Synod PJC Upholds Decision to Ordain Lisa Larges
The Synod of the Pacific Permanent Judicial Commission (SPJC) has upheld San Francisco Presbytery’s decision to ordain Lisa Larges, an out lesbian, as Minister of the Word and Sacrament.
Challenge to Ordination of Lisa Larges Will Be Heard September 23
San Francisco Presbytery’s decision in November 2009 to approve the ordination of out lesbian Lisa Larges “with a departure” is being challenged in a remedial case before the Synod of the Pacific Permanent Judicial Commission.
GAPJC Upholds Session’s Approval of Elder in Committed Same-Gender Relationship
In a recent ruling, the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly has upheld a session’s examination and approval of an elder-elect who is in a committed same-gender relationship.
Redwoods PJC Decision “Rebuking” Janie Spahr for Performing Legal Same-gender Marriages (but read it all!)
Even while “rebuking” Jane Spahr for disregarding an earlier PJC ruling by performing legal marriages of same-gender couples, the Redwoods PJC in a ruling released on Friday commended her prophetic ministry and witness, and urged higher governing bodies of the church to address the very difficult pastoral situation of clergy asked to officiate at legal marriages of their own same-gender parishioners.
Presbytery Court Tries Jane Spahr for Performing Same-Gender Marriages
The Rev. Jane Adams (Janie) Spahr is being tried this week before the Presbytery of the Redwoods PJC for marrying 16 same-gender couples during the period in 2008 when such marriages were legally recognized in California.
St. Philip Presbyterian in Houston will welcome Covenant Conference
St Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston, the newest Covenant congregation, is excited to be hosting the first-ever national Covenant Conference in Texas this fall. It continues a long history of mission and outreach.
Amendment 10-A and the Revised Form of Government
What happens if the presbyteries approve both Amendment 10-A, the new text proposed to replace the current G-6.0106b, and an entirely new Form of Government?
New poll finds growing support for same-gender marriage in California – including among Christians
As Federal Judge Vaughn Walker ruled last week that California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, a new poll finds that a similar measure would not pass now. In the controversial 2008 vote, 52% of Californians voted to ban same-gender marriage. But 51% of Californians would now vote to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.
Progress at the 219th G.A. - Covenant Network Reflections
As Covenant Networkers return home from an intense ten days in Minneapolis, we can reflect gratefully on the good work on many fronts of commissioners to the 219th General Assembly.
Tolerance is a Floor, Not a Ceiling
Tolerance should never be mistaken as radically different from intolerance. Thomas Paine best responded to this common error in his book, "The Rights of Man", when he wrote that tolerance was “not the opposite of Intolerance, but is the counterfeit of it. Both are despotisms.” The one, Paine wrote, assumes the right of withholding liberty, while the other assumes the right of granting it.
Covenant Network Board celebrates progress at the 219th G.A.
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is grateful that the 219th General Assembly voted to continue the progress made by the last two General Assemblies toward a more gracious and welcoming church. The General Assembly voted to send to the presbyteries an amendment setting higher ordination standards that do not arbitrarily exclude a whole class of church members.
General Assembly moves toward more welcoming church.
Committees of the General Assembly committees, meeting in Minneapolis, reported favorably on all business the Covenant Network recommended in our recent Board Statement and other recommendations.
That's For Sure
"We have spent the last 30-odd years arguing about sexuality – at least, that’s what we think we are arguing about. But over the years I have come to believe that the crux of the issue is not what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. The crux of the issue, for us, is what it means to be Presbyterian." read more...
Hospitality
How might it affect the work of the assembly, if some unexpected person were to show up with some tears for washing away the dirt of the church and some ointment for healing its members?
Covenant Network Board Recommendations on Issues before the GA
In its most recent Statement, the Covenant Network Board articulated 3 primary goals for the 219th GA. Further, the Board offers the following recommendations on several other issues coming before the Assembly.
Minnesota Covenant Congregations Preparing for General Assembly – Part II
Nine Covenant Congregations will be volunteering at the upcoming 219th General Assembly, alongside sister congregations from the three hosting Presbyteries. Part I, posted last month, featured four of these Covenant Congregations. In Part II, we celebrate five more dedicated and diverse churches.