USA — On July 10, 2011, the Presbyterian Church (USA) will begin a new chapter in the faith lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people when changes to the church’s constitution go into effect allowing the ordination of openly LGBT ministers, elders and deacons. Top leaders of More Light Presbyterians, the oldest pro-LGBT organization in the denomination, will hold an advance telephone press conference at noon (eastern) on Friday, July 8, to respond to the new ordination standards and share the significance of this positive move for the church. Stories of faithful LGBT candidates and church vibrancy within inclusive congregations helped 97 of 173 regional presbyteries vote to drop all barriers to ordination for LGBT people. They reached the required 87 presbyteries in May and almost all presbyteries increased their support for moral equality from their votes in previous years.
To celebrate, on July 10, dozens of congregations across the country will mark the moment with prayer and rejoicing in their worship services (list of participating congregations available upon request). The historic significance of this policy change echoes the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s removal of barriers to women serving as ministers, elders and deacons a generation ago.
What: Telephone press conference: policies for LGBT ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
When: Friday, July 8 at Noon (Eastern Time)
Where: (605) 477-3000 code 774241#
Who: Speakers include:
Elder Michael Adee, Executive Director of More Light Presbyterian was the first openly gay Elder at Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. A judicial charge was brought against the church for his ordination that went to the highest court in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The Rev. Janet Edwards, Co-Moderator of More Light Presbyterian national board of directors, is married with two sons. Rev. Edwards was tried and acquitted in 2008 after performing a marriage ceremony for a loving same-sex couple. She comes from generations of Presbyterians going back to those who came from England in the 17th century.
Trice Gibbons is an openly gay Elder at Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN, which is an open and affirming More Light congregation. After a career in healthcare, Trice is a first year seminary student at Vanderbilt Divinity School and is Co-Moderator of the More Light Presbyterian national board.
More Light Presbyterians is a network of people seeking the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).