Both Tricia Dykers Koenig of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians and Michael Adee of More Light Presbyterians have reported that Western North Carolina Presbytery has become the first presbytery to approve Ordination Amendment 08-B after consistently voting to maintain G-6.0106b in previous years. Michael reports that the vote was “144 Yes, 108 No.” Tricia reports that “By a margin of 57% approval, we believe that this is the first presbytery to "flip" from opposition to approval. In 2001, the vote was 38% Yes and in 2009 it is 57% Yes, making this a 19% positive gain.” Neither Tricia nor Michael seems to have noted the symbolic and ironic significance of this vote, however.
Western North Carolina Presbytery is the presbytery in which Parker T. Williamson,editor emeritus of The Layman, resides and is a member. My hunch is that he would have been present for this historic vote.
Can anyone else hear the shackles of years of injustice being loosened?
SUMMIT TO SHORE: Theologically and philosophically informed eclectic ruminations on everything between summit to shore, especially cycling, hiking and backpacking, kayaking, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology, politics, culture, travel, poetry, and creative writing by John Edward Harris, a progressive Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Minister of the Word and Sacrament.
3 comments:
Thanks John for your blog on the significance of this vote. Indeed, I can hear the shackles of years of injustice being loosened in Western North Carolina... and all around the country. Homophobia, like racism and sexism seems to die hard, and it is dying. This shift in North Carolina illustrates this fact. And, indeed this inspires hope. The tide has turned, no question. Thanks, John, for pointing out the significance of this vote, particularly from its context. My hope and prayer continues to be that every other presbytery will overturn prejudice and join the majority of Presbyterians that want discrimination against God's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children and their families to end. We have a world to love and care for and that world needs all of us caring, loving and ministering now! with hope and grace, Michael J. Adee, More Light Presbyterians, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Hi John:
Great spotting the Parker Williamson connection! This is a huge win indeed. But maybe that was also part of the shift, part of the reason why it happened -- maybe folks are just tired of the extremism from Williamson and others -- tired of the way Williamson and the Layman consistently bear false witness against their Christian sisters and brothers.
Change is coming.
Peace,
Toby Rogers
Tahnks Michael, Toby and Sarah for commenting. I am new to blogging (I guess we all are) and appreciate the feedback.
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