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Some still think we who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning...
are not considered second-class members of God's Creation, however you may know God.

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GAPJC Orders Removal of Censure and Reversal of Charges Against The Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr
PCUSA News Service Report Ruling of the GAPJC; 4/29/2008

"We don't do marriages to defy the church," she said recently...
We do marriages because it's the right thing to do."
The Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr,
Pacific Sun Article Nov. 9, 2007 See Full Text

Press Release April 29, 2008 from Janie Spahr Group:
Presbyterian Highest Court Clears Spahr of Censure

Tiburon, CA – Today the Presbyterian’s General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) reversed the two-year-old Synod decision to censure Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr for her role in marrying same-gender couples. Today’s decision held that the Presbyterian constitution contains no prohibition against marrying same-gender couples.

“I am grateful that the Commission let stand the Presbytery’s original ruling which affirmed my ministry,” said Rev. Spahr. “The Church is a place of welcome and hospitality in which I will continue to honor relationships of love and commitment, regardless of sexual orientation.”

Surprisingly, by a bare majority, the decision – while clearing Spahr – attempted to set forth language that could be interpreted to preclude such marriages in the future.

In a dissent signed by five Commission members – a significant minority – the members stated, “It is not the place of this Commission to go any farther and step into the legislative realm…In rendering it’s decision, the majority has taken the liberty of legislating in the guise of interpreting inconsistencies” within the constitution and current case law.

“We are deeply troubled by the majority’s insistence on reading any language into the constitution that renders these marriages anything less than fully equal.” said, Sara Taylor, Rev. Spahr’s attorney. “By this act, the majority exceeded its judicial authority with respect to marriage in this denomination.”
“I will continue to honor my calling to perform marriages for all couples who love one another and are committed to one another,” said Spahr. “To not perform these marriages would go against my faith, my conscience and most importantly, against God."

The Judicial Commission’s ruling marks the end of a four-year legal journey for Spahr that began in 2004, when she was charged by her local Presbytery for performing same-gender weddings. The ruling by the Redwoods Presbytery Permanent Judicial Commission originally affirmed Reverend Spahr, ruling that performing same-gender weddings was not “outside of, or contrary to, the essentials of the Reformed faith as understood by the Presbytery of the Redwoods.” That historic decision was appealed and sent to the next highest church court, the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission, which ruled against the Redwoods Presbytery's affirmation of Janie's Ministry. That decision was appealed and this past Friday was heard by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, which is the church’s highest court.

“Our marriage affirms that no matter whom you love, you still have complete access to God,” said Sherrill Figuera and Annie Senecahl, a couple married by Spahr and named in the disciplinary case.

For complete decision, visit: http://www.pcusa.org/gapjc/decisions/decisions.htm

Overture to the 218th General Assembly on Amending the Directory For Worship; Regarding Marriage to Make it Inclusive of Gay and Lesbian Couples
Download Overture in Word Format or PDF

On November 15, 2007, the Presbytery of Baltimore, by a vote of 76 in favor and 71 opposed, approved a motion by the Session of Govans Presbyterian Church (concurring Sessions of Brown Memorial Park Avenue, Deer Creek Harmony, Faith, First and Franklin Street, Light Street, and St. John United) to send an Overture to the 218th General Assembly on amending the Directory For Worship regarding marriage to make it inclusive of gay and lesbian couples.

Ruling Against Reverend Dr. Jane Adams Spahr,
Lesbian Evangelist, Emerita
Presbyterian Judicial Commission Reverses Decision Granting Minister Right to Officiate Marriage Ceremonies for Same-Sex Couples

Decision denies same-sex couples equal marriage rights within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), click for more details

Rev. Spahr commented on the ruling, saying,

“I am deeply saddened that our church has chosen not to recognize the loving relationships of members of its own family.” Rev. Spahr continued, “These couples and many like them have found a sacred trust in their love for each other; this reversal of the Presbytery’s decision promotes a belief that somehow this love is less than valid.” Spahr said, “The church’s pervasive attitude of prejudice promotes violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.”

Visit RevJaneSpahr.Org for more.

