Picture of Janet Edwards And the PCUSA is dumbfounded(like the ECUSA) why it is losing congregants.
Posted on 09/14/2006 7:48:53 AM PDT by Dane
Associated Press Church Trial in Presbyterian Gay Case By DAN NEPHIN , 09.13.2006, 05:03 PM
A Presbyterian minister has been charged with breaking church law for performing a marriage between two women.
Janet Edwards of the Community of Reconciliation Church in Pittsburgh was charged Tuesday with presiding at the June 2005 wedding in violation of church standards that marriage should be reserved to one man and one woman. Ministers are only allowed to bless same-sex unions.
"For me, Scripture teaches that the message of marriage is the covenant - the love and commitment between the partners" and not their gender, Edwards said.
In March, a longtime Presbyterian minister in California, the Rev. Jane Spahr of San Rafael, was the first in the denomination to be tried for officiating at same-sex marriages.
She was acquitted by a church tribunal, but the Presbytery of the Redwoods, which has jurisdiction over the case, has appealed, according to Jerry Van Marter, a national church spokesman.
Like other mainline Protestant denominations, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has been struggling to resolve differences over whether the Bible condemns gay relationships.
Presbyterians who support same-gender unions say the Bible's social justice teachings on inclusiveness should prevail over what they see as an outdated view of homosexuality.
In June, a Presbyterian national assembly adopted what was meant to be a compromise plan regarding gay ordination. It limits sex to men and woman who are married, but grants new leeway for local congregations to sidestep that church law and allow openly gay ministers to take office. Church tribunals are expected to get a run of complaints that will test the compromise.
"I want to participate in the working out of this disagreement over the place of gays and lesbians in the church," said Edwards, who has served as a minister for 28 years.
Edwards oversaw the marriage of Nancy McConn, 66, a retired computer software developer from Dallas, W.Va., and her partner, Brenda Cole, 52, a clinical psychologist. Two fellow clergy who saw the marriage announcement in a newspaper made the complaint, Edwards said.
If found guilty, Edwards faces penalties that range from a rebuke to removal from ministry. No trial date has been set.
Picture of Janet Edwards And the PCUSA is dumbfounded(like the ECUSA) why it is losing congregants.
Bible's social justice teachings on inclusiveness
Yep, that is the major message in the Bible.
Sounds like you need to go back and re-read what the Scripture teaches about marriage then.
She looks as confused as she is.
For me, the Scripture teaches that the family is an earthly representation of the Divine Trinity. Without the possibility of that union creating a living, physical embodiment of their love, it isn't marriage as ordained by God.
But that's just me.
Why quote the Scriptures at all if they "cherry pick" only the parts they agree with? Friend of my describes today's "theology" as "iPod Theology" - just take the tracks you like, ignore the rest.
Yes exactly ;-)
...........and God is not the author of confusion..... 1 Cor. 14:33
Morning Tony! ;-)
How's everything and everybody at your place?
Must have gone to gov. schools and failed reading.
The Bible is quite clear on ghey relationships.
The Presbyterian Church I grew up in declared the Bible is the 'inspired word of God'. There was no pending modern interpretation clause attached..
I mean, what was she thinking? That she has the sole last say in her warped interpretation?
It supports Treason, Traitors and outright lunatics. Unless drastic changes are made at the top the denomination is rightfully doomed. And I am a member.
Absolutely!
I'm right there with you!
Neal
Probably...
It's beyond me why anyone would spend all that time in Theology just to squander it by running against the mainstream. All for the sake of negative attention. That's pretty desperate for the limelight.
Absolutely wonderful!
Love that PCA ping!
Sweet Baby is great too!! All kids and grands are doing well, and growing up fast! ;-)
Praise the Lord!!! He is faithful to His children! Hallelujah!!!
Yes! You're right. They are a depraved lot.
Pretty much deceived also.
If they are blessing what the bible condemns, how do they make the distinction for marriage?
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