* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                        MORE LIGHT UPDATE

                     September-October 2000

                       Volume 21, Number 1

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                           HIGHLIGHTS



General Assembly 2000: Reflections and Commentary. Yet another 

Court Case. Remembering our colleagues: Saying Goodbye. On the 

Road. Presbyterian Women. A Church in Transition. Scotland. Boy 

Scouts. National Religious Leadership Roundtable. Events.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                          FULL CONTENTS



SEXUAL ETHICS

CHANGES

OUR COVER

OUR NATIONAL FIELD ORGANIZER: On the Road with Michael Adee, MLP 

     National Field Organizer

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

     MLP and Over 5,000 Women at PW Gathering in Louisville, by 

          Michael Adee

MORE LIGHT CHURCHES

     A church in transition: Takoma Park Presbyterian Church,

Maryland

OUR FAMILIES

     Presbyterian Parents of Gays and Lesbians Select New Leaders

JOBS

     Takoma Park Presbyterian Church

     Rockville Presbyterian Church

RESEARCH

     Religious Heterosexism

EVENTS

FEATURE STORIES

     The Moment to Decide: Impressions from the 212th General

Assembly

          A Sermon by Rev. Donald E. Stroud

     Wallowing in Piety, Reflections by the Rev Donn Crail

     To All the Anger Out There, Reflections by Chris Glaser

     Bless the Lord, O My Soul, Reflections by Hal Porter

     17 Votes, and Why I Stay: An Exchang between Erwin Barron, 

          Hugh Swaney and Susan Quinn Bryan

     Physical and Spiritual Well-Being, by Dan Stoepker

     A Reluctant Convert, by Anne McKee

     G.A. 212 -- A Mother's Letter, by Susan Osoinach

COURT CASE

     Another Exclusionary Court Case

          Exclusionary Provisions Take Precedence Over 

               Inclusivity in Church Constitution, by Alexa 

               Smith, Presbyterian News Service

          MLP & TAMFS Respond to Recent PJC Decision

          Open Letter from 1st and Franklin, Baltimore

SAYING GOODBYE

     Thanking God for These Mighty Partners in Faith --

     Remembering Them and Celebrating Their Gifts

          Robert Hasek

          George Buse

          Vin Harwell

AROUND THE WORLD

     National Religious Leadership Roundtable Meets in Miami,

Targets 

          Racism, Sexism and Homophobia

     Reflections on Scotland 2000, by Donn Crail, Director [THIS 

          STORY NOT IN PRINT VERSION -- WE HOPE TO PRINT IT IN THE

NOV.-

          DEC. ISSUE.]

     Boy Scouts: MLP Board Member Gene Huff Returns Eagle Badge

MLP OFFICERS

MLP Board of Directors

MLP National Liaisons



The following directories are NOT in the print edition!

MLP Chapters

     Seminary and Campus Chapters

     Presbytery & Regional Chapters

MLP State Liaisons

PRESBYTERIAN ALLY ORGANIZATIONS (not recently updated, not 

     included in print version)

MASTHEAD (Publication Information)



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                 *We limit not the truth of God

                 To our poor reach of mind,

                 By notions of our day and sect,

                 Crude, partial and confined.



                 No, let a new and better hope

                 Within our hearts be stirred:

                 for God hath yet more light and truth

                 To break forth from the Word.*



 -- Pastor John Robinson, sending the Pilgrims to the New World,   

1620; paraphrased by the hymnwriter George Rawson, 1807-1889.



                          SEXUAL ETHICS



      "More Light Presbyterians (MLP) envisions that a 

      single set of Christian sexual ethics marked by 

      covenantal fidelity shall be the standard for all 

      Presbyterians, irrespective of sexual orientation." 

      -- MLP Board, September 1999.

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           For all ministers, elders, deacons, members

         and friends of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)



                    More Light Presbyterians          

                 4737 County Road 101, PMB# 246

                    Minnetonka, MN 55345-2634



                        MORE LIGHT UPDATE

                    James D. Anderson, Editor

                           P.O. Box 38

                  New Brunswick, NJ  08903-0038

         732-249-1016, 732-932-7501 (Rutgers University)

              FAX 732-932-6916 (Rutgers University)

                Internet: JDA@mariner.rutgers.edu

                   (or JDA@scils.rutgers.edu)

        Email discussion list: mlp-list@scils.rutgers.edu

      (to join, send email to: Majordomo@scils.rutgers.edu;

           in body of message put: subscribe mlp-list;

            to leave list, put: unsubscribe mlp-list)

                MLP home page: http://www.mlp.org



     Masthead, with Publication Information at end of file.



    Note:  * is used to indicate italicized or boldface text.



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CHANGES



Lindsay Thompson has retired from his position as editorial 

associate and expert proof-reader for the Update.  Many 

thanks, Lin for your expert help and sage advices!



Caridad Elva de las Mercedes Gallardo Navarro viuda de Catala has 

followed her son (and Jim's spouse) Rafael to our retirement home 

in St. Petersburg, Florida, so she is no longer available to help 

with the production of the Update.  Into the breech has stepped 

the young portrait painter and muralist Mario Alberto Aguilar 

Mejorada.  Bien venido, Alberto!



Welcome Susan Craig, who joins Kathleen Buckley as MLP liaison 

for bisexual concerns.  Her listing is:  The Rev. Susan Halcomb 

Craig, c/o United University Church, 817 W. 34th St., Los 

Angeles, CA 90007, 213-748-0209 ext. 13, fax 213-748-5521.



Please welcome our new Board members, as we thank our departing 

members with hugs of appreciation.  Joanne Sizoo retired earlier 

from the board as she prepared to assume new responsibilities in 

the denomination some months ago (but I forgot to remove her from 

the list of board members! -- Sorry Joanne!).  Other departing 

members are: Scott Anderson, Lisa Larges and Tammy Lindahl -- we 

shall miss your leadership, wit and sage advices -- which I 

expect we will continue to enjoy even if not in the midst of our 

long board meetings!



Our new board members are: Marco Grimaldo, who has been the MLP 

representative to the National Religious Leadership Roundtable; 

Eunice Poethig, who recently retired as executive director of the 

PCUSA Congregational Ministries Division -- previously she was 

executive presbyter of Western New York Presbytery; Erin Swenson, 

who is also the MLP liaison for transgender Issues; and Pat 

Rickey, a leader of the MLP chapter in Houston, TX.  Here are 

their new board listings -- JDA:



Marco Antonio Grimaldo (2003-G), PO Box 53208, Washington, D.C. 

20009-9998, 202-607-7629, mgrimaldo@earthlink.net



Eunice Poethig (2003-I), 3606 Trail Ridge Rd., Louisville, KY 

40241-6221, ebpoethig@unidial.com



Erin K. Swenson (2003-I) 1071 Delaware Ave. S.E., Atlanta, GA 

30316-2469, 404-627-4825, ErinSwen@aol.com



Pat Rickey (2003-I) Pat Rickey, 13114 Houston Hills, Houston, TX 

77069, 281-440-0353, patrickey@aol.com



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OUR COVER: The Press and the People Converge at General Assembly 

(photo by the Rev. David Denison Cockcroft).



Other photos have been contributed by Katie Morrison, Marilyn 

Nash, and Jack Hartwein-Sanchez.



**Please send us your photos!**



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OUR NATIONAL FIELD ORGANIZER



                           On the Road

                        with Michael Adee

                  MLP National Field Organizer



Individuals often change the course of history by their vision, 

courage, and willingness to stay the course.  Few persons 

illustrate this better than Nelson Mandela who challenged South 

Africa's system of apartheid.  Not only was Mandela a key leader 

in the dismantling of apartheid, he was instrumental in the 

peaceful transition to a democratic society.  Moreover, it is 

significant to note that South Africa's Constitution is more 

inclusive than our own, and that sexual orientation is a 

protected status from discrimination.



It has been said of Mandela, "in the end, South Africa changed in 

a way that almost no one predicted and few believed possible.  

The personality of Mr. Mandela was vital.  His greatness lies not 

just in the scale of his success, but in the difficulty of the 

path he trod and in the obstinacy of the many who tried to 

thwart him."



Clearly this could be said of our situation of spiritual 

apartheid in our own church, and society -- the challenges we 

face, the obstacles that others put in the path of justice and 

love, and the inevitability of the end of these oppressive and 

unjust systems.  Mandela's autobiography, "The Long Walk Home," 

could give perspective and inspiration to us.  Consider our work 

together toward the ordination of openly LGBT persons and the 

honoring of our calls to serve God in the church, the blessings 

of loving relationships, and the full welcome of our families -- 

all part of our own long walk home.



We are in this work together.  It has been a season of 

conferences, work with churches, and MLP Chapters.  Field visits 

included trips to Oklahoma City and Detroit.  In Oklahoma City, I 

had a great time working with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, one 

of our new More Light Presbyterian Churches and home church to John

McNeese, MLP Board Member.  I facilitated a presbytery-wide 

training session on LGBT pastoral care issues there.  We 

celebrated together at a MLP reception. I preached on Sunday 

morning and gave the charge to the congregation during the 

installation of Mark Heaney as pastor.



Erin Swenson and I offered the program for the Detroit MLP 

Chapter Retreat. Erin is our National Liaison for Transgender 

Concerns.  The retreat was held at a conference center outside of 

Detroit with people from 5 area churches. Susan Thomas, Barb and 

Ken Smith, and all of the Chapter members made this retreat such 

a wonderful time of spiritual growth, inclusive worship, 

friendship and recreation.  After the first day and evening some 

of us stayed up to 2 a.m. laughing until our sides hurt as we 

watched "The Birdcage" together.  Because of the gracious 

invitation of Chuck Booker-Hirsch, pastor of Northside 

Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, I preached my first Pentecost 

sermon.  I must offer credit and gratitude to Todd Freeman, 

Bethany Presbyterian Church, Dallas, for the insights he 

generously shared with me as I studied and prepared for that 

Pentecost sermon.  A More Light Presbyterian Church, Northside is 

taking their next steps with thoughtful consideration of 

transgender concerns and education.  Erin offered a time of 

education for both youth and adults on transgender concerns.



General Assembly in Long Beach included moments of grace such as 

300 in attendance at our National MLP Dinner with Kirsten 

Kingdon, Executive Director, PFLAG as keynote and 300 of us, LGBT 

people of faith and allies, worshipping together with Susan 

Craig, preaching, and Martha Juillerat and the Shower of Stoles 

at the National MLP worship service.  Eighty per cent of the 

legislation that we supported passed.  The minister gag order 

(the same-sex union ban) passed by a remarkably slim margin.  

Surely the lack of understanding of the necessity of blessing 

loving relationships is disappointing and all of us must work 

together to defeat this amendment in our presbyteries this year.



Doing educational outreach through the MLP Booth and speaking to 

committees were two areas of priority for my work at G.A..

Listening 

to all of the stories of faith of LGBT people, parents who are 

suffering in silence because their clergy and churches will not 

talk about LGBT concerns, and the young people who come forward 

to ask questions and find materials are all a great privilege for 

me.



In response to "the movement" and to G.A., Jeanne and David McGown,

long-time peace and justice advocates, hosted in their Santa Fe 

home the starting of a new regional MLP Chapter for Northern New 

Mexico, Presbytery of Santa Fe.  It was truly a remarkable 

evening as people shared their concerns, hopes and dreams for the 

PCUSA to be a true community of hospitality, justice, and love in 

line with our reformed tradition and theology.



I spent the last week with over 5,000 Presbyterian Women in 

Louisville for their PW Gathering and had the time of my life 

(see more on this great event in the next story in this 

*Update*).  These women "get it" and so want their churches and 

our Church to "get with it" in terms of being open, accepting, 

and affirming of all of God's children, and not just for 

heterosexuals.  It was an amazing week.



In the midst of these assemblies and conferences, we welcomed 

Community of the Servant Savior, Houston, as our 100th More Light 

Presbyterian Church, and Faith Presbyterian Church, Dunedin, 

Florida as number 101.  The recent PJC ruling regarding the 

thoughtful constitutional questions that Christ Church, 

Burlington, Vermont brought to our Church was disappointing and 

puzzling at best, and we will continue to seek justice and 

equality in our church and in society.  And, we will continue to 

stand with all of our More Light Presbyterian Churches as 

together we seek to faithfully live out the Gospel with 

integrity, grace, and love.



There is no question of the obstacles that a minority of persons 

and groups continue to put in our path, and there is no question 

that we are dismantling the homophobia and bigotry in our church 

and in our society, one step at a time.  Thanks for your 

partnership and support as we faithfully and lovingly live out 

together what Lisa Larges reminded us at the 98 MLP Conference -- 

it is not so much that we are to change the church, but "to be 

the church."  May that be so. -- With grace and hope, 

Michael. 

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                    MLP and Over 5,000 Women

                  at PW Gathering in Louisville



                         by Michael Adee

                  MLP National Field Organizer



Last week in Louisville, over 5,000 Presbyterian Women met in 

Louisville for their Triennium Gathering at the downtown 

Convention Center.  MLP was there with an education booth in the 

exhibition hall and hosted a historic, first-ever "More Light" 

Presbyterian Breakfast for the Gathering.



A sold-out event for the Gathering with 200 people participating, 

the MLP Breakfast on Sunday morning was created by Susan Halcomb 

Craig and Bear Ride. Using the theme and the song, "A Dazzling 

Bouquet," Susan and Bear put together a breakfast program that 

included internationally noted hymnodist Jane Parker Huber, 

now the  interim director of the Women's Ministry Unit of the 

PCUSA; Mary Kuhns, pastoral care specialist and one of the 

leaders of the Re-Imagining Community and Voices of Sophia as 

well as a member of Central Presbyterian Church, the More Light 

Presbyterian congregation in Louisville; and a joint-keynote by 

Janie Spahr and Michael Adee.



The 200 participants came forward while singing a justice hymn at 

the close of the breakfast to create 10 "bouquets" of fresh-cut 

flowers from each of their tables in large vases near the podium 

that would be delivered later than morning to area Presbyterian 

Churches.  Bear, Susan, Michael and members of area churches 

delivered the vases of flowers with a special prayer to be read 

at morning worship services.  The prayer was for a welcoming 

church for all.



It seemed that nearly every one of the 5,000 women visited the 

MLP Booth in the Exhibition Hall.  Many mothers, sisters, and 

grandmothers came out and spoke about the LGBT people in their 

lives, about their lesbian daughters and gay sons. We ran out 

of MLP buttons after hundreds were taken and worn proudly.  We 

made several runs to the nearby Kinko's to copy more materials on 

homosexuality, what the Bible says, and pastoral care for LGBT 

people.  Many clergy and directors of Christian education 

came by to talk and secure materials for their congregations.



Tricia Dykers-Koenig, Bear Ride, Susan Craig, and I staffed the 

MLP Booth. In addition to our typical MLP educational materials, 

we also had materials there for PPGL -- Presbyterian Parents of 

Gays and Lesbians, about bisexuality and transgender concerns, 

WOW 2000, and PFLAG.  Many women came by to tell us that "your 

breakfast" (the MLP Breakfast) was "the highlight" of the 

conference.  Right around the corner was the TAMFS Booth (That 

All May Freely Serve) with Janie Spahr, Sue Tracey, and Betsy 

Winters.  We had stoles from the Shower of Stoles (SOS) in our 

Booth.  Martha Juillerat, Director of the Shower of Stoles 

Project was there as well.



It is clear that "women get it" and care so much about the life 

and health of their congregations, that they want their churches 

to be open, inclusive churches, and that they want to be talking 

about LGBT concerns and the LGBT people in their lives. So many 

spoke of their disappointment with "this amendment B" and how "it 

made no sense" to them.  We offered nightly "open conversations" 

at the MLP Hospitality Suite.  Each night after the plenary women 

came to talk, to listen, and to learn.  The stories shared, the 

convictions spoken, and the friendships made were extraordinary.



In addition to the "three sisters" of the LGBT Movement in the 

PCUSA -- MLP, TAMFS, and SOS, our allies and friends were there 

from Voices of Sophia, Witherspoon Society, Semper Reformanda, 

Peace Fellowship, and the Covenant Network.



It was quite an extraordinary week.  Special thanks to Bear, 

Susan and Tricia for working so hard to make it such a successful 

outreach.  I look forward to the next PW Gathering. -- Michael.



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OUR CHURCHES



                 Celebrating More Light Churches



                     A church in transition

            Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, Maryland



    by Luke Mines, Staff Writer, *The Gazette*, Apr. 5, 2000

              Reprinted with permission and thanks!



              Congregation searches for new pastor,

                     clearly defined vision



"Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters," the sign on the front lawn 

of the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church dramatically proclaims, 

"God Calls on Us to Defeat Racism."



The poetic beginning to the message comes from the Old Testament 

book of Amos, says the Rev. Lewis Johnson, the church's interim 

pastor.  "The point of it is that religious ceremonies alone 

won't do it," Johnson says. "You've got to do justice."



Those who gather Sunday mornings almost invariably mention that 

it is an activist, socially conscious spirit that animates the 

spiritual life centered in the imposing gray stone church on the 

corner of Maple and Tulip avenues.



"One of Christ's original missions was to connect with the 

dispossessed, and that is part of the church's mission," says Ed 

Warner, a Takoma Park resident who has been a member of the 

church for about five years. "It's a church that in many ways 

does mirror what Takoma Park is about," referring to Takoma 

Park's reputation as a haven for liberal causes and social 

activism.



The departure of the church's pastor of nearly a decade, Rev. 

Garnett Foster, who left in July to take a position at the 

Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, has made finding a new pastor, 

and in the process clearly defining a vision for the church, 

another key concern of the congregation.



"It's like you're catching a church between relationships," says 

Mason Essif, a church member who lives in the Dupont Circle area 

of Washington. "We're still trying to figure out who we are."



As the church goes through the largely democratic process of 

redefining itself and picking a new leader, parishioners say they 

want to continue to look for ways to attract new members to the 

church and deepen their connections with the community.



"The best thing about it is that it's the kind of church that 

people who are not typically attracted to a church can be 

attracted to," Warner says.



Diversity



Christine Piggee is a relative newcomer to the church, a member 

of so-called "Generation X" who fittingly found out about Takoma 

Park Presbyterian on the Internet. When she first visited the 

church, the diversity of the congregation immediately struck her.



"It's mixed [racially], which is important to me because I'm 

mixed," Piggee says.



The diverse congregation seems to be a point of pride for many 

members and a sign of the church's progressive nature, although 

committing to welcoming gays into the church has led to 

controversy during the last decade.



The church's membership includes African-Americans and immigrants 

from a variety of countries of Africa, Latin America, Asia and 

Europe.



