Date: Wed, 5 Apr 95 17:35:37 EDT From: "James D. Anderson" MORE LIGHT UPDATE August 1993 Presbyterians for Lesbian & Gay Concerns James D. Anderson, Communications Secretary P.O. 38 New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038 908/249-1016, 908/932-7501 (Rutgers University) FAX 908/932-6916 (Rutgers University) Internet: janderson@zodiac.rutgers.edu Note: * is used to indicate italicized or boldface text. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONTENTS Changes: New Co-Moderator and New Board Members Join PLGC Leadership Team; Liaisons; Coordinators; Officer; Committees; Name change?; Jim Spahr resigns. The 205th General Assembly: Keep the Ban and Study the Outcasts Apartheid Ban: Authoritative Interpretation Response at the Assembly A Demonstration of Our Anger Laboratory Rats: Downtown Church Responds Passing the Buck: Jane Spahr / Scott Anderson News Conference A Princeton Seminary Squabble A Princeton Declaration Princeton Faculty and Administrators Respond The Apartheid Coalition Some Responses from the Community An Open Love Letter To The Rev. Jane A. Spahr, D. Min., From Jim Spahr If We Are Going to Study, Let's Do It. Biggest Luncheon Yet Name It All, by Susan Kramer Study Materials Review of *Gay Theology without Apology*, by Gary David Comstock. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 1993, 183 p., $14.95, ISBN 0-8298- 0944-9. *The Bible and the Homosexual*, by Dean Merrill, P.O. Box 8182, Boise, ID 83707-2182, $4. Lazarus Project Responds to Ecclesiastical Extortion More Light Synod Backed by PJC The Janie Spahr Video Holy Unions in Kansas Censorship in Virginia General Assembly Chants * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CHANGES New Co-Moderator and New Board Members Join PLGC Leadership Team Susan Kramer, of Schenectady, NY, succeeds Lisa Bove as female Co-Moderator for PLGC. We all owe Lisa Bove a great bouquet of gratitude for her active leadership during the past 4 years. She will continue to serve as liaison, with Howard Warren, to Presbyterian Act-Up. Our new (or re-elected) board members are: Lisa Larges of San Francisco, Laurene Lafontaine of Denver, Lindsay Biddle of Minneapolis (re-elected), Doug Calderwood of Chicago (but on his way to New Mexico), and Scott Anderson of Sacramento. The new Nominating Committee is Marcia Ludwig of Cupertino, California, Dick Hasbany of Corvallis, Oregon, Mary Stewart Hall of Atlanta, Woody Carey of Madison, Wisconsin, and Lisa Bove (chairperson), of Hollywood, California. Newly appointed liaisons are: To Coalition for Loving Justice: Michael Purintun. To More Light Churches Network: Lindsay Biddle. To Presbyterian AIDS Network: Dorothy Fillmore. To Presbyterian Act Up: Lisa Bove and Howard Warren The 1994 Luncheon Speaker Committee is: Bob Patenaude and Susan Kramer; The Inclusive Church Award Committee is: Lisa Larges (chairperson), Richard Koteras, and Bob Davidson; The Bylaws Committee is: Bob Patenaude and Richard Koteras; the Fundraising Committee is: Lindsay Biddle, Doug Calderwood, and Va Nee Van Vleck. Scott Anderson is the new Issues Coordinator. Richard Koteras and Jim Anderson were reappointed Treasurer and Communications Secretary respectively. **Name Change**: Lisa Bove brought a request to the PLGC Board to add "Bisexual" to our name. Cleve Evans, Lindsay Biddle and Dorothy Fillmore agreed to lead an educational process and discussion on this issue at our January 1994 Board meeting in Atlanta. Chris Glaser has suggested the name "Illumination" with a sub-title spelling everything out, after the pattern of Affirmation (United Methodists), Integrity (Episcopalians), Dignity (Roman Catholics), Kinship (Seventh Day Adventists), etc. Jim Spahr has resigned as a PLGC coordinator for the Synod of the Pacific. He has been with us for many, many years, and we thank him for all his love and support. ADDRESSES FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS Lisa Larges 426 FAIR OAKS SAN FRANCISCO CA 94110 Scott D. Anderson 5805 20TH AVE SACRAMENTO CA 95820-3107 916/456-7225 h, 442-5447 w * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The 205th General Assembly: Declares Apartheid Policies of Exclusion to be Authoritative and Binding. Bars Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals from Office in Congregations and Denies Them Representation in Presbyteries, Synods, and the General Assembly. Declares Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals to be Worthy Only of More Study (even though Study Has Been Mandated Since 1976!). Urges Sessions, Presbyteries, and Synods to Protect "Reputation or Standing" of Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals, But Provides No Means to Do So. Condemns Anti-Gay Discrimination in Colorado and the Military, but Declines to Do So in Church-sponsored Youth Programs. Maintains Current Policy Permitting Same-Sex Unions. The 205th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) refused to deal with the exclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual Presbyterians from full participation in the church, claiming that after 17 years of study, the church still doesn't know what to do with us and needs three more years to figure out what the inclusive Body of Christ is all about. Sessions, Presbyteries, and Synods were asked to protect the "reputation or standing" of persons participating in the study, but the Assembly failed to provide any means or guarantee that gays, lesbians, and bisexuals would not be prosecuted. Indeed, some persons who testified during the Assembly have already been targeted. So the assembly hopes for genuine dialogue and study in an atmosphere of persecution, prosecution, and witch-hunting. By only two votes, the Assembly's Committee on Social Witness Issues and Policy refused to ask sessions that sponsor Boy Scout units as part of their youth programs to merely examine the policy to exclude boys, young men and leaders on the basis of sexual orientation. At the same time, the Committee recommended and the Assembly agreed to condemn the anti-gay constitutional amendment in Colorado and similar efforts in other states and urged a complete end to the anti-gay ban in the U.S. Military. The hypocrisy of the Assembly preaching to Colorado and the Military but refusing to even suggest similar standards to its own congregations was not missed by several commissioners. Efforts to ban same-sex unions conducted by Presbyterian ministers in Presbyterian Churches were turned back. PLGC had the biggest ever annual luncheon, with nearly 350 persons in attendance. The Rev. Howard Warren received the annual Inclusive Church Award. The Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr inspired tears, laughter, hope and determination in her keynote address. The luncheon was followed by PLGC workshops on "Seeking Transformation: Strategies for Talking and Listening," led by Lisa Larges; "Homophobia: How It Affects Us All," led by Chuck Collins; "Coming Out or Staying In in the PCUSA: A Survival Kit," led by Lisa Furr; "Reclaiming the Inclusivity of Biblical Sexuality," led by Lindsay Biddle; and "More Light 101," led by Hal Porter. Hundreds attended PLGC's Sunday Morning Worship and were lifted up to new levels of understanding and commitment by the prophetic preaching of Lisa Larges. Late Monday afternoon, during a long break in Assembly deliberations on recommendations from the Human Sexuality Committee, about 100 gay and lesbians persons and their supporters gathered on stage at the front of the Assembly. Although the Assembly had defeated an early motion to allow 10 gay and lesbian persons to address it, Moderator David Dobler later look personal privilege so that "we might act as a family of Christ," and allowed gay and lesbian persons 12 minutes to take the stage and address the Assembly. So, for about 12 minutes, one by one, nearly 30 of us approached the microphone, introduced ourselves as lifelong Presbyterians, elders, ministers, or Christian educators, and offered our "gifts to the church." At the end of the time, a majority of the commissioners stood and applauded. -- [This paragraph based on a GA News Service release by Pamela Crouch.] These are the high lights. The details follow. -- JDA. