* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
General Assembly 2000: Prologue & Highlights. Court Cases. Marriage. Ordination Candidates. Soulforce. Remembering Our Roots: What the Bible Says. On the Road with MLP Field Organizer. Youth. Seminarians Conference. Activists' Award. Celebrating and Saying Goodbye. Churches. Events. Contacts.
OUR NATIONAL FIELD ORGANIZER: On the Road with Michael AdeeMLP National Field Organizer
YOUTH: Supporting LGBT Youth, By Brian Cave, MLP Liaison for Youth Concerns
SEMINARIANS:
Called Out -- Great Seminarians Conference, by
Marilyn Nash
And a Call for Planning -- From Johanna Bos
Lisa-Week at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary!
MLP PEOPLE Celebrating Local MLP Activists: Peg and Doug Atkins
OUR CHURCHES: A church in transition, Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, Maryland, by Luke Mines (DELAYED IN PRINT VERSION)
PARENTS: Presbyterian Parents of Gays and Lesbians Select New Leaders (DELAYED IN PRINT VERSION)
SAYING GOODBYE: Thanking God for These Mighty Partners in Faith --
Remembering Them and Celebrating Their Gifts (DELAYED IN
PRINT VERSION)
Robert Hasek, by Chris Glaser, Jeanne Welles, Lew Myrick
George Buse, Louis Weisberg
Vin Harwell, by Wilmington *News Journal*, Jeffrey K.
Krehbiel, Ralph Carter:
WOW 2000: "Homosexuality Is Compatible with Christian Teaching,"
Welcoming Churches Proclaim (NOT IN PRINT VERSION)
WOW 2000 Scholarships: MLP Offers 20 Scholarships for WOW
2000 Conference (NOT IN PRINT VERSION)
MORE EVENTS (NOT IN PRINT VERSION)
FEATURE STORIES
212th General Assembly 2000: The Prologue
CONTACT INFO
MLP OFFICERS
MLP Board of Directors
MLP National Liaisons
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)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*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.
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Marco Grimaldo, liaison for VIRGINIA and new member of the MLP Board, has a new address and phone: Marco A. Grimaldo, PO Box 53208, Washington, D.C. 20009-9998, 202-607-7629, mgrimaldo@earthlink.net New address, phone, and email for COLORADO liaison: Laurene Lafontaine, 520 S. Grant St., #2, Denver, CO 80209, 303-282-5573, lafden@uswest.net Drop Tricia Dykers Koenig from OHIO liaison listing. Drop from CALIFORNIA liaisons: Tony De La Rosa; Lisa Larges; Bill Moss. Add to CALIFORNIA liaisons: Gene Huff, 658 25th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94121, 415-668-1145, genehuff@pacbell.net Add second email address for MLP DATABASE liaison: Dick Lundy, 5525 Timber Ln., Excelsior, MN 55331, 612-470-0093 h., dick_lundy@pcusa.org, DLundy@Spacestar.net New email address for board member: William H. (Bill) Moss -- WHMoss@excite.com New email address for EASTERN VIRGINIA liaison: Carol Bayma, Carol and Alice@gateway.net Revised listing for LOS RANCHOS (ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA) chapter: Linda A. Malcor, P.O. Box 749, Laguna Beach, CA 92656, 949-425-9979, Legend@malcor.com. Our meetings are usually on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Check our website at http://DRAGONLORDS.dragonfire.net/mlpoc.htm for details! New email for ARIZONA liaison: Rosemarie Wallace, 710 W. Los Lagos Vista Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210, 602-892-5255, forster@asu.edu Also, add to the ARIZONA listing: Kimberly Murman, 303 E. Patrician Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282, 480-967-2767, kmurman@worldnet.att.net New email address for MLP treasurer and OKLAHOMA liaison (state and chapter): John McNeese, John3317@home.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
More Light Presbyterians prepare to witness for equality and justice at the Millennium March on Washington, April 30, 2000 (photo provided by Michael Adee). **Please send us your photos!** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On the Road
with Michael Adee, MLP National Field Organizer
**Seminary outreach** is one of the priorities of my national field
organizing work. Our MLP seminary outreach project brought me to
Chicago for the annual LGBT Seminarians Conference hosted by
**Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS)** with participants from
**McCormick Seminary** in March and to **Princeton Seminary** in
April. Our own Marilyn Nash, doctoral student at CTS, graduate
of McCormick, served as a most capable co-chair of the LGBT
Seminarians Conference. I offered a workshop on "how to be a
more effective ally (for heterosexuals) and how to enlist and
nurture allies (for LGBT people)" in addition to participation in
the conference. It was great to be there with so many
Presbyterians.
**Princeton Seminary** held its BGLAD celebration and educational
programs in April. Sponsored by the LGBT/Allied student group at
Princeton, "Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian Awareness Days" included a
series of community forums, educational sessions, and an
inclusive worship service. I preached at that special worship
service, offered two programs, one on sexual ethics and
relationships, the second on what it means to be a "More Light
Presbyterian" Church. Ken Evers-Hood, M.Div. student and son of
MLP Chapter leaders Jean and John Martin in Grace Presbytery,
served as my host for the week. MLP Board Members Donna Riley
and Jim Anderson participated in BGLAD week. David Wall and his
family, along with Donna Riley, hosted a wonderful coffee and
dessert reception for MLP members in and around Princeton at
David's home.
In addition to providing education on seminary campuses, the
single most important experience for me is to meet with **LGBT
seminary students**. Clearly they are deserving of our support and
care as they faithfully discern and follow their call to ministry
from God, study so diligently, and dream for the day when the
PCUSA removes its anti-gay laws from our *Book of Order*. These MLP
Chapters, or LGBT/Allied Student Chapters, are absolutely
essential for all of our seminary campuses to provide education
and training for all students on LGBT concerns, pastoral care and
support for LGBT students, and to offer a voice for justice and
inclusion on each campus.
Visiting More Light Presbyterian Churches and organizing
city/regional MLP Chapters are the core of my work. Preaching at
**McKinley Presbyterian Church** in Champaign, IL, was a
privilege and delight. I also met with a group of committed
individuals, lay persons and clergy, LGBT and heterosexual, to
organize a brand new MLP Chapter for the Champaign/Urbana area.
Bill Capel and Tim Shea put that "Champaign Weekend" together.
Participation in the TAMFS (That All May Freely Serve) Conference
in Rochester was a great experience. I offered a
keynote/greetings to the group and co-facilitated a workshop with
Janie Spahr. It is clear that there is much work that MLP and
TAMFS is doing and can do together, all across the country.
Because of the most dedicated and capable leadership of Kay
Wroblewski and Ralph Carter, I met with two dozen people at **Third
Presbyterian Church** to organize and revitalize a MLP Chapter for
the Rochester area.
Other highlights of the time in Rochester included worship at **St.
Andrews Presbyterian Church** and the **Downtown United Presbyterian
Church**. In addition to the conference, I spent two days working
with Janie Spahr, Cliff Fraiser, and Don Stroud, of TAMFS. We are
clearly colleagues in ministry in this movement.
The **Triangle MLP Chapter** in North Carolina offered its Spring
Conference at **Westminster Presbyterian Church**, Durham. The
conference drew over 100 people from the Raleigh/Durham area as
well as Greensboro and Roanoke. The Chapter held a fundraising
reception prior to the Conference at the home of Elaine and Jim
Foster, which was a smashing success in every way. Rev. Brent
Bissette and Rev. Rebecca Reyes led our worship and brought us all
together with a very meaningful communion service. Guest
speakers at the Conference included Janie Spahr, Hal Porter
(former MLP Board Member and pastor emeritus, **Mt. Auburn
Presbyterian Church**, Cincinnati), and myself. It was an
extraordinary conference and weekend.
While in North Carolina, I spoke at the **Presbyterian Campus
Ministry** at North Carolina State University and to a special
Peace and Justice Forum on campus. Allen Proctor, Campus
Minister, arranged for both of those programs. Prior to worship
at **Church of the Reconciliation** in Chapel Hill on Sunday, I
joined a panel from the Triangle Chapter that met with an Adult
Christian Education class at **Westminster Presbyterian Church**,
Durham to discuss LGBT concerns and what it means to be a More
Light Presbyterian Church.
At the end of April I participated in the National PFLAG
(Parents, Friends, Families of Lesbians and Gays) Convention in
Arlington, VA and offered a MLP Educational Booth that was very
well received. It was heartening to see and meet so many
Presbyterians and MLP members who are involved in PFLAG. Kirsten
Kingdon, Elder, **New York Avenue Presbyterian Church**, DC, is the
Executive Director of National PFLAG.
While in DC, MLP with the help of Jonathan Mertz, **Church of the
Pilgrims**, hosted "Meditations on Faith and Justice" during the
**Millennium March on Washington** Weekend. Janie Spahr and I
offered that program with over 50 people participating from all
over the country. Marco Grimaldo was part of the coordinating
team from the Religious Roundtable to put together the National
Interfaith Service held later that day. Marco is MLP's national
representative to the Roundtable. Janie Spahr, Howard Warren,
Cliff Frasier, Don Stroud and I joined other religious leaders in
the processional and Patrick Evans brought his wonderful choir
that provided incredible music before and during the service.
**Westminster Presbyterian Church** hosted a "More Light" breakfast
celebration and special worship service with Sandy Brawders,
preaching. Co-pastors Ruth and Brian Hamilton, and the good
people of Westminster, were perfect hosts to the several dozen
Presbyterians in DC for the March. Ralph Carter, MLP Board
Member, and I presented a special recognition -- "A Vision of More
Light" framed print by Katie Morrison -- to Ruth and Brian, and
to Jeanne Mackenzie, pastor emeritus, to honor Westminster for being
a "More Light" Presbyterian Church.
So, for the months of March and April, as a sample of the field
work that your support enables me to do: I visited 5 states (IL,
NY, NJ, NC, VA) plus the District of Columbia, 2 seminaries, 7
churches, 6 of them "More Light" Churches; facilitated the
organizing of 2 MLP Chapters; attended 3 Conferences; preached 3
sermons; participated in 2 fundraising receptions; created and
staffed 1 educational booth; offered 8 workshops; and met with
several dozen seminary students, church members, clergy, MLP
Chapter leaders and college students. **I certainly could not do
this work without you and your faithful, generous ongoing
support.** Many thanks! -- with hope and grace, Michael.