In her native Sierra Leone in West Africa, church-member Madeline 

Marsha Taylor had been an Anglican but as she was searching for a 

church after immigrating to the United States in the 1970s she 

attended a Sunday service at Takoma Park Presbyterian.



"People greeted me after the service, welcomed me and extended 

themselves to me," Taylor says. "I have been to a church where I 

sat there and after the service no one came and greeted me. I 

just sat there cold." Taylor says that in times of need church 

members have continued to reach out and help her and her family. 

She also has encouraged other friends and family from Africa to 

attend the church.



In the early 1990s, Takoma Park Presbyterian made the commitment 

to being a "More Light" church, meaning it welcomes openly gay, 

lesbian, bisexual and transgendered members. The "More Light" 

movement is in opposition to the policies of [national] church 

leadership.



Taylor remembers the process by which the church became a "More 

Light" congregation. It created much turmoil even in supposedly 

liberal Takoma Park.



"It was a big change; during that period a lot of people left the 

church. There were a lot of struggles and a lot of confusion," 

Taylor says. "The way I look at it, it's not my place to judge 

anyone for what they believe in if that is their lifestyle. ... 

It hasn't been a factor for me because I know who I am in 

Christ."



"I believe very firmly that God accepts me and loves me," says 

Wayne Sherwood, who is a gay member of the congregation. "I don't 

think there's anything in God's message that calls for barriers 

to be put up because of my lifestyle."



The church advertises for members in The Washington Blade, an 

area weekly newspaper oriented toward the D.C. area's gay and 

lesbian community.



In 1996, the church decided to recognize and perform covenantal 

unions, a ceremony akin to marriage, between homosexual couples. 

Again the decision stirred controversy.



"There were a lot of people who did not think that these types of 

ceremonies were appropriate," Sherwood says.



The "More Light"-oriented congregants carried the day, however, 

and on a recent Saturday a lesbian couple was joined in a 

covenantal union at Takoma Park Presbyterian.



Community involvement



On a recent Sunday, the Rev. Johnson preaches a message of social 

engagement to the congregation.



"We are to share our lives with those who are marginalized in our 

society," Johnson says. "[God] created us to fulfill a purpose 

for the whole world which he loves."



To that end, Takoma Park Presbyterian involves itself in a number 

of socially conscious activities both locally and 

internationally.



The church is involved in the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing 

Coalition, which recently helped an refugee Nicaraguan family get 

their own home in Takoma Park.



The church supports the Shepherd's Table that feeds homeless 

people in the area. The church also helps the CASA of Maryland, a 

local social service agency oriented towards Latino immigrants, 

with financial assistance as well as leasing them discounted 

office space in the church building complex.



Internationally, Takoma Park has a sister church in Nicaragua and 

sends several delegations each year to visit. The church also is 

involved in the Jubilee 2000 effort to forgive international debt 

to the world's poorest nations.



"A lot of people praise the Lord on Sunday, give thanks that they 

have nice things and then go home," Piggee says. "Here, they put 

their money where their mouth is."



Transitions



While losing Garnett Foster last year was tough for Takoma Park 

Presbyterian -- many congregants speak highly of the departed 

pastor -- it is giving the church a chance to clearly define 

itself as it moves into the new millennium.



"What we've got to do first is produce a mission statement. I 

think we will have to confront whether we are meeting the desires 

we have for our church," Warner says. "It's kind of an exciting 

time. It's kind of like writing our own constitution."



Overseeing the church in the meantime is Rev. Johnson -- an 

affable and learned 72-year-old who is an ordained minister and 

an attorney and who spent two decades in Iran preaching and 

practicing law. Johnson seems to have connected with the 

congregation in the few months he's been interim pastor.



"He has a calming effect on people," Sherwood says.



But he is still just an interim pastor, and church members seem 

anxious to return to the stability of a permanent minister.



"It's absolutely difficult" to be in transition, Essif says. "The 

congregation defines the church but the minister reflects that 

and helps guide us along."



"We need somebody caring. Somebody who has diverse experience. 

Someone who can relate to people from different parts of the 

world. Someone you can feel free to call when you need 

ministering," says Taylor of the qualities the new minister must 

have. "Someone who knows the word and would preach it from the 

Bible."



"First and foremost they have to be understanding of gay and 

lesbian issues in the church and embracing of all God's 

creatures," says Essif, who is gay.



"I like the idea of a church that is kind of a microcosm of the 

larger world," Sherwood says.  "Where you have conservatives and 

liberals and find out 'how do we get along?'  If you've always 

got to drive out the people that disagree then what's the point?"



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PARENTS



            Presbyterian Parents of Gays and Lesbians

                       Select New Leaders



Sara Bernice Moseley, a former moderator of the General Assembly, 

has been elected president of the board for Presbyterian Parents 

of Gays and Lesbians (PPGL).



Six new board members have also been elected: Leslie Bonner, an 

elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney, Texas; the Rev. 

Cynthia Campbell, president of McCormick Theological Seminary in 

Chicago; Jodi Haun, director of Christian education at First 

Presbyterian Church, Grapevine, Texas; the Rev. Joseph Parker, 

associate pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas; 

Norma Worrall, an elder at Northridge Presbyterian Church in 

Dallas; and Angeline Wortham, a member of Northridge Church.



Formed in 1994, PPGL is a non-advocacy pastoral care ministry for 

parents of gays and lesbians.  It has support groups in Dallas; 

La Canada, CA; Raleigh, NC; Bellevue, WA; Albany/Watervliet, NY; 

Norwalk, CT; Johnson City, TN; and Bend, OR.  Grandparents and 

siblings are also welcome in support groups.



Margaret E. Gurecky, a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in 

Flower Mound, TX, is the organization's director.  More 

information about the ministry of PPGL is available by contacting 

972-219-6063, ppglinfo@presbyterianparents.org, or by visiting 

PPGL's website at , or writing to 

PPGL, Inc., P.O. Box 600882, Dallas, TX 75360-0882.



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JOBS



                 Takoma Park Presbyterian Church

                         Takoma Park, MD



Solo Pastor sought for Washington, DC area culturally and 

ethnically diverse More Light PCUSA congregation in progressive 

community.  Learn more at www.takomaparkpc.org.  Send inquiries, 

resumes, or PIFs to Pastor Nominating Committee, Takoma Park 

Presbyterian Church, 310 Tulip Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912. -- 

Ferd Hoefner, PNC Chair, (W) 202-547-5754, (H)  301-891-2774, 

fhoefner@msawg.org.



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                  Rockville Presbyterian Church

                          Rockville, MD



                 Church Educator (Non-ordained)



Major Responsibilities: Shall provide and facilitate leadership 

and direction for all of the Christian education programs of the 

church. This includes, but is not limited to children, youth and 

adult education, Children's Church, Vacation Bible School and 

Christmas program. Specific responsibilities: advisor and 

resource person, oversees leadership program for all levels, 

curriculum development, assists in managing CE budget, fund 

raising for youth mission programs and care for all members 

associated with Christian education including calling on families 

involved in the program.



Brief Church Mission Statement: To identify God's grace through 

personal experience, community involvement and world mission. To 

minister to those within and without the walls of our church with 

no exception due to race, age, gender, class, religious or sexual 

persuasion and personal belief striving only to embrace God's 

love for all. To continually study God's word and live by its 

teachings.



Gifts, Skills and Experiences the congregation possesses to 

fulfill its mission: We offer a wealth of human resources -- 

dedicated and committed people from all walks of life. This is a 

mission-oriented congregation with emphasis on the homeless 

(Rainbow Place), youth mission (Junior & Senior High), community 

ministries, local soup kitchen and emergency aid programs. Major 

activities include educational program for all ages, retreats, 

youth and family activities and study groups.



Compensation And Housing Minimum Cash Salary: $27,000; Housing 

Type: Open to Manse/Housing Allowance.



PNC: Charlene K. Janes, 1106 Clagett Dr., Rockville, MD 20851, 

301-251-6682, dejanes@erols.com or paulsondd@hotmail.com.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



RESEARCH



                     Religious Heterosexism



I am a doctoral candidate at Boston University conducting 

research on the experience of religious heterosexism among LGBT 

persons.  Below is a brief description of my research.  I 

am now seeking LGBT persons (whether religiously-identified or 

not) to participate in my project.  I am particularly anxious to 

make my research ethnically, religiously and geographically 

diverse.  I am happy to answer any questions you or others may 

have. -- With thanks and best wishes, Edouard Fontenot, 

fontenot@post.harvard.edu.



           A study on religion/spirituality and stress

      among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons



Research in both psychology and in religion/spirituality has only 

just begun to consider the experiences of sexual minority 

persons.  I am completing my Ph.D. dissertation in Psychology and 

Religion at Boston University.  I am seeking gay, lesbian, 

bisexual and transgender (GLBT) persons who are willing to 

participate in my dissertation project.  In my research I am 

exploring some aspects of the experiences LGBT have of 

religion/spirituality.  I would particularly like to understand 

experiences of heterosexism and homophobia within religious 

contexts.  I hope to learn more about how these experiences 

affect LGBT persons and how they cope with them.



                  Significance of the research



Although LGBT persons are increasingly visible in American 

society, very little scholarly attention has been given to their 

lives; we know very little about either positive or negative 

experiences that LGBT persons have of religion.  This research 

addresses a significant gap in knowledge about the lives of LGBT 

persons.



Are you willing to contribute your experiences to this work? If 

you are at least 18 years old and identify as gay, lesbian, 

bisexual or transgender, I hope you will consider participating 

in this important research by filling out one of the confidential 

survey packets.  The approximate time for completing each packet 

is about 40 minutes; while this is a substantial amount of time, 

your contribution is crucial.  Through your participation you 

will be contributing to increased recognition and understanding 

within social scientific and religious and theological research 

communities of the lives of LGBT persons.  Even more importantly, 

you will be contributing to our knowledge of ourselves.  In 

recognition of and thanks for your contribution, each person who 

completes a research packet may enter a drawing for a $125 prize 

to be awarded to a participant chosen at random (confidential 

entry postcard attached to each questionnaire).  The results of 

the study will be available to interested parties at the 

conclusion of the research.



If you would like to be a part of this important work, let me 

know by email at fontenot@post.harvard.edu or by phone at 

617/353-9738 or by post to Edouard Fontenot, Danielsen Institute, 

185 Bay State Road, Boston, MA  02215.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



EVENTS



Fall 2000.  Rev. Letty Russell is going to offer her course on 

Queer Theology (it could have another name) on Tuesday nights, 

Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT, so that church folks who 

would like to attend free of charge as auditors can do so.



September 16, 2000, Saturday. Amazing Grace, A Conference on 

Reconciling Christianity and Homosexuality, sponsored by The 

Shepherd Initiative, hosted by First Community Church, NW 3777 

Dublin Road, Columbus, OH.  Speakers Include: Bishop Thomas J. 

Gumbleton, Peggy Campolo, Mel White, Christian de la Huerta, 

Dick Westley, Rev. Maurine Waun. For more information and to 

register on line: 

http://www.shepherdinitiative.org/Conference.htm



September 17, 2000, Sunday, 10:45 a.m., King Avenue United 

Methodist Church, Columbus, Ohio. Mel White preaching on "Christ's 

Body, the Church: Where To From Here?" Contact Karen Ball for 

details: kball3@columbus.rr.com.



September 29-October 1, 2000, Friday-Sunday. Reclaiming 

America for Christ Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Soulforce 

will be present as registered delegates to tell the truth in love 

relentlessly.  We are hoping for an honest, open dialogue with D. 

James Kennedy, Janet Folger, Jerry Falwell, and other LGBT 

adversaries who are speakers.  This will not be a protest nor a 

civil disobedience.  We will register as delegates and join in 

the public discussions, panel feedbacks, and press conferences.  

Contact Richard Murphy for details: rmurphy@aksi.net.



October 3-7, 2000, Tuesday-Saturday. Soulforce is building a 

Habitat for Humanity House in Lynchburg, VA. We need volunteer 

builders for one to seven days. Contact Diana Westbrook for 

details: ProseDoc@aol.com. Mel and Gary will be present for the 

entire week for inspiration and training as well.  Housing is 

available in local homes.



October 5, 2000, Thursday. Stop the Hate: Interfaith Vigils 

Against Hate Violence.  A joint campaign of the Fellowship of 

Reconciliation (FOR) and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation.

Ending 

hate violence depends on people of faith with the courage to act.  

Each local interfaith vigil may be small, but joined with 

hundreds of others across the country we can light a nation with 

hope and begin the healing.  Help us to prevent extremist hate 

groups and targeted acts of hate violence from sowing division 

and discord in our society.  Contact FOR, P.O. Box 271, Nyack, NY 

10960, 914-358-4601, stophate@forusa.org, http://www.forusa.org.



October 6-8, 2000, Friday-Sunday. MLP Board meeting, Austin, TX.



October 8, 2000, Sunday. Solidarity Sunday (The Sunday before 

October 11, National Coming Out Day).  Solidarity Sunday began in 

1995 when the Board of Directors of Dignity/USA recognized that 

70-80% of American Catholics supported equal rights for gays and 

lesbians.  It was decided to invite these people to join in 

solidarity with us and to work with us to end verbal and physical 

abuse.  The project rapidly expanded to include people from all 

denominations and organizations.  For more information about this 

year's Solidarity Sunday, please visit www.dignityusa.org or 

contact SolSunday@aol.com.



October 8, 2000, Sunday. First Christian Church, Lynchburg, VA. 

Mel White preaching. Contact Sanda Knodel at First Christian for 

details: 804-384-8626.



October 11, 2000, Wednesday. University of North Carolina at 

Wilmington. Mel White speaking. Contact Dr. Joanne Notingham for 

details 910-962-3832.



October 21, 2000, Saturday. Soulforce Workshop, Elmira, NY. 

Unitarian Church, 124 Hoffman St., Elmira, NY. Mel White 

teaching. Contact Rev. Evelyn Richter for details: 607-734-3863.



November 2-3, 2000, Thursday-Friday. Covenant Network conference, 

Pittsburgh. Walter Brueggemann, professor of Old Testament at 

Columbia Theological Seminary, and William Placher, professor of 

religion at Wabash College, will keynote, addressing the topic of 

"Biblical Authority and the Church," the theme of the conference. 

They will be joined on the podium by Brian Blount, associate 

professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. For 

more information about the conference, call Pam Byers in the San 

Francisco office of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians at 415-

351-2196 or visit the organization's website at 

www.covenantnetwork.org.



November 3, 2000, Friday. University YMCA at the University of 

Illinois. Mel White speaking: Gay and Christian? Contact Rebecca 

Crummey for details: 217-337-1500.



November 8-12, 2000, Wednesday-Sunday, Janie Spahr visits 

Presbyterian Promise, Presbytery of Southern New England.



November 10-13, 2000, Friday-Monday. National Conference of 

Catholic Bishops. Soulforce Training, Lobbying, and Touring in 

D.C. (November 10-12). Silent Vigil, Press Conference, and Civil 

Disobedience (November 13). Watch webpage for details: 

http://www.soulforce.org. Contact KaraSpeltz@aol.com for details 

until the web page announcement is up.



January 11-14, 2001, Thursday-Sunday. Living Stones: The Life 

that Gay and Bisexual Men Breathe into Christian Community. Led 

by Dale English, Chris Glaser, and John McNeill. 6:30 p.m. Thurs. 

dinner through Sun. lunch. $305 ($155 registration deposit). 

Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center, 2495 Fox Gap Rd., Bangor, PA 

18013-6028, 610-588-1793, fax 610-588-8510, www.kirkridge.org.



January 14-21, 2001, Sunday-Sunday. The Thornfield Workshop on 

Sexuality for "Helping Professionals." Led by Alison Deming, 

Carol Dopp, Dick Cross, Brian McNaught, William Stayton, Pamela 

Wilson. In partnership with the Center for Sexuality & Religion. 

6:30 p.m. Sunday dinner through following Sun. breakfast. $1200. 

Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center, 2495 Fox Gap Rd., Bangor, PA 

18013-6026, 610-588-1793, fax 610-588-8510, www.kirkridge.org.



March 1-4, 2001, Thursday-Sunday. At the Crossroads She Takes Her 

Stand: Voices of Sophia Annual Gathering. Tucson, AZ. In a land 

of frontiers, or borders, of challenging boundaries and border 

skirmishes -- cultural, national, intellectual, personal, and 

spiritual -- the Gathering will celebrate the role of Sophia in 

these conflicts, confrontations, relationships, and crossings.  

Wisdom here illuminates boundaries as she redirects and redefines 

movement and understandings.  For information contact Mieke and 

Nancy, miekenan@datatone.



May 25-27, 2001, Friday-Sunday. Annual More Light Conference, 

Austin, TX.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



FEATURE STORIES



                      The Moment to Decide



           Impressions from the 212th General Assembly



              Subtexts: "Where Are Our Allies?" and



                 "Shall the Fundamentalists Win?"



                A Sermon by Rev. Donald E. Stroud



           Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-6 and Mark 8:34-37



[The Rev. Don Stroud is minister of outreach and reconciliation 

with That All May Freely Service (TAMFS) / Baltimore and a long- 

time PLGC/MLP member and advocate.]



On Friday night, June 30th, immediately after the vote by the 

General Assembly to approve an amendment (to be sent for vote in 

all our presbyteries) to prohibit PCUSA Pastors from blessing 

same-sex unions and also to prohibit Sessions from authorizing 

the use of church property in celebrating same-sex "holy unions," 

I saw many people standing like me in stunned shock. The hurt and 

division present in the room was palpable. I was aware that the 

division within the PCUSA was now even more clearly defined 

that ever before. There could be no more appeals for peace when 

there was no peace; no more appeals for unity when there was no 

unity; no more appeals for purity when proffered hopes for 

dialogue were used cynically to gain political advantage.



I rushed to the back of the hall in which G.A. was meeting and I 

joined a long line of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered 

faithful committed members of the PCUSA and our straight allies 

as we held hands and stood with our backs to the G.A. as the 

Moderator prayed. The young woman beside me unapologetically kept 

her head held high gazing straight ahead toward the wall as her 

eyes showered forth great drops of tears as passionate as those 

which fell in the Garden of Gethsemane.



As we stood hand in hand and side by side she spoke the same 

thoughts I was feeling at that moment, "We need to remove our 

shoes and shake the dust off of them." How prophetic that the 

next Sunday's lectionary spoke the same words. I stooped down and 

untied my shoes, beat them together like two great erasers, and 

stood in my sock feet.



I thought to myself, "Look where all this talk from friends and 

foes about Moratorium on doing what is right has gotten us!



"Just wait another year and another year!"



"Don't be so aggressive in demanding that the Church eliminate 

the injustice inscribed on its corporate heart with the letters 

and numbers G-6.0106b!"



"Defer! Defer! Defer! dealing with this injustice until 2001!"



