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Archives: April 2003 |
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4/23/03 |
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Van Kuiken decision
attracts many reports and comments
We have already reported on the decision,
but you may want to see what various groups and individuals are saying
about the response of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery
of Cincinnati to the actions of the Rev. Steve Van Kuiken. He chose to act
in harmony with his conscience and his understanding of Scripture and the
Confessions, although those actions have been seen be some as contrary to
Scripture and the confessions, as well as in violation of the Book of
Order (and particularly G-6.0106b, and the definition of "marriage" s one
man and one woman (W-4.9000).
And you're invited to share your own comments on this
important judicial ruling.
Just send a
note! |
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Brazilian church will be
represented at GA The United Presbyterian
Church of Brazil (IPU), which this year celebrates the 25th anniversary of
its founding, will be well represented at this year's General Assembly.
Read a short account of
the origins of the IPU, in a
creative response to a right-wing takeover of the existing Presbyterian
Church in Brazil. |
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Easter greetings and thanks for solidarity, from the Presbyterian Church
of Colombia We recently posted
an appeal for
letters in support of the Rev. Milton Mejía, who currently serves as
the Executive Secretary of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of
Colombia
We've just received a letter of Easter greeting and
thanks from the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, via PC(USA) mission
co-worker Alice Winters.
We encourage
you to read this letter, and to see how important such Christian
solidarity can be. |
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Armed with
principles, "fighting" and dying for peace in Palestine
One young American woman, Rachel Corrie, was crushed to
death March 16 by an Israeli army bulldozer as she attempted to prevent
the destruction of a Palestinian family's home. Two young men, one
American and one British, have been seriously wounded by Israeli army
gunfire. All have been serving in Palestinian areas with the International
Solidarity Movement, the peace group that uses such non-violent means as
positioning activists as "human shields" around the occupied territories
to protect Palestinian civilians.
Ali Abunimah, a Palestinian, notes that these recent
incidents appear to be "part of a pattern, and that Israel is deliberately
targeting internationals, so that it can carry out human-rights abuses
unobserved. Whatever the truth, Americans and other foreign citizens are
falling victim to Israeli tactics that have killed and injured thousands
of Palestinians. A lack of accountability means that such incidents could
increase."
This article was first published in the Chicago
Tribune on 22 April 2003.
Thanks to Darrell and Sue Yeaney |
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The
war against Iraq |
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One Iraqi: "This is
your country now." Kathy Kelly
of the Iraq Peace Team reports from Amman, Jordan, on April 21, a day
after leaving Baghdad. She describes the conquered people of Iraq through
the eyes of Sattar, a Baghdadi who drove her to Jordan in his taxi, for
her own safety. He tells of a country where people don't seem to feel
"liberated," but conquered, baffled by the sudden disappearance of Saddam
Hussein and the whole government apparatus.
When one sympathetic American commented
that at least now he would have an easier time driving Americans from
Jordan into Iraq, he responded, "You are right. This is your country now."
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Actor Tim Robbins: "a chill wind is blowing in this nation."
Actors Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon were recently
disinvited from an appearance at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown,
NY, because of their anti-war views.
Robbins later spoke at the National Press Club in
Washington, on April 15, reflecting on his perception that "a chill wind
is blowing in this nation." Given the Administration's loud commitment to
democracy and human rights for the people of Iraq, it might be good for us
to pay attention to what's happening to democracy and human rights in the
USA. Robbins laments the lost opportunities for true national unity after
9/11, and the growing pressures against free speech.
He urges the journalists in his audience to "battle back
at those who would rewrite our Constitution in Patriot Act II, or
'Patriot, The Sequel,' as we would call it in Hollywood. ... Journalists
can insist that they not be used as publicists by this administration."
Thanks to Kent Winters-Hazelton |
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Leadership Conference on
Civil Rights voices serious concern over
Sen. Rick Santorum's attack on gay and lesbian equality
The Presbyterian Washington Office provides the text of
a statement by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, plus a very
helpful listing of past
General Assembly statements on civil rights for lgbt persons.
And the Human Rights Campaign offers
suggestions for sending
letters and faxes to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. |
We have more good nominations for
"Bullpuckey bingo"
phrases! |
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4/21/03 |
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Cincinnati PJC announces ruling in Van
Kuiken case The Rev. Steve Van Kuiken has been
ruled "guilty" of performing same-sex marriages, and "not guilty" of
ordaining lgbt elders.
More
Light groups have issued a statement praising the "tremendous strides
towards justice and fairness" resulting from Van Kuiken's acts of
conscience. |
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A few months ago we shared with you a new office game
called BullPuckey
Bingo, which focuses on the current jargon in office meetings.