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Supporting LGBT Youth
By Brian Cave, MLP Liaison for Youth Concerns
When youth "come out," do they feel that they can go to their
church for support? Fortunately, I was able to do so when I came
out in college, even though my church, Fort Hill Presbyterian, is
not a More Light church. Most youth are not able to do this. So
where do they go when they "come out"? Not church! Being 26
years old and active in the young gay community, I come across so
many youth that are anti-church and can't believe that I would
want to be a part of such an institution.
So I am working with Michael Adee to address the needs of LGBTQ
youth in our churches. We are looking at providing resources to
youth group leaders on how to deal with a youth "coming out,"
keeping LGBTQ youth in the church, and providing resources for
the straight youth that want to be more active being advocates
for LGBT people within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). When I say
youth I am meaning anyone from the ages of 15 to 25. So not only
are we looking to work with individual churches; we are also
looking to work with campus ministry programs. If your church or
campus ministry already has programs existing, please email me
the information to: ClemsonBC74@aol.com.
Michael and I are working on a three year plan and will need all
the resources and information we can get. Our biggest challenge
is going to be getting the information to the youth or youth
group leaders that really need and/or want the resources. So be
on the lookout in the future for more Youth Concerns information.
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Called Out -- Great Seminarians Conference
by Marilyn Nash, Ph.D., Chicago Theological Seminary
Conference Coordinator
"Called Out," the 9th annual national LGBTA conference, March 17-
19, 2000, was a huge success! Close to 100 persons gathered
together to celebrate the gifts and faith journeys of those in
seminary, in ministry and in allied support of our lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgendered and allied seminarians. The two-and-a-
half-day conference began with a friday evening worship service
filled with the mighty presence of God's spirit. The opening
worship preacher, Horace Griffin, Professor, Seabury Seminary,
extended an invitation for all to hear God's call and to come out
of the wilderness into the holy love of ministry. Erin Swenson,
Presbyterian Family Therapist (and MLP's liaison for transgender
concerns), also shared a truly inclusive table of Eucharist with
everyone. The Rev. Janie Spahr, Presbyterian Evangelist and the
conference keynote speaker, gave a presentation on Saturday
morning that powerfully witnessed to God's all inclusive love.
Janie's message called each of the conference attendees into a
deeper and more powerful faith journey of trust and community.
Presbyterians were present and visible throughout the entire
weekend. Michael Adee, MLP Field Organizer, shared a workshop on
"Building Coalitions." Martha Juillerat, Director of the Shower
of Stoles Project, participated in the Saturday afternoon panel
presentation "M.Div., Now What? -- Non-Parish Ministries."
Martha also shared the gift of displaying the Shower of Stoles
throughout the Chicago Theological Seminary. Along with Martha
Juillerat, many others spoke on the panel, including Erin
Swenson, Stu Smith, Director of Cafe Pride and Parish Associate,
Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago. On Saturday evening,
the Rev. Justin Tanis, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches (UFMCC), shared a transformative and spiritual
message, "Transgendered Gifts," during our evening meal. Several
Presbyterian organizations also gave generous gifts in support
of the conference, making several meals and honoraria possible.
Thanks go to TAMFS National and TAMFS Chicago as well as MLP
Chicago Chapter.
Attendees for the conference came from such states as California,
Georgia, Indiana,, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico,
Virginia and the District of Columbia. Denominations
represented included not only Presbyterians, but also United
Church of Christ, Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Mennonite,
UFMCC, Unitarian Universalist and United Methodist faith
traditions. For the second consecutive year, the conference was
able to accomplish the important goal of involving many of the
Hyde Park / Chicago seminaries, including Chicago Theological
Seminary, Meadville Lombard School of Theology, McCormick
Theological Seminary, the Lutheran School of Theology, Seabury
Seminary and Garrett Theological Seminary.
An incredible weekend was had by all. God's inclusive love was
made visible throughout the LGBTA Seminarians Conference. Thanks
to the many of you who through your prayers supported all those
who attended the weekend event.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And a Call for Planning --
From Johanna Bos, MLP Liaison for seminary and campus chapters --
With so much going on in different places, it seems an
appropriate time to do some planning for a time when we can meet
together with anyone who can come from the seminaries where
groups have formed around More Light concerns. My suggestion is
to have a joint meeting in the spring of 2001, to be hosted by
More Light at LPTS here in Louisville. We will provide housing
and food. People would need to finance their transportation
somehow. (A great opportunity for More Light Congregations to
sponsor someone!) This meeting would take the shape of a
consultation rather than a conference. The agenda for the
consultation would be set jointly and arise out of shared
questions and concerns. Anyone interested?
Lisa-Week at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary!
Our week with Lisa Larges (MLP Board member) here at LPTS was a
resounding success. Lisa did an outstanding job, preaching in
chapel, giving a lunch presentation, and making herself available
for conversation on the campus. It was delightful and
informative to have her here. Central Presbyterian Church, the
More Light Church in our Presbytery (formerly Louisville
Presbytery, now Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky), co-hosted the events
during Lisa's visit. A coordinating committee worked since
January to organize Lisa-week. This committee had
representatives from More Light at LPTS, from Central
Presbyterian Church, from Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church, and
from the GA offices at Witherspoon Street in Louisville. Carrie
Klinge and Johanna Bos facilitated the meetings and raised the
necessary funds.
Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make Lisa's presence with
us a reality. -- Johanna.
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Celebrating Local MLP Activists
Peg and Doug Atkins
St. Louis Metro PFLAG is pleased to announce the Art and Marian
Wirth Award will be given to Doug and Peg Atkins at our June
17th meeting. The award is given each year to a PFLAG member or
couple who have made significant contributions to the
organization over the past year in our mission of support,
education and advocacy of gay and lesbian civil rights. Doug and
Peg Atkins are long standing residents of Kirkwood and have been
most active in a variety of religious organizations and
committees dealing with gay and lesbian issues and AIDS issues in
the Presbyterian Church, including founding members of the
National Presbyterian AIDS Network and the St. Louis AIDS
Interfaith Network Funeral Assistance Committee. They are active
members of Other Sheep, Multicultural Ministries with Sexual
Minorities and PREP, The Privacy Rights Education Project. This
past year they have been working with a committee at PFLAG to
find ways to reach out to our minority communities here in St.
Louis.
Doug and Peg's son Thomas died of AIDS at age 23 in 1987, telling
his parents only ten days before his death that he had AIDS and
was gay. They have taken this tragic loss and made it meaningful
by their affiliation with PFLAG and their tireless work in the
area of AIDS awareness within the faith community and their work
to make the Presbyterian Church welcoming to gays and lesbians.
Their many years of activism reflect the values of our chapter
founders Art and Marian Wirth in whose honor this award is named.
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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 type 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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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, Calif.; Raleigh, N.C., Bellevue, Wash.;
Albany/Watervliet, N.Y.; Norwalk, Conn.; Johnson City, Tenn.; and
Bend, Ore. Grandparents and siblings are also welcome in support
groups.
Margaret E. Gurecky, a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in
Flower Mound, Texas, is the organization's director. More
information about the ministry of PPGL is available by calling
972-219-6063 or by visiting PPGL's website at
.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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 Cincinnati 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 booksigning
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.
[BOX FOR CHRIS: Chris Glaser will be preaching at the 10 a.m.
service at First Congregational Church of Long Beach on June 25.
He will be doing a book-signing in the GA Exhibition Hall from
11:30 am to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday June 27.]
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 -- aways.
Being with Bob Hasek, especially at a General Assembly, was fun.
Even thought 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 because 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
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.
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George Buse
George was a member of PLGC from the very beginning.
Here are some quotes 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.
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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 publically 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 thru 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.
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"Homosexuality Is Compatible with Christian Teaching,"
Welcoming Churches Proclaim
WOW2000 To Be the Largest Ecumenical Gathering and
Celebration of Christians Working for the Inclusion of
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons in
Church and Society
Chicago. -- Over one thousand people are expected to assemble for
the largest ecumenical gathering of welcoming churches and
individuals ever held -- Witness our Welcome 2000: God's Promise Is
for You (WOW2000). This historic event will be taking place
August 3-6 in DeKalb, IL, at Northern Illinois University just
outside Chicago, proclaiming that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender (GLBT) people are made in God's image, and are part
of the goodness of God's diverse Creation.
The purpose of the event is to celebrate the progress of
welcoming congregations and inspire even greater outreach to
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender persons and their families.
WOW2000 will be a place where GLBT persons of faith, their
families, and allies, can find affirmation and support for their
faith journey. Individuals and representatives from all churches
considering outreach to GLBT persons are welcome and encouraged
to attend. Registration materials are now available, and hundreds
of people have already registered.
"The Welcoming Church Movement is changing the way Christians
think about the inclusion of GLBT people in the church," declared
Jacki Belile, WOW2000 chairperson. "WOW2000 will counter the
too-often-heard Christian voices condemning GLBT people and
instead publicly demonstrate God's all-embracing love and
justice."
Among the speakers who are participating in at WOW2000 are Rev.
Janie Spahr, an openly lesbian Presbyterian minister and founder
of "That All May Freely Serve"; Rev. Jimmy Creech, who was
defrocked by the United Methodist Church for performing a union
ceremony for two men; Rev. John Selders, an ordained minister in
the United Church of Christ and coordinator for the Urban
Leadership Project of The Night Ministry of Chicago; Rev. Dr.
Gwynne Guibord, the chief ecumenical officer for Universal
Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; and many more.
Two recent announcements illustrate the breadth of the Welcoming
Church Movement and the understanding that homosexuality is NOT
incompatible with Christian teaching: 1) The PCJ, the highest
court in the Presbyterian Church (USA) decided that a gay man may
be an ordination candidate and that ministers may bless same sex
unions; and, 2) The Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America approved a Resolution calling for the
Recognition and Blessing of same sex relationships.
"There are more than a thousand churches all across the United
States and Canada that embrace and welcome GLBT people, their
families, and allies," stated Mark Bowman, Executive Director of
the WOW2000 Conference. "There are thousands of Christians in all
denominations, who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and
straight, of all colors, races, creeds, and abilities, who
believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us love,
compassion, and acceptance of the marginalized. The conference is
designed to celebrate the power of the Welcoming Church movement
at a time when our visibility is increasing."
To register, or for more information about sponsoring
organizations, see http://www.wow2k.org, or call 800-318-5581.
Learn how your organization or group can support or be visible at
WOW2000, or how you can support us with a financial gift or as a
volunteer. http://www.wow2k.org/Support.asp
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WOW 2000 Scholarships
MLP Offers 20 Scholarships for WOW 2000 Conference
Good News!
