wfn.org | Overture on Inclusive Language Is Defeated

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99108 
25-June-1999 
 
                 Overture on Inclusive Language  
                           Is Defeated 
 
 
FORT WORTH-Heartfelt testimonies of the power of language in the lives of 
worshipers punctuated the ongoing debate on issues of inclusive language as 
Overture 99-24 came before the Assembly Thursday afternoon, June 24.  The 
overture, which was defeated by a vote of 402 to 123, with four 
abstentions, would have mandated the use of inclusive language in the 
church. 
     Earlier in the report of the Assembly Committee on Theological Issues 
and Institutions, Elder Carolyn Beaird, moderator, recognized the Rev. 
Douglas Oldenburg, moderator of the 210th General Assembly to make a 
special report.  Oldenburg's remarks were dedicated to the recognition of 
the Rev. James H. Costen, president emeritus of the Interdenominational 
Theological Center (ITC) and former moderator of the General Assembly. 
Costen, who was saluted for his distinguished service in theological 
education, was once told as a young man that he was not "college material." 
"Thank God," said Oldenburg, "that devastating comment only deepened his 
commitment to prove that person wrong."  
     The committee also expressed its thanks to all of the presidents of 
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) theological institutions for their 
faithful work and their excellent panel presentation to the committee 
during its proceedings.  
     The consent docket, which included authorization of the celebration of 
the Lord's Supper at the Presbyterian national conference centers, the 
Presbyterian Center and at a variety of events, as well as other matters, 
was approved. 
     Upheld also was the committee's recommendation to approve Overture 
99-5 on churchwide renewal of baptismal vows. 
     An amendment to Overture 99-13, concerning the designation of a date 
on the Presbyterian Planning Calendar as "Day of Prayer for Nuclear Peace" 
and changing that date from July 16 back to August 6, was passed by the 
narrowest of margins, 259 to 257, with 15 abstentions.  The main motion was 
then overwhelmingly approved. 
     Music from the "New Song" youth ministry resource introduced the item 
of business which would endorse it as a resource on behalf of the 
denomination and commend its use to the whole church.  That item of 
business, along with the balance of action items, was approved. Among those 
with financial implications were the approval of several items germane to 
the Study of Urban Theological Education. 
 
Emily Enders Odom 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  This note sent by Office of News Services, 
  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
  to the World Faith News list <wfn-news@wfn.org>.
  For additional information about this news story,
  call 502-569-5493 or send e-mail to PCUSA.News@pcusa.org

  On the web:  http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/

  If you have a question about this mailing list, 
  send queries to wfn@wfn.org