We invited you all to send equally weary phrases that must be endured (or
enjoyed) in church meetings. We've received a couple fine
nominations, and invite you to add your own.
Just go to BullPuckey Bingo and
scroll down through the story for the new nominees. Then add your
own! |
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4/17/03 |
Candidates for
Moderator respond to Witherspoon questions
One of the first acts of the
215th
General Assembly will be the election of a new Moderator. To help
our readers weigh this important choice, the Witherspoon Society
has asked each of the three candidates to respond briefly to five
questions that reflect Witherspoon concerns -- and, we believe,
concerns of the wider church.
With thanks to the candidates for
their cooperation in responding, we are happy to share their
comments here, presented in alphabetical order. If you want more
information about any of the candidates, you might use their web
sites, listed at the end of their responses.
The candidates are (in alphabetical order):
The Rev. Susan R. Andrews
The Rev. Harold E. Kurtz
The Rev.
James Foster Reese |
| Going to
GA? Please
check out Witherspoon
events planned to add to your week.
And consider
becoming a member of Witherspoon. |
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UPDATE
Van Kuiken trial decision to be
announced on Monday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the Blue Ash
Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati
The
Rev. Steve Van Kuiken has passed along this word from the
Moderator of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery
of Cincinnati. |
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4/15/03 |
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Living Faithfully with Families in
Transition One major report coming to the 215th General Assembly
will be a policy statement on
"Living
Faithfully with Families in Transition." It looks at the many
meanings of "family" in our time and explores how these varied kinds of
families can raise children faithfully and responsibly.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Gaddis, who chaired the committee
that wrote the document, offers her comments on the report.
The right wing of the church is publishing
critical comments;
we provide links to some of them here. |
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Mission co-worker in
Colombia urges support for Synod executive in Colombia, under threat
for his defense of human rights
UPUSA mission co-worker Alice Winters calls our
attention to serious threats against Milton Mejía, and offers specific
information to help us contact the President of Colombia on his behalf.
See also the Presbyterian
News Service report on threats against the Rev. Milton Mejía, and the
"escape" from custody of the man who threatened him. |
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The
war against Iraq |
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Is Syria next? Recent threats
against Syria have reminded many of disclosures a few weeks ago of the
policy document called "The National Security Strategy," drafted
by the New American Century
Project, a neo-conservative group founded by Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz,
Elliot Abrams, Donald Rumsfeld, and others in 1997, suggests that the people
of the world would be better off if the United States ran the show.
Eric Black of the
Minneapolis
Star Tribune published a thoughtful look at the Administration's latest
possible moves beyond their conquest of Iraq. He talks with informed
observers who offer both positive and negative views.
See also recent comments by theologian John Cobb,
warning of the threats behind the Administration's efforts to impose on
the world a new "Pax Americana."
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Are you having trouble maintaining your shaky grip on
your sanity? Here are 20 helpful things to do,
"to keep a healthy level of insanity" |
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Your WebWeaver apologizes for a few days of silence. He's been
occupied in getting Witherspoon's Network News put together and delivered
to the printer.
By the way, if you'd like to see a copy,
just send a note,
and don't forget to include your mailing address! |
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4/9/03 |
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Van Kuiken
goes to trial On Tuesday, April 8, the Rev. Steve Van
Kuiken, pastor of Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, went
on trial by the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery of
Cincinnati, for his conscientious actions in ordaining glbt people called
to office in the church, and providing counseling and marriage services
for same-sex couples.
Paul Peterson of That All May Freely Serve - Michigan,
provides an eye-witness
report on activities surrounding the trial - which was itself closed
to the public - describing and offering photos of the vigil outside the
church.
Presbyterian News Service also provides
a report from the
Associated Press.
Van Kuiken has
provided us with the full text of his statement to the Judicial
Commission. It's long, and good, so you may want to print it out to read.
For updates on the trial you can check these websites:
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The Mt. Auburn congregation, which offers links to many other
reports and background materials |
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SoulForce,
which plans to hold a vigil "to protest the Presbyterian Church's
anti-gay policies and teachings and to support Rev. Van Kuiken." |
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4/7/03 |
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The
war against Iraq |
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What about "supporting our troops"?
As the US military adventure in Iraq seems to be
moving toward some kind of "success," those who stand against the war are
coming under increasing pressure to "support our troops."
The popular posters that proclaim "Support our
troops. Bring them home!" make sense to many, but don't convince others. So
what do we say or do now?
The anti-war group "Not in Our Name" has posted a
strong statement on the subject.
A vigil of mourning
A small community peace
group in North Carolina offers a sensitive explanation to its neighbors of
the purpose of its weekly vigil and the "mourning" that is part of its
protest.
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Building a peace army, one person at a time
With pragmatism in mind, the Peaceforce's unarmed troops
will not see action in the Middle East, though the idealist in David
Hartsough wishes he could travel to Iraq and take a political stand.
