Tad Whitaker Marin Independent Journal
San Rafael, CA 3/26/2006
 Presbyterian
Church officials have decided to appeal a verdict from a church trial that
vindicated a San Rafael minister who performs same-sex marriages.
Stephen Taber, a church attorney who prosecuted the Rev. Jane Spahr,
said the Prosecuting Committee of the Presbytery of the Redwoods - which
oversees 52 churches from north of San Francisco to the Oregon border -
voted to appeal the verdict that concluded Spahr was correct to follow her
conscience over the church's written constitution.
"I'm not entirely surprised," he said.
The appeal will be heard by the church's Synod of the Pacific, a regional
body that oversees Northern California, Nevada, Oregon and parts of
Washington and Idaho. No new testimony will be given, but both Taber and
attorneys representing Spahr will argue their cases.
"It's going to be in a few months," he said.
Spahr said she remains optimistic and hopes the synod will focus on
testimony given by two lesbian couples she married.
"We need to help people understand who we are," Spahr said. "I'm hoping
that all of that is reviewed so people can hear the stories of real people
with faith."
Spahr, 63, a lesbian, was tried by the Presbytery of the Redwoods Judicial
Council because a minister from Washington state objected to her marrying
lesbian couples. Under a ruling by the national church's highest court in
2000, Presbyterian ministers such as Spahr were given authority to bless
same-sex unions as long as they do not equate the relationships with
marriage.
During the two-day trial, Spahr admitted performing the ceremonies because
she felt treating homosexuals differently from heterosexuals was
discrimination. Six of the seven council members sided with her on the
importance of following her conscience.
Spahr faces sanctions that range from a simple rebuke to banishment from
the church.
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