wfn.org | PLGC Celebrate Years of Leadership

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15-June-1998 
GA98027 
 
 
PLGC Celebrate Years of Leadership 
 
by Joanne Hines 
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Surrounded by walls hung with hundreds of colorful stoles, 
the Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns held their annual service of 
reconciliation on Saturday evening. Recognition and celebration of the 
leadership of the organization was the agenda of the day. 
After the introduction of the mostly new board for the next year, speakers, 
Chris Glaser and Janie Spahr spoke about how the past 20 years' discussions 
revolving around the ordination of gay and lesbian persons has affected 
their ministry. 
    While proclaiming that the 20 year old ban on ordination has had a 
positive effect on the PC (U.S.A.) because more light has been shed on the 
issue, both spoke of their journeys of hurt and hope. 
    Chris Glaser remembered that he had been brought as a candidate for 
ordination exactly 20 years to the day.  While understanding that in many 
ways he has been identified as a professional victim, he spoke eloquently 
that neither his life nor his ministry ended with the denial of his 
ordination. He is now a successful author and the founder of the Lazarus 
Project.  While determined to work within the Presbyterian Church for 
change, he has proclaimed a "Eucharistic fast", refusing communion until 
change comes about.  He applauded the sacrificial effort of understanding 
parents and friends and churches whose open hands and arms embrace an open 
and inviting membership. 
    Janie Spahr remembered the time of early days in her family and in the 
church.  Ordained before 1978, she was allowed to keep her ordination when 
she came out, but could only serve in a specialize ministry setting. She 
cited many persons who courageously raised the issues which have served to 
be a huge stumbling block to so many in the denomination. She remains 
fervent in her determination to work for inclusivity in the PC (U.S.A.), 
that all may freely serve. 
    Both speakers pleaded for all Presbyterians to remember that lesbian, 
gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians are not "an  issue", rather 
they are real persons. 
    Martha Juliet, who created the Shower of Stoles, displayed two new 
stoles to be added to the collection of over 400 and invited guests to 
choose a stole to wear for the rest of the Assembly in honor of identified 
and closeted gay and lesbian Presbyterians, many of whom have been forced 
to give up their ordinations. 
    The evening ended with the presentation of the Inclusive Church Award 
to Chris Glaser and Janie Spahr. 

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