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Keep the Ban and Study the Outcasts *Twenty-six overtures regarding ordination of lesbian, gay and bisexual Presbyterians were referred to the Assembly Committee on Human Sexuality. All were turned aside. Instead, the Committee submitted the following resolution, which was adopted by the assembly without change.* Whereas, we concur with the opinion of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution that the General Assembly statements of 1978, 1979, and subsequent years concerning the ordination of self- affirming, practicing homosexual persons and the related recommendations adopted by the General Assemblies have been considered by the judicial commissions of the church [and] currently carry the weight of 'authoritative interpretations'" (Report of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, Section II. Advice, Item UU, Paragraph 21.049A -- [see below]); and Whereas, the above statement notwithstanding, there is confusion and serious division in the church which points us to the urgent need of the reconciling spirit of Christ (Confession of 1967, 9.06); and Whereas, the 205th General Assembly (1993), having considered the Scriptures and the confessions of the church, having sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit and having listened to the moving and painful testimony of members of the church, have become concerned for the urgent need for reconciliation and wholeness; and Whereas, "In each time and place there are particular problems and crises through which God calls the church to act" in the face of which "[t]he church, guided by the Spirit, humbled by its own complicity and instructed by all attainable knowledge, seeks to discern the will of God and learn how to obey in these concrete situations" (Confession of 1967, 9.43); and Whereas, "The church confesses its faith when it bears a present witness to God's grace in Jesus Christ" (Confession of 1967, 9.01); and Whereas, "The church comes under the judgment of God and invites rejection by [humankind] when it fails to lead men and women into the full meaning of life together, or withholds the compassion of Christ from those caught in the moral confusion of our time" (Confession of 1967, 9.47); and Whereas, presbyterian polity recognizes the responsibility of all members for ministry and maintains the organic relation of all congregations in the church" (Confession of 1967, 9.40); and Whereas, "effective preaching, teaching, and personal witness require disciplined study of both the Bible and the contemporary world" (Confession of 1967, 9.49) and in the Reformed tradition the Scriptures, as illuminated through prayer and assistance of the Holy Spirit, are our authoritative guide in matters of faith and practice; and Whereas, the General Assembly Council has resources available for study, including "Continuing the Conversation," that bear upon the many facets of the issue of human sexuality within the context of the Church of Jesus Christ; therefore, be it Resolved, That the 205th General Assembly (1993) adopts as "authoritative interpretation" ([Book of Order] G-13.0103r) the report of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, section II. Advice, Item UU, paragraph 21.049A [see below]; and that, furthermore, we call upon members, congregations, and governing bodies of the church: 1. To bear a present witness to God's grace in Jesus Christ by recognizing the pain of our homosexual brothers and sisters and their families who worship and serve in the church, by ministering to all those for whom Christ died, sharing their pain, bearing their burdens, and upholding their worth in the eyes of God; and by assuring everyone that God "cares for all, recalling that . . . "[w]ith believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Brief statement of Faith, 10.5). 2. To be engaged in the discipline of open, diligent, prayerful study and dialogue on the issues of human sexual behavior and orientation as they relate to membership, ministry, and ordination within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with careful attention to listening within the particular contextual setting of its ministry to: a. the witness of the biblical text; in keeping with the guidelines found in *Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy Scripture*; b. the wisdom of theological discourse; c. the guidance of the confessions of our church; d. the insights of sociological, psychological, and medical disciplines; e. the tradition of past policy statements; f. the advice of members and governing bodies of the church; g. insights of any who may find themselves aggrieved by current practices, policies, or laws relating to homosexuality and membership, ministry and ordination in the church (before seeking such insights, each governing body below the General Assembly shall take care to address the serious problem of how to assure a climate for dialogue which is open and non-incriminating, and which would not result in jeopardizing the reputation or standing of any partner in dialogue -- the guidelines and covenants for creating such a protective environment being approved in advance by the governing body and included in all announcements of its studies/dialogue events); and h. the counsel of ecumenical partners. Furthermore, we urge strongly that every presbytery develop a plan for congregational and presbytery wide study and dialogue and present the results of all studies to the Office of the General Assembly 120 days before the opening of the 208th General Assembly (1996) in order that a summary report may be prepared and presented to the 208th General Assembly (1996) of the presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (Committee vote: 32/3/0) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Apartheid Ban: Authoritative Interpretation *Here is the opinion of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, which was recommended by the Committee on Human Sexuality and Adopted by the General Assembly. So now, the Apartheid policies of exclusion, which began only as "definitive guidance," have been carved into the stone of constitutional law. Furthermore, the 1978 "grandparent" clause, which had protected persons ordained before 1978 from the new Apartheid provisions, has now been abolished. All lesbians, gays, and bisexuals who affirm their identity and loving relationships are now summarily excluded and banished from Church office without exception.* **Report of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, Item UU, Paragraph 21.049A.** A number of overtures sent to the 205th General Assembly (1993) question the authority of actions taken in 1978 by the UPCUSA and in 1979 by PCUS relating to the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons (Overture 93-111, 112, 114, 116, 117, and 125). The actions of 1978 and 1979 became known as "definitive guidance." The Advisory Committee on the Constitution draws a sharp distinction between what has been known as "definitive guidance" and the binding nature of an "authoritative interpretation" by a General Assembly under G-13.0103r. The term "definitive guidance" has never been used in our Constitution. However, under G13.0103r the General Assembly may issue an "authoritative interpretation" that is binding on all governing bodies and does carry the full authority of the Constitution. It is the opinion of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution that the General Assembly statements of 1978, 1979, and subsequent years concerning the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons and related recommendations adopted by the General Assemblies have been considered by the judicial commissions of the church. They currently carry the weight of "authoritative interpretations." Decisions of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, which considered these earlier statements, are binding. The question of whether or not -- in 1978, 1979, and subsequent years -- it was constitutionally sound to declare the statements binding has become moot. Because of subsequent decisions of our church's highest judicial commissions, the current prohibition to ordination has been determined. After extensive analysis, the Advisory Committee on the Constitution finds that Presbyterian church law of a constitutional nature is established or interpreted in the following ways: 1. Through the Book of Order and its established process for amendments. 