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Note #6661 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

13-June-2001
GA01101

Did you say "change?" 

Overture advocates take a new tack

by Nancy Rodman

LOUISVILLE, June 13 - With an unusually large number of overture advocates
scheduled to speak on the cluster of overtures, or resolutions, related to
the ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), several of the
group took the initiative of making contact with the others about combining
their efforts in one presentation instead of following the traditional path
of a series of shorter presentations by all the advocates.

	The leadership team of the Assembly Committee on Ordination Standards
agreed and a group of 25-30 overture advocates urging the deletion of the
constitutional provision known as G-6.0106b used a series of conference
calls to plan a one-hour presentation featuring power point technology.

	Of the joint presentation, one of the overture advocates, the Rev. Carlos
Wilton, the Presbytery of Monmouth, said, "It was quite an unusual
experience being part of that group of overture advocates.  There was a
tremendous sense of community that developed among us being engaged in a
common task.  Our primary task was to encourage a greater sense of openness
in the church considering the theological diversity that presently exists
around the denomination.

	"We realized," he continued, "that if the Assembly approves the
recommendation (to repeal the ban on gay ordination), some will see it as a
win-lose situation, but we see it as a turning of the clock back to the
situation that pertained prior to 1978 so that presbyteries and sessions
will be free to follow their consciences on these difficult issues."

	Wilton was chosen by the Presbytery of Monmouth to serve as overture
advocate for its overture in support of overture 00-13 from the Presbytery
of Northern New England because he chairs the presbytery's Bills and
Overtures Committee and because he was attending the Assembly as a resource
person for the "Theology of Stewardship" study paper.  Wilton was a member
of the working group that produced the paper.

	Wilton has attended every Assembly except one since 1985, initially as a
staff member at Dubuque Seminary and subsequently as a pastor.  He has
served as a commissioner once.

	Asked how he thought the group presentation to the Ordination Standards
Committee was received, Wilton said, "I heard no complaints.  I think it was
appreciated as good stewardship of the committee's time."

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