Your More Light Presbyterians Board of Directors is offering 10
$100 scholarships to Presbyterian Seminary Students and 10 $100
scholarships to MLP adult and youth members involved in their
local MLP Chapter or church -- to make it possible for these 20
people to participate in the WOW 2000 Conference, August 3-6,
Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL.
Witness Our Welcome 2000 is the historic, ecumenical gathering of
welcoming churches from the USA and Canada. Check out the website
for more information and to register for
the conference, or call 800-318-5581, or by email at
WOW2000Conf@aol.com.
To apply for one of the 20 $100 MLP Scholarships to attend WOW
2000 (10 to Presbyterian Seminary students and 10 to adults/youth
active in local MLP chapters or churches), send a brief letter of
application to Michael J. Adee, MLP National Field Organizer. You
can use email - MichaelAdee@aol.com or regular mail to his
attention at 369 Montezuma Avenue #447, Santa Fe, NM 87501.
To receive the $100 scholarship payment one must be registered
for WOW 2000.
Review of scholarship application letters will begin on May 1,
2000 and will be completed when the 20 qualified persons are
accepted for scholarship.
Please send this URL around and share this
information with your friends, church, MLP Chapter, Seminary
Chapter, etc. since not everyone has access to email or is on-
line.
Note that there are early registration discounts for WOW 2000:
Adult -- $190 May 6-July 7, $210 after July 7. Youth/Student/Low
Income -- $120 May 6-July 7; $140 after July 7. Child (12 and
under) $50.
Conference registration includes full program and all meals.
Housing on campus is $25/night double room with common bath;
$40/night double room with semi-private bath; and $40/night
single room with common bath.
Airport Shuttles from/to Chicago Airports on Thursday, 8/3 and on
Sunday afternoon, 8/6 are $5.00 each way.
Should you be a Seminary Student or local MLP member needing and
desiring financial assistance to attend WOW 2000, apply for a MLP
Scholarship today!
If you have any questions about the scholarships, about WOW, MLP
at WOW, call me at 505-820-7082 or contact me by email,
MichaelAdee@aol.com -- for peace and justice, Michael (Michael J.
Adee, M.Div.,Ph.D., National Field Organizer, More Light
Presbyterians, 369 Montezuma Avenue #447, Santa Fe, NM 87501,
505-820-7082, MichaelAdee@aol.com).
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Annual More Light Conference 2000
Hey, all you loyal fans of the annual More Light Conference!
WOW2000 *is* the More Light Conference for the year 2000. We are
joining together with all our friends from nine other
denominations. So do plan on joining us at WOW2000! (See
stories just above!)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
July 23-30, 2000. 28th Annual Workshop on Sexuality. Led by William Stayton, Brian McNaught, Pamela Wilson, Carol Dopp, Dick Cross, Alison Deming. Designed to increase awareness and understanding of one's own sexuality and that of others, explore models of sexual health, and increase the confidence and competence of professionals in areas of sexuality and diversity education. Includes 5-day Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) followed by a day of skill-building workshops. Co-Sponsored by the Center for Sexuality & Religion. Held at Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center, 2495 Fox Gap Rd., Bangor, PA 18013- 9359, 610-588-1793, fax 610-588-8510, www.kirkridge.org. For more information or to register, contact coordinator Carol Dopp, P.O. Box 3158, Oakton, VA 22124, 703-532-3702, www.sexualityworkshop.com August 3-6, 2000. **Witness Our Welcome 2000: God's Promise Is For You!** WOW2000, an international conference for Christian congregations which welcome people of all sexual orientations or seek to be more intentional in their outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered persons and their families. At Northern Illinois University, an hour outside Chicago. Featuring worship, renowned speakers, workshops and entertainment. For more info., call 1-800-318-5581 or check www.wow2k.org. 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. October 6-8, 2000, Friday-Sunday. MLP Board meeting, Austin, TX. 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 8-12, 2000, Wednesday-Sunday, Janie Spahr visits Presbyterian Promise, Presbytery of Southern New England. May 25-27, 2001, Friday-Sunday. Annual More Light Conference, Austin, TX. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
212th General Assembly 2000
The Prologue
This *Update* was mostly prepared *before* the 212th General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) actually met at
the end of June in Long Beach, California. But we saved out
the center four pages for all the highlights, to be prepared just
after the assembly.
So here we focus on the prologue, the preparation, the build-up
to the assembly -- and there is plenty to focus on! -- recent
decisions of the church's highest court on gay marriage and
openly-gay candidates for ordination plus plans by Soulforce to
visit and witness at the assembly. For a summary of major G.A.
events and some of the overtures on LGBT marriage, ordination,
inclusive ministry and membership see the G.A. story in the
previous *Update* (May-June 2000, p. 18-22).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here is the Presbyterian News Service story on the two decisions
by our highest court, the Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of
the General Assembly. These decisions can not be appealed, but
new actions by the General Assembly could overturn them. We
print the actual decisions later in this issue!
PJC Says Gay Man May Be Ordination Candidate,
Ministers May Bless Same-Sex Unions
Panel delays decision whether Vermont church
can defy ordination standards
by Alexa Smith
Louisville, KY, 24 May 2000. -- The highest court in the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has ruled that PCUSA ministers may
perform same-sex union services as long as they are not confused
with marriage ceremonies, and that a church session may accept a
young gay man as a candidate for ministry.
A third case, dealing with a congregation in Burlington, VT,
that accepts gays and lesbians as full church members --
including ordaining them as church officers, despite a
constitutional provision that categorically forbids doing so --
was deferred until July.
Decisions of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission,
which met in Baltimore, MD, May 19-22, establish precedents for
cases in lower courts.
The three cases, all on appeal from the Synod of the Northeast, are
the first to reach the denomination's highest court that test a
controversial 1997 amendment to the constitution that sets strict
limits on the sexual behavior of church officers, gay or
straight.
Liberal groups have tried, unsuccessfully, to rescind article G-
6.0106b of the church's *Book of Order* since its passage in
1997. The current cases have been watched closely by both liberal
and conservative special-interest groups within the denomination
as both groups prepare political strategies for the 212th General
Assembly (GA) June 24-July 1 in Long Beach, CA. The GA is the
denomination's legislative body.
G-6.0106b -- commonly known as "Amendment B" -- requires that
ordained church officers either practice fidelity in marriage
between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.
"As you well know, faithful Presbyterian Christians have diverse
convictions on these matters," the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the
stated clerk of the denomination, and Elder Freda Gardner,
moderator of the 211th GA, wrote in a pastoral letter issued May
24 [printed below!]. They maintain that the judicial commission's
rulings are in keeping with present church policy.
"As we approach the 212th General Assembly, we hope you will hold
the whole church, and especially those who are troubled by these
decisions, in your prayers," Kirkpatrick and Gardner wrote. "The
theme of this assembly is drawn from Galatians 3, 'For all are
one in Christ.' Such a promise was good news not only for the
early church, but is also good news for the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) today as we seek to be faithful to Christ in the midst
of our diversity."
Same-Sex Ceremonies
The court upheld a synod PJC's decision to allow Hudson River
Presbytery to adopt a policy that permits sessions to allow
ministers to perform ceremonies of holy union, providing that the
action reflects "our understanding at this time that these
ceremonies do not constitute marriage as defined in the *Book of
Order*."
The PJC held that the presbytery was in order to allow sessions
to let ministers participate in services of blessing -- so long
as the services are not easily confused with marriage ceremonies.
It also instructed the presbytery to change the language of its
policy to distinguish more clearly between services of marriage
and of blessing.
Representatives of the presbytery told the court that they had
not developed criteria for differentiating between same-sex
unions and marriages.
Hudson River Presbytery's attorney, Sharon Davison, of New York
City, argued that the presbytery abided by existing
denominational policy established by the 1991 General Assembly,
on the counsel of its Advisory Committee on the Constitution.
That policy leaves it to pastors and sessions to decide whether
such rituals are appropriate -- and makes clear that such a
same-sex ceremony is not identical to Christian marriage, which
unites only a man and a woman.
"We accept the decision of the PJC, and we're not surprised by
it," said Harriet Sandmeir, the presbytery's stated clerk. She
said the case was about whether the presbytery had acted
properly, not about the actions of any particular church.
The case arose after a newspaper reported that a same-sex
ceremony had been performed at the South Presbyterian Church in
Dobbs Ferry, NY, in 1998.
In his arguments on Friday, Gordon Fish, who represented the
complainants, argued that the synod PJC's ruling that same-sex
unions do not constitute marriage is a "case of semantic hair-
splitting" and a "sham."
He urged the court to overturn it, insisting that there is a
single standard for sexual behavior for Christians: marriage
between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. Blessing
what the church historically has considered sinful, Fish said, is
unconstitutional. He claimed that that view is supported by both
the scriptures and the confessions.
Referring to the 1998 ceremony, he said the gay partners did not
propose holy union to each other, but marriage. "They didn't talk
about being holy-unioned, but about being married," he said.
"They didn't order a holy union cake, but a wedding cake."
Fish also pointed out that one of the officiating ministers
testified that the difference between the two ceremonies was not
clear to him.
Lead counsel Julius Poppinga was unavailable for comment at press
time. Fish took Poppinga's place before the court because
Poppinga was sick.
Candidacy for ordination
The PJC sustained a decision by West Jersey Presbytery to accept
an openly gay candidate for ministry who has said that he does
not intend to remain celibate. The court said G-6.0106b is to be
applied when an individual is considered for ordination -- not
candidacy for ordination -- especially when there is evidence
that the candidate is currently abiding by PCUSA standards for
sexual behavior of church officers.
That is essentially the argument that presbytery counsel John
Reisner, of Haddonfield, NJ, made before the 16-member PJC last
Friday. "As he presents himself, he cannot be ordained in the
PCUSA," Reisner said. "He knows that. The presbytery knows
that. However, candidacy is a process, and this candidate has
some hard decisions to make. This is a well-qualified candidate
for ministry in all respects but one."
Compliance with G-6.0106b is the only impediment to Van Keuren's
eligibility to seek a call, according to the Rev. Wendy Boer,
chair of the presbytery's Committee on Preparation for Ministry.
Van Keuren has completed seminary and passed his ordination
exams.
Reisner told the court there is precedent for Van Keuren's
candidacy, citing the LeTourneau case, in which the PJC upheld
Twin Cities Presbytery's decision to accept a lesbian candidate
while being forthright about PCUSA's prohibition of ordaining
practicing homosexuals.
