is attached as a word document for accessible printing and sharing with your family, local congregation, campus ministry or seminary community. Thank you for joining us in prayer for our Church and this General Assembly. Together We are Building a Church for All God's people!
Grace and peace,
Vikki, Bear and Michael
Vikki Dearing and Bear Ride, Co-Moderators, Michael J. Adee, Executive Director & Field Organizer, and the National Board of Directors, More Light Presbyterians
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 It’s About Time!
It’s about time for all disciples of Jesus Christ to take a stand
for those who are still denied full participation in our church ‑--
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers,
whom God loves and calls to faith and ministry.
It’s about time to end
the task forces, studies, judicial cases, interpretations,
and other abuses
that continue the unconscionable discriminatory policies of our church.
It’s about time to lay aside our fears:
Fear of the unknown ‑ fear of schism,
Fear of those who are different.
“God is love…there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”
1 John, 4:16, 18
It’s about time to do the right thing,
to delete G-6.0106b which has created so much strife in our beloved church.
It’s about time to trust in God’s wildly inclusive love,
and remove the boundaries we have set
around God’s free, unmerited grace.
It’s about time to make our church a welcoming community
where everyone has an equal place at God’s table.
It’s about time!
Adopted by the National MLP Board of Directors, February 18, 2008.
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