wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] ACSWP names energy-policy team

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Note #8156 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

04123
March 5, 2004

ACSWP names energy-policy team

PC(USA) policy hasn't been updated in more than 20 years

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) has
named a committee to revise the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s policy on energy.

The Resolution Team on Energy, ordered by the 214th General Assembly in 2002
in response to an overture from the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley, will
hold its first meeting in March in Washington, DC.

"The meeting will provide the team with an opportunity to draw upon the
diverse and rich resources within this community as it engages in a critical
dialogue about current legislative energy issues," said the Rev. Belinda M.
Curry, ACSWP's associate for Policy Development and Interpretation.

The denomination's energy policy has not been thoroughly addressed since a
1981policy statement, "The Power to Speak Truth to Power," was approved
jointly by the former Presbyterian Church in the United States and the old
United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

The 2002 Assembly called on the church "to address the issue of energy in
light of the current national and international concern over energy
production, consumption, cost, patterns of distribution and energy security."

The overture called energy a "multifaceted and controversial issue," and
noted, "The rolling blackouts on the West Coast and the skyrocketing cost of
heating in the Northeast have made energy a concern to congregations and
church members."

The overture would have the church develop resources for educating
congregations and church organizations about the cost-effectiveness of
investing in building renovation and of using energy-efficient technologies,
such as compact fluorescent lighting rather than incandescent lighting.

It also calls for resources advising church bodies about denominational and
secular programs in energy conservation and stewardship.

The overture said, "Church leaders and members need to reaffirm our Reformed
ethical values of frugality and simplicity, and actively promote conservation
of energy as a positive Christian virtue."

ACSWP is responsible for developing and recommending social-witness policies
to the General Assembly. Project updates will be posted on the ACSWP's Web
site at http://www.pcusa.org/acswp.

Energy team members are Donna Bradley, an attorney and elected ACSWP member
from de Cristo Presbytery; Claudia L. Brown, an environmental consultant and
freelance technical writer from the Presbytery of Lake Erie; Frank S.
Gillian, a professor of biological sciences from the Presbytery of West
Virginia; Douglas R. Hooker, an engineer from the Presbytery of Greater
Atlanta.

Also, Sarah J. Kinney, a graduate student from the Presbytery of Wyoming;
Pamela P. McVety, a retired environmental administrator from the Presbytery
of Florida; Paige Murphy-Young, a retired lawyer from the Presbytery of Grand
Canyon; Jananne Sharpless, a consultant and elected member of ACSWP from the
Presbytery of Los Ranchos; Richard E. Shore, a retired professor of biology
and industrial engineer from Transylvania Presbytery; and John C. Topping,
Jr., a corporate executive from National Capital Presbytery.

Joining Curry in providing staff support are Andrew Kang Bartlett, an
associate for National Hunger Concerns in the Presbyterian Hunger Program in
Worldwide Ministries; Carolynn Race, an associate for Domestic Poverty and
Environmental Issues for the Washington Office; and the Rev. Bill
Somplatsky-Jarman, associate for Mission Responsibility Through Investment
(MRTI) in National Ministries.

The Rev. Robert Stivers, a professor of religion and Christian ethics from
Olympia Presbytery, will serve as a consultant and primary writer.

For additional information about the Resolution Team on Energy, contact
Curry by mail at ACSWP 100 Witherspoon Street, Room 3611, Louisville, KY
40202 by phone at (800) 728-7228, ext. 5813; or by email at
bcurry@ctr.pcusa.org.

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