OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 25, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Recent events in neighboring San Francisco suggest that mainline churches, including the Presbyterian denomination, may be unprepared and ill equipped to deal with the social changes surrounding the inclusion of GLBTQ people within the church, according to Montclair Presbyterian clergy.
"Christians are at a real crossroads in our understanding of sexuality and societal concerns," said Reverend Karen Stokes, head pastor at Montclair Presbyterian Church. "Our long tradition of social justice and support for civil rights is being eroded by religious and secular leaders' shameful attempts to scapegoat and further marginalize a group of people who simply want what most of us take for granted -- the right to marry and be accountable to society as committed couples and the right to raise a family responsibly and with stability."
Montclair Presbyterian has long been critical of the denomination's ban on using the word "marriage" to define same-sex unions and on ordaining non-celibate homosexuals as lay elders or ministers of the word and sacrament. The church has an active committee that focuses on social justice concerning the inclusion of GLBTQ people within the church family, considered to be the largest dedicated committee of its kind in the denomination.
Late last year, the group decided that it was time to open a dialog and debate in the denomination and other churches on the theological and biblical positions surrounding the inclusion of homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgendered people. Stark polarization on the issue threatens the Presbyterian Church (USA), as it does many other denominations.
"At the time we created the agenda," said Associate Pastor Roger Scott Powers, "we knew that we needed to bring together representative viewpoints from those who enthusiastically support full inclusion to those who doubt the theological appropriateness of doing so. We had no idea in early December how timely this conference was going to be. Given what's happened in the Episcopal Church, and Mayor Newsom's decision, we cannot avoid our responsibility as a church to examine our attitudes, our beliefs, and our claims on the truth."
Located within the community of Montclair in the Oakland Hills, Montclair Presbyterian will be hosting the special one-day conference in what organizers hope will lead to an invigorated and open dialog throughout Bay Area churches resulting in greater understanding, reconciliation, and a shared purpose.
For more information on the conference, which will be held this Saturday, February 28th, 2004 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, go to http://www.mpcfamily.org or contact:
Montclair Presbyterian Church 5701 Thornhill Drive Oakland, CA 94611 510.339.1131 E-mail: mpcfamily@mpcfamily.org http://www.pressreleasenetwork.com/newsroom