Good News from San Jose! 218th GA votes 54% to 46% to end LGBT discrimination!

 

More Light Presbyterians gives thanks to God for all of the Commissioners, Youth Advisory Delegates and other delegates who are serving faithfully this week.  There is clearly a sea-change in our Church, society and world as more people are letting go of the old beliefs and prejudice about homosexuality, same-gender loving persons and embracing what it means to recognize Christ and the divine image within all of God children, no exceptions.

 

Our work of witness, education, truth-telling, sharing our stories within our local churches, on our college and seminary campuses has just begun!  We have one year to pray and work so that this Boston Ordination Equality Overture will be thoughtfully and prayerfully considered, heard and ratified by our presbyteries.  You can count on More Light Presbyterians having "every hand on deck" working 24/7 by providing educational resources and empowering local leaders so that we can honor the good work of faith, justice and love done today.

 

The joyous work of being the Church and sharing our faith to achieve the ratification of the Boston Ordination Equality Overture will begin on June 28 at the close of this Assembly.  For this moment, on this day, we rejoice in the fact that this Assembly has provided a way forward for our beloved Church. 

 

Together we are building a Church for all God's people!

 

with hope and grace,

 

 

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More Light Presbyterians Applaud General Assembly Action

PCUSA Welcomes All to Service in the Church

 

SAN JOSE, CA – June 27, 2008 –  More Light Presbyterians said a decision today by the 218^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to lift its ban on ordination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons is good news for Presbyterians and Christians across the country and world.

“This is a great moment affirming God’s love for all people.  We are thankful to the Commissioners at this Assembly who upheld standards for leadership and service in our Church, and at the same time eliminated categorical discrimination that has denied ordination to LGBT persons based simply on who they are and who they fall in love with,” said Michael J. Adee, Executive Director and Field Organizer for the organization.

The action by the General Assembly removes G.60106b from its Book of Order, the Constitution which governs the Church and replaces it with new language.  Formerly, it required fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness to be eligible for ordination as deacons, elders or ministers. 

“The intent of this standard, passed over a decade ago, was to bar LGBT persons from full membership and service in our Church since marriage equality is not yet available to most in our country,” Adee said.  

New language passed by the General Assembly reaffirms historic standards of the Church that focus on faith and character which has withstood the test of time, and did not exclude anyone based on sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.

Looking to the Future

“A new spirit of acceptance and the recognition that we have many different kinds of families in our churches has taken hold,” said Vikki Dearing, Co-Moderator. “This reflects the hearts and spirits of people in the pews.  We rejoice with the many that will now be able to answer God’s call to serve in our Church.”

We believe that God is doing a new thing in our Church.  We believe that a more loving and welcoming Church is where the Spirit is taking us.  We invite everyone who wants to know how to become a more welcoming and affirming place for all God’s children to contact us.  Together we are building a Church for all God’s people!