By now I am certain that each of you has heard the news: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has finally made clear the way for ordination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians!

Tuesday evening the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area became the 87th presbytery to ratify the amendment to the Book of Order. Later that same evening the Presbytery of the Pacific became the 88th. Voting continues in remaining presbyteries until July 10, at which point the change officially becomes part of the church's constitution.

At CPC we have, perhaps, come to take the ordination of gay and lesbian elders for granted, and thus some of us may fail to realize just how big a deal this is. Coverage in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, LA Times, USA Today, and scores of other major news outlets ought to underscore the importance of this step for all of us. Google news links to more than 500 articles.

In other words: this is big.

Not only that, but Clarendon has played a disproportionate role in the transformation. Not only does our pastor emerita, the Rev. Madeline Jervis, serve on the national More Light Presbyterians board of directors, but also our session has send overtures to the past three General Assemblies requesting ordination changes. An overture originating here was part of the committee consideration in Minneapolis last summer that led to the overture known as 10-A.

We have been a faithful witness for justice and equality in the church for a generation, and I could not be more proud of you.

The justice arc is mighty long, but it bends toward holy ground, and when we do the work of love it bends the whole world round!

peace,

David   

PS: Join our sister More Light congregations for a worshipful celebration of the ratification of 10-A, next Sunday, May 22, at 5:00 p.m. at Western Presbyterian.