The presbytery had no comment at press time.
Counsel for the complainants also was unavailable. However, the
Rev. John Sheldon, one of the 11 pastors who filed the appeal,
told the Presbyterian News Service: "We are obviously
disappointed, on the basis of this letter from Kirkpatrick's
office, that we lost the case. Not having received the decision,
we are eager to find out if there are any dissenting opinions. We
are thankful we had the opportunity to state our case before the
highest court in the church, and grateful that all through the
process, the presbytery, synod and General Assembly PJCs still
affirm that one who intends to participate in homosexual practice
may not be ordained."
Lead attorney Gary Griffith, of Ocean City, NJ, told the press
before the court issued its ruling that anyone who acknowledges
being a homosexual and intends to be sexually active is in
violation of the constitutional standards of the church. He asked
the court to overturn the decision of the synod PJC and strike
Van Keuren's name from the candidates' list, thereby bringing the
presbytery into compliance with the constitution.
He argued, however, that the case is less about homosexuality
than about fairness. "The [point] is ... Everybody is not getting
treated equally. This candidate has said, 'I can't meet the
standards.' Not only 'I can't,' but 'I'm not going to.' Let him
make those decisions as an inquirer."
"If everybody sets up their own standard for what is righteous or
not, that's anarchy and we can't have it," Griffith contended.
The Pastoral Letter
In their pastoral letter, the clerk and the moderator raise the
question, "What does all this mean for Presbyterians?"
Their answer: "In short, the PJC reaffirmed what has been the
consistent witness of the PCUSA on these matters in recent
years. It made clear that those to be ordained or installed to
church office are to practice 'fidelity in marriage and chastity
in singleness.' At the same time, it made clear this standard
does not apply to membership in the church (which is open to all
who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) or to the various
steps that might lead up to the call to ordained office.
"Concerning same-sex unions, the Judicial Commission made it
clear that the PCUSA does not support 'gay marriage' or the
blessing of any relationship between two persons of the same
gender that could be considered to be a marriage."
The letter points out that the Commission affirmed the provisions
of the *Directory for Worship*, which grants wide latitude to
sessions and pastors in "ordering the life of congregations and
providing services of blessing for people in a variety of
relationships, life situations and endeavors, including those
that might involve two persons of the same gender."
The Postponed Case
Having heard five cases in a day, the PJC said that, "because of
the high number of cases," it had not had time to reach a
decision on a case from the Presbytery of Northern New England
that challenges how much freedom a church or presbytery has to
dissent from a constitutional mandate.
The court said it will take up the case in July.
That case got under way when five sessions and 18 individuals
filed a complaint against the presbytery for rescinding an order
instructing Christ Presbyterian Church, of Burlington, VT, to
conform to G-6.0106b -- which the church's session still refused
(and still refuses) to do. The synod PJC upheld the complaint and
ordered the presbytery to "work pastorally" to bring Christ
Church into compliance, and also to register its disapproval of
churches that defy denominational policy.
The attorney for the presbytery, Peter Oddleifson, of Rochester,
NY, told the court that the presbytery is not being defiant,
but has discovered that Christ Church has a "valid and sacred"
ministry to the gay community.
"Inconsistencies in the *Book of Order* do exist," he argued,
"so this is an unresolved issue. ... It is irresponsible to
damage or destroy a congregation ... while a presbytery is
struggling with how to deal with a problem."
Oddleifson said G-6.0106b does not abrogate other parts of the
constitution that uphold freedom of the individual conscience and
members' right to ordain church leaders of their own choosing.
Fish countered by pointing out that there is a strong judicial
"track record" of holding that presbyteries do not have the right
to freely exercise of their own judgment when it contradicts
constitutional standards. Freedom of conscience, he said, does
not permit churches to "do as they please," and leadership is not
a given right of every church member. Further, Fish argued that
the presbytery is asking the PJC to change confessional
standards, which is beyond the judicial commission's authority.
Christ Church's pastor, the Rev. Rebecca Strader, said: "The plea
of Christ Church from the beginning of the case is that the
session is placed in a difficult dilemma, as is the presbytery,
by attempting to comply with and enforce our current constitution
in its entirety. The General Assembly Permanent Judicial
Commission is taking the needed time to decide a complex case,
and I appreciate their willingness to consider the dilemma
surrounding it."
Strader said the presbytery is trying to find "an alternative
pastoral response" to Christ Church rather than simply ordering
compliance.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Pastoral Letter to the Church
concerning the
Decisions of General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission
May 24, 2000
Dear Friends in Christ:
You will soon be reading in the secular and church related press
about the actions taken by the General Assembly Permanent
Judicial Commission on cases concerning ordination and human
sexuality and same sex unions. As your elected leaders, we want
you to hear first from us. These are issues around which there
are deep, and often conflicting, convictions among Presbyterians,
but it is important for all of us to understand the actual
decisions rendered by our Permanent Judicial Commission. It is
also important that we hold one another and our church in prayer
as we seek to be faithful to the biblical witness and the love of
Christ for all people.
There were a number of cases considered by the General Assembly
Permanent Judicial Commission this past weekend, but three of
them dealt with issues related to the church's position on
matters related to human sexuality. In remedial case 212-8
(Session, Londonderry Presbyterian Church v. Presbytery of
Northern New England) the issue was over the right of a
presbytery to concur with the request of one of its sessions for
an exemption from the constitutional requirements that no church
officers be ordained or installed who fail to live up to the
standard of "fidelity in marriage or chastity in singleness" (G-
6.0106b). Because of the high number of cases before this
session of the Permanent Judicial Commission, they did not have
time to reach a decision on this case but will do so at their
meeting in early July.
Remedial case 212-12 (John S. Sheldon, et. al. v. Presbytery of
West Jersey) asked the Judicial Commission to set aside an action
by the presbytery in which it approved a candidate for the
ministry who met the requirements for candidacy but who indicated
that he is a gay man who is currently celibate but who intends to
participate in a fully sexual way in a future monogamous same sex
relationship. The Permanent Judicial Commission sustained the
action of the presbytery, indicating that (as the presbytery
noted) the standard of "fidelity in marriage or chastity in
singleness" (G-6.0106b) is to be applied at the point that a
person is considered for ordination, not for candidacy,
especially when there is evidence that the candidate in question
is currently abiding by the standard of "chastity in singleness."
Remedial case 212-11 (Marc G. Benton, et. al. v. Presbytery of
Hudson River) deals with a challenge to the following policy
adopted by the presbytery: "that the Presbytery affirm the
freedom of any session to allow its ministers to perform
ceremonies of holy union (within or outside the confines of the
church sanctuary) between persons of the same gender, reflecting
our understanding at this time that these ceremonies do not
constitute marriage as defined in the *Book of Order*." The
Judicial Commission reaffirmed the 1991 authoritative
interpretation of the General Assembly that Christian marriage
can only be between a man and a woman and that no minister or
church building should be involved in a same sex union ceremony
that could be considered the same as a marriage ceremony. Based
on this interpretation, the Judicial Commission held that the
presbytery was in order in permitting sessions and ministers to
participate in services of blessing as long as these were clearly
not considered or easily confused with marriage ceremonies.
While affirming this right for the presbytery, the Judicial
Commission also instructed the presbytery to change the language
of its policy (quoted above) to make very clear the distinction
between marriage (which is between a man and a woman) and
blessing services that might apply to other relationships.
What does all this mean for Presbyterians? In short, the
Permanent Judicial Commission re-affirmed what has been the
consistent witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on these
matters in recent years. It made clear that those to be ordained
or installed to church office are to practice "fidelity in
marriage and chastity in singleness." At the same time, it made
clear that this standard does not apply to membership in the
church (which is open to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior) or to the various steps that might lead up to the call to
ordained office.
Concerning same sex unions, the Judicial Commission made it clear
that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) does not support "gay
marriage" or the blessing of any relationship between two persons
of the same gender that could be considered to be a marriage.
The Permanent Judicial Commission stated in its decision,
"Ministers and sessions should take special care to avoid any
confusion of such (same sex) services with services of Christian
marriage. Ministers should not appropriate specific liturgical
forms from services of Christian marriage or services recognizing
civil marriage in the conduct of such ceremonies. They should
also instruct same-sex couples that the service to be conducted
does not constitute a marriage ceremony and should not be held
out as such." At the same time, the Commission affirmed the
provisions of the *Directory for Worship*, which grants wide
latitude to sessions and their pastors in ordering the worship
life of congregations and in providing services of blessing for
people in a variety of relationships, life situations and
endeavors, including those that might involve two persons of the
same gender.
As you well know, faithful Presbyterian Christians have diverse
convictions on these matters. As we approach the 212th General
Assembly, we hope you will hold the whole church, and especially
those who are troubled by these decisions, in your prayers. The
theme of this assembly is drawn from Galatians 3, "For all are
one in Christ." Such a promise was good news not only for the
early church but is also good news for the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) today as we seek to be faithful to Christ in the midst
of our diversity.
May God continue to richly bless you, your ministry and the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). -- Yours in Christ, Freda Gardner
Moderator, 211th General Assembly; Clifton Kirkpatrick Stated
Clerk of the General Assembly.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
More Light Presbyterians & That All May Freely Serve
Respond to Recent PJC Decisions
May 24, 2000. More Light Presbyterians (MLP) and That All May
Freely Serve (TAMFS) today expressed their appreciation for the
work of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) concerning the full inclusion of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender persons in the life and ministry of the
denomination. The General Assembly PJC upheld the decisions of
the Synod of the Northeast in two cases, and postponed decision
in a third until further deliberation in July.
"We are grateful that the Permanent Judicial Commission is
affirming what we have always believed to be the best of our
Presbyterian form of government," said Scott Anderson, MLP Co-
Moderator. "Decisions about those who are called by God to serve
the church, or to enter into monogamous, lifelong covenantal
relationships, are best left in the hands of those who know
personally the individuals and faith communities involved."
"No new ground was broken in these decisions," commented Mitzi
Henderson, MLP Co-Moderator. "Rather, the PJC has reaffirmed
historic Presbyterian polity."
The first PJC decision grew out of a case from Hudson River
Presbytery concerning whether a regional governing body may allow
ministers and congregations to perform same-gender Holy Unions.