The silence of the church is killing us just as surely as the 

hatred that spewed out of the mouths of the followers of the 

Rev. Phelps who shouted unceasingly to all of us gathered for 

worship and silent vigil outside the arena on Sunday Morning 

where the G.A. Opening worship was beginning:



        "God hates Fags!"               "Burn in hell!"



Where do you think teen-age boys in West Virginia get the idea 

they have the right to beat and stomp to death Arthur Warren, Jr., 

a 26 year old black gay man, and then drive back and forth over 

his body with their car!?



The Church's avoidance of reality is killing us all with the slow 

death of the denial of our identity as Christ's all-inclusive 

Body.



We must face reality.



There is a strong well-organized well-financed fundamentalist 

movement within the PCUSA that is passionately motivated by its 

belief in allegiance to an inerrant scripture instead of belief 

in the Reformed biblical and theological tradition of allegiance 

only to the Living Word of God revealed in Christ to whom 

scripture bears witness.



This book (Bible) tells us about a faith community's encounter 

with God.



BUT IT IS NOT GOD!



"Only God is God!"



"Only God is Lord of the Conscience!"



"Whatever preaches Christ's saving love is the Gospel and God's 

Word to us!"



Bowing down before a "foreign god" of biblical inerrancy kills 

the Spirit and suffocates the "human soul" with self-righteous 

legalism that nurtures hypocrisies to which Jesus would never 

submit or allow his followers to submit!



The fundamentalists' commitment to ordering church life by 

proscribed codes of purity instead of the ambiguities of grace 

wants nothing less than to make life static by rolling back the 

past 100 years of progress in social justice for racial/ethnic 

people, women, labor relations and the economically 

disfranchised.



There is an "Inclusiveness Statement" in the *Book of Order* which 

states: "No persons shall be denied membership because of race, 

ethnic origin, worldly condition, or any other condition not 

related to confession of faith."



The majority of the commissioners at this year's G.A. were so 

averse to adding "sexual orientation" to this description of 

persons to whom churches shall not deny church membership that 

the G.A. approved an amendment, also to be voted on in each 

presbytery that eliminates all categories of "race, ethnic 

origin, and worldly condition." This change would wipe out in one 

big sweep the long historical struggle to get the church to make 

a decisive stand against racism, ethnic bigotry and classism as 

if all these social ills have been eliminated from Church and 

society.



The reactionary political chant that "All people are created 

equal in the USA!" -- used as an excuse to eliminate all 

affirmative action -- has now found its parallel voice in the 

reactionary fundamentalist chant that "We Are All One in Christ!" 

-- used as an excuse to disregard the real racism and prejudice 

that is alive and well in the church!



To a great extent the fundamentalists in the PCUSA have used the 

lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons as a 

wedge issue to solidify their influence and power within the 

denomination. Though they are passionately opposed to affirming 

the lives of LGBT members, LGBT concerns are to a large 

degree a means of distracting attention away from the real goal 

of making such infrastructure changes as have been made at this 

recent 212th G.A..



The majority of supposedly well educated Presbyterians actually 

voted to change the Standing Rules of the G.A. to prohibit 

spontaneous demonstrations anywhere in the building where G.A. 

meets and to ban all demonstrations in plenary sessions of G.A.. 

This action is counter to the long history of Presbyterians 

honoring dissent and the long history of giving the Moderator of 

the G.A. discretion to allow groups of people hurt by a G.A. vote

the 

privilege to demonstrate their hurt in a respectful and orderly 

manner.



Not only do some commissioners at G.A. not want to deal with the 

reality that their votes can hurt the real lives of real people, 

they do not want to be made uncomfortable by coming face to face 

with the people who are hurt by an exclusive church.



The majority of the G.A. also approved a change to a document of 

the church called "Forming Social Policy" -- a change that sets 

the stage for institutional and historical amnesia. The new 

policy states that the most recent social policy statement shall 

supersede all other statements and policies and shall be the 

policy in force. It is now conceivable that if the reactionary 

segment of the church gains the ascendancy and is able to adopt 

new social policy, we shall begin to see our past progressive 

social policy erased from institutional memory.



There are distinct similar dynamics at work in our denomination 

that parallel the growth of the fundamentalist domination of the 

Southern Baptist Convention.



**And this is by no means a conspiracy.**



It is simply a fact of the fundamentalists being better prepared, 

better organized, more vocal, and willing and able to define 

precisely who they are and what they believe and willing and able 

to work tirelessly to redefine what kind of denomination the 

PCUSA is.       



These present day fundamentalists are directly kin to the 

fundamentalists who attempted to dominate the Presbyterian Church 

in the middle 1920's. In the great fundamentalist/progressive 

struggle at that time there was a similar attempt to make 

everyone submit to "correct dogma" and "purity" by subscribing to 

essential tenets of faith in order to be considered a true 

Christian.



Harry Emerson Fosdick was quick to articulate in his sermon, 

"Shall the Fundamentalists Win?" preached at First Presbyterian 

Church in New York City on 21 May 1922, that the Reformed tradition

stood firmly for:



- tolerance,



- the rule of love rather than the legalism of doctrine,



- the importance of not checking your brains at the door of the 

church,



- and the alleviation of human misery by working for social 

justice.



More than a majority of the Presbyterian Church's clergy were 

quick to join their voices with that of Fosdick's to answer the 

question, "Shall the Fundamentalists Win?" with a resounding, 

"No!"



Because the vast majority of the church's leaders were willing to 

take a stand and speak up, their strong leadership helped the 

members of the church to withstand the attempt to derail the 

Church from its historical Reformed biblical and theological 

tradition.



Today it is the LGBT members of the church and our straight 

allies who have inherited the mantle of Fosdick as we have tried 

year after year to awaken the so-called "vast middle" of the 

PCUSA to a realization of what is at stake in the present 

struggle over the full inclusion of LGBT people in the church.



It is about our lives **but it is about so much more** than just 

our lives!              



**It is about all of our lives** in the Church and how we define 

who we are as a Church!



In the past several years there has developed an "idolatry of the 

center" that insists that in order to win the hearts and minds of 

the "vast middle" of the Church, we who are supportive of a fully 

inclusive church must never be so resolute and passionate in our 

insistence on taking a stand for justice that we frighten the 

middle. By pushing too hard for the broad middle to define 

themselves and to stand up for what is right and for our Reformed 

theological tradition, we shall push them away. This is the 

warning the moderates have given us.



In reality all these calls for waiting and for observing a 

Moratorium in order to allow the "middle" to act when it feels 

comfortable enough to do so have not won the hearts and minds of 

the "middle."



Going along with silence in order to avoid conflict has only 

worked to the advantage of the fundamentalists.



By giving in to the threats of fundamentalists to divide the 

church if LGBT people are welcomed as full members and by 

embracing a Moratorium on doing what is right, many moderates 

have given the middle the message that for the sake of unity 

justice is expendable.



And certainly the LGBT members and their families and friends 

who have left the PCUSA appear to be far more expendable than 

those who are intolerant of our inclusion in the church.



*This is not a message designed to motivate any fair minded 

person* who knows instinctively that the old cliche is true: 

"Evil prospers where good people do nothing."



*This is not a message designed to motivate any fair minded 

person* whose life resonates with the lines of Yeats' Poem:



     Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;



     The best lack all conviction, while the worst



     Are full of passionate intensity.



As I stood with my LGBT brothers and sisters with our backs to 

the G.A., I kept thinking **something is wrong with this picture.**



Why are almost all the commissioners of the G.A. *not* standing 

here with us instead of sitting over there voting to put off 

defining what kind of church this is, voting to ban "holy 

unions," voting to ban demonstrations, voting to create 

"institutional amnesia?"



Where are our allies?



Where is this "vast middle" of the church that is supposedly 

thinking and concerned about justice?



If the "middle" is simply just too content with fat stock 

portfolios; if the "middle" simply wants to retreat into its own 

parochial parish life  and try to ignore what is going on in this 

denomination; if the "middle" does not now realize that no one 

and no church can continue to straddle the fence; if the "middle" 

does not know that the moment has come to decide to take a stand 

for a just inclusive Church; if the "middle" does not realize 

that to be silent is to give assent to the strong voice of the 

fundamentalists who are working hard to define what this 

denomination stands for; then the "middle" is allowing the 

denomination to drift more toward being defined as a 

fundamentalist denomination.



"But what does it profit to gain the whole world at the loss of 

one's own life?" Jesus asks us.



"What will the PCUSA give in exchange for its identity?"



The right to keep silent and to be left alone in splendid 

isolation living in well-kept sanctuaries safely insulated from 

all the controversies of the facts of life?!?



As I stood with my back to the G.A. in my sock feet, I wondered if 

next year at G.A. the heretofore silent slumbering "vast middle" of

the church would take a stand with us and answer the question, 

"Shall the Fundamentalists Win?" with a resounding, "No!"



I wondered if the "vast middle" would answer with us the 

question, "Shall the PCUSA be a just and fully inclusive 

Church?" with a definitive, "Yes!"



Now is the moment to decide!



We are set as sentinels.



Let us not fail to blow our trumpets so all are warned!



There is no Sabbath rest when there is justice to be done! -- 

Amen.   



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



Here are additional reflections on our recent 212th General 

Assembly:





                       Wallowing in Piety



                Reflections by the Rev Donn Crail

                    Director, Lazarus Project

               West Hollywood Presbyterian Church

                       West Hollywood, CA



Friday night G.A. was fairly wallowing in piety.  Those who spoke 

in favor of the ban on holy unions almost always prefaced their 

comments with statements about how they love gay and lesbian 

people, how we are all sinners, how everyone is welcome, how we 

need to do this so people will seek healing for their "sexual 

brokenness," etc., etc.  We've heard it before -- ad nauseam. There

were prayers and hymns fore and aft of everything, and moments of 

silence -- and I'm not against hymns and prayers and silence -- but

I do not like them as cover for the doing of injustice, or 

constant pleading for God to sustain the battered.  There was a 

fair orgy of "niceness." I was sick at my stomach.  The Bible was 

constantly invoked -- though not much quoted -- as though its very 

mention would make it self-evident that homosexual unions are 

sin, and the *Book of Confessions* was very present in many 

speeches, mentioned not as the confessions of various Christians 

in various times, but as an updated book of Leviticus.



Why? What burns in the hearts of those who go to the trenches so 

that the love between two men or two women will never be thought 

of in the beatific terms they reserve for their own relationships

-- and sexual activity -- "sacred,""holy," "beautiful," and 

"blessed."  Why will they struggle passionately so that the loves 

of others will be classified as -- disgusting; and so that 

families created by others of whom they do not approve will never 

be validated by society or the Church as "real" family?  I think 

we need a far deeper analysis than we have of why they feel so 

deeply compelled to try and put boundaries around others that 

they would not tolerate being put around them.



51% is not a victory.  49% is not a defeat.  And if it had gone 

the other way, 51% on "our" side would not be a victory, and 49% 

on "their" side would not be a defeat.  This isn't basketball -- 

is it?  This split -- basically right down the middle of our 

denomination -- on a fundamental issue of conscience, reveals a 

denomination that sometimes seems held together by not much more 

than its exterior paint.  Is that salvageable? It is not easy 

after so many years to believe that it is. Our model is not 

propping up a corpse -- but new life coming into dry bones.  Can 

these bones live again?  Where are the sinews that connect us?  

the flesh of our common humanity? the breath of life?  A 2% 

change this way or that will not constitute new life.  That is 

too meager a hope -- and is more life-draining than life-giving.



There is a fundamental problem in the perception of many that 

this is a simple pro and con debate on particular issues.  But 

that is not what is going on.  Some Presbyterians are working 

diligently to impose their conscience on the conscience of 

others -- but the reverse is not true.  We are not trying to force 

others to act according to our conscience on these issues.  we 

are not trying to force others to bless same sex unions that they 

believe are wrong.  We are not even trying to require 

congregations to elect and ordain particular persons as elders 

and deacons.  We maintain only that individuals in all churches 

should be allowed to vote and act according to their conscience.



It is the idea that half of our denomination should be allowed to 

impose its conscience on the other half that is untenable and 

offensive.  I am a lifelong and faithful Presbyterian but my 

conscience belongs to God, and if forced to choose between them I 

will not choose the PCUSA.  As Luther said, "To go against 

conscience is neither right nor sane." To give up our conscience 

is to give up our very selves.  What persons and relationships I 

invoke God's blessing on belongs to my conscience not to the 

Presbyterian Church.  The PCUSA may have my gifts of ministry, my 

support, service, loyalty, and prayers.  It may not have my 

conscience, which will not and cannot be subject to whatever 

majority makes up a particular General Assembly.



We desperately need the affirmation of a general theological 

principle to deal with these issues.  That principle is that 

within our denomination persons may differ in matters of 

conscience and no group of Presbyterians -- because they are a 

majority -- may impose their will on other Presbyterians in ways 

that would require them to forfeit their conscience.  If our 

denomination cannot affirm that then it must divide so that 

individuals may find that community wherein they can live their 

lives with integrity.  I know that the issue would be raised that 

what is a matter of conscience for one is only a matter of the 

ordering of ministry for another.  But what is a matter of 

conscience must be according to the person(s) who feel their 

conscience violated.  Even our military makes provision for 

conscientious objectors! -- Shalom, Donn Crail.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                   To All the Anger Out There



                   Reflections by Chris Glaser



Dear Friends in the Movement,



Regarding General Assembly: To all the anger out there, I say 

yes! To the discouragement, I say, I understand. To the grief -- 

I feel it too.



I predate most if not all of you in the LGBT movement in the 

PCUSA. I was dropped as a candidate for ordination when the 

anti-gay policy first came into place and have never been able to 

even be considered as a pastor of a Presbyterian Church.



Yet I am not going to leave the church. Personal salvation is not 

a Reformed thing. We work for the salvation of the world -- and in 

this case, the church. AND we must think of our LGBT posterity -- 

our daughters and sons who will be born into an unjust system and 

institution.



I disagree that a 17th century system cannot help us. 

Presbyterian polity is one of the reasons I became a Presbyterian 

in 1970. It has as much chance of discerning justice as does the 

18th century U.S. system that was patterned after it.



That our allies do not suffer the same as we do is of little 

relevance when they, too, are denied jobs for their opinions and 

put on trial for their actions.



I came away from G.A. more assured than ever that our cause is 

just and will ultimately win the hearts of future commissioners 

and the future church.



I came away enthused to do what needs to be done this next year 

and the years to come to reform the church. This was not a mean-

spirited assembly, but a conflicted one.



We too were conflicted in our strategy. I would covet the fines 

paid in Cleveland, Orlando, and Long Beach for More Light 

Presbyterians. If everyone arrested put into MLP the same they 

paid for fines, airfares, and expenses to participate in 

Soulforce actions, we could have a stronger and more effective 

presence regionally as well as nationally. All this without 

denying the integrity of those who participated in the Soulforce 

actions.



Take it from this old war horse -- the truth shall set us free. -

- Warm hugs, Chris Glaser.



[Chris was on the original 1976-78 task force, which advocated 

full ordination rights for all qualified persons.  But the church 

has denied his ordination since then.  Chris' ministry has been 

pursued doggedly through writing and speaking out for God's 

inclusive church.  He is now editor of *Open Hands*]



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                    Bless the Lord, O My Soul



                    Reflections by Hal Porter



Let me add a few personal thoughts to my participation in the 

Soulforce counter-worship service at the General Assembly.  I had 

and have read criticism of Soulforce's civil disobedience tactics 

from friends as well as from *The Christian Century* magazine.  It 

was described there as cheap "street theater." One gifted clergy 

remarked "what a joke" such tactics are in the name of King and 

Gandhi.  Another wonderful friend thought we ought to read King's 

"Letter From the Birmingham Jail," to show how pitiful 

Soulforce's actions are in comparison.  And there were many such 

comments which gave us all pause.



Such comments were inevitable and we all need to be forthright. I 

agree with Barbara Wheeler, the President of Auburn Theological 

Seminary, that all of us should declare what "we deeply believe 

to be true.  The peace of Christ is not a sentimental blanket in 

which we hide and smother our differences." And Soulforce's 

tactics aside, we do need to be clear about what we surely 

believe.  The present policy and theological understanding of the 

Presbyterian Church regarding homosexuality is anathema. It is 

sinful. It is heresy.  Jesus, within his deepest being, would 

have challenged it as the idolatry it is. And primarily, 

ecclesiastical disobedience is the option we must not only 

consider but pursue.  It is time to be more Presbyterian than 

less!



Nevertheless, I certainly had my doubts about being a part of the 

particular disobedience called for by the Soulforce 

demonstration.  But before I submitted to being a part of it, I 

did weigh the opinions of allies, I did re-read King's message, 

and I did review everything on Soulforce's excellent webpage.  

And since I was asked to be one of the seven speakers, I did go 

to Soulforce's thorough pre-training event before making up my 

mind about being arrested.  Let me share my reasoning.



First, what was convincing was the integrity of Soulforce's 

message.  This was evident in what Yolanda King said of her 

participation in Soulforce's arrest in Cleveland. She spoke of 

her Father's message from jail -- that its main message was about 

the "white churches" refusal to do justice for racial minorities 

and now how white and black churches refuse to do justice for 

sexual minorities.  That is why she needed to be there among 

those who would choose civil disobedience as a public protest.



Second, even if being arrested was a rather tame event in Long 

Beach, and it was, there were no assurances it would be.  Many 

Soulforce members stayed two days in jail in Orlando at the 

Southern Baptist Convention.  Being arrested is never to be taken 

lightly.  You give yourselves over to the police and freedom is 

certainly lost.  A gentle slap on the wrist is not guaranteed. 

Surely being arrested at Long Beech was a mild measured step but 

it was a step.



Third, although I never really want to be foolish, we sometimes 

will risk what Paul knew -- that "we are fools for Christ's sake."

As it turned out, I was the only straight pastor to speak although 

there were also two straight Elders who also spoke and with much 

wisdom.  We felt it to be very much an honor to identify with 

those who are LGBT -- the most ill treated members in our 

churches.  Even as they were willing and able to stand alone, 

they welcomed our presence.  I also found it meaningful to be 

handcuffed with William Thompson, from 1966-1984, the Stated 

Clerk of our denomination, who, as he said, had changed his mind 

and sought to repent of his homophobia.  What a courageous 

confession and person of faith!



Fourth, it was good to give witness outside of the main 

concurrent worship service at the General Assembly because, at 

that service, there was not a place set at the table for 

everyone.  And, yes, I appreciated the former moderator of the 

Assembly, the Rev. Douglas Oldenburg, saying, "I can't help but 

believe that most Presbyterians are appreciative and grateful for 

the silent witness of the Soulforce people and are turned off by 

the more strident and arrogant witness of those who oppose them."



