wfn.org | [Ga212reports] News from the 212th General Assembly for Tuesday, Ju

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

Note #10 from PCUSA NEWS to GA 212 REPORTS:

	This is Jerry Van Marter of the Presbyterian News Service with news from
the 212th General Assembly for Tuesday, June 27.

	By a vote of 25-22, the Assembly Committee on Physical and Spiritual Well
Being recommended today that the 212th General Assembly send a proposed
constitutional amendment to its presbyteries for ratification that would
flatly prohibit same-sex unions in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  The
proposed amendment – which came to the Assembly as Overture 00-26 from San
Joaquin Presbytery -- would add section W-4.9007 to the PC(USA) "Book of
Order" that reads: "Scripture and our Confessions teach that God's intention
for all people is to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage
between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness.  Church property
shall not be used for and church officers shall not take part in conducting
any ceremony or event that pronounces blessing or gives approval of the
church or invokes the blessing of God upon any relationship that is
inconsistent with God's intention as expressed in the preceding sentence." 
The committee's action came after four hours of impassioned but civil
debate.  Supporters of the measure argued that the plain teaching scripture
declares same-sex relationships to be sinful.  The Rev. Tom Sparks of
Heartland Presbytery said, "I have heard mixed voices at this Assembly, but
I personally cannot find my way from the Bible to the Confessions to the
blessing of same-sex unions."  Opponents countered that a flat prohibition
impedes the pastoral duties of ministers with their members.  The Rev.
Tricia Dykers-Koenig, a pastor from Western Reserve Presbytery who advocated
for an opposing overture from her presbytery, pleaded with the committee "to
preserve our tradition and defend pastors from attempts to limit their
responsibility for pastoral care of their members."  Great latitude is given
to ministers in the pastoral care of members, Dykers-Koenig insisted, "and
micro-managing ministers and sessions is not our tradition or has it been
our practice."  But the Rev. Scott Weimer of Greater Atlanta Presbytery
said, "We are people of faith and cannot set our own rules of behavior -- we
must submit ourselves to Christ and the scriptures.  When we  bless same sex
unions, we are straying."

	Monday evening the Assembly Committee to Nominate a Stated Clerk voted
unanimously to nominate incumbent stated clerk the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick
for a second four-year term.  Sunday afternoon the Rev. Winfield "Casey"
Jones was nominated from the floor but the nomination committee brushed
aside his attempt to dislodge Kirkpatrick as the formal nominee.  Jones
still may run from the floor when the election takes place Friday morning. 
The Presbyterian News Service reported on Sunday that Jones' church, First
Presbyterian Church of Pearland, Texas, was withholding mission and per
capita dollars from the General Assembly.  New Covenant Presbytery confirmed
today that the Pearland Church is now current in its per capita payments and
is redirecting its mission money to Presbyterian renewal organizations.

	Today the Assembly Committee on Theological Issues rejected an overture
from Beaver-Butler Presbytery that would declare an "irreconcilable impasse"
in the Presbyterian Church over a number of theological issues.  The
committee added a comment commending the presbytery for raising important
theological issues, but said its "irreconcilable impasse" conclusion was
wrong.

	The Assembly Committee on Catholicity and Ecumenical Relations rejected an
overture from Savannah Presbytery that would have slashed PC(USA) funding
for the National and World Councils of Churches by about two-thirds.

	The Assembly Committee on National and Social Issues approved a resolution
from the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy calling on
Presbyterians to work to halt the spread of state-sponsored gambling, such
as state lotteries.  The resolution was approved only after a section was
removed that would have called for a halt to casino gambling on Native
American reservations.  Economic and sovereignty concerns spelled doom for
those provisions.

	And the Mission Coordination and Budgets Committee last night approved
increased funding for the Presbyterian Church's military chaplaincy program.
 The military chaplains were facing phased-out funding as part of budget
cuts made earlier in the 1990s.

	This evening, Assembly commissioners and guests boarded the fabled Queen
Mary, which is docked in the Long Beach harbor, for a reception honoring new
moderator Syngman Rhee and an evening of entertainment.

	This is Jerry Van Marter.  Thank you for calling VoiceLine.  For more news
from the 212th General Assembly, call VoiceLine Wednesday, June 28, after
7:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time.  Pray for peace. Good bye.

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