"The PJC has recognized that the Presbytery, in allowing these
Holy Unions, simply acted to affirm our denominational policy
that performing these covenantal ceremonies should be left in the
hands of local pastors and Sessions (i.e. congregational
governing boards)," said Henderson.
"Holy Unions in no way diminish the importance or value of
Christian marriage," said Anderson, an openly gay man and former
Presbyterian minister. "They are incredibly important for
Presbyterian same-gender couples who desire to make a lifelong,
monogamous commitment to each other before God; they bring these
couples within the loving support and accountability of the
Christian community."
The second PJC decision, focused on a case from the West Jersey
Presbytery concerning whether a regional governing body can allow
an openly gay person to begin preparation for ordained ministry.
"Clearly," said the Rev. Jane Spahr, National Evangelist for
TAMFS, "God is actively calling qualified lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender Presbyterians to ministry." The Presbytery of
West Jersey," added Virginia Davidson, TAMFS Co-Moderator,
"simply responded affirmatively to the work of the Holy Spirit.
We look forward to the day when all barriers are removed for
faithful, qualified Presbyterians to serve in leadership roles."
"More Light Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve eagerly
await the decision of the Burlington Church case in July," said
Anderson, "and we fully support the General Assembly PJC in
taking the time to help our church deal with the difficulties of
G60106b."
"The Presbyterian tent is big enough theologically for those who
both agree and disagree with these PJC decisions," remarked
Henderson. "As the church begins to consider the implications of
these cases, we express our continuing support for the mission
and ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA)."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And, from the Covenant Network of Presbyterians:
Permanent Judicial Commission Decides
Controversial Cases with Careful Decisions
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s highest court this week decided
two high-profile cases relating to the place of gay and lesbian
people in the life of the church, and postponed decision on a
third. The cases were all appeals of earlier decisions by the PJC
of the Synod of the Northeast.
The Permanent Judicial Commission of the church decided that an
openly gay man could properly continue in the process of training
for ordained ministry -- even as it acknowledged that he cannot
under present policy be ordained. It also let stand the present
policy which allows ministers to lead worship services
celebrating covenantal relationships for gay or lesbian couples -
- even as it reiterated that such services are not marriages. The
carefully nuanced decisions gained the unanimous support of the
judges, with one abstention.
Covenant Network leaders welcomed the decisions, while
emphasizing that they did not change existing church law.
The decision permitting a seminarian to continue "under care,"
said Laird Stuart, Pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church in San
Francisco and a Co-Moderator of Covenant Network, "focused
appropriately on the specific facts of the situation, and upheld
present policy without attempting to change it."
The case illustrates, however, exactly why Covenant Network
continues to work within the church to change the ordination
standard, he added. "The Presbytery of West Jersey, like many
others, sensed God's call to ministry on a particular candidate.
We continue to believe that God gives gifts for ministry to
individual Christians without regard to sexual orientation."
The decision in the Hudson River case continued the current
latitude for pastoral judgment in deciding on appropriate worship
services. Deborah Block, Pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church
in Milwaukee and Covenant Network's other Co-Moderator, said "The
decision leaves the responsibility for pastoral care and
congregational worship where it belongs -- with pastors and
sessions, clearly guided by our Confessions and by Reformed
practice."
"We do not see how arbitrary, outside rules can proscribe prayers
for blessing, healing, celebrating, or strengthening
relationships of many kinds," she added. "On the contrary,
helping congregations sense God's presence in their members'
lives is one of the principal pastoral functions of worship."
Attempts to place restrictions on these pastoral decisions were
defeated in the church's national legislative body, the General
Assembly, in 1993 and were voted down again in the presbyteries
in 1994. Three overtures that would clearly prohibit pastors from
performing "holy unions" will be considered by the 2000 General
Assembly, which meets in Long Beach, CA, June 24 to July 1.
Decision on the third highly anticipated case was postponed until
a special PJC meeting scheduled for early July. The case, from
the Presbytery of Northern New England, asked what latitude that
presbytery has in exercising oversight of Christ Church,
Burlington (VT), whose session said that the restrictions in G-
6.0106b ("Amendment B") conflicted with other parts of the *Book
of Order* and the *Confessions*.
Commenting on the tensions provoked by the various court cases,
the Co-Moderators renewed Covenant Network's invitation to others
in the church to seek a solution in open conversation rather than
judicial process. "The 'Unity in Diversity' conferences now
proceeding around the church, pastoral friendships bridging
theological differences, and cooperative ministries within the
presbyteries" all offer our best hope, said Dr. Stuart.
Since neither of the two cases changes current denominational
policy, the Co-Moderators pointed out, they should not interfere
with any congregation's ministry. Rather, they allow churches to
proceed in mission without the distractions of judicial
processes.
"The adversarial system is not the best place to listen to each
other," added Dr. Block. "We hope that Presbyterians will
continue to honor each others' ministries and witness, as we
continue to seek together a resolution to the differences that
sometimes obscure all that unites us in the Presbyterian Church."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Van Keuren Hopeful
Graham Van Keuren is the West Jersey Candidate for ministry. He
was quoted saying:
"I think it bodes well for the future of the church. I'm happy
that the presbytery found promise for me in the ministry and that
they were willing to go through the pretty difficult process in
defending me."
"Van Keuren, 27, said he has not changed his decision to be in a
same-sex relationship while wanting to become a minister. He said
he is currently celibate but would have a sexual relationship
with a monogamous partner." -- From The Associated Press, as
printed in *The Times of Trenton*, NJ, May 26, 2000.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And now, after all this interpretation, here are the actual PJC
Decisions!
Holy Unions versus Gay Marriage
THE PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
REMEDIAL CASE 212-11
DECISION
MARC G. BENTON, et.al., Complainants/Appellants
v.
THE PRESBYTERY OF HUDSON RIVER, Respondent
This remedial case comes before the Commission on appeal by Marc
G. Benton and others (Appellants) from a decision by the
Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Northeast
(SPJC) dismissing Appellants' allegations that the Presbytery of
Hudson River (Presbytery) committed an irregularity in adopting
the following motion:
"... that the Presbytery affirm the freedom of any session
to allow its ministers to perform ceremonies of holy union
(within or outside the confines of the church sanctuary)
between persons of the same gender, reflecting our
understanding at this time that these ceremonies do not
constitute marriage as defined in the *Book of Order*."
The Permanent Judicial Commission finds that it has jurisdiction,
that Appellants have standing to appeal, that the appeal was
properly and timely filed, and that the appeal states one or more
grounds for appeal under D-8.0105.
HISTORY
Following the August 1998 publication of an article concerning a
same-sex holy union service at South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs
Ferry, New York (South Church), the Session of the Bethlehem
Presbyterian Church (Bethlehem Church), where Appellant Marc G.
Benton serves as pastor, wrote the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery
requesting that the Presbytery investigate, counsel, and as
necessary discipline the pastors and Session of South Church and
take steps to preclude any further such ceremonies there. At its
October 1998 meeting, the Presbytery Council appointed a Special
Administrative Review Committee to gather information concerning
the matters raised in the Bethlehem Church's letter. Following
meetings with both South Church and Bethlehem Church, the
committee presented its report to the Council on January 5, 1999.
The Council received the report, and recommended that dialogue
between the two churches continue. "In addition, in order to
provide clarity and leadership at this critical point in the
ongoing dialogue," the Council also passed the above-quoted
motion which is at issue in this case.
At the stated meeting of the Presbytery on January 30, 1999, the
Moderator of the Council presented the report of the Special
Administrative Review Committee, including the motion at issue.
The Presbytery approved the motion, and a written protest was
received.
Appellants initiated this remedial case against the Presbytery by
complaint dated April 13, 1999.
On August 23, 1999, Appellants' counsel submitted a formal
request, with supporting statements, for pretrial citations to
three witnesses (the clerk of session and two pastors of South
Church), along with a request for their production of certain
minutes, papers, and other effects from South Church. The
Executive Committee of the SPJC denied this request by letter
dated September 12, 1999, and the SPJC affirmed this ruling at
its meeting on October 7, 1999, with a written decision dated
October 11, 1999.
A trial was held November 4, 1999. Appellants renewed their
request for trial citations which the SPJC denied.
The SPJC concluded that Presbytery's motion of January 30, 1999,
did not constitute an irregularity, citing the testimony of those
present at the Presbytery meeting that the motion was not
intended to authorize same-sex marriages.
The SPJC further rejected Appellants' argument that existing
provisions of the Constitution prohibit same-sex ceremonies. The
SPJC concluded that the Constitution "does not address" these
ceremonies, and declined what it viewed as the invitation of the
Appellants to legislate by judicial fiat.
The SPJC also rejected Appellants' argument to extend existing
provisions of the Constitution to prohibit same-sex ceremonies,
again based upon its view that "the plain language of the motion
... states that it is not authorizing marriage ceremonies
between persons of the same sex."
The SPJC further concluded that the Presbytery motion did not
violate the constitutional injunction in W-4.9001 (sic W-4.9004)
that the Christian understanding of marriage is not to be
diminished. According to the SPJC, W-4.9004 "addresses additions
to the marriage ceremony and does not apply to ceremonies of
same-sex union." In addition, the SPJC rejected Appellants'
argument that the Presbytery's motion improperly authorizes
sessions to approve acts of worship that impermissibly simulate
Christian marriage or that are otherwise contrary to the
Constitution. According to the SPJC, Appellants did not carry
their burden of proving "that the Presbytery would not or could
not express its disapproval of such hypothetical session
actions."
Finally the SPJC rejected Appellants' argument that Presbytery
had improperly approved use of church property contrary to the
Constitution, based on its prior conclusion that the Constitution
"does not prohibit same-sex unions that are not the same as
marriage."
SPECIFICATIONS OF ERROR
The Appellants cited five specifications of error:
I. The SPJC erred in failing to rule that existing provisions of
the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the
effect thereof do not allow a presbytery to permit ministers to
solemnize (on or off) church property same-sex unions.
This specification is not sustained.
None of the provisions of the *Directory for Worship* upon which
Appellants rely prohibit the conduct of same-sex ceremonies that
are not the same as marriage ceremonies. Appellants cite 1.4001,
which provides that "[t]hose responsible for worship are to be
guided by the Holy Spirit speaking in Scripture, the historic
experience of the Church universal, the Reformed tradition, *The
Book of Confessions*, the needs and particular circumstances of the
worshiping community, as well as the provisions of the *Form of
Government* and this directory." "Guided" is a key word in this
provision; it emphasizes the balance that this very provision
commends to the church between order and liberty, including
pastoral attention and sensitivity to the needs and circumstances
of the faith community being served. Moreover, a positive warrant
for the application of worship in pastoral care is given in W-
6.000 and W-7.000.