Fifth, although there were many non-Presbyterians there, 

especially from the good army of Soulforce folks, the service was 

all Presbyterian.  After working with Soulforce's founder, Mel 

White, I found I was pleased by his pastoral skills and his 

deliberate efforts to stay in the background. Besides, he and the 

others were not interlopers but persons of the Body of Christ.  

They had every reason to protest the policy of the Presbyterian 

Church, as do we.



I believe that the worship service and the arrests made a 

positive witness. We should give thanks for its occurrence and 

the many that made it possible. There were many fine words 

spoken, much better than my own. Still, I offer my own remarks 

for those not there:



I speak as a Pastor in my 40th year in the Presbyterian Church -- 

most recently as a pastor of a church, Mount Auburn Presbyterian 

Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.  This congregation has over 250 

members who are straight and l00 members who are homosexual 

persons.  The first person we ordained who was openly gay and 

unrepentant of his sexuality was Michael Adee, the 

extraordinarily gifted person of faith who is now the National 

Field Organizer of the More Light movement. Thank you, Michael.



I have blessed gay and lesbian marriages, baptized their 

children, counseled and heard their confessions, been with them 

in their deaths and bereavements.  They have blessed us with 

their strong gifts of faith and brought joy and delight and 

incredible growth to our congregation -- making possible a deeper 

sense of the Gospel than we have ever known.



1. So we say enough!  We need no new studies, theological or 

scientific, to tell us what we know -- that LGBT persons are not 

intrinsically different from us straight folks.  But we do know 

that justice delayed is justice denied and already this Assembly 

has voted for delay.



2. We say enough!  What the Presbyterian Church calls sin for 

LGBT persons, the psychological, medical and scientific 

professions call "natural affections."  And we Presbyterians are 

supposed to be a church where faith is exposed to reason and 

reason enlarged by faith!



3. We say enough!  We here admit to our own failings but we 

charge our own church with a double standard!



- We ask LGBT persons to bear burdens we ourselves refuse to 

bear.  Jesus rightly called that "hypocrisy."



- Our church asks the world to treat the LGBT persons with 

justice and equality but we do not offer equality or justice to 

them in the church.



- We have made an idol out of heterosexuality.



- We have become a fundamentalist church taken over by 

reactionaries who are trapped in the culture of homophobia.



- We Presbyterians seek to embrace LGBT persons but with only one 

arm.



4.  We say enough!



- Jesus said love your neighbor and he didn't say first check out 

their sexual orientation.



- We have replaced Jesus with Biblical texts which are out of 

context from the Bible's overall message of equity and compassion 

for all.



- Sadly, our church has become a stumbling block, limiting the 

grace of God and the universal Good News of Jesus.



So we declare that we will not abide by any institution, 

including the Church we love, or the false God of Privilege, that 

demeans homosexual persons.  We excommunicate ourselves from such 

policies in our beloved church.  We say No to such abuse and Yes 

to God's full embrace of them and all persons. -- Hal Porter, 

Pastor Emeritus, Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church Cincinnati, Ohio.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                    17 Votes, and Why I Stay

                           An Exchange

     Between Erwin Barron, Hugh Swaney and Susan Quinn Bryan



                        Seventeen People!

                         by Erwin Barron



That's all the majority vote won by in last night's decision to 

ban the blessing of same-sex unions -- 17 lousy votes!  Seventeen 

ordinary Presbyterians among almost three million members will 

cause all of us gay and lesbian people in the Presbyterian Church 

to go through the agony of debating our very lives in public for 

the next year as we debate this in presbyteries -- AGAIN!  How 

many times can we do this?  How many times can we stand in front 

of our presbyteries and bare our souls, not to mention our sex 

lives?



Any why? -- because of 17 people!



I will grant the unfortunate situation that a majority in the 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at this time thinks that homosexual 

acts are sinful.  But, dear God, it is a SLIM majority!  This is 

a most horrible example of a slim majority imposing it's cruel 

will on a large minority.



Why can't we just live with each other for awhile and grant that 

we have disagreement on this issue of sin and biblical 

interpretation?  Why do we have to let 17 people set the agenda 

of hatred and intolerance for our beloved denomination!  Why do 

we keep doing this to ourselves?



Slim majority legislation will NEVER change hearts and minds, and 

probably not even behavior! -- Erwin C. Barron Berkeley, CA.



 

Dear Erwin:



Your message of July 1, moved me to tears.



Once again, the church has slammed the door in the face of so 

many good people and I am embarrassed to identify myself as a 

Presbyterian.



I testified at the Long Beach General Assembly before the Polity 

Committee in favor of an overture which merely added the words 

"sexual orientation" to the list of those who were welcome in our 

church. It passed 75-25% in the committee, which was very 

encouraging, but I heard later it failed on the floor of the G.A.



It is clear to me, after seeing some of the ugliness at the Long 

Beach G.A., as I did at Albuquerque four years ago, that the 

issue of full inclusion is never going to be realized.  Every 

Presbyterian should attend the G.A. to see the Shower of Stoles, 

the presentation of stoles that fine men and women earned in 

their seminaries but are not able to do what they want to do -- 

serve God.  I attended the More Light Presbyterian worship 

service last Saturday night at the Congregational Church in Long 

Beach and was once again in tears as I looked at the hundreds of 

stoles hung about that sanctuary gathering dust.



Sunday morning Richard and I were getting dressed to go to the 

Cathedral City Presbyterian Church and had written a check for 

the offering.  Before we left, however, we read in the Palm 

Springs newspaper what the G.A. had done the day before regarding 

same-sex unions.  We tore up the check and stayed home.  I am 

speaking for myself on this next point (Richard can speak for 

himself) but I frankly am going to have to really consider deeply 

whether I can honestly continue with my pledge this year since I 

don't want a dime of my money to go to the presbytery or to the 

PCUSA.



I have also come to the conclusion that the time has arrived for 

the church to split.  The speaker at the Covenant Network 

luncheon on Monday spoke about the church being between a "rock" 

and a "soft spot."  He said that those, as I interpreted his 

message, on the rock were rigid and unwilling to accept full 

inclusion while those of us on the "soft spot" preferred to go 

about our business doing what Jesus commanded us to do, namely, 

love God and love our neighbor -- feed the hungry, clothe the 

naked, shelter the homeless, visit the prisoners, etc., etc., 

etc. -- Love each other.  Period!



I do not know if non-denominational churches go through this 

self-flagellation over admitting gay people, or not, but it is 

clear the so-called main-line denominations are never going to 

change.  I am going to start visiting some non-denominational 

churches and see if I can find out the answer to that question.  

I am not a particular fan of the MCC (Metropolitan Community 

Church) because they are primarily gay-oriented.  I want a church 

that is color-blind, non-sexist, welcoming and inclusive and that 

is based on scripture.



I would love it if Old First disassociated itself from the 

PCUSA and became non-denominational.



Erwin, I am so sorry that our church has put you in the position 

of not being able to serve if you tell the truth or puts you in 

the position of being a liar.  You are a fine, fine man, a 

brilliant teacher and you have done a superb job. -- Love and 

Peace to all of you, Hugh Swaney.





Dear Hugh,



I am sending this message to you and all the folks that received 

your message. I am sending it because I believe we need to stand 

with one another in times of pain and heartbreak. And believe me, 

my heart is breaking. As I read your letter, I was filled with 

tears and pain. Not new. I was broken-hearted at many of the 

actions of the assembly. Much good work in committees was 

overturned on the floor. I have shed many, many tears. And I, 

too, have asked myself, why, why do I stay and work in this sad 

narrow-minded denomination???



And I am aware that you are part of the reason I stay. You and 

others like you. People of strong faith and amazing commitment 

and big hearts and generous nature. People who think and dream 

and love in wonderful new ways. Beloved children of God. I was 

not born into this denomination. I grew up a Methodist (as much 

growing up as I did). And I married a Presbyterian. When we first 

church-shopped -- and I am ashamed to admit that that is just 

what we were doing: comparing denominations -- I was taken with 

how very thoughtful the Presbyterian church was. I was so glad to 

find a home where I felt like I fit -- where I felt welcome and 

included. All of me -- even my head!!!



And I felt that way for some time. Not that it was perfect. Some 

times, in claiming my head I wondered why I had to give up my 

body! And since I joined the church in the early 70's, things 

were already rumbling and beginning to heat up. The little book 

that was for sale at the G.A. -- *A Moment to Decide* -- has helped

me figure out what has been going on. A group of right-wing folks 

has been trying to "rule or ruin" this grand old denomination for 

some time -- and are darn near succeeding.



I also look around and see that all main-line denominations are 

having much the same turmoil. So I think God may be doing 

something different in the church. I don't know what it is -- but 

I know that change really is troubling to folks, and there is 

lots of reactionary stuff going on.



So, why do I stay? And I can't suggest that anyone else stay -- I 

can only speak for myself:



I read a lot of Hosea these days. I identify with Hosea. In deep 

profound ways.



So why do I stay?  Because I believe I am called to stay married to

this whore -- 

the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Strong words for my beloved 

denomination -- but after attending G.A., those words seem 

appropriate. I think our denomination has traveled far from the 

will of God. I think it is dancing and sleeping with those who 

call themselves the "Christian Right" (and I think they are 

neither!).  I *do* believe that our denomination speaks to the

whole 

culture -- and the culture is wayward as well. The culture is not 

a welcoming place for differences. The church is called to 

proclaim the gospel -- and we have not done that for some time.



At any rate, when I read Hosea, I find the same ache, the same 

heartbreak. It is not easy to stay married to Gomer -- but I feel 

called to stay married to Gomer. I guess it is God's doing. If we 

can believe Hosea, God does call people some time to be married 

to an unfaithful people. And in the pain, the anguish of that, 

God's word is heard. I don't understand it, but I think it is 

true for me.  I guess I believe somewhere deep in my heart that 

the Good News I want proclaimed to LGBT people is the same good 

news that also must be proclaimed to EVERYONE. It does hurt. I 

cannot begin to tell you how many tears I have shed. But I shed 

them because I love the church. Or what I believe the church can 

be.  I often feel the way I did when I watched my teen-age 

children make terrible mistakes that caused them great pain. I 

still loved them and all their potential.



I can only hang in there because I believe in some way we are 

learning from this pain. That we are being made better for it -- 

that we are being broken open as a larger people -- a more 

faithful people. GOD MAKE IT SO!



I hate that you have been so hurt by the very denomination that I 

have promised myself to.  I feel complicit in your pain.  I 

can not ask you to stay. I can only ask you to forgive me for 

staying -- for trying to make things different because I don't 

think anything can be changed from outside.  I love you, Dear 

Hearts -- you and Richard.  Please don't forget that. Much 

love, Susan Quinn Bryan.



[Erwin Barron is in his 3rd year as Ph.D. candidate in Ethics and 

Social Thought at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, 

where he lives with his partner Asher.  He also is currently 

enjoying his time serving as Director of Christian Education at 

Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco where Hugh

Swaney is a member.



Hugh Swaney writes:  I grew up in Klamath Falls, Oregon, the son of

a 

medical doctor who was an elder and trustee in the Presbyterian 

church.  His mother was the "backbone" of the church even though 

she couldn't be an officer (how stupid could we men have been for 

so many years?)  If memory serves me correctly, she was one of 

the first elders elected when the time finally arrived.



I went to law school and used my training in law enforcement for 

30 years.  I worked homicide for 16 years and was chief coroner's 

investigator for 5 years after that. I have seen my share of evil 

and wicked things but can tell you, without reservation, that I 

got through all of that with a pretty strong conviction that God 

was looking out for me, and I prayed constantly for those folks 

who had had such terrible misfortune in their lives.



I was married and have two adult sons.  I was living in the 

closet for so many years (closets are not nice places) so I moved 

to San Francisco, in 1980, to see if those "awful" feelings were 

real.  They were and they weren't awful.  I met my first partner 

in 1981 and he died of AIDS in 1986.  My present partner also 

lost his first one in 1986. We met later that year and will 

celebrate 14 years together in November.  He was a disenchanted 

Roman Catholic and had not set foot in a church until I started 

going to Old First Presbyterian in San Francisco.  He went

occasionally 

with me and, after several months, told me that he thought he 

could be very comfortable there.  One of the huge thrills of my 

life was the day that Richard joined the church.



The church meant everything to us.  The year before we moved down 

to Palm Springs, I was moderator of the Board of Deacons and 

Richard was moderator of Christian Education.  What huge honors!



I am not retired and just celebrated my 60th on July 16.  Richard 

celebrated his 43rd on July 6.  So, you can see that each year we 

have a 10-day birthday party.  He is a dentist and I am a 

dentist's wife now.



And Susan Quinn Bryan is pastor of pastor of A Community of the 

Servant Savior PCUSA in Houston, TX.  Her congregation received 

the Inclusive Church Award this year from MLP after she and 

session members self-accused themselves of sins listed in the 

*Book of Confessions.*  They pursued their case as far as they 

could, but of course, the church is using Amendment B only to go 

after LGBT folks, so they were largely ignored.]



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                Physical and Spiritual Well-Being



[Dan Stoepker, an openly gay man with AIDS, was a member of the 

Assembly Committee on Physical and Spiritual Well-Being.  Here 

are his remarks during that committee's discussion of same-sex 

unions, June 27, 2000.]



Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life and the indisputable Saver of 

my soul.  I start the day and continue all day long in prayer 

asking the Holy Spirit to guide my every movement, body and mind 

and soul, to live like Jesus would live.  I live by the grace of 

God.



All my life growing up I knew I was different but didn't know 

what it was.  I preferred to play with the girls and not the boys 

because I was more comfortable with them.  I still cannot throw 

or catch a ball.  I had no knowledge of the existence of 

homosexuality and certainly did not know of the option to live in 

a life-long monogamous relationship with another man.  I did hear 

all the negative name-calling and soon learned homosexuals would 

burn in hell after death, but still I would lay in my bed at 

night and wish I would die before waking.



In college -- a Christian college -- talking and listening to new 

friends, I learned about being gay but still had no positive role 

models and still knew hell was imminent.  But I also did and 

still know that "God can do anything."  So acting in faith that 

God would change me, I got married to Barbie, a woman I loved 

immensely, and still do.  God honored our marriage with two 

children, Jennifer and Jeremy (a.k.a. Wonderful and Marvelous!).  

Sexual intercourse was possible but certainly not natural with 

her.  I continued in faith.  As my angst continued to tear me 

apart, I began intense study of the Bible, reading, discussing 

and praying.  God *did change* me.  He convinced me He made me a 

gay man because He loved me and this was His special gift for me.  

And all I needed was to depend on His grace.  Jesus died for me 

too.



After eight years Barbie and I divorced and are still good 

friends.  I did not divorce Jen and Jer.  I was a very involved 

father for them.  I was at thee soccer games, piano recitals, 

parent-teacher conferences.  Jen and Jer grew up knowing straight 

was normal and gay was normal, and so did their friends and 

neighbors and teachers and preachers and college chaplains.  They 

have been a glorious witness to the world.



The church of my marriage tried to excommunicate me, until Barbie 

boldly went to the "session" and pleaded for them to leave me 

alone.  The PCUSA took me and has continued to welcome me.  They 

ordained me as an openly gay man, disabled, with AIDS.  Because I 

was the "best person for the job."  Last year, our presbytery 

nominating committee asked to nominate me as a commissioner to 

G.A.



And the "computer" picked me "randomly" for this committee.  So 

here I am, telling you what God has done for me.



When my partner of nine years, Brad, died six years ago after six 

months of horrible illness from AIDS, his funeral was in my PCUSA 

church, and as I told you, I am alive and recovered from brain 

cancer because of my church*.  Please do not deny this gift to 

any one ever. -- Dan  Stoepker, Elder, Westminster Presbyterian 

Church, Detroit Presbytery -- probably the only openly Gay 

Commissioner to the 212th G.A. (2000).



_____________________________



* Refers to an earlier comment I made on June 26 during 

discussion of disabilities, my recovery from brain cancer in May 

1994 and living with AIDS.  See my story, "Reflections of a Person

with 

AIDS," in the July-August 1998 *More Light Update*, p. 19-20.





* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                       A Reluctant Convert



I was not at G.A., but late last night I got a phone call from a 

minister in who describes himself as a "reluctant convert" to the 

More Light cause.  He has been on the fence about More Light 

issues in the past, but at G.A. he encountered the hatred 

expressed by the Fred Phelps group, in contrast to what he 

described as love and graciousness of the More Light and Soul 

Force demonstrators.  He said, "I felt like I was in the middle 

of a march at Selma in the 1960's" (he has a deep commitment to 

civil rights, but had never made the connection before). On the 

basis of that observation, he attended the More Light worship 

service and was blown away -- he had no previous idea of the 

diversity and depth of people in the movement -- and he was 

incredibly impressed by the music, preaching, and faithfulness of 

the gathering.  Of course I told him that that is what the More 

Light movement has been about all along, but I am thrilled that 

he finally has the eyes to see it.



The More Light work at G.A. is evangelism, so thanks to all who 

carried it out. Because of your presence, we have one more 

supporter and vote, badly needed, in our church. -- Anne 

McKee, Associate Pastor, Farragut Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, 

TN.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                  G.A. 212 -- a Mother's Letter



[Friends, the following note was submitted to GA212 CONVERSATIONS 

on Presbynet. I've been in touch with Susan, who says she'll be 

glad to have the note shared widely and used to oppose Overture 

00-26 to prohibit same-sex unions in Presbyterian Churches. This 

week, Susan and her husband are attending the wedding of their 

son, about which they need have no qualms of Presbyterian censure 

-- Barbara Kellam-Scott.]



Please explain to me, a lifelong Presbyterian and an elder for 10 

years, just exactly what it means for church officers not to take 

part in a same sex union ceremony.  Just three weeks ago, our 

daughter had a religious (United Church of Christ) ceremony in 

which she committed herself to her partner of 4 years.  My 

husband, also a lifelong Presbyterian and an elder for 18 years 

and a deacon for 10 years, and I fully participated in this 

ceremony.  Should this amendment become a part of the *Book of 

Order*, does this mean we would have had to renounce our 

ordination vows in order to support our daughter?  Are you asking 

us to choose between our denomination and our daughter?  Or 

friends of ours? Or children of ours?  Are we supposed to say, 

"We would love to come to your wedding, only our church won't let 

us?"  Almost our entire Sunday School class sent gifts and wishes 

for happiness.  Did our friends unwittingly support our daughter 

and pronounce blessing by sending gifts and cards some of which 

bore scripture passages? Please clarify this for me and my 

family, as I'm sure this question will arise in the future.  We 

would like to be prepared. And please clarify for me also, why it 

was all right for Naomi and Ruth to make a same sex commitment, 

but not all right for our daughter Ellen and her partner Sally?  