2. Through the written opinions and decisions of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. 3. Through an interpretation of existing provisions in the Book of Order made by General Assembly, which is clearly identified as an authoritative interpretation. (Since 1983 the Book of Order has required that requests for constitutional interpretation must first be referred to the Advisory Committee on the Constitution (G13.0112)). Therefore, the Advisory Committee on the Constitution finds that a. Current constitutional law in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is that self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons may not be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, elders, or deacons. b. Any changes to or interpretations of the constitutional law of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) under the present Book of Order must follow the change process described above in items 1., 2., or 3. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Response at the Assembly A Demonstration of Our Anger After midnight on Monday night, "as the report concluded, about 60 persons holding aloft a quilt with a pink triangle and a cross entered the hall chanting and singing. The demonstration decrying the action of the Assembly lasted about 30 minutes. [Moderator] Dobler requested commissioners and advisory delegates to remain seated and in prayer. A few commissioners left the hall. About 30 commissioners stood in place as a sign of solidarity for the demonstrators. Although there was some taunting, the demonstration was peaceful and ended when the moderator closed with prayer over the strains of 'We Are a Gentle, Angry People' by the demonstrators." -- *as reported by Pamela Crouch for the GA News Service.* *During the demonstration, Janie Spahr read, in a loud, clear voice without aid of microphone (which of course was denied her) the following statement:* Today the violence against lesbian, gay and bisexual people by the Christian Church must stop! The Presbyterian Church has denied our gifts, denigrated our lives, demeaned our love. Today we say "Justice will be done." Baptized, confirmed and already ordained lesbian, gay, bisexual people are in the church. We will not be pushed out. Consistently, the church has maintained a hypocritical position; it invites us into membership and then silences our voices and refuses our gifts. The church asks for dialogue. Dialogue only happens when all parties involved come together as equals. As long as the church enforces secrecy, -- the tyranny of the "closet" -- dialogue is impossible. Throughout this Assembly, and for too long, the church has mis-labeled us as sinful and immoral. Through threat of schism and fear of difference Presbyterians, through the acts of its Assemblies, have made an idol of the church, the Bible, and heterosexuality. We claim our own identity as God-loving, life-affirming, love- transforming Christians. We wear the pink triangle in solidarity with those lesbian and gay sisters and brothers murdered in Nazi death camps. We say, "NO MORE!" We wear the pink triangle up side down, transforming a symbol of death into a symbol of life and liberation. Today we express our rage through our witness. For us "the stone has been rolled away." NO MORE TOMBS! NO MORE CLOSETS! As a Resurrection People we raise our voices "until the very stones cry out." -- Prepared by Janie Spahr, Lisa Larges, Peg Beissert and Deborah Wood. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Laboratory Rats: Downtown Church Responds Press Conference, June 8, 1993. -- Good afternoon. My name is Rev. Anthony J. Ricciuti, and with me is Rev. Gail Ricciuti. We are Co-pastors of the Downtown Presbyterian Church. Thank you for coming today. Last evening, the 205th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) considered a number of overtures which, if successful, would have significantly altered a 15-year-old official policy and a centuries-old ecclesiastical practice that excludes Gay and Lesbian Christians from full participation in the life and leadership of our Church. We have been praying, and working, and waiting for the day of light and justice to dawn at last, so that all who are called by Christ through the voice of the Church may freely serve. But this morning when we awoke, the light did not come on. Evidently, Presbyterians cannot find the switch! The decision that the Assembly made last night calls upon Presbyterians to study the questions about homosexuality and the Church -- including questions about ordination -- for another three years. The Assembly will take no further action, we have been told, until this study is completed. There was a time when such a decision as that would have been received as good news. For it is in the best of our tradition that presbyterians think before we speak, and pray and reason together before we decide. But this time, the Assembly's decision is not good news. For we have already studied, and studied, and studied long enough -- in fact, since 1976 -- and at the conclusion of each formal study, a number of radical and far-reaching recommendations came back to a General Assembly, only to be overturned or stalled once more. It is also in the best Presbyterian tradition that we act, finally, on the understandings we gave been given. Last night's decision, therefore, distresses us profoundly. The action. in our view, puts the gospel on hold, and puts decent people of faith on ice. For justice delayed is justice denied. While it is always true, I suppose, that not all Presbyterians are "on the same page" on this issue, nevertheless, further study now only continues the assault on the dignity and humanity of Gay and Lesbian people by treating them as so many laboratory rats whose tolerance of our ecclesiastical toxicity we are determined to test. This is a travesty not only of our deliberative process, but of the Gospel itself. We are ashamed of the decision. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Passing the Buck: Jane Spahr / Scott Anderson News Conference Orlando, FL, June 8 -- Dialogue between the Presbyterian Church and homosexuals is impossible under current conditions, according to two spokespersons for gay and lesbian church members. "To us a dialogue means to come to the table equally," said the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, a lesbian and Presbyterian evangelist. "How can we be equal and dialogue, if we cannot be fully at the table." Speaking in a Tuesday morning news conference, she and former minister Scott Anderson, who is associate director of the California Council of Churches and a gay man, reacted to the 205th Presbyterian General Assembly's decision to further study the issue of ordination of homosexuals and at the same time uphold its ban on the ordination of homosexuals. "To be told that we are sinful and immoral is not only painful, but also violent to us," said Spahr, whose call as co-pastor of the Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY, was overturned last year by the Permanent Judicial Commission of the PCUSA. Anderson said the General Assembly had "essentially passed the buck . . . to the presbyteries," which will have to decide how to let homosexuals participate in the dialogue. "Our fear is that most presbyteries will politely ignore the General Assembly's advice, and in fact, there will be very little honest study with us at the table." Both Spahr and Anderson said their lives are based on biblical values which they learned growing up as Presbyterians. They decried some of the assumptions made about homosexuals. "The presumption is that we're promiscuous," said Anderson. "We are people who hold dearly to relational values found in scripture. The substance of the relationship is what's important. I believe in fidelity, I believe in monogamy, I believe in lifelong commitment, I believe in equality and mutuality." "I didn't learn those in a vacuum; I learned those in the church of Jesus Christ, and I practice those in my partnership," he added. Asked why they don't leave the denomination and form their own church, both Anderson and Spahr said they would stay with the PCUSA. "I grew up in this church. This is my church," said Spahr. "I'm a Presbyterian like you. I want to be in this church." "The church is my family," said Anderson. "Right now, I'm not really happy with my family, but it's my family." -- Recorded for the General Assembly News Service by John Sniffen. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A Princeton Seminary Squabble A Princeton Declaration Thomas Gillespie, president of Princeton Theological Seminary, the largest in the denomination, lumps lesbians, gays, and bisexuals in committed same-sex relationships with fornicators and adulterers, yet claims that his hatred for our loving is not homophobia. He and a number of other faculty and staff joined with students to issue "A Princeton Declaration" shortly before the General Assembly met. At a General Assembly news conference he suggested that same-sex relationships were in the same category as incest and bestiality, saying: "Upholding the quality of a relationship (mutual consent, a loving relationship), as the only criteria for morality in sexual relationships opens the door for incest, bestiality, and other deviant sexual behavior" (as recorded for the GA News Service by Jane Mead). Here are a couple of excerpts from the "Princeton Declaration": "The term 'homophobic' is often carelessly applied to anyone who expresses a strong dislike for homosexual behavior. But those of us who consider the practice of homosexuality wrong from a biblical and moral standpoint, who do not believe that it is a legitimate or healthy Christian lifestyle, and who oppose the ordination of people who practice it, are not necessarily homophobic. We oppose fornication, but are not afraid of fornicators. We oppose adultery, but are not afraid of adulterers. We oppose homosexuality, but we are not afraid of homosexuals." "Homosexual practice presupposes the unwillingness or the inability to commit oneself either to the intimate and permanent bond between partners who are by nature unalterably different or to a life of celibacy. Homosexual union cannot reflect the bond between God and God's people or Christ and his Church which is a union of partners who are by nature unalterably different." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Princeton Faculty and Administrators Respond *The following "Response to 'A Princeton Declaration'" was distributed at the assembly:* In recent days, a statement has been released to the church and to the general public under the title "A Princeton Declaration." Its subtitle indicates that its purpose is "upholding the PC(USA) in the decision not to ordain individuals engaged in homosexual practice." The statement is clearly identified as coming from "Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, in the spring of 1993." It bears the names of a number of persons -- faculty, administrators, students. and others in the Princeton Seminary community, including the President, the Vice President for Seminary Relations, and the Dean of Academic Affairs. "A princeton Declaration" demands a response from others of us at Princeton Seminary. We, the undersigned, are members of the Princeton Theological Seminary faculty, and though we do not speak in any official capacity on behalf of that institution, we do speak out of mutual concern for Princeton Seminary and for the Presbyterian Church (USA). We are concerned about the manner in which "A Princeton Declaration" was issued. Though the framers of "A Princeton Declaration" did not intend this to be the case, its title, its use of the name "Princeton Theological Seminary," the presence of the names of several seminary faculty and administrators, and its lack of any disclaimer convey the impression that it is an official and representative statement of Princeton Seminary. This is not the case. "A Princeton Declaration" is a private statement circulated among some members of the seminary community. Only a small percentage of those connected with Princeton Seminary signed "A Princeton Declaration." Some at Princeton Seminary explicitly declined to sign this document when given the opportunity, and many others were completely unaware of its existence until it was released publicly. What is very clear to us is that the positions expressed in "A Princeton Declaration" in no way represent a consensus view at Princeton Theological Seminary. As it should be on a seminary campus, the issues before the church regarding ordination are a matter of lively debate at Princeton, with many points of view represented on campus. We reject the idea expressed in "A Princeton Declaration" that "those who favor the ordination of persons engaged in homosexual practice cannot do so by appealing to the Bible as their principal authority." Such a view is simply untrue and is dismissive of those who hear in the Scripture a word that is different from the opinions contained in "A Princeton Declaration." Indeed, most of us who have signed below are hopeful that the Presbyterian Church (USA), and other denominations as well, will carefully rethink their positions on the matter of ordination and that the Presbyterian Church (USA) will remove its earlier "Definitive Guidance" on this issue, allowing the appropriate courts of the church to make decisions about ordination according to their best judgment and in accord with the Book of Order. More important, however, than our particular viewpoints on this specific issue is our conviction that the church is best served by thoughtful, honest, open, and judicious discussion about its faith, life, and mission. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Apartheid Coalition The Apartheid Coalition, coming together to do all they can to keep gays, lesbians, and bisexuals out of church offices (if not out of the church all together) had something to say, of course, as well. Here's a press release they put together: Orlando, FL, June 8 -- We the undersigned Presbyterian members, elders, deacons, missionaries and ministers, representing a broad and diverse coalition from across the United States, have reviewed the action taken by the 205th General Assembly on the Report of the Representative Committee on Human Sexuality and critical issues facing our denomination. 1. We rejoice, celebrate and affirm the action taken to adopt as "authoritative interpretation" the report of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution which finds that current constitutional law in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is that self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons may not be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, elders or deacons. 2. We reviewed the report adopted which called for a three year study on the issue. We are grieved by the pain this issue has caused the whole church and know that some congregations and members will be dismayed by further study on this issue. However, we see this as an opportunity for grass-roots involvement and as an occasion for the Church to speak its voice with conviction and clarity in support of both the General Assembly's stand and the historic biblical and confessional statements of the Church on this matter. 