Revs. Hal Porter and Steve Van Kuiken
Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church
Cincinnati, OH

Facts at a Glance

NameAffiliationPrebyteryDate InitiatedCase TypeChargesComplainantStatus
Rev. Steve Van KuikenPastor, Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church CincinnatiMarch 2002Disciplinary1. "willful and deliberate" violations of ordination vows, including ordination and installation of "unrepentant" gay deacons and elders, and performance or authorization of same-sex union ceremonies.

2. renouncing jurisdiction of the PC(USA) by refusing to comply with its constitution and with renouncing authority of the General Assembly's Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC), which has ruled, in a case in the Presbytery of Northern New England, that a congregation must comply with a constitutional provision that bars gays and lesbians from ordination to church office.

JensenPending
Rev. Dr. Hal PorterPastor Emeritus, Mt. Auburn Presbyterian ChurchCincinnatiMarch 2002Disciplinary "willful and deliberate" violation of his ordination - the performance of a same-sex union within the presbytery, thus renouncing the jurisdiction of the PC(USA). JensenPending

Also: An additional challenge was brought against the session of Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church, by Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church. A commission has been appointed by the Presbytery of Cincinnati to deal with the issue of Mt. Auburn's non-compliance with G-6.0106b.

Timeline

March 2002 - Complaints Filed

May 2002 - Commission appointed

April 8, 2003 - van Kuiken trial in Cincinnati Presbytery

April 2003 - agreement reached in Porter case

Links

  • Comprehensive Summary at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church
  • Mount Auburn Session Statements
  • Our Journey to Becoming a Fully Welcoming Faith Community in Christ for all Persons - previous case against Mt. Auburn
  • Response of Stated Clerk of PC (USA) General Assembly
  • Mount Auburn ministers charged Presbyterian News Service
  • News of May 14, 2002 Cincinnati Presbytery meeting regarding Mount Auburn - by Dr. Harold G. Porter, Pastor Emeritus
  • Cincinnati presbytery refers dispute to commission Presbyterian News Service
  • An Open Letter to the Presbyterian Church (USA) - from Pastor Steve Van Kuiken
  • Defiance not a constitutional right, clerk says Presbyterian News Service
  • Update on Actions Against Pastors and Congregation - report of July presbytery meeting where the charge of the administrative commission that will investigate Mount Auburn was determined
  • Support Revs. Porter and Van Kuiken

  • Email Rev. Dr. Porter or Rev. Van Kuiken with your words of encouragement.
  • Contact info for Mt. Auburn Presbyterian
  • Support the Presbyterian Partnership of Conscience