Overture to Restore the Heidelberg Catechism
Download Overture in Word Format or PDF

From The Rev. Janet Edwards:

The Consistory of the Community of Reconciliation, a More Light church in Pittsburgh, PA, has voted to petition Pittsburgh Presbytery to overture GA to replace the present translation of the Heidelberg Catechism in the Book of Confessions with a more accurate translation. The rationale explains the serious need for this so that the Book of Confessions can be relied upon to be authentic and trustworthy. Perhaps you read of this need in Jack Rogers' recent book, Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality, Pp.114-119. Please take this overture to your session and your presbytery so that you can concur with this rationale or write your own rationale for replacing the flawed translation. Remember, that when your presbytery concurs with its own rationale or writes its own overture you are invited to send an overture advocate to GA.

We are enjoined to live in conformity to the historical standards of the church and of course we need to take special care that these historic confessions are accurate and reliable. That is what this overture intends to do. Thank you all for your prayerful consideration of the challenge to forward this action in your own presbytery. Peace be with you all, Janet Edwards, Pittsburgh

Presbytery of Hudson River Passes the Palisades NY Overture for the Deletion of G-6.0106b and Calling for a New Authoritative Interpretation Overture

Commentary on the Process and Procedures Surrounding
The Hudson River Overture to the General Assembly

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Unshakable…
©2008 Ray Bagnuolo

That which cannot be shaken.

I have this air conditioner. It’s just about time to put it in my bedroom window for the summer. While I prefer to have open windows over the a/c, sometimes it is just too hot, too uncomfortable, to do otherwise…except turn it on.

The only problem is…it shakes.

Somehow, no matter what I do, it shakes: the window, the frame, the screen or the building in such a way – that it keeps me awake; until I finally can be kept awake no longer, and I fall asleep.

I anticipate the shaking, even now, wondering if by some magical cure, that this year – it will be different. It will go into the window and presto! hum with not a rattle to be heard!

Now and then, the edges of my mind rattle like the a/c in the window.

Some event or situation occurs, some thought about something, and try as I might, I just can’t let it go – until it seems to have subsided enough, or I have become weary enough of it – that it no longer keeps me awake. I fall asleep, move it to the “back burner,” and hope it (like the a/c rattle) is gone in the morning.

And, often it is…until it or something new appears to start it all over again. Generally, I am pretty good at keeping things in the now, staying away from too much projection and the like…but sometimes there are just things that “shake” me.

Usually, self-centered as I can be, they start with me and situations close to me. There’s plenty of those:

For example: what will it be like in the next few months to say good-bye to this congregation; or,
what will this General Assembly produce in terms of justice for marginalized groups, such as LGBT;
what role am I supposed to play in continuing to encourage this church to change;
which one of the phone calls I receive will be announcing that a loved on has completed this journey;
when will my own journey end –
and how do we create ways to talk about dying,
what’s next or not;

…we all have our list of “shakable things.”

Probably, like me – yours may begin with situations in close proximity to family, loved ones, friends, students, colleagues…

From there, the “fires of shake” are fanned the further “out” we go:

who is the right choice for my vote in the upcoming elections;
how will this war in Iraq/Afghanistan/ Other places come to an end;
will terrorism be always with us and where will it next strike;
will the current financial crisis send us barreling into another recession, depression, stagflation spiral;
the list goes on.

The direction of my comments is not to directly address all these today, it would be impossible to do so. Even though I would like to talk about them all, especially about the beginnings and ends on this plane of the lives we have been given to live. No morbidity here, just the fascination with something so close to us that mostly gets spoken of when shaken, usually in hushes – even then, and then given “rest,” until the next or imminent loss is with us.

I would like to do have those conversations, and if anyone else is interested, please let me know. We can put something together.

Another “shaker” that is upon us and that we continue to address, hopefully loudly, clearly, transparently – is the transition in our congregation. The PNC is working hard to see that the right new pastor will soon be chosen. Questions abound with this change! And continue speaking about this we will; and, if you need more, just say so!

But this morning, specifically – in a general sort of way - what I want to speak about what is the “unshakable” in our lives.

Full Text