One year ago, in July 2013, we engaged in a very important six-session study on "Christian Marriage in the Presbyterian Church (USA)" during the Adult Church School hour. The Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Mission Agency prepared that study as a faithful effort to fulfill the 2012 General Assembly's call for "serious study and discernment" of our Reformed understanding of marriage. It was hoped that an in-depth study, including biblical, confessional, and current information, could help the denomination in its discernment of whether or not to support marriage equality.

During our study, we took a thorough look at the 2012 General Assembly Report entitled, "Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage." I have copies if anyone is interested in seeing or reviewing it. We also discussed supplemental material supplied by The Covenant Network of Presbyterian, who along with More Light Presbyterians, have worked tirelessly over the past few decades for full inclusion of LGBT persons of faith into the life and leadership of the PCUSA. They wrote:

"Let's explore openly what embodies the essence of marriage in scripture and the confessions, asking clearly and honestly how same-gender marriage-the presenting issue in today's church and society-may (or may not) express the truth of God. Let us draw on theological reflection, both traditional and contemporary, that is open to the possibility that our understanding of marriage (like all our theology) might be "Reformed and always being Reformed." Let us ask questions that directly confront the issues before it."

We celebrate the historic decision to allow pastors in our denomination to conduct and officiate at marriage ceremonies of same-gender couples, where it is legal to do so. Recognizing that this conflicts with our denomination's traditional definition of marriage ("between a man and a woman"), they sent out a proposed amendment to our church constitution, The Book of Order, that would change that definition to, "between two people, traditionally a man and a woman." We will know the final outcome within the coming year after our 173 presbyteries throughout the country vote on whether to accept this amendment.

Even most of the conservative traditionalists in our denomination, however, have concluded that marriage equality is here to stay in the PCUSA. Our next major task as a denomination: learning to live together in mutual forbearance, and in unity in the midst of our diversity. Let us pray that God bless us all with humility, patience, wisdom, courage, and love for one another.

Blessings,

Rev. Todd Freeman