And why is it that the beautiful passage of scripture from the 

book of Ruth is used at heterosexual weddings but would be 

condemned at a same sex union when that was its original usage? 

Are these things puzzling to the PCUSA or is it just those of us 

pew warmers who ponder such issues while gardening? By the way, 

we live way out here in North Texas, in Palo Duro Presbytery. 

Please understand that what the General Assembly does has real 

consequences in our lives as we seek to be faithful to who and 

what God has called us to be. -- Yours in Christ, Susan Osoinach.



Susan adds in her note to JDA giving permission to publish: 

"I am getting sick and tired here of people just wanting my 

daughter and her partner to come to church just to be cured of 

their "scourge".  That would be the only reason of course, since 

obviously they are tainted and could not have anything to 

contribute to God's glory.  Only straight people can do that!"



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



COURT CASE



                 Another Exclusionary Court Case



             Exclusionary Provisions Take Precedence

             Over Inclusivity in Church Constitution



       Church court says presbytery may not remain silent

    when a congregation intends to disregard the constitution



            by Alexa Smith, Presbyterian News Service



Louisville, KY, 13 July 2000. -- A presbytery may not be silent 

when a church within its boundaries says that it will violate the 

constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the 

denomination's highest court ruled on July 7.



In its decision, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial 

Commission said that there are limits to dissent, and ordered the 

Presbytery of Northern New England to "work pastorally" with the 

session of Christ Church Presbyterian, of Burlington, VT, to 

comply with the PCUSA constitution.



Christ Church, a 70-member congregation, announced four years ago 

that it did not intend to comply with a much-debated provision 

that, de facto, forbids the ordination of practicing gays and 

lesbians by restricting sexual activity of ordained church 

leaders to marriage.



The constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman.



Outreach to the gay community has been a hallmark of the ministry 

of Christ Church, which is co-pastored by the husband-and-wife 

team of Rebecca Strader and Michael Brown.



In its much-awaited decision, the PJC drew a carefully worded 

distinction between Reformed emphases on the individual 

conscience and what it means to be accountable in covenant 

community. Citing Biblical texts, it concluded that there is a 

difference between protest and defying that covenant, and that 

there "are no constitutional grounds for a governing body to fail 

to comply with an express provision of the constitution .... 

Assertions of inconsistency, confusion or ambiguity may justify 

the right to protest.



"They do not create a right to disregard any part of the 

constitution," it said.



The document can only be changed through a legislative process.



In the case of Christ Church, the decision is more specific.



The presbytery is ordered to "exercise pastoral and 

administrative oversight of Christ Church" by putting in writing 

its concerns about the session's stated intent to defy G-6.0106b. 

It is also instructed to warn the church about the "spiritual 

effects" and "disciplinary consequences" of non-compliance.



The PJC said the Presbytery of Northern New England had neglected 

its duty to help Christ Church understand and "embrace both the 

blessings and responsibilities, the grace and obligation, of 

living in covenant community," emphasizing that statements made 

by the session should have prompted "reasonable concern."



It said presbyteries must provide "counsel and guidance" to 

churches within their boundaries. And in this case, it said, the 

presbytery had a responsibility help the congregation determine 

what level of dissent is appropriate under the constitution. The 

court went on to say that, when individuals or governing bodies 

threaten to shift from verbal protest to "active disobedience," 

the covenant community is obligated to intervene. "This begins as 

an act of pastoral care," the decision says, "but may become an 

act of church discipline (D-1.0103)."



This case got under way when five sessions and 18 individuals 

filed a complaint against the presbytery for having rescinded an 

order instructing Christ Church to conform to G-6.0106b. The 

synod PJC upheld the complaint and ordered the presbytery to 

"work pastorally" with the congregation to bring Christ Church 

into compliance, and also to register its disapproval of churches 

that disregard institutional policies.



The Rev. James MacKellar, a member of the committee that 

represented the litigants, issued a statement on July 13 that 

made it clear that the committee interprets this decision as a 

win. He has served at local, regional and national church levels, 

including as a member of the Advisory Committee on the 

Constitution.



"This decision clearly supports the constitutional oneness of the 

PCUSA," he said, referring to arguments the litigants' lawyers 

used before the PJC insisting that presbyteries do not have the 

right to contradict constitutional standards in an historically 

connectional church. "It affirms the basic principle that 

compliance is not a matter of local option when the national 

denomination has embodied a position in its constitution ....



"Both the synod and General Assembly PJCs required the presbytery 

to show pastoral concern for the Burlington, Vt., church. The 

presbytery must also have a concern for the whole PCUSA and 

respect the authority of its duly adopted constitution."



Interestingly, the PJC did not uphold the complaint about the 

presbytery's decision to rescind its earlier order, which it 

described as a parliamentary choice. It said a presbytery always 

has the right to rescind an earlier action, but when it has done 

so, cannot leave a vacuum. It agreed that the presbytery was 

"delinquent" in taking no further action.



After the synod decision, the presbytery did form a committee to 

visit with all congregations concerned about G-6.0106b, including 

Christ Church and some others that were offended by Christ 

Church's actions.



The argument put before the PJC in May by the presbytery's 

attorney, Peter Oddleifson of Rochester, NY, was that the 

church constitution contains inconsistencies and ambiguities, and 

that G-0106.b does not abrogate other parts of the constitution 

that uphold freedom of conscience and the rights of church 

members to ordain leaders of their own choosing. Oddleifson is 

one of the national liaisons for judicial issues for More Light 

Presbyterians, a network of Presbyterians who support the 

ordination of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgendered people.



The PJC did not sustain that argument.



It said: "It is not unusual for a document such as our 

constitution, written at different periods of time and under 

different circumstances, to exhibit tensions and ambiguities in 

its provisions. Nevertheless, it is the task of governing bodies 

and judicial commissions to resolve them in such a way as to give 

effect to all provisions.



"It is not within the power of any governing body or judicial 

commission to declare a properly adopted provision of the 

constitution to be invalid.  The only appropriate avenue to 

change or remove a provision of the constitution is through the 

process for amendment provided within the constitution itself."



Although the presbytery was still drafting a statement at press 

time, Northern New England Presbytery Stated Clerk David Stoner 

told the Presbyterian News Service that the presbytery will take 

no action before this fall. The presbytery council is scheduled 

to meet in early September, the presbytery on Oct. 14.



To view the PJC decision go to 

http://horeb.pcusa.org/oga/pjc/213-2.htm.  (We hope to include 

the full decision in the November-December *Update*! -- JDA.)



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                           MLP & TAMFS

                 Respond to Recent PJC Decision

            concerning Christ Church, Burlington, VT



July 14, 2000. -- More Light Presbyterians (MLP) and That All May 

Freely Serve (TAMFS) today expressed their disappointment at the 

recent decision of the Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of the 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the appeal by the Presbytery of 

Northern New England of a case concerning Christ Church, 

Burlington, Vermont.



"We recognize that judicial decisions at the General Assembly 

level deal primarily with process and are narrowly limited 

according to the specific facts of the case," commented Acting 

MLP Co-Moderator Bill Moss. "The PJC interprets the Constitution 

as it exists and has no authority to change it, so this decision 

does nothing to change the status quo. Still, we had joined 

Christ Church and the Presbytery of Northern New England in 

hoping for some guidance from the Commission about how to be in 

compliance with a Constitution which contradicts itself."



The case originated with the Presbytery's response to the 

Burlington Church's declaration that it could not enforce a 

policy (G-6.0106b) designed to prohibit gays and lesbians from 

holding positions of leadership in the Church, and concerns the 

authority of the Presbytery to respond sensitively to its own 

congregations as they seek to live out their understanding of the 

Gospel. Both Christ Church and the Presbytery have cited the 

inconsistency of G-6.0106b with other provisions of the PCUSA 

*Book of Order*. "Far from 'disregarding' the Constitution," said 

Moss, "the Church and the Presbytery have gone farther than most 

in taking it seriously; they have been genuinely perplexed about 

how to comply with the Constitution as a whole. This decision 

fails to help them sort out those issues."



"G-6.0106b is supposed to apply to everyone, but clearly it has 

only been invoked in relationship to sexual minorities," said 

Janie Spahr, National Evangelist for TAMFS. "The case itself 

demonstrates that the Church continues to struggle to discern the 

Holy Spirit's leading in relation to the lesbian, gay, bisexual 

and transgender community. We will continue our efforts to help 

the Church understand what is at stake, both for our lives and 

for the integrity of the Presbyterian Church."



Added Moss, "We continue to believe in our traditional 

Presbyterian system: that the Sessions and Presbyteries which 

ordain and install are the most appropriate bodies to make those 

decisions. Difficult issues take time to work out, and we remain 

committed to the Presbyterian Church. We know that God's Spirit 

is at work in both the Church and the world, and are confident 

that the Church will eventually reflect God's own hospitality."



Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make the Church a true 

community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians 

is to work for the full participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual 

and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness 

of the Presbyterian Church (USA).



Called by the life and teachings of Jesus, compelled by faith and 

charged by conscience, That All May Freely Serve advocates for an 

inclusive church that honors diversity and welcomes lesbian, gay, 

bisexual, and transgender persons as full members. Full 

membership includes eligibility for ordination to the offices of 

elder, deacon, and pastor.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



            Open Letter from 1st and Franklin, Baltimore,

                  to Christ Church, Burlington



To: Christ Church Session & Co-pastors Rebecca Strader & Michael 

Brown.



Re: Ordination & the Judicial Commission Ruling.



We are aware, amidst the chaos and discrimination in our 

denomination, that your community of disciples has been singled 

out to receive pressure from higher church judicatories in ways 

that negatively affect the peace, unity, and purity of your 

community of disciples. We know that the specific issue regards 

your process of selecting and ordaining church officers.



The First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church is a More 

Light, inclusive, affirming congregation. We stand beside you in 

your determination to be an inclusive, accepting community of 

brothers and sisters in Christ. We base our stand on the love of 

Jesus Christ as witnessed in his life and death and passed on by 

his instructions to those who follow him, to wit:



     Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that 

     his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, 

     having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to 

     the end ... [then he said], "A new commandment I give to you, 

     that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that 

     you also love one another. By this everyone will know that 

     you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." -- 

     John 13:1,34,35.



Based on this plain and simple gospel truth we take an affirming 

stand with you and with all brothers and sisters under similar 

pressure. Therefore we reject any rule that attempts to supersede 

the practice of love among brothers and sisters in a Christian 

community.



A rule that precludes love is no rule at all.



Our obedience is to Christ who commanded that we love one another 

as he loved us. We shall continue to honor only the rule of love 

in regard to personal relations among men and women in our church 

community. This is our guide for obedience to Christ and for 

ordering relations among ourselves.



Your Session and congregation remain in  our prayers and have our 

unyielding support. -- Signed, Jim Peters, Clerk, W. Theodore 

Durr, Moderator (Passed unanimously on 16 July, 2000).



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



SAYING GOODBYE



       Thanking God for These Mighty Partners in Faith --

          Remembering Them and Celebrating Their Gifts





                          Robert Hasek



Robert C. Hasek, 58, died of pancreatic cancer at the George 

Washington University Hospital on December 29, in Washington, 

D.C. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, June 4, 1941, to Steven and 

Josephine Hasek. He grew up in Cleveland and moved to Baltimore 

to attend the University of Baltimore, where he received a B.S. 

in Transportation. Shortly after college he moved to Washington, 

D.C. and began his lifetime career as a transportation analyst 

with the Interstate Commerce Commission. He held office in the 

Transportation Research Forum, a professional group, and became 

active in Hotbox, a gay rail fan club. He was an openly gay 

member and elder of Baltimore's First and Franklin Street 

Presbyterian Church, which he joined during college and attended 

throughout his lifetime. He also was active regionally and 

nationally in the Presbyterian Church, which included election as 

moderator of the Synod of the Piedmont, service on a national 

General Assembly task force, and participation in the Witherspoon 

Society and Presbyterians for Lesbian & Gay Concerns. In recent 

years he found a second career in gay political work, as a staff 

member of Log Cabin Republicans. He was an avid traveler, both as 

a professional and a tourist, visiting four continents and 

traveling to Europe several times a year. He also visited the 

Cape and Provincetown every summer of his life (even in utero, he 

liked to say), where his ashes will be returned.



     *And can it be that in a world so full and busy, the 

     loss of one weak creature makes a void in any heart, so 

     wide and deep that nothing but the width and depth of 

     vast eternity can fill it up! -- Charles Dickens, 

     *Dombey and Son*.





                      Remembering Bob Hasek

                         by Chris Glaser



How fitting it is for me to say goodbye to Bob Hasek here at 

First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, for it was on 

property once owned by this church that I first met Bob in 1976. 

Bob was a member here, having joined in college, and I had come 

to Baltimore to lobby my first national assembly of the 

Presbyterian Church for the ordination of gay and lesbian people. 

Bob was a member of the Witherspoon Society, a justice-lobbying 

network in our denomination, which that year set up headquarters 

in Kirk House, the parish house of either First or Franklin 

Street Presbyterian churches, I'm not sure which.



Bob loved things historical -- when I lived in California, he 

often chided me that since he lived in the "original thirteen," 

the far west in his view was Ohio, where he was born. As I say, 

Bob loved things historical, and I'm sure he liked the fact that 

the Witherspoon Society was named for the only clergyman -- a 

Presbyterian -- to sign the Declaration of Independence. I know 

he loved the historic nature of this church, underscored by the 

passing of George Washington's walking stick to each new pastor 

during the service of installation.



I had come here in 1976 to lobby our denomination to be inclusive 

of gay and lesbian people, and, at first, Bob looked at me 

guardedly out of the corner of his eye, much as he had earlier, 

by his own admission, hid behind pillars in the convention hall 

during the 1974 Louisville General Assembly whenever the  Rev. 

David Sindt, founder of Presbyterians for Lesbian & Gay Concerns, 

passed by. Gradually Bob came closer, becoming friends with me 

and revealing his own identity. Bob like to credit me with his 

coming out as a gay man, especially in the church, but it was Bob 

himself who must take that credit and whose own courage led him 

to come out not only within one of the most conservative 

institutions of our time, the Presbyterian Church, but later 

within another conservative organization, the Republican Party.



What bolstered his courage to challenge these conservative 

institutions was the sense of belonging and home that he found 

and felt here at First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church 

and subsequently within Log Cabin Republicans, gay and lesbian 

Republicans bent on reforming their party just as More Light 

Presbyterians, of which Bob was a founding member, seeks to 

reform the "Republican party at prayer," otherwise known as the 

Presbyterian Church. That a man once fearful of himself could 

later enter the offices of Republican members of Congress on 

behalf of gay and lesbian rights reveals much about the man as 

well as God's Spirit who moves where and whom it will.



Bob lost heart as a Presbyterian, but not as a Christian. His 

faith helped him through his final crisis of cancer. He believed 

in something more, something beyond the here and now. Just like 

the characters we find in the Bible, Bob felt grief, regret, 

anger, despair, and depression. And just like them, he also 

believed in life, moving on, faith, hope, and love. And he 

believed in God. We prayed together over the phone, we prayed 

together in one another's presence, even though he knew that 

prayer for his survival would not be effectual. The effect of his 

prayer was to link him to those who loved him, the greatest of 

whom was and is God. Prayer was a "Peace, be still!" to the 

turbulent stormy sea of emotions and bodily maladies that beset 

him.



It was fitting that Bob identified with the Presbyterian Church, 

with its roots in Scottish stoicism, Irish fatalism, and 

Calvinist predestination. An oft-used phrase of his was, "That's 

the way things are." Blunt acceptance of reality was another 

anchor in facing his personal storm -- so he revised his will, 

chose his eulogists, and selected the hymns we sing today.



Though Bob didn't make it to the new millennium, he has given us 

a great gift for it in his selection of the hymn we earlier sang 

based on Psalm 100. Because of his choice, I opened to this psalm 

during my morning prayers on new year's day, and as I read it, I 

thought to myself, "This is the psalm for the new millennium." 

Bob asked that we use, for this service, the Bible that once 

belonged to his dear friend the Rev. Bob Davidson, former 

moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, and much beloved 

champion of gay rights as the proud father of a lesbian daughter 

and as a member of the Presbyterian Task Force to Study 

Homosexuality.  It is a King James Version, a translation that 

Bob Hasek loved, thus our scriptures are all taken from the KJV, 

which renders the psalm this way:



     Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.



     Serve the Lord with gladness: come before God's presence 

     with singing.



     Know ye that the Lord is God: it is God that hath made us, 

     and not we ourselves; we are God's people and the sheep of 

     God's pasture.



     Enter into God's gates with thanksgiving, and into God's 

     courts with praise: be thankful unto God, and bless God's 

     name.



     For the Lord is good; God's mercy is everlasting; and God's 

     truth endureth to all generations.





*"Serve the Lord with gladness ... we are God's people and the 

sheep of God's pasture ... For the Lord is good; God's mercy is 

everlasting; and God's truth endureth to all millennia ...."*





Bob believed in God's truth. He served the church locally, 

regionally, and nationally, as an elder, a delegate to 

presbytery, and as synod moderator, a post which led him to visit 

our fellow Reformed churches in South Africa and develop 

important friendships there. Nationally, beyond his already 

mentioned involvement in Witherspoon and what is now More Light 

Presbyterians, he served on a task force to determine the 

appropriate nature of the relationship of such organizations to 

the denomination.



Bob was proud that First and Franklin became a More Light church, 

that is, a congregation which openly welcomes gay and lesbian 

members and leaders. He hosted me on my multiple visits to speak 

here at this church over the years. During those visits, I 

learned from Bob how tasty coffee could be grinding one's own 

coffee beans, the pleasure of well-done cocktail parties, the 

necessity of the New York Times -- but  I never caught on to 

Bob's love of church statistics and of train schedules, nor his 

use of the Presbyterian *Book of Order* as a source of evening 

meditation, though I appreciate all but one provision of that 

decent and orderly book.



It was Bob who orchestrated a group of More Light Presbyterians 

on our first visits to Provincetown after attending the Hartford 

General Assembly in 1982. He introduced me and many of you to a 

variety of fine and not-so-fine restaurants in Washington and 

Baltimore, and presided over my first tasting of Maryland crab 

and Maryland crabcakes. Bob encouraged our intentional use of 

trains; for example, he persuaded me to return to the east coast 

from a church meeting in St. Louis on the National Limited, in 

which we shared a room in an old Pullman car, a room with a 

broken toilet but a grand view of the passing countryside.  Bob 

persuaded me to try many things, but he never got me to the 

opera.



