2 | Out in the Mountains |March 2001

Nationwide Presbyterian Vote in Progress

Northern New England Presbytery Defeats Anti-Gay Amendment

 

BY CHUCK FRANKLIN

A nationwide vote is in
progress within the
Presbyterian U.S.A. church
on whether I to adopt an
amendment to their Book of
Order prohibiting the bless-
ing of same-sex couples.

During an early February
meeting, the_Northern New
England Presbytery, which
includes all of Vermont’s
Presbyterian churches,
soundly defeated the amend-
ment by a vote of 27 for and
68 against.

The Rev- Michael Brown,
co-pastor with his wife The

’ Rev. Becky Strader of Christ

Church Presbyterian in
Burlington, attended last
month’s meeting in Haverhill,
Mass. Brown explained that

people may have voted-

against the proposed change
for a number of reasons other
than being in favor of gay
unions. ,

“This amendment signals
prohibitive language that is a
new trend,” he said. “The
Presbyterian Church has his-
torically not been known for
prohibiting things. The. fla-
vor of the General Assembly
[their national governing
body] to cast out prohibitions
like this is very chilling.”

“lt’s like opening
Pandora’s box,” he contin-
ued, “and suggests other
things we might not be
allowed to do.”

However, he said, the vote
could also be indicative that

_ the tide is turning pro-gay.

Brown said that those who
spoke at the meeting in favor

. of the amendment did not

seem to have a coherent strat-
egy, unlike some other pres-
byteries.

Dr. Richard Hunt, former
professor of history and dean
of students at Trinity College,

 
  

N  9?

also-attended the meeting as a"
voting member. Hunt said
that Christ Church
Presbyterian, where he is a
member, has been a leader in
resisting homophobia within
the church at large for over 15
years.

“By being strongly
engaged in our ministries,
slowly the rights for the gay,

lesbian, bisexual ‘and trans-'

gendered community [are
being recognized] in ’ the
church,” he said.

“Our reputation has made
people look seriously [at this
issue] and gradually made
them more accepting,” said
Hunt. -

Hunt echoed Brown’s feel-
ing that some may have voted
against the amendment sim-
ply because they thought it
was a bad piece of legislation,
running against the autonomy
of the local churches.

The moderator of the
Northern New ‘England
Presbytery, Wendy
Eickenberg, said she was

“really pleased with the out-

come of the vote.” She char-
acterized the arguments on
both sides during the meeting
as much more meaningful
and devoid of rancor.

“The tone was different,”

- she said. “The remarks were

thoughtful and seemed to
come from more deep-seated

-religious beliefs, and away

from bigotry and hate, which
has dominated in the past.”
One issue that both Hunt

and Eickenberg brought up’
that-

was the dilemma
Vermont justices of the peace
who are Presbyterians would
face if the- amendment
passed.

For example, a Craftsbury
Presbyterian who is justice of
the peace and also an elder in
his church would be prohibit-
ed by the amendment from

having anything to do with
holy unions for same-sex
couples. Yet, under Vermont
law, he would be required to

perform a same-sex civil‘

union if asked to do so.
This sort of dilemma lends

, a sort of “Gothic subplot” to
the entire process, according '

to Hunt.

The voting of the presby-
teries nationwide, which will
continue through March,
stands at 25 for and 55
against as of mid-February.

_With about half the nation’s

presbyteries having cast their
votes, this signals a chance
that the amendment will
eventually be defeated, even
if by a small margin.

The Presbyterian Church
voted_ in an amendment to
their Book of Order in
1996/97 that
fidelity/chastity requirement
for ordained church officers.
In 1997/98 they attempted to
remove this provision; it
failed.

The full text of this amend-
ment, referred to as
“Amendment 0,” is as fol-
lows:

‘-‘Scripture .4 and our
Confessions teach that God’s
intention for all people is to
live either in fidelity within
the covenant of marriage
between a man and a woman
or in chastity in singleness.
Church property shall not be
used for, and church officers
shall not take part in conduct-
ing, any ceremony or event
that pronounces blessing or
gives approval of the church
or invokes the blessing of
God upon any relationship
that is inconsistent with
God’s intention as expressed
in the preceding sentence.”

To check the latest status
of the nationwide vote, log on

to the Internet at www.pres- -

byweb.com.

included a A

. Cornmunity Centersecures _
9 Permanent Spaoef " C

 

As a response to the lack of a permanent, substance free,
safe space for GLBT people to learn about their history, hold
meetings, and’ p‘articipate'in cultural events, the R.U.l.2?
Community Center has established its first ever office space.

After only a few weeks of occupancy, the space reserva-
tion calendar is packed with events, meetings, and classes.

Organizers have dubbed the space R.U.l .2? Headquarters,
or R.U.l.2? HQ for short. Currently, HQ hosts several com-
mittee meetings and volunteer functions.

The Burlington R.U.l.2? Community Center is a charita-
ble organization with the purpose of providing venues for the
social, cultural, artistic and educational endeavors of the
GLBT and Allied communities through visibility, awareness
and community building.

Their new office is located in Suite 113 of the Wing
Building on Steele Street in Burlington.

To assist with the moving in process, contact their new
office at 8.60-RUIZ (7812), or e-mailithecenter@rul2.org.

   
  

 

   

   

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