Good news just in the mailbox:

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO ALLOW GAY AND LESBIAN ORDINATION

Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards issued the following statement today upon the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reaching the voting milestone that opens ordination to lesbian and gay candidates:

“I am both overjoyed and humbled by today’s vote in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Presbyterians across the country opened up their hearts to see that Christ’s love embraces us all.

“I see this as an opportunity to build a stronger church. Faithful and qualified lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians will be able to openly serve the church with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.

“This is our chance to build a more unified church. After such a momentous decision, it is our tradition to lift each other up in prayer and a generous spirit, regardless of how we voted. No community will be forced to ordain a candidate. But those communities that recognize the gifts, faith, and call of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender candidate are no longer barred from ordaining that candidate.

“We have participated in thousands of conversations leading up to this moment.  Those conversations will continue as we reach out to those who voted against this amendment. My hope is that with God’s blessed guidance, we can go forward and do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God, stronger together than we could ever imagine.

“Two years ago, I was put on trial — and eventually unanimously acquitted — by my church for marrying a same-gender couple. Ever since, I’ve felt called by God to open up a heartfelt dialogue with those conflicted about, or opposed to, the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in faith. Today is an important first step on the journey to full inclusion.”

Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards is one of the nearly 10,000 (out of 17,000 votes) Presbyterian ministers and elders that have voted “Yes” to allow for more inclusive ordination.  As co-moderator of the group More Light Presbyterians, Rev. Edwards has been instrumental in helping to get this amendment passed.

You can also read her piece on what this means for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) here.

Reaction from The Task Force:

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and its Institute for Welcoming Resources congratulate the Presbyterian Church (USA), which today crossed a historic threshold to eliminate official barriers to the ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as ministers and lay leaders in the 2.4 million-member denomination. Twin Cities Presbyterians became the 87th Presbytery, a regional governing body for the denomination, to vote to ratify this constitutional amendment giving the denomination the majority of votes needed to approve this landmark change.

Presbyterians join a growing Protestant movement of Lutherans, Episcopalians and members of the United Church of Christ who have eliminated official barriers to leadership for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.