The son of a railroad man, Bob was an active member of a national 

network of gay and lesbian railroad buffs, the Phoebe Snow 

Society, named for the model whose white dress demonstrated the 

cleaner burning anthracite coal used in trains, advertised at the 

beginning of the twentieth century. On a trip to Washington, Bob 

invited me to join the local chapter, Hotbox, on an outing to 

Martinsburg, West Virginia, where we would take dinner after a 

ride on the only train in the United States that allowed 

passengers in the caboose and on its back platform, open to the 

rattling tracks and wild country.



What Bob didn't tell me was that we would stop en route at a 

station-slash-train depot where we would watch trains couple and 

uncouple for two solid hours as they were put to bed for the 

night. For the rail buffs this was something akin to a religious 

experience. What got me through the ordeal was the unorthodox 

communion Bob brought along: a thermos filled with Manhattans. 

Bob had prepared this elixir that morning and stuck it in his 

satchel on his way to work that morning at the ICC -- the now 

deconstructed Interstate Commerce Commission. Gary McCann this 

week reminded me that Bob's supervisor, upon seeing Bob arrive at 

work with a full satchel, commended his dedication that he had 

taken so much work home with him, whereupon Bob replied, "It's 

full of Manhattans." Thinking he was joking, his boss laughed and 

said, "You always have a good comeback, don't you?"



Bob loved to travel. He also loved dogs. Any of us here who have 

dogs will testify that Bob sent our dogs postcards from all over 

the States and Europe. They were usually addressed, as in my 

case, to Master Calvin and his servant Chris. When my dog wrote a 

book, Bob flew down to Atlanta to accompany us to a book-signing 

at the Charlotte General Assembly. Calvin, a golden retriever/ 

lab took to Bob right away and welcomed him as a member of the 

pack. During our trip, when Bob went off somewhere, Calvin kept 

looking in the direction he disappeared until his return, which 

Calvin would celebrate by the wagging not only of his tail, but 

his whole body.



Bob was on holiday in Europe, visiting his adopted family in 

Switzerland, of which we have a representative here today, when I 

and my then lover were on a much-belated honeymoon there for 

which Bob had provided train schedules. Bob met us in Venice and 

showed us the city, advising us to get three-day passes for the 

waterbus and giving us a map for our final destination of Berlin. 

We had dinner together before putting him on an overnight sleeper 

train that would take him to visit yet other friends meeting him 

in Portugal. I have a feeling that when we too pass the threshold 

of death, Bob will be waiting on the other side with maps, train 

schedules, and a small herd of our former dogs.



The common denominator in all these stories is Bob's loyalty to 

friends. Ours was a bipartisan friendship, and Bob encouraged me 

to accept my latent fiscally conservative tendencies and overcome 

my prejudices, and not just about Republicans! I credit Bob with, 

over the years, maintaining the biweekly contact that kept our 

friendship going. Sometimes his cocktail parties were given over 

phone lines. After his cancer diagnosis, these contacts became 

every-other-day conversations, prolonged and dearer than ever.



As we remember Bob Hasek on this day, I think of the opening 

scene of the film Chariots of Fire. A triumphal hymn is being 

sung at the funeral of the central character of the film, a 

Scottish missionary to China. The film flashes back to his early 

days as a runner and his youthful friendships with other runners, 

leading to their competition in the Olympics and the eventful day 

when he refused to compete on a Sunday, because it was the Lord's 

day. For him it was a matter of principle and of faith.



My mind and my heart flash back to our early days together, Bob 

and I and others who, so long ago, as a matter of principle and 

of faith, began to challenge the church and the political system 

to be fully inclusive of gay men and lesbians -- the strategy 

sessions, the late night phone conferences, our speaking 

engagements, our testimonies to so many committees. Those were 

the days. I think of Bob as a fallen comrade, as a gay missionary 

to the Presbyterian Church and the Republican Party, to the 

commissioners of General Assembly and to the senators and 

representatives in Congress.



So long, Bob. I love you. We love you. And you loved us. The 

nostalgia for our early days is great, but our assurance of 

things hoped for, while not yet accomplished, is greater.





     O God, before whom generations rise and pass away: we 

     praise you for all your servants who, having lived this 

     life in faith, now live eternally with you. Especially 

     we thank you for your servant and our friend Bob Hasek, 

     for the gift of his life, for the grace you have given 

     him, for all in him that was good and kind and 

     faithful: his loyalty to friends, co-workers, and 

     country; his commitment to decent and orderly change; 

     his passion for justice for his gay brothers and 

     sisters; his willingness to work diligently for the 

     Interstate Commerce Commission, Log Cabin Republicans, 

     More Light Presbyterians, and the Presbyterian Church; 

     his love of trains, travel, dining, dogs, opera, 

     statistics, schedules, The *Book of Order*, and 

     Provincetown; his gifts to church and nation. We thank 

     you that for him death is past, and pain is ended, and 

     he has entered the joy you have prepared; through Jesus 

     Christ our Lord. Amen.



     O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows 

     lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is 

     hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is 

     done. Then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and 

     a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus 

     Christ our Lord. Amen.





>From Jeanne Welles, Florence, OR:



The memories still come with laughter.  Bob Hasek's wit, always 

so dryly delivered, was always refreshing and rarely predictable. 



The memories are eclectic, as were Bob's interests:



- A railroad buff who could tell you the wheel arrangement on any 

locomotive.



- An enthusiastic traveler with an innate ability to find good 

restaurants.



- A Polity Wonk with an encyclopedic knowledge of the *Book of 

Order*.



- A Churchman who understood the purpose of the Presbyterian 

Constitution and the way in which our polity is our theology.



- A firm supporter of Gays and Lesbians, giving strength to our 

cause by using his political savvy.



- A steadfast friend -- always.



Being with Bob Hasek, especially at a General Assembly, was fun. 

Even though the General Assemblies weren't always fun!  For the 

"rev" types, the seminary dinners were a high point.  In 1978, Bob 

started the tradition of gathering the "non-revs" together for a 

celebratory dinner of our own.  As the Acme Laundry Service truck 

was blocking our way that first year, we walked around it, and 

from then on, the Acme Seminary dinner became an annual event -- 

as always, like Bob, memorable.





>From Lew Myrick, former PLGC treasurer --



Bob Hasek was a big part of the life of the First and Franklin 

St. Presbyterian Church.  I met him when my partner and I joined 

that congregation.  How welcoming he was!  And, over some time, 

what a strange duo our friendship looked to others:  Bob was an 

arch-conservative blue-suit Log Cabin Republican, and here I was 

a leather-clad biker "yellow dog" Democrat who disagreed with 

almost every political position he took.  We traded friendly jabs 

and insults over the years as our friendship matured.   He was a 

good friend.  He had a passion for the *Book of Order* and was the 

best polity expert I every came across.  His encouragement for me 

to expand my church involvement beyond our congregational life 

into the Presbytery of Baltimore and beyond is the single most 

important force that influenced my participation in the 

Presbytery and General Assemblies.  I'll miss those cheeky 

postcards that Bob mailed from all over the world during his 

travels to ride famous trains in continent after continent.  I'll 

miss his messages from Berlin, one of his favorite cities.  I'll 

miss that collection of bow ties he would wear to church, and 

always when we went out to dinner --- just to irk me, I guess.  

But most of all, I'll miss his smile, compassion for justice, and 

that loving friendship which I'll always cherish. He was the best 

one could ask of a friend.  Ave!  Bob.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                           George Buse



George was a member of PLGC from the very beginning.



Here are some quotes (reprinted with permission and thanks!) from 

a front page story in the *Chicago Free Press*, April 26, 2000, 

www.chicagofreepress.com: "Activist Buse dies at 75," by Louis 

Weisberg, Staff writer:



Long-time activist and journalist George Buse died April 20 in the 

cardiac care unit at Lakeside Veterans Hospital. He was 75.



A pioneer of the gay civil rights movement, Buse remained active 

in the Fight for justice until the end.



Born in Iowa, Buse traveled the globe with the U.S. Marine Corps 

and the Navy, where he served as a chaplain for seven years 

before being discharged because of his sexual orientation. Albert 

Williams, who was Buse's editor at *GayLife*, said Buse was the 

model for the gay sailor in Studs Terkel's book, *The Good War*.



One of the few openly gay veterans of World War II, Buse wrote 

and spoke frequently against the Pentagon's policies toward gay 

service members. Buse's stories of life in the military were 

recorded in the Emmy winning documentary "Before Stonewall."



After his discharge from the Navy, Buse lived in Mexico and San 

Francisco before coming to Chicago in 1964, where he became 

involved in the fledgling gay rights movement and the fight for 

black civil rights. He knew and was well known by most of the gay 

movement's key players. His numerous contributions earned him a 

place in the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.



Professionally Buse was an actor and, for a time, a member of the 

Presbyterian clergy. Drawing on his military journalism 

experience, Buse began writing for the gay press in the mid-

1980s.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                           Vin Harwell



The Rev. Marvin (Vin) A. Harwell, III, age 53 of Wilmington, died

on 

Tuesday, April 11, 2000 at his home after a 4-year battle with 

colon cancer. (We thank the *News Journal* of Wilmington, DE for 

this obituary, which we reprint from their April 12, 2000 edition 

with thanks and permission. -- JDA)



Born in York, AL in 1947, Rev. Harwell served as Pastor/Head of 

Staff of Wilmington's First & Central Presbyterian Church from 

June 1989 to February 2000. Before moving to DE he served 

congregations in Washington, DC, Alexandria, VA & Orlando, FL. A 

graduate of Eckerd College and Louisville Presbyterian 

Theological Seminary, Rev. Harwell recently received a diploma in 

Christian Spirituality from San Francisco Theological Seminary. 

Throughout his career, Rev. Harwell was vigorously committed to 

the values of social justice, equality & religious pluralism in 

society as well as the church. Among the concerns which he sought 

to address throughout his ministry were homelessness, hunger, 

civil rights, women's reproductive rights, gender equality, 

inclusiveness, gay and lesbian rights, peace issues and the 

elimination of capital punishment.



A respected community religious leader, Rev. Harwell served on 

the boards of the ACLU in Delaware, NCCJ Delaware Region, Clergy 

Advisory Committee for Planned Parenthood, Sojourners Place & New 

Castle County Ethics Commission. This year Rev. Harwell was one 

one of three recipients of the Gerald E. Kandler Award given by 

the ACLU in Delaware for "Outstanding Leadership in the Cause of 

Civil Liberty in Delaware." He was also actively involved in the 

leadership of his denomination, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 

having served as the Chair of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship & 

the National Association of Endowed Presbyterian Churches. In 

addition to these involvements, Rev. Harwell served on the 

National Committee of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians & the 

Task Force on Interfaith Worship.



He is survived by long-time life-partner, Julian H. Preisler of 

Wilmington; friend and former wife, Mary Ann Harwell of 

Alexandria, VA; mother, Jesse Harwell Wright of Toomsuba, MS; 

daughter, Laura Ribble of Alexandria, VA; son, Wayne Harwell of 

St. Petersburg, FL; & grandchildren, Jack & Allison Ribble & Will 

Harwell.



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First & 

Central Presbyterian Church, NCCJ Delaware Region, ACLU in 

Delaware, or San Francisco Theological Seminary Program in 

Christian Spirituality.





>From Jeffrey K. Krehbiel, Pastor, West Presbyterian Church, 

Wilmington, DE:



The church lost a great servant in the cause of justice for gay 

and lesbian persons today. Vin Harwell, pastor of First & Central 

Presbyterian Church here in Wilmington, died this morning after a 

long battle with cancer. Vin took a disability leave from the 

church early last year and resigned as pastor this past January, 

as he entered into Delaware Hospice program. That same month he 

sent a letter to the congregation coming out as a gay man so that 

they could be free to publicly support his lover and partner of 

many years, Julian. The congregation responded with love and 

grace. After a painful final week, he died peacefully at home 

with Julian.





And from Ralph Carter:



This is so tragic.  I can hardly type this message, with the 

tears flowing. Vin was such a remarkable man.  We will miss him 

in a major way.  I remember meeting Vin through great friends, Bill

Yolton and Diane Engster, when they belonged to his previous 

church in Alexandria VA.  Vin got me involved with Presbyterian 

Peace Fellowship which I'll always treasure.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



     National Religious Leadership Roundtable Meets in Miami



              Targets Racism, Sexism and Homophobia



July 25, 2000 -- On Sunday, July 23, the National Religious 

Leadership Roundtable (NRLR), an interfaith network of more than 

forty religious leaders from faith-based organizations, including 

mainline denominations, convened a public forum that examined the 

intersections of racism, sexism, and homophobia. First convened 

in 1998, the National Religious Leadership Roundtable works in 

partnership with other justice-seeking groups to amplify the 

voice of pro-gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) 

religious organizations and to promote equality, spirituality, 

and justice.



"Tonight, we clearly gather at the crossroads of injustice," 

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Executive Director 

Elizabeth Toledo said at the event. "The struggle for GLBT people 

with the larger religious community for recognition, respect, and 

to fully participate in our own religious institutions is part of 

a much bigger, historical struggle for the rights of people of 

color and women within these same institutions."



The forum, which was hosted by the Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church 

in Miami, Florida, featured a diverse group of speakers who 

pointed to recent events as further evidence that racism, sexism, 

and homophobia intersect in frightening and often violent ways in 

our society. The murder earlier this month of 26-year-old Arthur 

Carl "J.R." Warren, an African-American gay man in West Virginia, 

for example, personifies the shared violence experienced by 

people of color and those in LGBT communities. Likewise, in 

Florida, the roll back of affirmative action in education and 

persistent efforts to repeal Dade County's civil rights ordinance 

that includes LGBT people, are related attempts by conservatives 

to deny recourse for discrimination.



The NRLR is co-convened by the NGLTF and Equal Partners in Faith. 

The Roundtable's Miami event was its fifth. Previous Roundtables 

were convened in Washington, D.C., Colorado Springs, and Orange 

County, Ca.



Joining Toledo as a keynote speaker was Rev. John F. White, 

Senior Pastor at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in Miami. Greater 

Bethel A.M.E church is the oldest Black church in Miami and has 

established innovative ministries and community outreach 

programs, including to gay men and lesbians, linking the church 

with the community. Other speakers included: Mandy Carter of 

Floridians Representing Equality and Equity (F.R.E.E.); Rev. 

Frank Munoz of Clergy Coalition for Social Justice; Nadine Smith 

of Equality Florida, and Jorge Mursuli of SAVEDade.



"For someone like me who is a woman, a person of color and a 

lesbian, every time I wake in the morning, I wonder, 'What's it 

going to be today?' Sometimes, this very fear comes every hour," 

said Carter of Floridians Representing Equality and Equity. 



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                  Reflections on Scotland 2000



               A conference sponsored by the U.K.

               Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement

                    May 3-6, 2000, Edinburgh



                     by Donn Crail, Director

                         Lazarus Project

               West Hollywood Presbyterian Church

                       West Hollywood, CA



High Street in Edinburgh, called the Royal Mile, runs down from 

the rocky promontory on which is situated Edinburgh Castle, to 

Holyrood House at its other end -- the queen's official residence 

in Scotland. On the Royal Mile are some significant historical 

sites for Presbyterians. There is of course St. Giles, the high 

Kirk of Scotland, with an imposing statue of John Knox in front 

of it. Less imposing is his grave, which being in the parking 

lot, usually has a car parked over it. Nearby is John Knox house, 

where we were told he might or might not have actually lived. It 

is a detail with which Scots do not overly concern themselves. 

The tourists keep coming.



We met in historic St. Albans Anglican Church, just across a 

narrow street from Edinburgh castle. Of 160 there, I was the only 

person from the United States attending Scotland 2000, an 

international and ecumenical conference sponsored by the Lesbian 

and Gay Christian Movement. Absorbed as I am with issues of 

sexual orientation in the U. S., the Presbyterian Church, and 

Southern California, I had given little thought, and had only the 

most general knowledge of these issues outside this country.



Being ecumenical the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, centered 

in London, has for over 20 years united gay and lesbian 

Christians and their allies in the U.K. It has linked itself with 

similar ministries in Europe and through that has probably moved 

this issue forward in ways that we have yet to see in the U.S. 

Perhaps the Witness Our Welcome (WOW) conference near Chicago next 

month will give us similar momentum. A sort of testimony to the 

significance of the Gay and Lesbian Christian Movement may be 

that a few years ago at the Lambeth Conference, the Worldwide 

Assembly of Anglican bishops, the archbishop of Nigeria tried to 

exorcise the "homosexual demon" from Richard Kirker, the Anglican 

priest who is its general secretary. Apparently it didn't work as 

he is still openly and unrepentantly gay.



For me, James Alison, a young Roman Catholic lay theologian, was 

the most interesting speaker. His address, "Clothed and in His 

Right Mind" was an exegetical analysis of the story of the 

Gerasene demoniac (Luke 8:26ff). Though not implying the demoniac 

was gay, his exclusion from his Gentile village, their using of 

him to define who they are not, and his self-destructive 

behavior, are dynamics that resonate strongly with LGBT persons 

and the Church. Jesus liberated him from the "legion" of demons 

that have possessed him so that he is found "sitting, clothed and 

in his right mind."  This is a powerful image of persons through 

Christ set free from their self hated and destructive behavior. 

Remarkably the villagers respond not with thanksgiving but 

hysteria. Sound familiar? Alison's presentation reinforced my 

conviction that for all that is said and written about the 

homosexual and scripture, the most relevant passages are often 

completely missed. I had missed this one.



Politically the focus in the U.K. on gay/lesbian issues is 

centered on efforts to repeal Section 28, legislation passed by 

Parliament in 1992 during the Thatcher administration. It is 

about the teaching of human sexuality in schools. The most 

offensive part of this in the lesbian/gay community, and indeed 

among almost all progressives, is that local authorities "must 

not promote the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as 

a pretended family relationship." The words "pretended family 

relationship" have outraged almost all progressives in England, 

and even more so in Scotland. Section 28 does not apply in 

Ireland. The House of Lords has twice stopped the repeal of 

Section 28, and will probably do so again this year. As I 

understand it they can only do that three times and then The 

House of Commons may override and vote for the repeal -- and is 

expected to do so.



An English businessman, Brian Souter, put half a million pounds 

(approx. $800,000) into efforts to keep Section 28 on the books. 

Some clerics organized efforts to retain the article, especially 

the Cardinal in Glasgow. Much of the rhetoric in support of 

keeping Article 28 is focused on "protecting the family and 

institution of marriage," very similar to what was done in 

California on prop. 22.



There was much discussion of section 28 at the conference, and an 

existing law that makes the age of consent for heterosexuals to 

be 16, but for homosexuals it is 18; evidence of just how much 

irrationality can come of homophobia.