3. We covenant as a coalition of sisters and brothers in Christ, to help congregations and presbyteries to study and to engage in prayerful dialogue regarding the biblical, confessional, and historic standards of the Church on this issues [sic] of human sexuality as they relate to membership, ministry, and ordination within the PC(USA). As we seek the will of Christ and better understanding of each other, we are guided by the belief that those called to office are to lead an exemplary life in obedience to scripture and the historic standards of the church. These standards require fidelity within the covenant of marriage (See Book of Order W-4.9001) or celibacy. We believe the Gospel is Good News not only because it affirms the love of God for all persons, as demonstrated in the cross, but because it affirms, through the Resurrection, the power of Jesus Christ to transform life through repentance, faith and the Holy Spirit. We commit ourselves to help all person discover the transforming grace of our Risen Lord and to help one another toward God's high calling of holy living. We THEREFORE, recognizing the diversity and theological breadth of the Church of Jesus Christ, invite all members, congregations and presbyteries to join us in this time of prayer, study, dialogue and preparation at the grass-roots level, for the purpose of strengthening, according to the historic Reformed faith, the witness, mission, and future direction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Mort McMillan, Stockton, AL, Kevin Price, Gainsville, GA, Robert Taylor, Greenville, SC, Barry Van Deventer, Charleston, SC, J. William Giles, Birmingham, AL, Dick Bass, Brunswick, GA, John Huffman, Newport Beach, CA, Tom Gillespie, Princeton, NJ, Arnold B. Lovell, Richmond, VA, Jim Logan, Charlotte, NC, Dennis L. Tarr, Miami FL, Gary Dennis, Pasadena, CA John Anderson, Dallas, TX Gary Demarest, Louisville, KY Al Ruth, Durango, CO Henry Greene, Dinuba, CA John Daniel, Richmond, VA, Kathryn Johnson, Thousand Oaks, CA Kenneth Working, Goleta, CA, Daniel Vraa, Concord, CA, Jim Capps, Chesterfield, MO, Rick Hurley, W. Layfayette, IN, Don McCullough, Solana Beach CA, J. Murray Marshall, Seattle, WA, Howard Edington, Orlando, FL, Samuel Mwaniki, Kenya, Dan Antwi, Ghana, Jennifer Romans, Huntsville, AL, Kara Arveny, Duke University, Walder Wellford, Memphis, TN, Diane Wellford, Memphis, TN, Frank Harrington, Atlanta, GA, Dorothy Veerman, Melbourne, FL, Sara Cadery, White Hall, MD, Jack Rogers, Pasadena, CA, Martha Guy, Newland, NC, Frank Beattie, Yakima, WA, Thomas Phillips, Banner, NC, Bill Warlick, Louisville, KY, Nancy Warlick, Louisville, KY, Vic Penz, Houston, TX, Sue Steele, Cranerton, NC, John Sloop, Harrisonburg, VA, Alex Metherell, Laguna Beach, CA, W. F. McIntosh, Morganton, NC, Caroline Gourley, Morganton, NC, Benjamin Sheldon, Havertown, PA, Lowell Meek, Pittsburgh, PA, Rick Gillespie, Cleveland, OH, Toby Gillespie, Cleveland OH, Roe Calloway, Columbus, MS, Paul Evans, Gainsville, GA, Maria Price, Gainsville, GA, David McKechnie, Houston, TX, Ann Massa, Princeton, NJ, Wilham Showalter, Orlean, MA, Robert Latta, LaCanada, CA, James Mead, Tacoma, WA, Greg Callison, Columbus, OH, Tom Theriault, Pasadena, CA, Judy Theriault, Pasadena, CA, Keith Beeke, Whitefish, MT, Kerri Callaway, Columbus, OH, Ello Whitter, Granada, MS, Hedy Knight, AltaLoma, CA, Christopher Dean, Riverside, CA, Paul Smith, Seattle, WA, Lelis, Armella, Claremont, CA, Jeff Holmes, Laguna Beach, CA, Rollie Baybay, Baldwin Park, CA, Amparo Mendez, Los Angeles, CA, Rosy Aja, Miami, FL, Charlotte Montgomery, Los Ranchos, CA, Richard Brooks, Birmingham, AL, Jack Schutte, Los Ranchos, CA, Glen Thorp, San Fernando, CA, Carl Batzel, Susquehanna, PA, Christy Reeves, St. Andrews, Brenda Loyal, Woodlawn Chapel, Kara Arvony, Canton, OH, James Kidd, Bridgeport, NE, John Manos, Gahanna, OH, Will Ashles, Seattle, WA, Sharlyn Stan, Arunnate, OH, Alan Meenan, Amarillo, TX, Matt McGowan, Chestnut Mtn, GA, Douglas Harper, Houston, TX, John Kimbirl, Spanish Ft, AL, Steven Bryant, Winter Haven, FL, Daniel Massie, Kingsport, TN, John Coker, Pascagoula, MS, Bill Stewart, Memphis, TN, Mike Andrews, Augusta, SC, Walder Wellford, Memphis TN, Conrad Masa, Prineton, NJ, Charles Cook, Athens, GA, John Larson, Birmingham, ALll, James Harper, Dallas, TX, Nancy Anderson, Dallas, TX, Marilyn Ruth, Durango, CO, Donald Nance, Wytheville, VA, Daryl Fisher-Ogden, Pasadena, CA, Marc Mason, Firhope, AL, Dave Dolan, Santa Anna, CA, Roger Kvam, Greer, SC, Aaron Nagel, Austin, TX, Trisha Edington, Orlando, FL, Peggy Bell, Dallas TX, Bill Waterstradt, Gainseville, GA, Mark Nazarian, Redondo Beach, CA, Eric Schaefer, Decatur, GA, Judith Hirsch-Fikesjs, Acton, CA, Allen Brimer, Morristown, TN, Reggie Parsons, Starkville, MS, Tom Tyndall, Lakeland, FL, Thomas Gray, Tulsa, OK, Nelson Bell, Tulsa, OK, Gale Watkins, Cincinnati, OH, Jack Haberer, Satellite Beach, FL, Bell Leath, Wallawalla, WA, Jimmy Blair, Henderson, KY, Chriss Babbit, Tucson, AZ, Derek Gregoire, East Grand Fork, MN, Lisa McFarland, Pittsburg, PA, Vilmarie Cintron, San Juan, P.R., Randal L. Bremer, Robert A. Edmunds, Paul Leggers, John Coker, Pascagoula, MS, Patty June, Moultrie, GA, B.C. Fairchild, Ojai, CA, John Kipp, Hopkinsville, KY, Bill Hunt, Montreat, NC, David Berry, Fort Myers, FL, Harry Hassall, Dallas, TX, LeRoy E. Lyon, Jr., Mary Ann White, Pamela Bowman, Susan K. Babovec, W. Herman McIntosh, Jr., Macon Lanford Stokes, Miami Springs, FL, Stephen Weber, Gridley, CA, Richard McNeill, Wilmington, NC, Fred Cassell, Princeton, NJ, Jo Anne Cassell, Princeton, NJ, David Carlson, Postdam, NY, Harry McElroy, Moscow, PA, Ilona Buzule, Kansas City, MO, Marie Bowen, Pittsburgh, PA, Daniel Sheldon, Upper Darby, PA, June Newman, Braintree, MA, Pauline Duncan, Mercer, PA, John Sheldon, Ocean City, NJ, Michael Wheatley, West Chester, OH, Alison Makela, Santa Cruz, CA, David Makela, Santa Cruz, CA, Margaret MacLeod, Quincy, MA, Carolyn Batzel, Susquehanna, PA, Keith Hill, Wichita Falls, TX, Gary Letourneau, Minnetoaka, MN, Deborah Blair, Troy, PA, Linda Jymes, Princeton, NJ, Charles Hunter, Charlotte, NC, Rod Pinder, Orlando, FL, Kate Kirk, Pasadena, CA, Trip Torbert, Lakewood, NJ, David Votaw, San Leandro, CA, Randy McGrady- Beach, Dubuque, IA, Jim Nightingale, Tampa, FL, Jack Baca, Tucson, AZ, Genie West, San Manuel, AZ, Chuck Jones, Spartanburg, SC, Blake Garrett, Fountain Inn, SC, Malcolm McQueen, Cortez, CO, Carl Batzel, Susquehanna, PA, Carolyn Fristsch, Colton, CA, Allen Brimer, Morristown, TN, Pete Reed, Pasadena, CA, Michael Bachman, Fountain Hills, AZ, Steve Sager, Greely, CO, Zel Sant'Ana, Sandston, VA, Grace Cox, Anderson, SC * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Some Responses from the Community An Open Love Letter To The Rev. Jane A. Spahr, D. Min. >From Jim Spahr My Dearest Janie, How terribly sad that a church you love and for which you have labored so many years would continue to deny you. The pain inflected by the ignorant and bigoted majority on you, Coni and the other faithful within the trans-gender, lesbian, gay & bisexual Presbyterian community must be excruciating. As your bother of choice, the father of our boys, one voice of thousands within the gay community, I urge you to come home. Come home to where you are loved without qualification. Come home to where we consider the opportunity to experience your leadership and love a cosmic gift of indescribable value. Come home to where your brothers and sisters living with the HIV and other life threatening illnesses will find a new joy of life and freedom from fear of death in the comfort of your shadow and embrace of your arms. Come home to where our gay youth can be near you and watch you as they learn to value their lives and understand the wonderful future you are helping to create for them. They need your touch. The need to hear your words. Come home to where you can minister to the elder warriors of the gay community who need to see your strength of character and beauty of spirit so they know the horrors of prejudice and hate that surrounded their lives, destroyed their families, stole their careers and youth were not endured in vain; that because of them, you can be and are. Come home to where you can play, live and relax, surrounded by your family who loves you and is honored to be the family of the Reverend Doctor Jane Adams Spahr just as she is, who thanks you for being you! Thank the elders and people of the Rochester Church, your brothers and sisters of Presbyterians for Lesbian & Gay Concerns for being there with you and for you. But tell them it is time for you to move on. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is not a healthy place. By an overwhelming majority, its leading council has once again reaffirmed bigotry, ignorance and hypocrisy. For almost thirty years you have honored your covenant to love, respect and stand by me, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad. You, Coni, Jackie and I know that I tested your strength of commitment too often, but always failed to diminish it. Now, in my gut, in my heart of hearts, I believe my pledge to you, my vows of almost 30 years ago demand that I say to my friend, my compatriot, you: "Janie, it is time. You have done your best, It is simply time to come home." c1993 All rights reserved * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * If We Are Going to Study, Let's Do It. Since the General Assembly has decided to study us for 3 years, I urge all members of PLGC, More Light Churches, and all folks who believe in an Inclusive Church to call PRESBYTEL (1-800-UP-2- DATE) on or about the 10th of each month to ask, Are the study materials available yet? Who is in charge of producing them? Are Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals involved in the process of developing the materials? This 3-year process will be a delaying procedure to study us to death unless we keep up the pressure not only to produce the study materials, but also to be involved in the process. Also, all the telephone calls just might create a little activity in our slow and uncaring denomination. -- The Wrong Reverend Howard B. Warren, Jr. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Biggest Luncheon Yet Here's the GA News Service report on the annual PLGC luncheon, reported by Jerry L. Van Marter. Orlando, FL. -- June 5. "Let's see -- what do I want to be when I grow up? . . . Can I be a lesbian evangelist, please?" With those words of introduction Saturday at the annual luncheon of Presbyterians for Lesbian & Gay Concerns (PLGC), the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr launched into a sometimes hilarious, sometimes moving account of her experiences as a traveling advocate for lesbian, gay and bisexual Presbyterians and their supporters in the church. Greeting an adoring crowd of 400, Spahr said, "We are here because we love each other, we love God and we want to transform the Presbyterian Church into what Jesus wants it to be." Spahr has been traveling around the country -- primarily to churches, presbyteries and Presbyterian-related colleges -- since shortly after the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly overturned her call to be co-pastor of Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY last November. That church is funding her work as "an evangelist and educator." Spahr told about trips to: * Pittsburgh, where she was greeted by a seminary student who said, "Don't worry, Janie, there have only been three bomb threats." * Seattle, where a pastor said, "Janie, when they said no to you they said no to my (gay) son -- help me with my rage." Spahr said, "We hugged and cried and prayed and in those moments the healing began." * Kansas City, where a pastor's spouse pledged $500 a year to PLGC "until the Presbyterian Church changes its position" (banning ordination of lesbian and gay persons). * Charlotte, where a woman stood in a meeting and asked, "Can't you be more patient?" and another woman, a lesbian, leaped to her feet and responded, "How much longer do you want us to wait . . . how long, oh Lord?" * Rochester, where a woman whose son had died from AIDS gave Spahr a watch with two timepieces -- one set on Rochester time and the other on California time (where Spahr and her partner, the Rev. Coni Staff, live). "This is our time and this is our church," Spahr concluded. "We say to those who oppose us: we don't want to destroy you. We do this because we love you and we love ourselves. We do this because we honor our church and will not let it be less that the fully inclusive body of Christ that God intends." The gathering was visited by the new moderator, the Rev. David Dobler. The moderator, who publicly supports the ban on gay and lesbian ordination, told the group, "I honor your integrity and your determination to stay in the church. Though we may disagree, I am profoundly honored to be your brother in Christ." Dobler was given a stack of signatures from Presbyterians who have signed "A Declaration of Conscience" protesting the continuing ban and a stole created by a noted Presbyterian artist Nancy Chinn. PLGC presented its annual Inclusive Church Award to the Rev. Howard Warren, chaplain of the Damian Center, an outreach ministry to persons with HIV/AIDS. Some Footnotes by JDA: * The beautiful stole, decorated with pink triangles, is to be held in trust by the moderators of the church for the first lesbian, gay, or bisexual Presbyterian who is openly ordained by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). * Howard Warren, recipient of the Inclusive Church Award, is also co-chair of Presbyterian Act-Up. His wonderful prophetic signs (and voice) calling the church to repentance were seen (and heard) throughout the assembly halls. The Holy Spirit thanks you, Howard! * The General Assembly edition of *NEWS of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)*, the church-wide newspaper, listed a host of special awards given at General Assembly, including ones from the Presbyterian Writers Guild, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Presbyterians for Renewal, the Witherspoon Study, BUT NOT OUR INCLUSIVE CHURCH AWARD. PLGC'ers may want to write to Editor Michael E. Jones about this additional exclusion! His address is the PCUSA, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396. * More than 5,000 Presbyterians signed the "Declaration of Conscience" in support of overturning the present apartheid policies. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Name It All by Susan Kramer When I first sat down to write this article, I was unable to make any sense of things. I struggled to force something from my mind to my fingers, but only became more frustrated the harder I tried. So I moved from my desk to our backyard. Perhaps the sunlight and warmth would inspire me. I stretched out and basked in the tree greens against the sky blues and whites. I listened to the persistent cardinal who regularly visits our backyard. Sometimes I dozed. At one point I opened again the book, *This Bridge Called My Back -- Writings By Radical Women of Color*, and I read the dedication. (I often find book dedications to be the most telling statement by an author.) This is what I read: para Elvira Moraga Lawrence y Amalia Garci'a Anzaldua y para todas nuestras madres por la obediencia y la insurreccion que ellas nos ensen~aron for Elvira Moraga Lawrence and Amalia Garci'a Anzaldua and for all our mothers for the obedience and rebellion they taught us. That's it! I thought while making a mental leap to this just completed General Assembly. The church it is who has taught us both to obey and to rebel. Almost simultaneous with this thought, however, poured questions and a cacophony of feelings. How do we as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and supporters deal with our rage, pain, and sadness with the church? How do we maintain our empowerment, sense of goodness, sense of God-ness? How do we even make sense of things in the aftermath of this Assembly which was so full of senselessness? Part of me wants to run from the struggle. Part of me wants to dive deeper into the struggle. Part of me wants to do violence. Part of me wants to extend my hand to those who oppose us. Part of me wants to scream and bellow. Part of me wants to cry. Part of me wants to go away and be quiet. Still other parts