wfn.org | PC(USA), Gay-Rights Group Exchange Letters About GA Protest

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

Note #5935 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

13-June-2000
00233

	PC(USA), Gay-Rights Group Exchange Letters About GA Protest 
 
	Soulforce reaffirms that its demonstration will be peaceful

	by Evan Silvestein

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Officials of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and members
of an ecumenical gay-rights organization that is planning a demonstration
during this month's 212th General Assembly (GA) have exchanged letters about
how the protest will be carried out.

	A non-violent and carefully-choreographed demonstration is planned by
Soulforce, a coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people
and heterosexuals from a variety of faith backgrounds, including
Presbyterians. The group announced last month that it would protest outside
the assembly venue during opening worship on June 25.

	The GA opening-worship site often has been the site of protests by various
groups, but the placard-waving and slogan-chanting have never disrupted the
worship service, and arrests have never been necessary.

	Soulforce is calling for an end to what it contends is PC(USA)
discrimination against gays, lesbians and other sexual minorities, and for
changes in policies prohibiting openly gay members from ordained church
leadership.

	 PC(USA) officials, meanwhile, have conferred with police and
convention-center representatives in Long Beach, Calif., the site of this
year's GA. A letter outlining those discussions has been sent to
Presbyterians registered for the June 24-July 1 Assembly by the PC(USA)'s
General Assembly stated clerk, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, and GA
Moderator Freda Gardner.
 
	"Our offices have also been in direct contact with the Soulforce leaders to
discern their intentions, and to develop any plans that would ensure the
safety and uninterrupted worship of those who are participating in the
worship service," Kirkpatrick and Gardner wrote in a letter dated June 12.
"At the same time, the parameters of what would be considered to be unlawful
behavior that could warrant arrests being made have been established, so
that misunderstandings or rash actions will be minimized."

	A rally Soulforce staged during last month's United Methodist General
Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, was peaceful, although more than 200 members
were arrested. Soulforce has promised more arrests in Long Beach, but says
the demonstration will also be peaceful.

	In a letter faxed on June 5 to the Rev. Richard Ferguson, interim director
for PC(USA)'s department of assembly arrangements, a Soulforce official
reaffirmed the group's peaceful intentions and offered assurances that its
members won't disrupt proceedings inside the convention center.

	 "We promise you this: We will not disrupt, anger or embarrass the GA or
PC(USA) in any way," said the letter signed by the Rev. Mel White, a
co-chair of Soulforce. "We will not block, impede or attempt to enter."

	The letter, headlined "Soulforce Commitment to our PCUSA Friends at
GA2000," outlined the group's civil-disobedience program, which it said has
been coordinated with Long Beach officials.

	Soulforce also sent copies of its latest video, "There's A Wideness in
God's Mercy," to all 558 General Assembly commissioners.
	
	On Sunday, June 25, at 8:30 a.m., Soulforce plans to have members stand in
"prayerful vigil" at the Long Beach Convention Center, which will also house
the General Assembly's meetings and an exhibition hall. The group will hold
services of its own that morning at 9:30 at a nearby United Church of Christ
facility. Then, at 11 a.m., while assembly-goers worship inside, Soulforce
members will be demonstrating outside.

	"We choose your communion service to make our protest outside precisely
because it's a Christ's table where GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and
transgendered ) Presbyterians called to full participation and ordained
service in the church are denied," wrote White, a gay minister of the
predominately gay and lesbian Metropolitan Community Church, and a Soulforce
co-founder.
	
	PC(USA) officials, who have acknowledged the group's right to march at GA,
said they are optimistic that the interests of both the denomination and
Soulforce will be upheld through "these preliminary conversations."

	"(They) give us every confidence that appropriate concerns are being
addressed responsibly and in a spirit that seeks to achieve ultimate unity
and justice for all," the PC(USA) said in the letter from Kirkpatrick and
Gardner.
 
 	Here is the full text of that letter:

June 5, 2000

To All who are registered for attendance
at the 212th General Assembly, Long Beach, CA

Dear Friends in Christ,

We are writing to reaffirm our welcome to you to the assembly at the end of
June. The time for our worship, business, and fellowship together is fast
approaching. The final package of Reports to the General Assembly (III) is
in the mail to you who are commissioners, and we're working through the many
final arrangements for what promises to be a very significant assembly.

An unexpected element of this assembly's atmosphere is one that you may have
already heard about through the media, and about which you may be concerned.
We refer to the anticipated presence of an advocacy group, Soulforce,
outside the Arena in which the assembly worship service and communion will
be held on Sunday morning, June 25th. We have been made aware of this
group's intentions, following their presence at the Quadrennial Convention
of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH in early May, and have been
developing strategic plans for dealing with contingencies that may arise. We
want to share our thoughts with you, and covet your prayers for wisdom and
guidance as we approach this matter together.

A consistent hallmark of the management of our assemblies has been the
maintenance of  an atmosphere of free and respectful dialogue, and a spirit
that exhibits understanding and our Lord's grace. Assembly officials have
always made every effort, successfully, to avoid provoking legal
confrontation, and we have every intention to continue in this style of
interactive dialogue and procedure at this assembly.  Decisions about any
legal actions that may be taken will be made by the law enforcement agencies
that deem it  necessary for enforcement of existing municipal ordinances.

Soulforce is an independent movement, with no direct relationship with the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  It seeks to influence the attitudes and
policies of our church and other churches regarding the status of gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons by raising the consciousness of
decision-makers about what Soulforce considers to be unjust treatment.
      
Our offices have been in direct and personal contact with the leaders of the
Soulforce movement, and we anticipate that their announced intentions to
conduct totally non-violent and non-disruptive, but visible demonstrations
about their cause outside the Arena before and nearing the end of the Sunday
worship service will be carried out. We have also been in direct
consultation with the officials of the Long Beach Convention Bureau and
Police Department about what  would constitute any behavior that would
warrant the city's taking of any legal actions, should such be needed. Our
offices have also been in direct contact with the Soulforce leaders to
discern their intentions, and to develop any plans that would ensure the
safety and uninterrupted worship of those who are participating in the
worship service.  At the same time, the parameters of what would be
considered to be unlawful behavior that could warrant arrests being made
have been established, so that misunderstandings or rash actions will be
minimized. These preliminary conversations give us every confidence that
appropriate concerns are being addressed responsibly and in a spirit that
seeks to achieve ultimate unity and justice for us all.

While this demonstration, and any potential counter-demonstrations which may
develop, undoubtedly will receive much attention in both church and local
media, we hope it won't detract from the many other activities that will be
part of your General Assembly experience. You are already aware of the wide
range of business that will come before commissioners in Long Beach.  A
General Assembly, however, is more than just the legislative work that
happens in committees and on the plenary floor. Worship will be a big part
of the week's experience, and, for many, the highlight of each year's
Assembly. We hope that you will make every effort to worship each day with
the larger Presbyterian family. From the extensive exhibit hall and
presentations throughout the week, we hope that you will also go home with
an even greater understanding of, and appreciation for the vast array of
mission activity that is the life to our denomination 365 days a year.

May God give you strength and wisdom as you enter these final weeks of
preparation for this very important experience.

In Christ,

Freda Gardner
Moderator
211th General Assembly

Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk
The General Assembly

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