Not all Lords are men. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh (think 

"mayor") is a woman. One evening there was a welcoming reception 

for us in an elegant hall of the Edinburgh City Chambers to meet 

the Lord Provost. She was a charming woman and totally on the 

side of full equal rights for gay and lesbian persons. She and 

other Scots take some justifiable pride in not having done 

business with Pat Robertson.



We also heard from Bishop Richard Holloway, in Scotland the 

counterpart of the Archbishop of Canterbury. This Anglican Bishop 

is something of a hero among those in the lesbian/gay Christian 

movement as he is total in his support of them, and fearless in 

addressing his colleagues on this issue. We also heard from the 

current Moderator of The Church of Scotland, Rt. Rev John Cairns. 

The moderator's message, while supportive, was more "moderate" 

(no pun intended) than the Bishop's -- perhaps because a moderator 

has less authority than a bishop does.



The Sunday closing worship service was filled to capacity. Bishop 

Holloway gave the sermon. On the issue of scripture he excoriated 

the hypocrisy of those who have used it against gay and lesbian 

Christians. There had been some sort of ballot sent out toward a 

public referendum in support of retaining Section 28. Before his 

sermon Bishop Holloway publicly tore up his ballot.



A male Roman Catholic priest (what other kind is there) and a 

woman Anglican priest led the service. We went forward to receive 

communion by intinction. I was moved that there was no 

distinction made between receiving from the Roman Catholic priest 

and the Anglican one. Rome might not have approved, but our 

oneness in Christ was so real that morning that denominational 

distinctions at the table would have been conspicuously false.



I came away with the impression that the church has moved more to 

the periphery of many person's lives than was true even 17 years 

ago. My conversations, in and outside the conference, gave me a 

chilling sense of what "post Christian era" means.



I return with fresh and passionate conviction that gay and 

lesbian Christians are a great gift God is giving the Church. 

When the Church finally embraces them she will receive back the 

Spirit -- the breath -- the life, that has gone out of her. She has

been suffocating on her fears.



I saw a sticker on the back window of a car in Hollywood that 

said, "Jesus Hates Me." The point I assume was cynical -- counter 

to those bumper stickers that say, "Jesus Loves Me." Still, I was 

startled by it. Perhaps this really is the message that much of 

the Church is sending to many persons and the reason for those T-

shirts one sees for sale in some West Hollywood CA shop windows: 

"Thank God I'm An Atheist."



I return knowing more deeply than I ever have that individuals do 

not need the Church's permission to find God in their lives. To a 

great degree the Church has already missed her opportunity to 

love gay and lesbian persons. It leaves them to love themselves 

and each other  -- and to discover without the Church, sometimes 

despite the Church, that God loves them.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                           Boy Scouts



         MLP Board Member Gene Huff Returns Eagle Badge



[Right in the middle of the 212th General Assembly, we got the 

sad news that the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that the Boy 

Scouts of America could become the Heterosexual Only Scouts of 

America.  In response, MLP Board Member (and *honorary* gay man) 

Gene Huff turned in his Eagle Badge.  Here's his letter!  We 

dedicate Kurt Erichsen's "Leviticus Scout's Oath" cartoon to you, 

Gene! *(Sorry -- not included in the email version!)* -- JDA]





To: Steve Barnes, Scout Executive, San Francisco Bay Area 

Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1001 Davis, San Leandro, CA 

94577



Dear Mr. Barnes:



Enclosed you will find what was at one time one of the treasures 

of my life -- my Eagle Scout Medal.  It was pinned on my chest by 

my late mother, Alice Huff, on the stage of a public park in a 

small city in Oklahoma in 1943 when I was a fifteen year old lad.  

While this medal was once a precious symbol of how much scouting 

meant to my personal growth and development as a young man, I am 

now returning it to the Boy Scouts of America because I can no 

longer acknowledge any ties with the scouting movement due to its 

now court-sanctioned discrimination against those who acknowledge 

themselves to be gay.



My own record and experience as a Boy Scout, in addition to the 

Eagle award with a Gold Palm, included earning 34 merit badges 

and reaching the rank of Junior Assistant Scoutmaster during my 

late teen years.  I spent part of two summers in northern New 

Mexico in glorious camping experiences at Philmont Scout 

Ranch.  Scouting's influence on my development as a young man 

was second only to that of my church and family and no doubt even 

contributed to my calling to become a Presbyterian minister.



Yet now, frankly, I am appalled at the gap between the values I 

received as a scout and a scout leader over fifty years ago and 

the current twisted notion of what the phrase "morally 

straight" has long referred to in scouting.  I was not taught by 

scoutmasters of former years, even in Oklahoma in the 40s, that 

morality and intolerance could be joined. As Seven Cozza of 

Petaluma, California has said so eloquently, "to be morally 

straight means to live by your values, to be true to yourself. 

It has nothing to do with a person's sexual orientation."



So it is with great disappointment and sorrow that I make this 

symbolic gesture both to demonstrate my protest of the 

discriminatory policies of the Boy Scouts of America and to 

affirm my solidarity with all gay men affected by those policies. 

-- (Rev.) Gene Huff, San Francisco, California.



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                    MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS

                 4737 County Road 101, PMB# 246

                    Minnetonka, MN 55345-2634

                732-249-1016, http://www.mlp.org



NATIONAL FIELD ORGANIZER, Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., 369 

Montezuma Ave., PMB #447, Santa Fe, NM 87501-2626, 505-820-7082, 

fax 505-820-2540, MichaelAdee@aol.com



                          MLP OFFICERS

 

Officers are also MLP Board Members.  The dates following each 

name indicate the end of current board terms; an "I" indicates 

board members representing individual members; a "G" indicates 

board members representing governing body members.



CO-MODERATORS: Mitzi Henderson (2001-G), 16 Sunset Lane, Menlo 

Park, CA 94025-6732, 650-854-2598, fax 650-854-4177, 

mitzigh@aol.com; William H. Moss (Bill, 2001-I), 535 Steiner St., 

San Francisco, CA 94117, 415-864-0477, WHMoss@excite.com



COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY: Donna Michelle Riley (2002-G), 318 E. 

Capitol St. N.E., Apt. 5, Washington, DC 20003, 202-547-7135, 

dmriley@alumni.princeton.edu



RECORDING SECRETARY: Rob Cummings (2002-I), P.O. Box 394, Jackson 

Center, PA 16133-0394, 724-475-3285, robcum@toolcity.net



TREASURER: John McNeese (2001-I), P. O. Box 54606, Oklahoma City, 

OK 73154-1606, 405-848-2819, John3317@home.com



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                     MLP Board of Directors



James D. Anderson (2001-I), P.O. Box 38, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-

0038, 732-249-1016, 732-932-7501 (Rutgers Univ.), FAX 732-932-

6916 (Rutgers Univ.), JDA@scils.rutgers.edu



Ralph Carter (2003-G), 111 Milburn St., Rochester, NY 14607-

2918, 716-271-7649, rcarter@rpa.net



Tricia Dykers Koenig (2001-G), 3967 Navahoe Rd., Cleveland 

Heights, OH 44121, 216-381-0156, tdykerskoenig@oh.freei.net



Marco Antonio Grimaldo (2003-I), P.O. Box 53208, Washington, D.C. 

20009-9998, 202-607-7629, mgrimaldo@earthlink.net



Gene Huff (2002-I), 658  25th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94121, 415-

668-1145, genehuff@pacbell.net



Eunice Poethig (2003-I), 3606 Trail Ridge Rd., Louisville, KY 

40241-6221, ebpoethig@unidial.com



Pat Rickey (2003-I) 13114 Houston Hills, Houston, TX 

77069, 281-440-0353, patrickey@aol.com



Bear Ride (2002-G), 817 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007, 626-

398-9936, 213-748-0209 ext 13, fax 213-748-5521, bears@usc.edu



Erin K. Swenson (2003-G) 1071 Delaware Ave. S.E., Atlanta, GA 

30316-2469, 404-627-4825, ErinSwen@aol.com



Robin White (2002-I), 24 E. Mt. Vernon Pl., Baltimore, MD 21202, 

410-230-0340 home, 410-435-4330 church, RKayeWhite@aol.com



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                      MLP National Liaisons



MORE LIGHT UPDATE, James D. Anderson, Editor, P.O. Box 38, New 

Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038, 732-249-1016, 732-932-7501 (Rutgers 

Univ.), FAX 732-932-6916 (Rutgers Univ.), 

JDA@scils.rutgers.edu



WEBSITE: Donna Michelle Riley, 271 Varsity Ave. #6, Princeton, NJ 

08540, 609-720-0954, dmriley@alumni.princeton.edu



MLP DATABASE: Dick Lundy, 5525 Timber Ln., Excelsior, MN 55331, 

612-470-0093 h., dick_lundy@pcusa.org, DLundy@Spacestar.net.



PRESBYNET: Bill Capel, 123-R W. Church St., Champaign, IL 61820-

3510, 217-355-9825 wk., 352-2298 h., Bill@Capel.com



CHAPTERS & LIAISONS: Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., 369 

Montezuma Ave., PMB #447, Santa Fe, NM 87501-2626, 505-820-7082, 

fax 505-820-2540, MichaelAdee@aol.com



CHAPTER CONSULTANT: Gene Huff, 658  25th Ave., San Francisco, CA 

94121, 415-668-1145, genehuff@pacbell.net



SEMINARY & CAMPUS GROUPS: Johanna Bos, Louisville Presbyterian 

Theological Seminary, 1044 Alta Visa Rd., Louisville, KY 40205-

1798, jbos@lpts.edu



STRATEGY: Tricia Dykers Koenig, 3967 Navahoe Rd., Cleveland 

Heights, OH 44121, 216-381-0156, tdykerskoenig@oh.freei.net



JUDICIAL ISSUES: Bear Ride, 817 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 

90007, 626-398-9936, 213-748-0209 ext 13, fax 213-748-5521, 

bears@usc.edu; Tony De La Rosa, 5850 Benner St. #302, Los 

Angeles, CA 90042, 323-256-2787, tony_de_la_rosa.parti@ecunet.org 

or tonydlr@ix.netcom.com; Peter Oddleifson, c/o Harris, Beach and 

Wilcox, 130 E. Main St., Rochester, NY 14604, 716-232-4440 w., 

716-232-1573 fax.



PRISON MINISTRIES: Jud van Gorder, 915 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 

CA 95060-3440, 831-423-3829.



SHOWER OF STOLES PROJECT: Martha G. Juillerat, Director, 57 Upton 

Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55405, 612-377-8792, StoleProj@aol.com, 

www.showerofstoles.com.



THAT ALL MAY FREELY SERVE: Jane Adams Spahr, P.O. Box 3707, San 

Rafael, CA 94912-3707, 415-457-8004, 415-454-2564 fax, 

JanieSpahr@tamfs.org, http://www.tamfs.org



PRESBYTERIAN AIDS NETWORK (PAN): John M. Trompen, 48 Lakeview 

Dr., Morris Plains, NJ 07950-1950, 201-538-1655.



PRESBYTERIAN ACT-UP: Lisa Bove, 1037 N. Ogden, #10, West 

Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-650-2425, lbove@chla.usc.edu; Howard 

Warren, Jr., 2807 Somerset Bay, Indianapolis, IN 46240, 317-632-

0123 w., 317-253-2377 h.



BISEXUAL CONCERNS: The Rev. Kathleen Buckley, 2532 Rosendale Rd., 

Schenectady, NY 12309-1312, 518-382-5342; Skidmore College 

chaplain 518-584-5000 ext 2271, email kbuckley@skidmore.edu; 

Union College protestant chaplain, 518-388-6618, 

buckleyk@gar.union.edu; The Rev. Susan Halcomb Craig, c/o United 

University Church, 817 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007, 213-

748-0209 ext. 13, fax 213-748-5521.



TRANSGENDER CONCERNS: Erin K. Swenson, 1071 Delaware Ave. S.E., 

Atlanta, GA 30316-2469, 404-627-4825, ErinSwen@aol.com



YOUTH CONCERNS: Brian Cave, 199 8th St, Apt. 3, Brooklyn, NY 

11215, 718-369-6434, ClemsonBC74@aol.com



EUROPE: Jack Huizenga, Voice of America, 76 Shoe Lane, London 

EC4A 3JB, U.K., jwhuizen@dircon.co.uk, tel: (171) 410-

0960, preceded by 011-44 if calling from the U.S.



LATIN AMERICA: The Rev. Tom Hanks, Lavalle 376-2D, 1047 Buenos 

Aires, Argentina, thanks@thanks.wamani.apc.org



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                          MLP Chapters



MLP chapters provide an opportunity for local lesbian, gay, 

bisexual and transgender Presbyterians and their straight allies 

to come together regularly to carry out a variety of functions 

and tasks which are seen to be important and appropriate for a 

particular area.  Some are large; others are small.  Most meet 

monthly, some less often but are always on call for taking on 

strategic tasks.  All are able to provide strong personal support 

to their members for the individual journeys they travel at this 

point in their lives and in the life of the Presbyterian Church.  

Chapters themselves decide what specific tasks and roles they 

wish to take on, based on the stated mission of MLP. 



For information about organizing a chapter, please refer to our 

brief statement called "Tips for Organizing a MLP Chapter."  It is 

found on our web page (http://www.mlp.org) or can be secured 

along with other advice from our national field organizer Michael 

Adee (369 Montezuma Ave., PMB #447, Santa Fe, NM 87501-2626, 505-

820-7082, fax 505-820-2540, MichaelAdee@aol.com).  Corrections 

and other changes in the chapter information listings should be 

sent to Michael.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                  Seminary and Campus Chapters



LIAISON: Johanna Bos, Louisville Presbyterian Theological 

Seminary, 1044 Alta Visa Rd., Louisville, KY 40205-1798, 

jbos@lpts.edu



CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: Heyward / Boswell Society. Marilyn 

Nash, 5757  South University Ave.,  Chicago, IL 60637, 

mnash100@aol.com



COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: Imago Dei, Andrew Foster Connors, 

404-377-2205, connors@mindspring.com; Katie Ricks, 404/377-9531, 

AuntKatieR@aol.com, Columbia Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 520, 

Decatur, GA  30031.



LOUISVILLE PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: Student Chapter. 

Johanna Bos, 1044 Alta Vista Dr., Louisville, KY 40205, 502-8985-

3411, jbos@lpts.edu



McCORMICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: Acts 10:15, McCormick Theological 

Seminary, Tanya Denley, 5555 S. Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, 

773-288-6220, tdenley@juno.com; James Hicks, 1519 W. Rosemont 

Ave. #2W, Chicago, IL 60660, 773-338-5278, booyim@21stcentury.net



SAN FRANCISCO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: SFTS More Light 

Presbyterians.  Dave Brague and Shelly Holle, 2 Kensington Rd., 

San Anselmo, CA 94960, 415-256-8349 (Brague), DSBrague@jps.net, 

415-482-0283 (Holle) SHolle@sfts.edu; Sally Juarez, 

sallyjuare@aol.com; Bill Bess, 19 Belle Ave #7, San Anselmo, CA 

94960, 415-460-0733, billbess@aol.com



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                 Presbytery & Regional Chapters



Persons listed are moderators or contact persons for each 

chapter.  See also our state-by-state list of MLP liaisons!



BOSTON AND NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND: Ken Wolvington, 118 Shore Rd., 

Burlington, VT 05401-2658, 802-862-6605, ken.wolvington@pcusa.org



SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND: Jack Hartwein-Sanchez, 149 Bramble Way, 

Tiverton, RI 02878, 401-624-6698.



NEW JERSEY: James D. Anderson, P.O. Box 38, New Brunswick, NJ 

08903-0038, 732-249-1016, JDA@scils.rutgers.edu



MONMOUTH (NEW JERSEY): Linda Rogers, Toms River, NJ, 732-473-

9155, mail via More Light Presbyterians, P.O. Box 38, New 

Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038.



GENESEE VALLEY: Kay Wroblewski, 74 Freemont Rd., Rochester, NY 

14612, 716-663-6632; Ralph Carter, 111 Millburn St., Rochester, 

NY 14607-2918, 716-271-7649, rcarter@rpa.net



PITTSBURGH: Robert J. Boston, Moderator, P. O. Box 15784, 

Pittsburgh, PA  15244, 412-795-0828.



LAKE ERIE: Evan Marie McJunkin, 5440 Washington Ave., Erie, PA  

16509, 814-864-1920., evan@erie.net



BALTIMORE: Joan Campbell, 3401 White Ave, Baltimore MD 21214-

2348, 410-254-5908, ThomCAM96@aol.com



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Dana vanBever, 3500 Russell 

Road, Alexandria, VA 22305, 703-683-2644, 

jdvangreen@aol.com; Jeanne MacKenzie, 725 3rd St., SW, 

Washington, DC 202-554-8281, jmackenzie@execware.com



EASTERN VIRGINIA: Carol Bayma, 4937 Olive Grove Ln. Virginia 

Beach, VA 23455-5218, 757-497-6584, Carol and Alice@gateway.net



TRIANGLE (NORTH CAROLINA): James R. Foster, 500 Meadow Run Dr., 

Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8022, 919-933-0498, j-efoster@mindspring.com



ATLANTA: Victor Floyd, 2480 Briarcliff Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 

30329, 404-633-6530, mlpatl@aol.com



NORTHERN OHIO: George Smith, 13349 Spruce Run Dr., Apt. 103, 

North Royalton, OH  44133, 440-230-1301, 

GeoEMSmith@aol.com; Carole R. Minor, 339 St. Leger Ave. Akron, OH  

44305.



CENTRAL INDIANA: Howard Warren, Jr. 2807 Somerset Bay, 

Indianapolis, IN 46240, 317-253-2377.



DETROIT / SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN: John Lovegren & Dan Isenschmid, 

269 McKinley Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms,MI, 48236, 313-885-9047, 

pointetox@copmpuserve.com



MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: Dick Myers, 549 West Manor Circle, Bayside, 

WI 53217- 1735; 414-228-7466, dmyers@execpc.com; John N. Gregg, 

3443 E. Waterford Ave., St. Francis, WI 53235, 414-486-9939, 

JGregg@aero.net



CENTRAL ARKANSAS: Greg Adams, 314 Steven, Little Rock, AR 72205, 

501-224-4724, sgadams@Aristotle.net



LOUISIANA: Ellen Morgan, 2285 Cedardale, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, 

504-344-3930.



OKLAHOMA: John McNeese, P. O. Box 54606, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-

1606, 405-848-2819, John3317@home.com



GREATER HOUSTON: Lynn Johnson, 1625 Harold, Houston, TX 77006, 

713-523-5222, tilj1@aol.com; Sara Jean Jackson, 4383 Fiest Lane, 

Houston, TX 77004, 713-748-4025, sjackson@netropolis.net; Pat and 

Gail Rickey, 13114 Houston Hills, Houston, TX 77069, 281-440-

0353, patrickey@aol.com



GRACE PRESBYTERY (Dallas / Fort Worth, TX): Don Grainger, 4606 

Cedar Springs, #1227, Dallas, TX 75219, 214-528-6278, 

don_grainger@harbrace.com; Jean Martin, 1220 Brookside Dr., 

Hurst,TX 76053, 817-282-7449.



