More Light Presbyterians - Good News!! The Presbytery of Utah voted Yes on the 218th General Assembly's Ordination Amendment 08-B

We now stand at 75 supportive presbyteries which is already 33 more than the final count of 42 in 2002 with more presbyteries yet to vote. The last presbytery vote is scheduled for May 30. As the prophet Isaiah spoke, "surely God is doing a new thing in our midst."

Special thanks to all those working to end discrimination against LGBT Presbyterians and their families now in Utah and Northern Waters presbyteries.

We wish to thank specifically Dick Wunder, longtime supporter and MLP liaison for Utah; Rev. David Henry, former pastor, Wasatch Presbyterian Church, Salt Lake City; with Rev. Paul Heins, pastor and Lauri Muller, Director of Christian Education, at First Presbyterian Church, Logan for working for a Church that welcomes and includes all persons. David, Paul, Lauri and teams of other supporters provided extraordinary leadership by helping their colleagues in ministry understand the nature and ethical merits of Amendment 08-B.

Of Pastor Paul Heins, it is said that "he has a heart for vital, creative worship and mission…and a hunger for believers to be inclusive in word and action and to grow in God’s amazing love.” His creative sermons beckon listeners to enjoy a faith in Jesus Christ that brings joy, peace, and an exciting sense of discovery to life. He seeks to nurture a true sense of community among those who gather, and to provide a place of healing and refreshment for those who are wounded and worn." http://firstpreslogan.org/

And, we are 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 32 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, Grace, Wabash Valley, Salem, Western New York, Detroit, Lehigh, Minnesota Valleys, and Utah.

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.

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 Presbyteries of Utah and Northern Waters 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.

75 Presbyteries have voted so far for Amendment 08-B. This campaign is not over!

Have Faith. Continue praying. Keep working.

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