I Am Spartacus and Brian!

It takes so long for these cases to go through the Presbyterian court system that I forget about them.  The LayMAN never forgets.  They linked today to this article in the Christian Post, PCUSA's Highest Commission to Hear Case of Lesbian Clergy Who Married Her Partner.   I have written about this case before and here.  

She was taken to church court for getting legally married.  The busybodies said that is bad, against the Bible, and so on.  The presbytery pjc said it was fine.  She was acquitted.   The busybodies appealed.   How does that happen, by the way?  I'm no lawyer but isn't that double jeopardy?   I guess with church court we should be lucky they don't determine justice by filling our pockets with rocks and throwing us in the water to see if we float.

Anyway, the synod pjc said not guilty.    The busybodies decided to keep trying and now she is before the General Assembly PJC.   We will find out next week.

In the meantime, Laurie and Lisa have already been married for three years. 

In the meantime, it is time for all good clergy to obey their ordination vows and sign this statement that you have and/or will marry same-gender couples and not only to sign the statement, but if given the opportunity, seize the day! 

In the meantime, Landon and David are getting hitched at FPC Elizabethton tomorrow afternoon!

It isn't technically a marriage as Tennessee is, believe it or not, a bit behind the times.   But as Alan, Esq. pointed out, even if say Landon and David got hitched by me in Washington D.C. it wouldn't be marriage like my marriage to my Lovely because their D.C. marriage wouldn't count in Tennessee.   Even marriage in states where marriage is legal still isn't really marriage the way heteros enjoy marriage.    It is time to make a federal case for marriage equality.

As far as church business goes, get your pens ready teaching elders and sign those licenses, eat that cake, pray over those rings, repeat those vows, and show the love and justice of Jesus for Christ's sake.

I stand with you!

We are Spartacus.  Thanks to Snad for this clip!



Old movies make me cry.

Especially this one, "I'm Brian! And so is my wife!"

Showing the Love and Justice of Jesus Christ

I met with my board of elders or session last night.  Among the various items for business we discussed the Stand For Love initiative from More Light Presbyterians.    I previously wrote that I signed this statement:

As a teaching elder in the PCUSA, I have married or am willing to publicly marry same gender couples in my pastoral role, in obedience to my ordination vow to “show the love and justice of Jesus Christ.” Respecting the conscience of fellow Presbyterians, I accept the consequences of this declaration, including the provisions of discipline in our Book of Order.

As of this writing I am one of 195 signatories.    Some of this is a problem with semantics as we discussed at the meeting last night. What is marriage?  Is it a legal document?  Is it a religious action?  Is it a personal agreement between people? 

When the statement says, "I have married or am willing to publicly marry same gender couples," I do wonder have I done that?   I am willing to of course.  But have I so far?   I have not signed a marriage license for a same-gender couple.   I live in Tennessee.  It will likely take federal troops for this state to accept marriage equality.   If I were invited to sign the license and bless the nuptials for a same-gender couple in New York, I will be happy to do it for the gas money and the thrill and honor of it all.  (On second thought, if asked, I would buy my own gas).

I have officiated at Holy Unions for same gender couples.  I have one coming up this Saturday.  David and Landon have invited the congregation to celebrate with them.  You can read about it in the newsletter (page 9).    Is it a marriage?   Here is our session's policy:

Do you marry same-sex couples?
No. Tennessee restricts marriage to one man and one woman. However, we do celebrate Holy Union ceremonies for same-sex couples and for opposite-sex couples who do not wish to be married.

Our policy is based on the legal definition of marriage.   So from that perspective, this Saturday's wedding is not a marriage.   Yet what we will do on Saturday will be no different from what we would do if we lived in New York State, except for signing the license.   They will be married in the sacred sense of the word.  

I treat same-gender couples no differently from opposite-gender couples.  They go through counseling.  We create a worship service that is meaningful.  We honor and celebrate and bless the relationship as holy, sacred and blessed.   I use all the ordained Presbyterian mojo and hoopla I have in me to honor these lives. 

So am I breaking the church rules?  I really don't know.   I do know that my colleagues who sign the license because they happen to live in a state where same-gender marriage is legal are breaking the church rules.   I know that because of the precedent set by the Jane Spahr case.    If you have not listened to my Religion For Life interview with Jane Spahr, I invite you to do that.   Here is the podcast.  She describes all the church disciplinary shenanigans in regards to her case, but more importantly she talks about why marriage equality is so critical:

Second class status always leads to violence.

Churches and clergy because of the moral symbolism attached to them need to demonstrate in word and in deed that same-gender relationships are moral, ethical, and sacred.   If doing so requires personal risk, then we need to ask ourselves what it means to "show the love and justice of Jesus Christ" in the first place. 

The General Assembly could have avoided this by issuing an Authoritative Interpretation that would have allowed clergy and churches to marry same-gender couples in states where it is legal to do so.  The General Assembly did not do this.   Therefore, because my colleagues are at risk of church discipline, including ultimately losing their ordination, this action, Stand For Love, is now necessary.   I proudly stand with my colleagues in their obedience to their ordination vows as I seek to obey mine. 

Stand for Love! Patrick Evans of More Light Presbyterians to Come to Elizabethton!

We are thrilled that the interim executive director of More Light Presbyterians, Patrick Evans, is making a stop in Elizabethton next week!   We will greet him with a potluck supper at 6 pm and he will spend some time with us in conversation and in sharing music and worship. 





Do spread the word and join us!






We will celebrate Stand for Love!   Many clergy and elders (teaching elders and ruling elders) have signed that they have or will officiate at same gender weddings.  I have signed. Won't you?   Here is the invitation:

More Light Presbyterians invites PCUSA teaching elders who have performed same gender weddings, or who are willing to perform them as the pastoral need arises, to join together and publicly proclaim that witness of pastoral care to the wider church. We also invite individual ruling elders and entire church sessions to affirm this witness. This call to action was inspired by several Commissioner testimonies at the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Here are lists of signatures, teaching elder (clergy) and ruling elder. 


First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton has been a More Light congregation since 2008.   We fully welcome and advocate for full inclusion in church and society for LGBT individuals.  We use our space and staff for holy union services.   We also host "the social gathering" on the second Sunday of every month for LGBT people and allies.