This Commission concludes that ceremonies of "union" between
persons of the same sex are governed by the General Assembly's
Authoritative Interpretation of 1991. The Appellants argue that
since G-6.0106b is a foundational standard derived from the
Confessions, it should be applied to standards for worship as
well. This is unpersuasive. The plain language of G-6.0106b
speaks only to ordination. The adoption of G-6.0106b did nothing
to change the constitutional interpretation concerning worship
practices set out in the 1991 Authoritative Interpretation which
reads:
There is no mention in the *Book of Order* of same sex
unions (ceremonies). If a same sex ceremony were considered
to be the equivalent of a marriage ceremony between two
persons of the same sex, it would not be sanctioned under
the *Book of Order*. In section W-4.9001, Christian marriage
is specifically defined as:
[A] covenant through which a man and a woman are called to
live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In
a service of Christian marriage[,] a lifelong commitment is
made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed
and acknowledged by the community of faith.
Inasmuch as the session is responsible and accountable for
determination of the appropriate use of the church building
and facilities (G-10.0102n), it should not allow the use of
the church facilities for a same sex union ceremony that the
session determines to be the same as a marriage ceremony.
Likewise, since a Christian marriage performed in accordance
with the *Directory for Worship* can only involve a covenant
between a woman and a man, it would not be proper for a
minister of the Word and Sacrament to perform a same sex
union ceremony that the minister determines to be the same
as a marriage ceremony (Minutes, 1991, pp. 55, 57, 395).
II. The SPJC erred in its conclusion that because same-sex union
ceremonies are not specifically named in the Constitution as
disallowed, the SPJC could not rule that they are
constitutionally impermissible.
This specification is not sustained.
As phrased, this specification of error misconstrues the decision
of the SPJC. The SPJC did not reject the general principle that
it has jurisdiction to address the constitutionality of actions
that are not specifically named in the Constitution. In the
instant case, the SPJC simply chose not to extend the provisions
of the Constitution, and specifically G-6.0106b, beyond the
stated scope of applicability. For the reasons discussed under
Specification I above, that decision was not an irregularity.
III. The SPJC erred in its conclusion that the Christian
understanding of marriage is not impaired by ceremonies of same-
sex union.
This specification is sustained in part and not sustained in
part.
Both parties erred in applying the Authoritative Interpretation
categorically and without distinction. Said Authoritative
Interpretation clearly assumes that some same-sex ceremonies
could be the equivalent of a marriage ceremony, and therefore,
would contravene the *Book of Order*, and some might not. A
determinative distinction between a permissible same-sex ceremony
and a marriage ceremony is that the latter confers a new status
whereas the former blesses an existing relationship. The *Book of
Order* makes this theological distinction concerning marriage in
W-4.9004: "In the name of the triune God the minister shall
declare publicly that the woman and the man are now joined in
marriage." This and similar pronouncements declaring a new status
are to be reserved for services of marriage.
Because of this theological distinction, there should also be a
liturgical distinction in services blessing a same-sex
relationship. The 1991 General Assembly Authoritative
Interpretation leaves to the judgment of individual ministers and
sessions (if church property is to be utilized) whether to
conduct same-sex ceremonies. In exercising this judgment,
however, ministers and sessions should take special care to avoid
any confusion of such services with services of Christian
marriage. Ministers should not appropriate specific liturgical
forms from services of Christian marriage or services recognizing
civil marriage in the conduct of such ceremonies. They should
also instruct same-sex couples that the service to be conducted
does not constitute a marriage ceremony and should not be held
out as such.
Notwithstanding the above admonitions, the *Directory for Worship*
affirms the value of worship services in the practice of pastoral
care and gives great latitude to ministers and sessions in
addressing the pastoral care of members. A same-sex ceremony
celebrates a loving, caring, and committed relationship.
Therefore, it would be appropriate for this worship occasion to
be in the form and spirit of W-6.3010 and W-6.3011. Such a same-
sex ceremony does not bless any specific act, and this decision
should not be construed as an endorsement of homosexual conjugal
practice proscribed by the General Assembly.
Therefore it is our determination that the motion adopted by the
Presbytery is in error because it failed to distinguish between
permissible and impermissible same-sex ceremonies.
IV. The SPJC erred in refusing to permit Complainants/Appellants
to obtain and present evidence and testimony going to an issue at
the heart of the case, namely, whether the format, framework and
venue of a marriage or wedding in a worship service for a man and
a woman may properly be put to the purpose of solemnizing a same
sex union.
This specification is not sustained.
The focus of the Appellants' complaint was the action of the
Presbytery. It was not a remedial case against the Session of
South Church or a disciplinary case against its pastors. The SPJC
therefore properly concluded that the requested evidence was not
relevant.
V. The SPJC erred in failing to rule that the performance on
church property of same sex union ceremonies contravenes the
constitutional proscription against the use of property of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) contrary to the Constitution.
This specification is not sustained for the reasons discussed
under Specification 1.
ORDER
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that, insofar as the Presbytery's motion
failed to make the necessary distinction outlined in this
decision, the decision of the SPJC is reserved.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Presbytery send a copy of this
decision to all minister members and all sessions within the
Presbytery.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stated Clerk of the Synod of the
Northeast report this decision to the Synod at its first meeting
after receipt, that the Synod enter the full decision upon its
minutes, and that an excerpt from those minutes showing entry of
the decision be sent to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of
Hudson River report this decision to the Presbytery at its first
meeting after receipt, that the Presbytery enter the full
decision upon its minutes, and that an excerpt from those minutes
showing entry of the decision be sent to the Stated Clerk of the
General Assembly.
Dated this 22nd day of May 2000.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Openly Gay Candidates for Ordination
THE PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
REMEDIAL CASE 212-12
DECISION
JOHN S. SHELDON, et.al., Complainants/Appellants
v.
THE PRESBYTERY OF WEST JERSEY, Respondent/Appellee
This case comes before this Commission on appeal from a decision
of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the
Northeast (SPJC).
Pursuant to *Book of Order*, D-8.0301, this Commission finds that
it has jurisdiction, that the Complainants have standing to
appeal, that the appeal was properly and timely filed, and that
the appeal is in order.
HISTORY
On March 16, 1999, the Presbytery of West Jersey (Respondent)
took action to receive an individual (Candidate) as a candidate
for the ministry under care of Respondent. Prior to that date, in
the course of examination by Respondent, the Candidate, a gay man
who the record reflects is celibate, stated to the Respondent, "I
understand that I am called into a loving, same-sex monogamous
relationship" and "I intend to participate in a fully sexual way
in any future relationship."
This case arises from a complaint filed by the Complainants
against the Respondent with the SPJC on April 23, 1999. In their
complaint, the Complainants allege that the Respondent's action
to receive the Candidate was in contravention of the Constitution
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and/or was "erroneous," as
that term is used in D-2.0202a. Specifically, Complainants argued
that the Candidate should not have been advanced to candidacy
because he does not meet or is not prepared to meet certain
requirements to hold office, including G-6.0106 and G-6.0108.
The SPJC declined to sustain the complaint on the basis that,
while a candidate must be able to meet the Constitution's
standards for ordination as a condition of ordination, the
Respondent may receive an "inquirer who may still move into
compliance while being nurtured in the covenant relationship as a
candidate."
SPECIFICATION OF ERROR
There was one specification of error:
The SPJC erred in its interpretation of the Constitution in not
reversing the Respondent's decision to receive the Candidate as a
candidate for the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament,
because the Candidate's statement reveals that he is not prepared
to meet the requirements of G-6.0106a, G-6.0106b, and G-6.0108,
that he is determined to engage in and not repent of a practice
in violation of G-6.0106b and that he cannot give an affirmation
as required in G-14.0305.
This specification is not sustained.
G-6.0106 applies to "those called to exercise special functions
in the church -- deacons, elders, and ministers of the Word and
Sacrament." Because the Respondent has not yet conducted a final
assessment of the Candidate's readiness to begin ministry, this
provision is not applicable. [See Le Tourneau v. Presbytery of
Twin Cities Area (Minutes, 1993, 163) wherein a candidate not
currently eligible for ordination my remain a candidate under
care of presbytery until such time as the Committee on
Preparation for Ministry is satisfied that the candidate can be
properly certified as ready to receive a call.] Furthermore, the
evidence supports a determination that the Candidate has not
violated the standard of G-6.0106b.
G-6.0108b provides that in becoming a candidate one's "conscience
is captive to the Word of God as interpreted in the standards of
the church so long as he or she continues to seek or hold office
in [the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]. The decision as to whether
a person has departed from essentials of Reformed faith and
polity is made initially by the individual concerned but
ultimately becomes the responsibility of the governing body in
which he or she serves." The record reflects that there is
sufficient evidence for the Respondent to determine that the
Candidate is not in violation of G-6.0108b, including evidence
that the Candidate acknowledges the effect of his current intent
or his prospects for ordination.
G-14.0305 sets forth the candidacy process, whereby the Committee
on Preparation for Ministry confers with the inquirer and reviews
the evidence which indicates whether the inquirer is ready to
proceed to candidacy. Following a definite recommendation from
the committee, the presbytery acts on that recommendation. The
advancement of an inquirer to candidacy is clearly an action
delegated to the presbytery by the Constitution. In light of the
Candidate's acknowledged celibacy and other evidence in the
record reflecting his qualifications, we find that the
Respondent's determination that the Candidate was ready to
proceed to candidacy was reasonable. The Candidate was required
to answer affirmatively the four questions specified in
G-14.0305f. The record reflects that he so answered. Because, as
discussed above, the SPJC has properly determined that the
Candidate was not in violation of G-6.0106 or G-6.0108, there is
no evidence indicating that the Candidate's affirmative answers
to the questions were incorrect. However, if the Respondent
should determine the Candidate ineligible for candidacy at some
point in the future, the Respondent should remove the Candidate's
name from the roll of candidates, as provided in G-14.0312.
ORDER
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the decision of the SPJC be
affirmed.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stated Clerk of the Synod of the
Northeast report this decision to the Synod at its first meeting
after receipt, that the Synod enter the full decision upon its
minutes, and that an excerpt from those minutes showing entry of
the decision be sent to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of
West Jersey report this decision to the Presbytery at its first
meeting after receipt, that the Presbytery enter the full
decision upon its minutes, and that an excerpt from those minutes
showing entry of the decision be sent to the Stated Clerk of the
General Assembly.