LOS RANCHOS (ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA): Linda A. Malcor, P.O. 

Box 749, Laguna Beach, CA  92652, 949-425-9979, 

Legend@malcor.com. Our meetings are usually on the 2nd Saturday 

of each month.  Check our webiste at 

http://DRAGONLORDS.dragonfire.net/mlpoc.htm for dtails!



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                       MLP State Liaisons



This listing is intended for persons wishing to be in touch with 

local MLP churches, chapters and friends.  The persons named for 

each state stand ready to answer questions about what is going on 

in their areas and to assist those who wish to join MLP's 

campaign for a truly inclusive Presbyterian Church by working in 

their local communities.



See also our geographical listing of chapters.



ALABAMA: Marianne Forbes, 617 Briarwood Dr., Auburn, AL 36830, 

334-502-0650, RevM4bz@aol.com; James M. Wilson, 100 Kelly 

Creek Dr., Odenville, AL 35120, 205-640-1763, 

jmrjmw@mindspring.com



ARIZONA: Rosemarie Wallace, 710 W. Los Lagos Vista Ave., Mesa, AZ 

85210, 602-892-5255, forster@asu.edu; Kimberly Murman, 303 E. 

Patrician Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282, 480-967-2767,

kmurman@worldnet.att.net



ARKANSAS: Greg Adams, 314 Steven, Little Rock, AR, 72205, 501-

224-4724, sgadams@Aristotle.net



CALIFORNIA: Lisa Bove, 1037 N. Ogden, #10, West Hollywood, CA 

90046, 323-650-2425, lbove@chla.usc.edu; Linda Malcor, P.O. Box 

749, Laguna Beach, CA  92656, 949-425-9979, Legend@malcor.com; 

Gene Huff, 658  25th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94121, 415-668-1145, 

genehuff@pacbell.net; Scott Anderson, 5805 20th Ave., Sacramento, 

CA 95820, 916-456-7225, Scott_Anderson.parti@ecunet.org



COLORADO: Laurene Lafontaine, 520 S. Grant St., #2, Denver, CO 

80209, 303-282-5573, lafden@uswest.net



CONNECTICUT: John Hartwein-Sanchez, 149 Bramble Way, Tiverton, RI 

02878, 401-624-6698.



DELAWARE: Patrick Evans, 91 E. Main St., #402, Newark, DE 19711, 

302-266-9878, pevans@UDel.edu



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Dana vanBever, 3500 Russell 

Road,Alexandria,  VA 22305, 703-683-2644, 

jdvangreen@aol.com



FLORIDA: Laurie Kraus, 5275 Sunset Dr., Miami, FL 33143, 305-666-

8586, madam@gate.net



GEORGIA: Victor Floyd, 853 Willivee Dr., Decatur, GA 30033, 404-

633-6530 h., mlpatl@aol.com



ILLINOIS: Mark Palermo, 6171 N. Sheridan Rd. #2701, Chicago IL 

60660-5839, 773-338-0452; Chicago Area: John Hobbs, 2970 

N. Lake Shore Dr. #18B, Chicago, IL 60657, john@icnetco.com; 

Judith Foster, 32B Marento Ave., Forest Park, IL 60130, 

jmfoster32@aol.com.



INDIANA: Howard Warren, Jr., 2807 Somerset Bay, Indianapolis, IN 

46249, 317-253-2377.



IOWA: Robin and Rick Chambers, 907 Fifth Ave, Iowa City, IA 

52240, 319-354-2765, RChamb2912@aol.com; Mike Smith, 1211 

West St., Grinnell, IA 50112, 515-236-7955, 

Michael_D_Smith@ecunet.org



KANSAS: Tammy Rider, 3001 SW Randolph, Apt. A, Topeka, KS 66611, 

785-266-6695, TRider7140@aol.com



KENTUCKY: Michael Purintun, 522 Belgravia Ct., Apt. 2, 

Louisville, KY 40208, 502-637-4734, michaelp@ctr.pcusa.org



LOUISIANA: Ellen Morgan, 2285 Cedardale, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, 

225-344-3930.



MAINE: Ken Wolvington, 118 Shore Rd., Burlington, VT 05401-

2658, 802-862-6605, ken.wolvington@pcusa.org



MARYLAND: Joan Campbell, 3401 White Ave, Baltimore MD 21214-2348, 

410-254-5908, ThomCAM96@aol.com



MASSACHUSETTS:  Ken Wolvington, 118 Shore Rd., Burlington, VT 

05401-2658, 802-862-6605, ken.wolvington@pcusa.org; John 

Hartwein-Sanchez, 149 Bramble Way, Tiverton, RI 02878, 401-624-

6698.



MICHIGAN: John Lovegren & Dan Isenschmid, 269 McKinley Ave, 

Grosse Pointe Farms,MI, 48236, 313-885-9047, 

pointetox@copmpuserve. com



MINNESOTA: Tammy Lindahl, 57 Upton Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 

55405, 612-377-2191, TLLindahl@oal.com; Dick Lundy 

& Lucille Goodwyne, 5525 Timber Ln., Excelsior, MN 55331, 612-

470-0093, dick_lundy@pcusa.org, DLundy@Spacestar.net.



MISSOURI: Jeff Light, 4433 Campbell, Kansas City, MO 64110, 816-

561-0555, JeffLight@aol.com; Peg & Doug Atkins, 747 N. Taylor, 

Kirkwood, MO 63122, 314-822-3296, atkinspegdoug@juno.com



NEBRASKA: Cleve Evans, 3810 S. 13th St., #22, Omaha, NE 68107-

2260, 402-733-1360, cevans@scholars.bellevue.edu



NEW HAMPSHIRE: Ken Wolvington, 118 Shore Rd., Burlington, VT 05401-

2658, 802-862-6605, ken.wolvington@pcusa.org



NEW JERSEY: Donna  Riley, 271 Varsity Ave. #6, Princeton, NJ 

08540,609-720-0954, dmriley@alumni.princeton. edu; Jim Anderson, 

P. O. Box 38, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038, 732-249-1016, 

JDA@scils.rutgers.edu



NEW MEXICO: Linda Manwarren, 7720 Browning Dr. NE, Albuquerque, 

NM 87109-5303, 505-858-0249.



NEW YORK: Charlie Mitchell, 56 Perry St., #3-R, New York, NY 

10014, 212-691-7118; Cathy Blaser, 350 W. 85th St. #67, New York, 

NY  10024, 212-595-8976, Catblaser@aol.com; Kay Wroblewski, 74 

Freemont Rd., Rochester, NY 14612, 716-663-6632.



NORTH CAROLINA: James R. Foster, 500 Meadow Run Dr., Chapel 

Hill, NC 27514-8022, 919-933-0498, j-efoster@mindspring.com



OHIO: Hal Porter, 4160 Paddock Rd.,Cincinnati, OH 45229, 513-861-

5996, hgporter@hotmail.com



OKLAHOMA: John P. McNeese, P.O. Box 54606, Oklahoma City, OK 

73120-1404, 405-848-2819, John3317@home.com



OREGON: Janet Stang, 1244 Looking Glass Way, Central Point, OR 

97502, 541-664-9189, stangp@transport.com



PENNSYLVANIA: Rob Cummings (Pittsburgh Area), P. O. Box 394, 

Jackson Center, PA 15133-0394, 724-475-3285, robcum@toolcity.net; 

Eleanor Green, P.O. Box 6296, Lancaster, PA 17603, 717-397-9068; 

David Huting (Philadelphia Area), 215-735-4139, 

David_Huting@vanguard.com



RHODE ISLAND: John Hartwein-Sanchez, 149 Bramble Way, Tiverton, 

RI 02878, 401-624-6698.



TEXAS: Jay Kleine, 1108 Toyath St., Austin, TX 78703-3921, 512-

477-7418; Gail Rickey, 13114 Holston Hills, Houston, TX 77069, 

713-440-0353, patrickey@aol.com; Don Grainger, 4606 Cedar 

Springs, #1227, Dallas, TX 75219, 214-528-6278, 

don_grainger@harbrace.com



VERMONT: Ken Wolvington, 118 Shore Rd., Burlington, VT 05401-

2658, 802-862-6605, ken.wolvington@pcusa.org



VIRGINIA: Marco Antonio Grimaldo, PO Box 53208, Washington, D.C. 

20009-9998, 202-607-7629, mgrimaldo@earthlink.net



WASHINGTON: Lindsay Thompson, 200 W. Mercer St., Suite 207, 

Seattle WA 98119-3994, 206-285-4130, tradelaw@thompson-law.com; 

Rev. Richard K. Gibson, 18808 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA 98036, 

425-774-7007, RKGibson@juno.com



WASHINGTON, DC: See District of Columiba.



WISCONSIN: Richard Winslow, 111 E. Water St.,  #100, Appleton, WI 

54911-5791, 414-731-0892.



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PRESBYTERIAN ALLY ORGANIZATIONS



This is a list of other organizations working for a truly 

inclusive Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  Please send me additions 

and corrections. -- Thanks!  Jim Anderson.





                Covenant Network of Presbyterians



CNP is a network of Presbyterians who care about our church and 

its witness, considering what it means to be faithful 

Presbyterians in a time of challenging controversy. How can we 

and our congregations live with the new ordination standard, G-

6.0106b, in our *Book of Order* and still be faithful to our own 

understanding of the Gospel.  Pam Byers, Exec. Director. 

Administrative Office: c/o Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 

Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115, 415-351-2196, fax 415-351-

2198, www.covenantnetwork.org





         Hesed (Hebrew: The Covenant of Steadfast Love)



Hesed is an informal coalition of PCUSA. ordained and lay church 

leaders dedicated to the affirmation -- in obedience to Scripture 

and within the Reformed Tradition and Presbyterian polity -- of 

the inclusiveness of God's Grace and of the love of Jesus Church 

for all his followers.



Virginia L. Lewis, Moderator/Webmistress, 

lewisv@southwestern.edu, website: 

http://www.southwestern.edu/lewisv/Hesed/Hesed.html





                       The Lazarus Project



"A Ministry of Reconciliation," The Rev. Donn Crail, Director, 

West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, 7350 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, 

CA 90046.





                 Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN)



PAN is one of 10 networks of the Presbyterian Health Education & 

Welfare Association (PHEWA).  PHEWA is a related ministry of the 

National Ministries Division, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  

PHEWA provides resources to individuals, congregations, and 

middle governing bodies in the fields of social welfare and 

justice ministries.  PHEWA also works to make the church more 

responsive to the needs of the excluded and suffering.



Alice Davis and Phil Jamison, co-moderators; Bob Gillespie, 

treasurer; Marge Marsh, secretary; Daniel Kendrick, at large 

member to the Executive Committee and PHEWA board; James Hicks, 

Annie Long, Dora Carrera, Marco Grimaldo, Lorna Jean Miller, 

Howard Warren, leadership team members.  Address: c/o PHEWA, Room 

3041, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396.





            Presbyterian Parents of Gays and Lesbians



       Caring for Each Other: A support group for parents. 

PPGL groups are being established on a nationwide basis. A web 

site and support telephone line offer help to parents and 

direction to those interested in organizing a PPGL support group 

in their specific locale. Identities of parent participants are 

closely guarded and meeting locations are not publicized. This 

nonprofit ministry welcomes and now includes parents, 

grandparents and siblings of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds. 

There are no dues or membership fees. PPGL is not involved in: 

political or social activism; professional guidance, counseling 

or therapy services; HIV/AIDS caregiving ministries; or efforts 

or ministries to elicit changes in sexual orientation. For more 

information, interested parents may call PPGL's support line at 

972-219-6063, or contact Margaret E. Gurecky, Director, PPGL, 

Inc., P.O. Box 600882, Dallas, TX 75360-0882, 972-436-5237; Board 

President: The Rev. Dr. Roger T. Quillin, 214-827-5521. -- PPGL 

press release, Jan. 1, 1999.





         Presbyterian Partnership of Conscience (P.P.C.)



P.P.C., a partnership project of MLP, That All May 

Freely Serve, the Witherspoon Society, Semper Reformanda, Voices 

of Sophia, the Stole Project, and friends, helps coordinate 

faithful action and statements of conscience and supports *pro 

bono* legal counsel in defense of individuals, congregations, and 

governing bodies targeted for judicial action in the courts of 

the church.  Contact Bear Ride, Coordinator, c/o United 

University Church, 817 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007, 213-

748-0209 ext. 13, fax 213-748-5521, bears@usc.edu





                      Presbyterian Welcome



"Inclusive Churches Working Together," Cliff Frasier, 

Coordinator, Jan Hus Church, 351 E. 74th St., New York, NY 10021, 

212-288-6743.





                        Semper Reformanda



Semper Reformanda (Always Being Reformed) is a network of groups 

and individuals within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) formed to 

share information and develop support on current issues of 

liberation, justice, and the integrity of creation.  We are 

called by God's spirit to renewed commitment to, understanding 

of, and witnessing for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, open to new 

expressions of our faith.  We welcome those who are committed to 

compassion, mutual respect, and continuing reformation, moving 

toward shalom.  Kenneth R. Smith, Moderator, 16240 N. Park Dr., 

#102, Southfield, MI 48075, 248-569-1223, 

bridgemasterken@msn.com; June Ramage Rogers, Vice Moderator, P.O. 

Box 23, Hanover, IN 47243-0023, 812-866-3334; John N. Gregg, 

Secretary/Communicator, 3443 E. Waterford Ave., St. Francis, WI 

53235, 414-486-9939, JGregg@aero.net; Mae Gautier, Treasurer, 

4242 Elmwood Rd., Cleveland, OH 44121, 216-691-9558.





             That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS)



TAMFS focuses on a national effort to give voice to those 

disenfranchised by the Church's policies toward ordination of 

lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons and to educate 

others regarding biblical and theological connections supporting 

full inclusion.  Contact the Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr, Lesbian 

Evangelist, P.O. Box 3707, San Rafael, CA 94912-3707, 415-457-

8004, 454-2564 fax, JanieSpahr@tamfs.org, website: 

http://www.tamfs.org



Send Contributions to: Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 

N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY 14614, 716-325-4000, -6023 fax.



TAMFS has local chapters around the country.  Two of them have 

called their own ministers of outreach and justice, the Rev. Don 

Stroud in Baltimore (TAMFS: Baltimore, 5828 York Rd., Baltimore, 

MD, 21212), and the Rev. Tom Hickok in Chicago.





                        Voices of Sophia



Voices of Sophia is a community of women and men in the 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that affirms feminist / womanist / 

mujerista theologies and seeks to be faithful to God's Spirit in 

our lives.  We call the church to reclaim the fullness of God's 

image, embrace the diversity of the world, work for justice and 

inclusiveness in church and society, and celebrate the voices and 

gifts of women.  Voices of Sophia sponsors national and regional 

gatherings, as well as an annual breakfast at General Assembly.  

Ecumenical partners are invited to join.  Membership is $20/year 

and includes the newsletter *Illuminations*.  Contact Voices of 

Sophia, 223 Choctaw Rd., Louisville, KY 40207, 

http://www.execware.com/vos/





                     The Witherspoon Society



The Witherspoon Society is a society of justice-seeking 

Presbyterians ... advocating for peace, justice, the integrity of 

creation, and the full inclusion of all God's people in church 

and society.



The Rev. Dr. Eugene TeSelle, president, The Divinity School, 

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, 615-297-2629 h., 322-

2773 w., Eugene_TeSelle.parti@ecunet.org



The Rev. Robb Gwaltney, vice president, 5303 Indian Woods Dr., 

Louisville, KY 40207-2079, 502-895-2079, 

Robb_Gwaltney.parti@ecunet.org



The Rev. Jean Rodenbough, secretary/communicator, 313 S. Market 

St., Madison, NC 27025, 910-548-6158 h., 

Jean_Rodenbough.parti@ecunet.org



The Rev. Hank Bremer, treasurer, 4355 Kenyon Ave., Los Angeles, 

CA 90066, 310-397-6916 h., 435-1804 w., 495-2223 fax, 

72066.543@compuserve.com



The Rev. Chris Iosso, issues analyst, 191 Revolutionary Rd., 

Scarborough, NY 10510, 914-944-8070 h., 941-1142 w., 

Christian_Iosso.parti@ecunet.org



The Rev. Tom Heger, membership coordinator, P.O. Box 1359, 

Manchaca, TX 78652, 512-282-7586 h., -6200 w., 

Tom_Heger.parti@ecunet.org



Ray and Betty Kersting, membership secretaries, 305 Loma Arisco, 

Santa Fe, NM 87501, 505-982-4548, 

Ray_and_Betty_Kersting.parti@ecunet.org



The Rev. Doug King, newsletter editor, 7833 Somerset Cir., 

Woodbury, MN 55125-2334, 612-731-4885 h., 

Don_King.parti@ecunet.org



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               MASTHEAD (Publication Information)



MORE LIGHT UPDATE, Volume 21, Number 1, September-October 2000.  

ISSN 0889-3985.  Published bimonthly by More Light Presbyterians 

(for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns), an 

organization of Ministers, Elders, Deacons, Members, 

Congregations and other Governing Bodies of the Presbyterian 

Church (U.S.A.).  Elder James D. Anderson, Editor, P.O. Box 38, 

New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038, 732-249-1016, 732-932-7501 (Rutgers 

University), fax 732-932-6916 (Rutgers University), Internet: 

JDA@mariner.rutgers.edu (or JDA@scils.rutgers.edu), DeWitt House 

206, 185 College Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901.  Printer: Ken 

Barta, Brunswick Typographic Inc.; Production Associate: Mario 

Alberto Aguilar Mejorada.  Electronic version available via 

email.



Email Discussion List: mlp-list@scils.rutgers.edu (To join, send 

email to: Majordomo@scils.rutgers.edu; in body of message put: 

subscribe mlp-list; to leave list, put: unsubscribe mlp-list.



MLP home page: http://www.mlp.org



Send materials marked "For publication" to the editor.  

PUBLICATION DEADLINES: 6 weeks prior to issue months.  Most 

material appearing in MORE LIGHT UPDATE is placed in the public 

domain.  With the exception of individual articles that carry 

their own copyright notice, articles may be freely copied or 

reprinted.  We ask only that MORE LIGHT UPDATE be credited and 

its address be given for those who might wish to contact us.  

Suggested annual membership contribution to MLP: $50.00.  Annual 

subscription (included in membership) to MORE LIGHT UPDATE: 

$18.00.



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corrected version 8-13-2000.