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An elder objects to the suggestion that
commissioners should vote in en bloc
[3-8-01]
Elder Marcia Casais, of Chatham, New Jersey, sent
this note in response to Jonathan
Justice's comment on the recent Layman editorial on "Scripture
and conscience."
Attorney Doug Nave offers another
comment.
The Layman printed an editorial about an elder
who was stunned when his church's six commissioners did not vote
together on Amendment O. I'm not stunned, but I am shocked -- shocked
that anyone expects that commissioners should agree to vote en bloc.
This is not how I understand my duty as a commissioner.
My church is small, and I am the only elder
commissioner to Presbytery. Several months ago I began bringing up the
topic of Amendment O at Session meetings because I felt it was important
that the Session should have a chance to understand and discuss it. It
is quite possible that the thoughts of another person will cast new
light upon the question and upon my own study of Scripture, and this is
one of the ways I can remain open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. But
it is my duty to vote according to my conscience, even if that leads me
to an action disapproved of by my entire congregation. It would be wrong
for me to agree with other commissioners to vote in a certain way. I
would not have agreed to vote with my pastor, although we do not
disagree on this issue.
I was raised to believe in the Triune God, and also to
believe that the end does not justify the means. I don't think that
Amendment O is a good means of reaching its desired end; it has the
potential to set dangerous precedents affecting much more than its
intended goals. That is why I voted against it.
Marcia Casais, Elder
Ogden Memorial Presbyterian Church
Chatham, New Jersey
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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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