Dated this 22nd day of May 2000.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Soulforce to Witness at General Assembly
First we present the call from Soulforce for folks to join their
witness at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly.
Then we present the response from MLP and TAMFS, followed by the
news story from Presbyterian News Service.
A Soulforce Alert
Civil Disobedience Planned for Presbyterian Assembly.
Join Soulforce Direct Action in Long Beach June 25.
Volunteers Needed for Arrest and Non-Arrest Tasks.
Sign-Up for Direct Action. http://www.soulforce.org/lbapp.html
Laguna Beach, CA, May 15. -- At its 212th General Assembly in
Long Beach, California, June 24-July 1, the 2.5 million member
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will debate (once again) the role of
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Christians in their
churches. Their current discriminatory policies exclude sexual
and gender minorities from ordination, marriage, and ministry.
At the opening Sunday morning service, June 25, 9:30 a.m., a
nonviolent Soulforce direct action will confront these unjust
policies before an estimated 15,000 Presbyterians gathering for
worship at the Long Beach Convention Center.
"This debate must end," explains the Rev. Dr. Mel White,
Soulforce Chairman. "These tragic and misinformed policies lead
to discrimination, suffering and even death. The Presbyterians,
like the United Methodists, have had three decades to do justice
for God's GLBT children. Our civil disobedience, June 25, is
planned to send a clear message to our Presbyterian sisters and
brothers that we cannot wait patiently any longer."
On May 10, in Cleveland, Ohio, 191 Soulforce volunteers were
arrested during a peaceful civil disobedience protesting United
Methodist anti-homosexual policies at their General Conference.
Gandhi's grandson, Arun, Martin Luther King's daughter, Yolanda,
leaders from the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s, and
hundreds of Soulforce volunteers from 24 states were present to
speak and act on behalf of equal rights for sexual and gender
minorities. Link for full coverage of Cleveland events:
http://www.soulforce.org/media.html.
Dignitaries planning to be present June 25 will be announced on
June 21st.
"We are inviting people of faith from across Southern California
and around the country to join us in this nonviolent act of
spiritual resistance," explains Jean Holsten, a Presbyterian
attorney who is a Co-Chair of the June 25 event. "We will be
training volunteers for this Sunday morning civil disobedience by
email, and in person on Saturday, June 24, or early Sunday
morning, June 25. You don't have to be arrested to take part in
this event but it would helpful if you are considering joining us
to sign up on line" -- http://www.soulforce.org/lbapp.html.
At the June 25 act of civil disobedience, Soulforce Presbyterians
will announce a follow-up plan to take their acts of "spiritual
resistance" to anti-GLBT congregations across the country. Gandhi
says, "It is as much our moral obligation NOT to cooperate with
evil as to cooperate with good." White adds, "Even while they've
called us 'sick' and 'sinful' we've played their organs, lead
their choirs, taught their Sunday School classes, and given our
tithes and offerings faithfully. Those days are over. By making
outcasts of sexual and gender minorities, the Presbyterians have
broken Christ's heart. We come in His name and for His sake to
help save the soul of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)."
There will be a half-day training in nonviolence, June 24, 9:00-
12 noon, for volunteers interested in being monitors on Sunday,
June 25 (or interested in knowing more about the Soulforce
approach to nonviolence) at a site in Long Beach to be announced.
Others can be trained in 90 minute sessions Saturday afternoon,
June 24: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. or Sunday morning, June 25, 7
a.m. For details, watch the Soulforce web page or call 949-455-
0999.
Contacts: The Rev. Dr. Mel White, Co-Founder, Soulforce, 949-455-
0999, RevMel@aol.com; Jean Holsten, Co-Chair, June 25 Event, 530-
758-6741, jaholsten@yahoo.com.
**About Soulforce**: Soulforce is an ecumenical people of faith
network committed to applying the principles of nonviolent
resistance as taught by Gandhi and King to the liberation of
sexual and gender minorities. Wherever you are on your own
"journey of faith" you are welcome to study and apply the
principles with us. -- Soulforce, Inc., P.O. Box 4467, Laguna
Beach, CA 92652, http://www.soulforce.org.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MLP & TAMFS Respond
More Light Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve
Respond to Soulforce Presence at General Assembly
Press Release, May 21, 2000.
In response to the recent announcement that Soulforce will be
present at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly
meeting in Long Beach, CA, in June, the boards of More Light
Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve issued the following
joint statement:
"We understand that Soulforce is an ecumenical and interfaith
organization with an absolute commitment to non-violence in the
tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. We
appreciate that the ultimate goal of Soulforce is to encourage
the conversion of hearts and minds to the end that individuals
and communities of faith will affirm and celebrate God's love for
all people, without distinction of race, class, gender, sexual
orientation, or other worldly condition. With Soulforce we affirm
that any action of any denomination that demeans and
discriminates against an entire class of people affects the
entire Christian family, and indeed, society as a whole. As
Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote so eloquently from his Birmingham
jail cell,
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are
caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a
single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly
affects all indirectly.
The More Light movement in its different forms has labored
within the Presbyterian Church since 1974 and continues to work
toward the same ultimate goal as the Soulforce community: the
full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons
in church and society. While the boards of More Light
Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve are not Soulforce
sponsors at General Assembly, we commit our wholehearted support
to those individual Presbyterians who, in good conscience, choose
to participate in the anticipated non-violent Soulforce witness.
In the same way we offer our continued full support to individual
Presbyterians who, in faith, choose other peaceful methods of
advocacy and witness to change our denomination's present unjust
and discriminatory policies against God's gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender children. -- Scott Anderson Co-Moderator, More
Light Presbyterians; Mitzi Henderson Co-Moderator, More Light
Presbyterians; Jane Adams Spahr, National Evangelist, That All
May Freely Serve; Virginia Davidson Co-Chair, That All May Freely
Serve.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And, from the Presbyterian News Service:
Gay Activists Plan Protest at General Assembly
Soulforce group demands equal recognition for homosexuals in PCUSA
by Evan Silverstein
Louisville, KY, May 24, 2000. -- As Presbyterian commissioners
and guests gather for opening worship at next month's 212th
General Assembly (GA) in Long Beach, CA, members of an
ecumenical gay-rights organization will assemble outside to
protest Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) policies on homosexuality.
The non-violent demonstration outside the Long Beach Convention
Center, scheduled for June 25, is being organized by Soulforce, a
coalition of gay, lesbian and transgendered people and
heterosexuals from a variety of faith backgrounds, including
Presbyterians. The group is pushing the PCUSA and other
mainline denominations to fully accept sexual minorities in the
life of the church.
"We are there to say, 'There's an injustice being done, and we'll
pay the price to show you how serious we are in getting that
injustice undone,'" said the Rev. Mel White, a Soulforce co-
founder and gay minister of the predominately gay and lesbian
Metropolitan Community Church. "They have simply made us second-
class citizens. They allow us to come and pay our tithe, but we're
not really welcome in the Presbyterian Church."
Current PCUSA policy bars sexually active gay members from
being ordained as church officers. Soulforce hopes to chip away
at that and other church policies by blocking a convention-center
entrance during services scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Earlier
this month Soulforce staged a peaceful rally during the United
Methodist General Convention in Cleveland, and more than 200 of
its members were arrested.
"We're done with the debates; those aren't working," said Jean
Holsten, a Presbyterian attorney from Davis, Calif., who is co-
chair of the group planning the demonstration. "The minds and
hearts and souls aren't being changed in that. So we want to be
standing as a witness to the truth that we see, which is that
God's table is fully inclusive."
White said about 100 Soulforce members will assemble in front of
the Convention Center at 8:30 a.m. on June 25 to invite GA
delegates to attend worship at nearby First Congregational
Church, a United Church of Christ facility that will host
services sponsored by Soulforce. [Later information indicates
that this may not be the case. -- JDA]
At 10:30 that morning, participants in the demonstration will
march from First Congregational Church to the convention center,
where White said members will "take our stand to say to the folks
inside, 'God's spirit can't remain where all God's children aren't
welcome.'"
White said the activists will wear T-shirts with printed messages
saying, "We are God's children, too. This debate must end," and
"Stop spiritual violence."
"This will be totally non-violent, totally silent, totally non-
disruptive," he said.
The GA has been center-stage for protesters before, although most
past efforts were led by dissenting Presbyterians. The most
recent example is a protest two years ago, in Charlotte, NC, by
supporters of the National Network of Presbyterian College Women.
In Albuquerque, NM, in 1996, a brief demonstration followed the
adoption of G-6.0106b, which requires of church officers either
chastity in singleness or fidelity in marriage (defined as
between a man and a woman), and requires officers to repent of
any self-acknowledged sin that is listed in the church's *Book of
Confessions*.
"There's been a long and kind of cherished tradition of the
Presbyterian Church that people are allowed to express opinion,"
said the denomination's stated clerk, the Rev. Clifton
Kirkpatrick. "There's always folks outside the General Assembly
passing out brochures expressing opinion of one sort or another.
And we have had other times in which there's been expressions even
in the hall itself."
But don't look for Soulforce members to take to the Assembly
floor, despite reports that some members disrupted the Methodist
proceedings in Cleveland -- a charge that Soulforce officials
adamantly deny.
"We don't do interruptions. ... We don't believe in blockades,"
White said. "We don't believe in noisy processions. What we do is
very quiet and very symbolic. We don't believe in disrupting. We
don't believe in going in. We're trying to win minds and hearts.
What good would that do if we disrupted?"
Soulforce officials compare their movement for inclusion of gays
and lesbians to the civil-rights movement of the 1960s, and say
they conduct themselves in the manner of the Rev. Martin Luther
King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi.
Kirkpatrick said church officials have not discussed the
scheduled protest or decided how they will respond, but said he
hopes no added security measures will be necessary.
"We hope that if Soulforce feels it's important to engage in
civil-disobedience action ... that a way can be found that
enables them to express their issue of conscience through that
without ... disrupting the worship of the General Assembly or its
life," Kirkpatrick said. "At least from the experience of the
United Methodist (assembly) and others, I'm confident that can
happen."
Presbyterian-related groups reaching out to gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgendered people have applauded Soulforce and
its agenda. More Light Presbyterians and a group named "That All
May Freely Serve" said in a joint statement, "We appreciate that
the ultimate goal of Soulforce is to encourage the conversion of
hearts and minds, to the end that individuals and communities of
faith will affirm and celebrate God's love for all people."
