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New Presbyterian moderator supports gays in ministry
AP News ^ | June 28th, 2004

Posted on 06/28/2004 11:16:17 AM PDT by missyme

RICHMOND, Va. -- A peace activist who supports the inclusion of gays in the ministry was elected to lead the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for the next two years.

The selection of Rick Ufford-Chase as moderator came as the church prepared for a fresh round of debates at its annual convention on whether to repeal a ban on gay pastors.

Ufford-Chase, 40, was installed as moderator Saturday, making him the first layperson to hold the unpaid position since 1999.

"I am grateful to be elected moderator," said Ufford-Chase, an elder at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz. "I've been dreaming about this opportunity for two full years."

Ufford-Chase won the election on the second ballot over the Rev. David G. McKechnie, pastor of Houston's Grace Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. K.C. Ptomey Jr., of Nashville, Tenn.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: homosexualagenda; pcusa; religiousleft

1 posted on 06/28/2004 11:16:18 AM PDT by missyme
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To: missyme

I'm just glad our Presbyterian PCA body splintered off from these people.


2 posted on 06/28/2004 11:21:26 AM PDT by plain talk
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To: missyme

What bible version does this moderator use?


3 posted on 06/28/2004 11:22:04 AM PDT by maestro
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To: maestro

I have no idea what Bible some of these Prysbeterian and Espicopalian Clergy use? it is really sick to see the Homosexual Agenda infiltrate our churches like a plague...


4 posted on 06/28/2004 11:26:05 AM PDT by missyme
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To: All

Gay newlyweds new parade stars

SAN FRANCISCO -- The party still had its traditional leather-clad legions and dramatic drag queens, but Sunday's gay pride parade featured marchers even more radical -- married same-sex couples.

Gay and lesbian newlyweds hoisting poster-sized reproductions of their marriage licenses had a starring role at San Francisco's 34th annual parade. They were joined by Mayor Gavin Newsom and others who helped promote same-sex unions in the history-making wedding march at City Hall earlier this year.

Other cities holding crowd-drawing parades Sunday included Atlanta, Seattle and New York, where gay pride parade goers danced down Fifth Avenue and waved rainbow flags in celebration.

Newsom, who helped push the marriage debate onto the nation's agenda shortly after taking office, received the kind of reception usually reserved for rock stars and matinee idols, with shouts of "We love you Gavin" and "Ga-vin, Ga-vin, Ga-vin" rising from the crowd as he passed.

"It took courage to be in office such a short time and take the stance he did," said Tony Sosha, who marched with his new husband, Ens Layante.

"Today we're celebrating what makes San Francisco right, which is the diversity. It's a very empowering experience," said Newsom, a 36-year-old Democrat.

San Francisco issued more than 4,000 marriage licenses earlier this year before the state Supreme Court intervened. The court is expected to rule on the validity of those licenses this summer.

Floats featuring couples in wedding finery followed Newsom and San Francisco Assessor Mabel Teng.

Richard Clinton, 60, and his spouse of four months, Larry Bruderer, 57, paraded under a placard proclaiming their 23-year relationship.

"Most of the gays in the United States look to San Francisco as our homeland," Clinton said. "That is what brought me here 32 years ago -- freedom."

While Massachusetts became the only U.S. state to legally recognize gay marriages last month following a ruling by its Supreme Judicial Court, gay pride revelers said they expect New York and other states to follow suit.

With Congress set to vote within weeks on a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, the issue received prominent treatment at gay pride parades nationwide.

In Atlanta, where the Georgia Legislature is considering a measure to outlaw not only marriage but any spousal rights for gays and lesbians, the mood was defiant.

"Every year, we see T-shirts, banners and myriad other implements touting the political messages and wants of a richly diverse community," said Donna Narducci, executive director of Atlanta Pride. "I have a feeling we will outdo ourselves this year in the message department."


5 posted on 06/28/2004 11:29:29 AM PDT by missyme
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To: maestro

Doesn't actually matter, what version.
He obviously doesn't read the Scriptures at all.


6 posted on 06/28/2004 11:32:50 AM PDT by LadyPilgrim (Sealed my pardon with His blood, Hallelujah!!! What a Savior!!!)
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To: missyme

He is what passes for moderate in the PCUSA. One of the other candidates leads a fairly conservative congregation, the other is a leader in the gay rights group.

More here:

"Ufford-Chase is an elder at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz. He is co-founder and co-director of BorderLinks, a cross-border (U.S./Mexico) mission to migrant workers and others affected by economic and immigration policies. "
http://www.layman.org/layman/news/2004-general-assembly/ufford-chase-elected.htm


7 posted on 06/28/2004 11:40:35 AM PDT by PAR35
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To: maestro
What bible version does this moderator use?

Perhaps the NIV. The latest versions of that "translation" strove to be "inclusive".

8 posted on 06/28/2004 11:42:45 AM PDT by PAR35
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To: plain talk
Yes, they saw the light over 30 years ago!!
..(another PCA'er)
9 posted on 06/28/2004 11:54:06 AM PDT by Guenevere
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To: missyme; xzins
This guy has been "dreaming about this opportunity." No one should be placed in leadership within the Church who has such an attitude. It reveals a spirit of ambition rather than humility and grave recognition of the awesome responsibility/accountability that comes with it.

Just another very sad day for the PCUSA as it marches further and further into the ranks of the anti-church.

10 posted on 06/28/2004 12:28:31 PM PDT by anniegetyourgun
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To: missyme

Most institutional churches have sold out the solid values that made them work. IMO the liberal/ commies got into them & ruined them mostly but the barage of liberalism has again trickled down - as Savage would say, trickle down immorality.


11 posted on 06/28/2004 12:29:08 PM PDT by Digger
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To: LadyPilgrim

True.


12 posted on 06/28/2004 12:59:53 PM PDT by Kay
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To: Digger

I pretty much agree, but see Plain Talk's post earlier in this thread. I'm in the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) as well. It's the place for Bible-believing Presbyterians. I urge anyone holding on in a PC USA congregation to check it out.


13 posted on 06/28/2004 2:20:44 PM PDT by dukeman
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To: missyme

I'm in the PCA too. I grew up in an Independent Bible Church.

I didn't have a church while in college over 10 years ago. I attended a PC USA church on Easter Sunday. The Pastor didn't mention

1) the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ
2) His atonement for our sins
3) etc.

In fact, I can't remember what the sermon was about, it was such a blur of nonsense. It certainly had nothing to do with Jesus.

That was my first and last time in a PC USA church. I walked out at the end and made sure that at the exit I took off my shoes and banged the dust off before I walked any further.


14 posted on 06/28/2004 2:28:07 PM PDT by agrarianlady
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