Letter to a friend

After reading the whole six pages of the Decision [of The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Pacific of the Presbyterian Church (USA)] against Jane, I felt a strong sense of shame brought upon the whole Christian Church. What can be identified as Christian in this document? There is no blasphemy in the song: "They will know we are Christians by our love."

This Synod PJC Decision on Case No. 06-02 is an unchurchly endeavor.  When they write about Jane Adams Spahr, a person whose life would be nothing if Jesus Christ could be extracted from it, they think their lives are totally justified by writing a bunch of words that have nothing to do with the Bible that reveals God's love in Christ. You can't even find Jesus in the document. Even the date on page 4 lacks the words: "In the year of our Lord".

They use words and sentences that make God weep because they justify discrimination, injustice and hate. Jane is judged, and I guess she is supposed to see God's grace in that she received nothing more than "the censure of rebuke". Well, I see Christ telling The Reverend Dr. Jane Adams Spahr, chosen and set apart for ministry in the Name of Jesus Christ, that he will gladly bear her rebuke along with the uncountable unjust rebukes he has collected since the crucifixion.

Ingrid and I just returned from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church wide Assembly in Chicago where we spent six hours one day helping to set up the whole display of The Shower of Stoles Project. There were many with Janie's name on the stoles or in the stories that were sown on to the stoles. There were over 1,100 stoles plus about 200 that Lutherans Concerned North America has collected.

I am certain that there are hundreds of thousands of people who give thanks to God for Janie's witness of God's love.

I wonder if they could find ten who were harmed in any way, including loss of faith?

At the ELCA Church wide Assembly the only pro-gay resolution passed was to refrain from bringing to trial any more partnered gay clergy or those who are involved in calling them. "At least stop the bleeding!" pleaded the bishop who brought it to the floor.

So, I think you and I will still be here to see our churches do right. When I turned in my rental car, a woman talked to me about how it has been probably 15 years since the Union for Reform Judaism, her faith tradition, declared an end to LGBT discrimination. She said absolutely nobody says anything or thinks about it now. She was hoping the ELCA would make the big move on behalf of the Christians. I assured her that we would be back in two years to get that done.

There won't be stained glass windows, but many will remember the stories of today's saints who preached an inclusive love of God.

Peace, my brother!
Paul Feiertag, Pastor (Retired)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
08/24/2007

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