by Brian Ellison | Nov 11, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Amendment 14-F, Marriage & Civil Unions
Three years ago, I stopped signing marriage licenses on behalf of the state of Idaho. As long as I was unable to officiate at ALL weddings, I wasn’t going to sign my name on any licenses. I still presided at services of Christian marriage and blessings, but the...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 26, 2014 | 221st GA (2014)
Address to the Commissioners’ Convocation Dinner ~ 221st General Assembly (2014) June 13, 2014 The Rev. Dr. Randy Bush When I was in junior high, I took a photography course. This was a while ago, before digital cameras and Photoshop. This was in the days of...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 19, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Covenant Network News, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
The following statement was issued by the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians: The Covenant Network of Presbyterians rejoices in today’s historic actions by the 221st General Assembly allowing same-sex couples freedom to marry in the...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 17, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
Address to the Covenant Network Dr. Mark Achtemeier 221st General Assembly Presbyterian Church (USA) Detroit, Michigan June 16, 2014 I have a new life-motto. It says, “When I make a plan, God laughs.” For those of you who don’t know me, I should tell you that I am an...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 16, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity, Personal Testimony
Presentation on Background and Intent Authoritative Interpretation Overtures 10-03, 10-04, 10-06 Civil Unions & Marriage Committee – 221ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2014) Good afternoon, Mr. Moderator, commissioners and advisory delegates. Thank you for your work at this...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 16, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity, Personal Testimony
Overture 21, Item 10-2: On Amending W-4.9000, Marriage RALPH CARTER Good morning Mr. Moderator, commissioners and advisory delegates. I’m Ralph Carter, ruling elder, Third Presbyterian Church, Rochester NY, Genesee Valley Presbytery. My Presbytery asked me to serve...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 15, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity, Personal Testimony
Why the Church Needs a New AI Clarifying that Officiating Ecclesiastical Marriage Services for Same-Gender Couples is Not an Offense By Tim Cahn A new authoritative interpretation (“AI”) of the PCUSA Constitution is needed to ensure that teaching elders have...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 11, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
By Ken Cuthbertson This last Sunday was Pentecost. This coming Sunday I will be in Detroit, at the 221st Presbyterian (USA) General Assembly. I will be there to advocate for the proposed “authoritative interpretation” that would allow Presbyterian pastors to use...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 9, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
By Kristin Hutson For the past twelve and a half years, I have been serving as the College Chaplain and Director of Religious Life at Coe College, a Presbyterian-related school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As the College Chaplain, it is not uncommon for me to be asked to...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 7, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Marriage & Civil Unions
By Marci Glass There is an overture headed to General Assembly’s Civil Unions and Marriage Committee that would seek to pull clergy out of civil marriage altogether. I am sympathetic to Lehigh Presbytery’s intention. I stopped signing state marriage...