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From:
Redwoods Presbytery [mailto:pbyrw@pacbell.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 1:03 PM
Subject: GAPJC Decision
Dear Members of Presbytery,
The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission has ruled in the
case "Presbytery of the Redwoods v. The Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr,"
involving the performance of same sex wedding ceremonies. The GAPJC
has ruled in favor of the original decision made by the Presbytery
of the Redwoods Permanent Judicial Commission, finding the Rev.
Spahr not in violation of the Constitution of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).
At the center of the GAPJC ruling is the definition of marriage as
found in W-4.9001 of the Book of Order, which states that
"marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man" ... and
that "For Christians marriage is a covenant through which a man and
a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of
discipleship." The GAPJC ruled that "By the definition in W-4.9001,
a same sex ceremony can never be a marriage. The Synod PJC found
Spahr guilty of doing that which by definition cannot be done."
The full decision of the GAPJC will be forwarded to you by the
presbytery office as soon as the electronic copy arrives. We have
been promised that it will be coming later today. This decision is
nuanced and lengthy, and may readily be subject to
misinterpretation. I encourage you to read the decision in its
entirety and do all you can to help interpret it in its fullness to
the presbytery.
We want to recognize all those who have worked hard and faithfully
on this case for our presbytery: our Permanent Judicial Commission
and our Investigating Committee, and Elder Lyn Hamilton and the Rev.
Dr. Dave Jordan-Irwin--who served as the Presbytery Prosecuting
Committee. Stephen Taber served as the counsel for our Prosecuting
Committee. We also want to recognize the Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr
and her counsellors: Sara Taylor, Tim Cahn, and Scott Clark. While
we know that perspectives can vary and sometimes vary deeply, we can
also affirm that all have sought to act out of a deep and abiding
faith in Christ.
For Redwoods Presbytery, we pray for relational respect and unity
even amidst profound differences of opinion. Gary Torrens and I are
more than ready to speak with any in the presbytery either by phone
or in person. We want to do all we can to interpret this decision
as accurately as possible and support the on-going conversation on
how to be in faithful relationship with our God and one another, and
despite genuine differences of opinion, display for the church and
the world what it means to live together in Christ.
With my prayers and blessing,
Bob Conover
--
The Rev. Robert E. Conover, Ph.D.
Acting Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Presbytery of the Redwoods
707.224.5407 (office)
707.953.6849 (cell)
www.redwoodspresbytery.org |
Reverend Dr.
Jane Adams Spahr