Instead, Hartsough is sticking to domestic anti-war protests, while the
Peaceforce quietly readies to deploy its first set of workers to Sri Lanka
for a three-year pilot project in a few weeks.
"Iraq would have been the ideal scenario [to start
with], but part of it is timing," Hartsough says, a tenor of
disappointment in his voice. "But we want to be sure that whatever we do,
we do well."
Bernice Yeung provides
a lengthy report in SF Weekly
And check out
the Peaceforce website
for more information.
Source: Sojourners 2003 (c)
http://www.sojo.net
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The trial of the Rev. Steve Van Kuiken, pastor of Mt.
Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, OH, begins on Tuesday, April 8.
For updates on the trial you can check these websites:
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The Mt. Auburn congregation, which offers links to many other
reports and background materials |
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SoulForce,
which plans to hold a vigil "to protest the Presbyterian Church's
anti-gay policies and teachings and to support Rev. Van Kuiken." |
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Taco Bell boycott update:
April 2003
As the farm workers broke their 10 day
fast for fair food and justice on Ash Wednesday, Stated Clerk Clifton
Kirkpatrick called upon all Presbyterians to continue and augment the
workers' efforts to bring Taco Bell into negotiations with its tomato
suppliers, to seek fair wages for their workers.
Presbyterians will hold
a vigil in support of the
farm workers at the
YUM! Brands Annual Meeting,
May 15, 2003, Louisville. YUM! is the parent company of Taco Bell.
Presbyterians who are YUM, Inc.
stockholders are urged
to use their proxy votes in support of the Immokalee Farm Workers'
struggle for justice, respect, and fair pay. |
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This just in from Robert Ludgate,
UU from GA
I was looking for some antiracist info and stumbled across
your humor page. It was GREAT!
and so I send you a
Thought For The Day
If you define yourself by what you have,
and you lose everything....
what are you?
and couldn't resist one more.....
New slogan for the state of Missouri
Tourism Board
Come see us. Missouri loves company. |
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4/2/03 |
| Presbyterian delegation
returns from Colombia and one member reports on ...
AMERICA'S WAR IN COLOMBIA
One participant, Malissa Haslam of Santa Fe, NM, reports on her feelings through the
visit: pain at the suffering of the people, awe at their strength, shame
at US policies there, and hope for the "subversive seeds" that may bring
change to the world. |
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The
war against Iraq |
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PAX AMERICANA: John Cobb
sees a crisis for the Church Theologian
John Cobb highlights and clarifies the crisis that is confronting the
church as well as the world through the new US determination impose an
"American peace" on the world - on our terms.
Kent Winters-Hazelton, Witherspoon Society president,
reports on Cobb's recent discussion. |
Offense and
Defense, by Seymour M. Hersh
The battle between Donald Rumsfeld and the Pentagon.
Investigative journalist
Seymour
Hersh's recent article in The New Yorker has been widely
circulated - and indeed it's worth reading. Hersh details the way in which
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has seized control of planning for
the war against Iraq from the military planners. He has insisted on waging
a war with minimal commitment of ground forces and maximum reliance on air
strikes - because that would be (in its way) clean and quick and
politically acceptable. The result, of course, is what we have witnessed:
US forces operating without enough supplies or support, the failure of an
expected "uprising" of the Iraqi people, and the growth of Islamic support
for the defense of Iraq - not of Saddam Hussein, but of Iraq. |
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How can we speak
to our congregations in this time of war?
One pastor writes to her congregation to
offer a gentle, humane way to help her people deal with the war. If you're
looking for words to put things in perspective, these may help. The
author, the Rev. Cathy Cummings Chisholm, is pastor of First Presbyterian
Church in Weyauwega, WI.
We invite
you to share what's being said and done in your congregation. |
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Religious
relief groups resist Pentagon control of aid effort
Despite being courted in recent days by high-ranking U.S.
officials, the leaders of many religious humanitarian organizations remain
sharply critical of Bush administration plans to make the Pentagon the
central organizing body for aid and relief efforts in Iraq. They question
the abilities of the Pentagon to respond to the impending humanitarian
crisis, and want to see greater reliance on UN agencies. They are also
concerned about their own role - whatever it may be - if they are forced
to serve under the control of the US Defense Department. |
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Cincinnati clergy write in support of the Rev. Steve Van Kuiken, as
his church trial draws near. |
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Trade negotiators try to
override state laws in U.S. A news
release from Public Citizen and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade
Policy warns of how US negotiators in WTO talks are being pushed to
override state and local control to demands from other nations in the name
of "free trade." |
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Click here for the
March archive page. and
here for a listing of all earlier archive pages |
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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