The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted this afternoon to send to its presbyteries a proposed change to the church's ordination standards that would open the church to the full empowerment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, and their leadership as ordained elders and ministers of word and sacrament. The vote was 373-323.

The proposal now goes to the denomination's 173 presbyteries which will vote over the next 18 months. One half of the presbyteries must affirm the GA action for it to become part of the Book of Order, the church's constitution.

This evening at GA commissioners will vote on proposals to change language in the church's directory of worship to refer to marriage as between two people instead of the current language of "one man and one woman." The assembly will also act on a proposal that would allow ministers in states (or the District of Columbia) that allow same-gender marriage to officiate at such services and sign marriage licenses for same-gender couples. The GA committee that heard these proposals voted to recommend their passage to the entire assembly, but the committee action is advisory and not binding on the assembly.

As you might guess, there's a lot going on in Minneapolis. I'll provide a report during worship this Sunday and try to answer any questions that you have. I look forward to being home, and trust that you all will have taken care of the heat by then!

peace,

David