of me . . . . I could fill in the blanks in a variety of ways as I imagine each of you could do as well. Yet the response I keep hearing / feeling to all these colliding questions and parts of myself is: name it all -- embrace it all. Alone, name and embrace it. Together, name and embrace it -- every part of it. I do not have much of a desire to recount the events of this GA for you -- the brutal events, the life-giving events. Each time I try to do that the words do not come or they come in very disjointed ways. I suspect that is happening because telling the facts is not my task here. Others can do that much better than I at this point in time. It is my task, however, to name my rage and pain and sadness and shame with this institutional church and our bankrupt leadership: their inability to speak clearly and with courage, their repeated duplicity and unwillingness to take justice stands. Their attempts to silence prophetic voices. I am enraged that the Committee on Human Sexuality recommended and the Assembly adopted their recommendation for further study on a local level with no direction or structure for that study, with no teeth in that study, and absolutely no protection for gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals to be open participants in the study / conversation / dialogue. As many people asked over and over again, "How can we have a study when the main participants cannot be part of it?" Two chants from our witness on Monday night ring through my head: "You study us to death!" "The church is God's, you cannot shut us out!" I also hear Lisa Larges' words from her sermon on Sunday: "Love without justice is violence." I feel deep pain for those who must remain closeted for another three years or come out and lose dreams, visions, professions, calls, livelihoods. I feel deep pain for the Downtown Rochester Church and Genesee Valley Presbytery and the violation of them as a congregation / Presbytery and their right to call a qualified, tremendously gifted minister. I feel deep pain for this denomination, which is confused and divided with little guidance. In the midst of these feelings, I also feel pride and experience the sense of goodness and God-ness in us as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and supporters. I close my eyes and hear / feel the clear testimonies before the Human Sexuality Committee. I see / hear my sisters and brothers' ringing voices, their articulate words, their poignant stories, their tears, their calls for love and justice, their vulnerability. I recall the truth telling during those twelve minutes on Monday afternoon when a number of us spoke before the Assembly. Over and over everyone in that hall heard the refrain: "And I bring my gifts to the church." I am saddened, however, that every gay man, lesbian, bisexual, and supporter was not able to speak -- whether it was because of time constraints or the need to remain closeted. I wanted all of our voices to be heard. I name the love and faithfulness that last night in the PLGC suite when those who could gather, shared specific gifts each brings and the gifts each has received from all of us. What a moving time that was as young lesbians and gay men spoke of the inspiration of those who have gone before them and their desire to continue the struggle. What strength and courage we experienced from those who have been faithful and committed long-term participants in the struggle. Here all could speak: some who were barely out of the closet, those not able to be out, those who have been out for a long time. And I name the blessing of our wonderfully and yes, painfully growing diversity. We are indeed a wonder-filled rainbow people. We are also learning on practical levels how to be that with one another and embrace that. I was again sitting in our backyard this morning as I worked to finish this article. I had taken a break and ended up doing some weeding. Then I looked up to see the pink peony blossoms and the cosmos just beginning to bloom. I watched the whimsical faces of the pansies gently bounce among the petunias. I noted that the tiger lilies will bloom very soon. I sighed that the Impatiens are slower than I would like this year, but eventually they will carpet the area under the pine tree. I walked back to the vegetable garden to see that the tomato plants have not bloomed yet, but rain and continued warm weather will bring them out before long. The peas, beans, and cukes are climbing taller and taller. Then I walked back into the house to finish writing. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Study Materials The best seller in our booth at General Assembly this year was: *Gay Theology without Apology*, by Gary David Comstock. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 1993, 183 p., $14.95, ISBN 0-8298- 0944-9. Here's a review by Merrill Proudfoot. The reading of this little book could be the event that finally liberates Christian lesbians and gays from the tyranny of the Bible. Thank you, John Boswell and Robin Scroggs, but we no longer need excuses for Moses and Paul. If what they were talking about is not what we know as homosexuality, that is good to know, but by no means crucial. Because we aren't going to allow our lives to be determined by the homophobia of the Bible any more than by the homophobia of Presbyterians. If I have received in grateful joy the assurance of God's Spirit that my love is okay, a holy thing, then either you are mistaken in telling me that Paul denounces it, or Paul himself was mistaken. Comstock doesn't hesitate to assert the latter: "Paul's letter to the Romans (1:18-32) is . . . vicious and misleading in its description of us." He points out that "in the interest of convincing ourselves and the church that the Bible does not condemn us, . . . we have tended to overlook . . . the hostility that lurk(s) in the very passages with which we have tried to become friends." Comstock reminds us that "the Bible is stacked in favor of heterosexual males ruling household, tribe, and nation; and a central factor in maintaining position is their control of sexual behavior." When real power is declining, as it was after the Exile when Leviticus was written, and as it is in America today, the frenzy to control private acts becomes greatest. Comstock's proposal is not to abandon the Bible, but taking our clue from the Bible itself, which always looks back to the great liberating events of Exodus and Resurrection, to reject that in the Bible which squelches, and to look for those persons and stories which affirm. As an example, he points to Vashti, the Persian queen who refused to come on command to her drunken husband. To the Bible writer, Vashti was just a device to get Esther on the stage, but to us, she can be a model of integrity and courage. Read during dull moments of the Presbyterian General Assembly, *Gay Theology without Apology* came as a warning against us gays and lesbians buying into the institutional church too heavily -- just because we are denied access -- and an exciting reminder that we do not have to, because in our commitment, our love for one another, and in our worship, we are more truly Christ's Church than all the structure defined by "authoritative interpretations," which seems so important to the folk who are "in". -- Merrill Proudfoot For those who want something shorter, Dean Merrill of Boise, Idaho has summarized some research and thought in a small 15-page pamphlet: *The Bible and the Homosexual*, by Dean Merrill, P.O. Box 8182, Boise, ID 83707-2182, $4. Here's a review by Ken Cuthbertson: "The Bible and the Homosexual" is an "o.k." piece of work, but not that exciting. It summarizes John McNeill's work and other points that have commonly been made, but some of those positions are problematic to me, particularly the wimpy interpretation of the Sodom story. I think the only adequate dealing with Sodom is to point out the intention of the crowd to commit gang rape. The section on the holiness code is good and sets the broader socio- cultural context nicely. The section on Paul