More Light Presbyterians - Presbytery of San Jose approves O8-B to become 65th YES vote

Special thanks to all those working to end discrimination against LGBT Presbyterians and their families now, especially the pastoral and lay leaders from First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto, CA, a More Light Church; and Stone Church of Willow Glen, San Jose.

We are particularly grateful for Mitzi Henderson, Derrick Kikuchi and Craig Weiser, Bruce Hahne, Rev. Rob Martin and Rev. Nan Swanson, First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto; and Marcia Ludwig, MLP supporter, Stone Church of Willow Glen.

The photograph to the right is First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto celebrating the sacrament of baptism during worship.

We are also grateful to Rev. Debra Peevey and Sonnie Swentson for providing educational resources and information on Amendment O8-B. All of you are an inspiration!

The 25 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, West Jersey, Mackinac, Newark, West Virginia, Philadelphia and Grace.

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.

For educational resources and our Resource Packet from the Answering God's Call to Serve! Yes on 08-B Campaign -- go to http://www.mlp.org/answeringgodscall

Thanks be to God for the Presbytery of San Jose 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.

65 Presbyteries have voted for Amendment 08-B with many traditionally-supportive presbyteries yet to vote. Have Faith. Continue praying. Keep working.

As we continue along in the Lenten journey, into Palm Sunday and Holy Week, may you and all those you love experience God's life-giving love, presence and grace.

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

More Light Presbyterians, 369 Montezuma Avenue # 447, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 USA (505) 820-7082, michaeladee@aol.com, www.mlp.org

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Answering God's Call to Serve! YES on 08-B Campaign

For resources, stories, presbytery vote tally, and news from More Light Presbyterians

YES on 08-B Campaign go to http://www.mlp.org/answeringgodscall