Date: Sun, 10 Mar 96 13:16 EST
From: Chris Purdom <purdom@rabbit.com>
Subject: Re: Transsexual minister asked to resign (fwd)

> Cherokee Presbytery Reveals Plan to Remove Ordination of Transsexual
> Minister
> AEGIS Asks Transsexuals Everywhere To Pray for Presbyterian Church
> 
> Carla T. Pridgen, an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church USA and a
> male-to-female transsexual, was asked to resign today by the Cherokee
> Presbytery of Northwest Georgia.  The Presbytery includes conservative and
> controversial Cobb County, which has received both condemnation and support
> for its anti-gay and lesbian resolution.
> 
> Pridgen finds herself in the strange position of being asked to resign, even
> though no formal charges have been made against her.  She is unavailable for
> comment until after she consults with her attorney.
> 
> Pridgen's resignation was recommended by the Christian Educational
> Committee,
> which has been "studying her situation" for some time.  The Committee read
> the following statement at a meeting of the Presbytery today:
> 
> Background Statement
> 
> "There are times when the Committee on Ministry faces situations among the
> minister members of the Presbytery or among Presbyterian churches which are
> of such a highly sensitive nature that special care and attention is needed.
> 
> "Such an occasion occurred with the dissolution of the pastoral relationship
> between Carlton Pridgen and the Calhoun Presbyterian Church in February of
> 1993.  At that time, a subcommittee of COM (Committee on Ministry) began
> confidentially and pastorally to care for Carlton and members of the Calhoun
> Church.
> 
> "When the pulpit became vacant, the COM began its work with the Session and
> the congregation of the Calhoun Church.
> 
> "As time went on, it became clear that Carlton had begun a transition to a
> transgender expression, and wished to be known as Carla.  The entire
> committee was apprised of Carlton's/Carla's transgendered status.
> Additional
> visits were made to the Calhoun Session, and the Presbytery was formally
> notified of this situation on August 1, 1995.
> 
> "Over the last year, the COM as a whole has met with Carla in person,
> received written correspondence from him/her, and conducted one telephone
> conference call.  Additionally, individual members of COM have talked with
> him/her by telephone.  Hours of discussion and prayer, especially during
> this
> last year, have occupied much of the Committee's time.
> 
> "This situation is exceedingly complex, involving a number of persons and
> issues.  We have explored this whole matter and have not reached our
> decision
> lightly.  Praying for the Spirit's guidance, we feel that C.T. Pridgen
> should
> not continue in the practice of ministry of word and sacrament in the
> Presbyterian Church, USA.  We believe this is the right course of action
> both
> for Carlton/Carla and for the whole Church."
> 
> Pridgen was told that if she did not resign by the time of the next
> Presbytery meeting on 28 May, 1996, she would be placed on inactive status.
>  After three years on inactive status, she would be stripped of her
> ordination.  She was told also that if she practices ministry in any form,
> her ordination will be immediately terminated.
> 
> Dallas Denny, Director of American Educational Gender Information Service,
> Inc., a nonprofit clearinghouse and advocacy agency on transsexual and
> transgender issues, said, "I find it tragic and pathetic that the Cherokee
> Presbytery is unable and unwilling to deal with the issue of transsexualism.
>  We do not live in simple times, and the twenty-first century is certainly
> going to be even more complex.  Is the Presbyterian Church going to run away
> from those issues, too?"
> 
> Denny pointed out that in the early part of this century, Georgia
> Presbyteries were condemning clothing much more moderate than those worn by
> the majority of the Cherokee Presbytery members today.  She called for
> transsexuals to pray for the spiritual enlightenment of the Presbytery
> Church.  "Carla Pridgen is a fine person who has lived an exemplary life.
> She
> and her family have been done a grievous wrong by the Cherokee Presbytery.
>  Perhaps the prayers of transsexuals everywhere will help the Presbytery and
> the Presbyterian Church in their time of need."
> 
> Pridgen's father is also a Presbyterian minister.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Transmitted: 3/6/96 7:42 AM