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Faith Based Initiative implemented
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the Presbyterian Washington Office:
Faith Based Initiative (Charitable Choice) returns
Dated 12/13/02, posted here 12-14-02
You have doubtless seen reports of President Bush's
announcement that he will use executive orders to circumvent the will of
Congress to advance key pieces of his divisive "faith-based
initiative." One of his actions will allow federal contractors
discriminate in their hiring practices, to employ only people of certain
faiths.
Two recent reports describe the
President's announcement regarding Faith Based Initiatives. PC(USA)
policy continues to support the partnership of governments, religious
organizations and business in the elimination of poverty. However, PCUSA
policy would not support any government funded partnerships that
discriminate against any segment of society. As these new government
programs are implemented in partnership with religious entities, they
probably will be scrutinized by some in the community to see that no one
is denied services or employment in a discriminatory fashion. It is also
clear that this is not really new money, but old money that will be
redirected.
On what may be described as a purely cynical view,
there are those who say that this is a way for the current
administration to gain the favor of the communities who were not
previously supportive of its policies.
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You can find details in the Associated Press report as
carried in the
Washington Post.
OMB Watch offers a more analytical look at this
development.
To see the White House's announcement, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021212.html
For more information, contact:
Elenora Giddings Ivory, PC(U.S.A.)Washington Office,
110 Maryland Avenue, NE, #104, Washington, DC 20002.
202-543-1126, fax 202-543-7755.
Email eivory@ctr.pcusa.org
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Visit
our lively
new website! |
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GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
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Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
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Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
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Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
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If you like what
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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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