Members of the two organizations, which are not sponsors of the
event, said standing with Soulforce is a matter of conscience,
and every person in the church must decide whether to participate
and how to choose the best means of combating anti-homosexual
discrimination.
"We are inviting people as a matter of their own conscience to do
what they want to do," said the Rev. Jane Spahr, a minister with
"That All May Freely Serve" who has acknowledged being a lesbian.
"I'm hoping that this is not just about lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered people. This is about oppression. It's about second-
class citizenship. It's about not inviting our own children and
grandchildren into leadership. For a church to have this as a
rule, it's so painful to me. It's like, let the stones cry out."
Spahr said she plans to participate in the Soulforce protest.
One member of More Light Presbyterians said he's undecided.
"I think the goals of Soulforce are admirable," said Scott
Anderson, a co-moderator of the group. "There's a long history in
the religious community of civil disobedience on moral grounds,
on non-violence. I really respect that mode, but it has not been
my personal journey."
He said he believes people's acceptance of gays and lesbians must
come about through a "conversion" that grows out of "getting to
know them, witnessing first-hand the integrity of their Christian
faith, and ... that's been sort of my focus."
As in Cleveland, Soulforce will follow a carefully scripted plan
in Long Beach. Representatives are taking part in talks with
local police and convention center officials. Cleveland officials
said the process worked well.
"We knew what was coming," said Lt. Sharon MacKay, a public-
information officer with the Cleveland police. "We had an
approximate number. They were very up-front with us, very
forthcoming with information, and they were no problem at the
time they staged their demonstration. They were no problem during
the arrests. There were essentially no problems at all. It went
very, very well."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And finally, we conclude this GA prologue with a the opening
lines from Leslie Scanlon, the *Presbyterian Outlook*'s
Louisville Reporter, in her "212th General Assembly Preview:
With both sides prepared for the struggle, homosexuality issues
will take center stage."
"Yes, the 212th General Assembly may decide to put off until next
year another painful vote on whether the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) should ordain gays and lesbians.
"But at this point, that's sort of like trying to pour water into
just a corner of the bathtub. Because it looks as though tension
over homosexuality -- still a tsunami in the culture at large --
seems ready to wash again over a PCUSA Assembly."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Now, back to some basics -- remembering our roots!
What Does the Bible Tell Us?
by the Rev. Tricia Dykers Koenig
Co-Pastor, Noble Road Presbyterian Church
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
More and more biblical scholars and other Christians are
convinced that the Holy Spirit, speaking through the Scriptures,
is calling the church to full inclusion of gay and lesbian
persons. A few of the reasons:
**Reading in literary and historical context:** The texts often
used to condemn homosexual practice were not dealing with the
issues we address today -- the morality of responsible sexual
expression between persons who are gay or lesbian in their sexual
orientation. The Bible condones sexual practices that the church
today rejects, such as polygamy, concubinage, and levirate
marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5); it condemns some practices the
church now allows, such as intercourse during menstruation and
remarriage following divorce. To be faithful today, we must try
to understand the principles underlying specific biblical
provisions, and seek to apply those principles to our
circumstances.
**The over-arching themes of Scripture:** A major theme of the
Old Testament is exodus -- liberation from bondage and
oppression. The prophets continually called for justice. The
story of the early church is a history of breaking down barriers
that divide people from each other and give some people status
over others. Paul insisted that faith in Jesus Christ, not
adherence to a set of legal requirements, constitutes membership
in the Christian community.
**The witness of Jesus Christ:** Jesus consistently welcomed,
indeed sought out, persons who were labeled outcast by his
society. Criticized himself as a lawbreaker, he challenged self-
righteousness, judgmentalism, and legalism, making it clear that
the purpose of the Law is the protection of human welfare; human
beings are not made to keep the Law regardless of its detrimental
effects on the well-being of people (Mark 2:23-3:6). Jesus
summarized the Law as loving God with one's whole being, and
loving one's neighbor as oneself.
**The rule of love:** Even though it is not intended as such by
Christians of goodwill, the presumption that homosexual behavior
is always wrong does great damage to many, including some who
have never engaged in it: young people unable to will or pray
away the attraction they've been taught is evil (even if they don't
act on their feelings, they may still grow up with self-
loathing); parents despairing about where they "went wrong," when
the explanation for anyone's sexual orientation is still a
mystery; relationships torn apart by rejection; families which
are not whole due to the dishonesty of remaining hidden in the
closet. The taboo against homosexuality can lead to loneliness,
both overt and subtle discrimination, and even verbal and
physical violence.
"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law" -- Romans 13:10.
**The New Testament abolition of categories of "clean" and
"unclean":** In the Torah's Holiness Code, homosexual practice is
a matter of uncleanness, along with eating blood and other
dietary restrictions, contact with bodily discharges, wearing
certain fabrics, and other prohibitions. Jesus challenged his
culture and religion's focus on ritual cleanness by associating
with women, lepers, "outcasts and sinners" (see also Mark 7).
Jesus laid the foundation for the distinction between moral law -
- that which pertains to the rule of love -- and purity law --
which is culturally conditioned. The Book of Acts relates the
early church's struggle to appropriate this principle. A good
example is in Acts 10-11: Peter learns through a vision and an
encounter with a Gentile, Cornelius, that "what God has called
clean, you must not call profane." Witnessing the gift of the
Holy Spirit to those his tradition has considered unclean, Peter
concludes: "If then God gave them the same gift that God gave us
when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could
hinder God?"
**An understanding of celibacy as a spiritual gift:** The biblical
witness reflects a variety of acceptable patterns of relationship
outside of "marriage between one man and one woman," including
polygamy and concubinage. In the New Testament, Paul asserts that
celibacy is preferred to marriage, but acknowledges it as a
particular kind of gift from God, not given to all (I Corinthians
7:7-9). Churches which require life-long celibacy consider it a
special vocation, and endeavor to provide support for those who
freely choose such a course. The Reformed tradition, following
Luther and Calvin, affirms the goodness of human sexual intimacy
and repudiates the requirement of celibate clergy. Requiring
celibacy of gays and lesbians does not deprive them of sexual
expression alone, but of the opportunity for relationships which
are emotionally and spiritually intimate as well.
**Valuing relationship and community:** The creation stories in
Genesis 1 and 2 are descriptions of the predominant pattern of
male-female relationships, and affirmations of it; it is an
unnecessary leap to insist that an affirmation of one pattern is
a prohibition of all others. A person can be fully male or
female, and made in God's image, without relating sexually to
someone of the other sex. The values being honored in Genesis 1-2
are relationship and community, not a specific form of
relationship. Condemning persons to loneliness because they
cannot fit into the predominant pattern is a violation of the
spirit of the Scripture. It is ironic that Jesus' quotation of
Genesis in Matthew 19 is often used to justify a continued
prohibition of homosexual relationships, when Jesus used Genesis
to prohibit divorce -- a heterosexual practice for which the
church has changed its policies and biblical interpretations.
**The use of experience:** The church has changed its understanding
of God's will many times over the centuries, as knowledge and
experience and the working of the Holy Spirit have provided new
perspectives. In so doing, the church has been following in the
tradition of Scripture itself, which reflects the changing
understandings of God's people as they experienced God in their
lives in a variety of circumstances. Because of his experience of
the Risen Christ, Saul fundamentally changed his understanding of
what it meant to be related to God. The Jerusalem Council
listened to the experience of Peter and of Barnabas and Paul in
deciding on new standards of Christian faithfulness (Acts 15).
When the church listens to the witness of its gay and lesbian
members, and observes the evidence of the Holy Spirit in their
lives, it is continuing the process that is demonstrated in
Scripture itself.
**Salvation by grace:** All persons stand before God equally in need
of forgiveness and reconciliation. We are loved and accepted by
God not on our own merits, but because of God's free decision in
Christ.
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor
height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord" -- Romans 8:38-39.
For further reading: *Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy
Scripture: Position Statement adopted by the 123rd General
Assembly (1983) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.*
Available from the PCUSA, DMS order #OGA-92-003.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Our Cartoonist
Our cartoonist is Kurt Erichsen, whose comic strip "Murphy's
Manor" appears in LGBT newspapers and newsletters around the
country. Kurt grew up in a Presbyterian congregation served by a
gay presbyterian pastor, The Rev. Howard Hannon -- see Howard's
book, *Agony in the Garden: The Story of a Gay Minister*
(Portland, OR: OutWrite Publishing, c1996, ISBN 1-887092-01-3).
Kurt writes, "Too bad I didn't know he was gay back then [when I
was 14 years old or so]. I liked him, and he could've helped me
get through some difficult times."
[Sorry, online folks, the cartoon will appear only in our print
edition!]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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: Scott D. Anderson (2000-I), 5805 20th Ave.,
Sacramento, CA 95820-3107, 916-456-7225 h., 442-5447 w.,
Scott_Anderson.parti@ecunet.org; Mitzi Henderson (2001-G), 16
Sunset Lane, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6732, 650-854-2598, fax 650-
854-4177, MHenderson@pcusa.org, mitzigh@aol.com
COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY: Donna Michelle Riley (2002-G), 271
Varsity Ave. #6, Princeton, NJ 08540, 609-720-0954,
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 (2000-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
Gene Huff (2002-I), 658 25th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94121, 415-
668-1145, genehuff@pacbell.net
Lisa Larges (2000-G), 1452 Vancouver Dr., Burlingame, CA 94010,
650-347-4087, LLL@igc.org
Tammy Lindahl (2000-I), 57 Upton Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55405,
612-377-2191 h., TLLindahl@oal.com
William H. Moss (Bill, 2001-I), 535 Steiner St., San Francisco,
CA 94117, 415-864-0477, WHMoss@excite.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
Robin White (2000-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.
WOW2000 (ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE): Dick Hasbany, 1 E. Hayestown Rd.
#62, Danbury, CT 06811-2514, 203-791-9926, Dick_Hasbany@yahoo.com
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
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 92656, 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!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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
2848 Fairhaven Ave.,
Alexandria, VA 22303, 703-960-0432, mgrimaldo@juno.com
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MORE LIGHT UPDATE, Volume 20, Number 5, May-June 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. Editorial Associate: Lindsay Thompson; Printer: Ken Barta, Brunswick Typographic Inc.; Production Associate: Caridad Elva de las Mercedes Navarro Gallardo de Catala. 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * corrected version 6-10-2000.