asserts a philosophical bent to Paul that, to me, gets somewhat off the point. Citations of Aquinas, Augustine, and the Stoics belie the Catholic bent of the principal source. For good or ill, philosophers are not major authorities in our own Reformed tradition of thought. Paul was a rabbi with some affinities to Stoic philosophy, but he wasn't a major Stoic. First century *Judaism* in the diaspora is Paul's context. The pamphlet deals inadequately with I Corinthians 6:9 and I Timothy 1:10, the latter of which Merrill attributes to Pauline authorship although that is highly disputed. He doesn't even suggest a translation for *arsenokoitai*! (By the way, I'm newly intrigued by Robin Scroggs citation of a form of this word used in the Septuagint, precisely in Leviticus 18 and 20 -- note that in I Corinthians "idolaters" are mentioned in the same list, suggesting a connection to the anti-idolatry concern about homosexual acts also found in Romans.) In dealing with Romans, the pamphlet helpfully suggests that Paul uses "against nature" as the equivalent to the Levitical "abomination," all of which reinforces the anti-idolatry context of Paul's thoughts about homosexual behavior. The discussion of differing views of the role and importance of human sexuality between the Old and New Testaments is helpful. I wish he had included the important texts of same gender affectional relationships, i.e., David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi. Failure to include this leaves out the most positive evidence on same gender relationships. Overall I think Merrill is too dependent on McNeill and should have consulted more sources. **Footnote by JDA**: Ken Cuthberton's 8-page pamphlet, "Good News for Gays and Lesbians," was the most popular "freebie" at the PLGC exhibit booth at General Assembly. It's a non-technical summary of the Bible's affirming message for lesbians and gays, that "God loves you just the way you are!", aimed at a high- school reading level. For copies, write to Jim Anderson, PLGC, PO Box 38, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038, and send a couple of bucks along to help with printing and mailing costs, OK? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lazarus Project Responds to Ecclesiastical Extortion Hollywood, CA. -- In a strongly-worded letter dated May 6, officials of the Lazarus Project have condemned a decision by the session of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach to withhold its $300,000 mission pledge to the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii as long as the project receives synod funds. The Lazarus Project, an outreach ministry with gay, lesbian and bisexual persons that operates out of West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, receives $5,000 from the synod. The letter, signed by project moderator the Rev. David Myler and director the Rev. Peg Beissert, states: "The threat to withhold funds is based on fear and hatred. Let us not forget this extortionist procedure could be used against any issue." The Lazarus Project is "built on the mandate" contained in the 1978 General Assembly's report on homosexuality that encourages membership of gay and lesbian persons in the Presbyterian Church, continued dialogue on the issue and ministries of outreach and reconciliation between the church and gay and lesbian persons. -- Adapted from a PCUSA News Brief, May 21, 1993, by Jerry Van L. Marter. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * More Light Synod Backed by PJC Louisville, KY. -- The Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has come down on the side of the Synod of the Northeast by denying complaints from the Presbytery of West Jersey against the synod for adopting a "More Light" statement. The Synod declared itself on Jan. 23, 1993 to be a "More Light Synod," affirming the inclusiveness set forth in the Book of Order, encouraging all persons regardless of sexual orientation who seek to know christ to participate fully in the life of the church, including service in ordained offices (see *More Light Update*, March 1993). The PJC, in summary, upheld the right of the synod to express an opinion contrary to the official policy of the church, but stated that the opinion cannot endorse a course of action against the policies of the church. -- Based on a PCUSA New Brief, June 4, 1993, by Marj Carpenter. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Janie Spahr Video The most popular video at the PLGC exhibit booth at General Assembly was "Maybe We're Talking About a Different God: Homosexuality and the Church," which features the story of Janie Spahr and her call to the Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY. The video is available for $32.35 including shipping and handling from Leonardo's Children, Inc., 26 Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, NY 10990. PLGC'er Gary Smith bought a few extra copies, so if you can make good use of the video but don't have the money to buy one, send a request (with a brief statement of how you plan to use it) to Jim Anderson, PO Box 38, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038. Jim will pass your request on to Gary Smith. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Holy Unions in Kansas In the April 1993 Update, we reported that a Special Disciplinary Committee of the Presbytery of Northern Kansas might be investigating the role of the Rev. Robert D. Lay in a Holy Union ceremony in which he participated. The Committee reported to the Presbytery on April 24, 1993, that they "do unanimously find . . . that there are not sufficient probable grounds or cause to believe an offense was committed . . . ." Here are some excerpts from their report: "First we examined the opinion of our denomination's Advisory Committee on the Constitution found in the 1991 minutes of the General Assembly [and reaffirmed by the 1993 Assembly Q JDA] . . . . Although some of the statements are quite confusing, it seems that same-sex unions are permissible as long as they are not considered the same as a marriage ceremony. "We checked our understanding with the Associate Stated Clerk for Constitutional Services at our denomination headquarters in Louisville, KY. He affirmed that same-sex unions are permissible and that no one could prevent a minister from performing a same- sex union as long as it is not considered the same as a marriage ceremony. We asked him whether it was possible for anyone in the Presbytery to prohibit a minister from performing a same-sex union. He informed us that neither a session, nor the presbytery as a whole, nor any individual, including the General Presbyter, could prohibit a minister from performing a same-sex union, under our Constitution." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Censorship in Virginia We quote from an "Open Letter to the Congregation of Bayside Presbyterian Church," Virginia Beach, from the Pastor the Clerk of Session: "Future announcements made during worship services or which appear in the church bulletin or newsletter or on the church bulletin boards shall not generally refer to 'homosexuality,' 'gay,' 'lesbian,' or other sexually related words or phrases, unless the use of these words is reasonably necessary to convey the intended message and the announcement has been approved by the Moderator of the Session or the Clerk of Session in the absnce of the Moderator." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * General Assembly Chants Here are some of the chants we used in our Monday night demonstration at General Assembly. How long, O Church? No more silence! You call it love, we know it's hate! Truth has set us free! Love without justice is no love at all! God will see us through! You study us to death! The church is God's, you cannot shut us out! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * More Next Month Yes, we have more on General Assembly, but we'll save it for next month, including Lisa Large's stirring sermon at PLGC's packed Sunday morning worship. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *