Co-moderator's
Report
2007
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Through the past year, Presbyterian Promise has
remained committed to witnessing to the greatness of God's love for all
children, including persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
and to being a positive participant in building up Christ's church, and
in working to bring about reconciliation and justice.
This year has been a very active one for Presbyterian
Promise, beginning with a well-attended annual meeting. The January
28, 2007 event at Hartford included worship led by seminarians from the
Yale Divinity School, the annual business meeting, and a conversation titled:
"After Birmingham: Maintaining a Prophetic Witness, Nurturing Where there
is Need, and Seeking Authentic Dialogue and Reconciliation – A Conversation."
Our speakers were Executive Presbyter Rev. Dana Lindsley, Rev. Mieke Vandersall,
Minister Director of Presbyterian Welcome, our NYC-based sister TAMFS
organization, and our Assistant Treasurer and sage, Ralph Jones.
Special Events of 2007
Presbyterian Promise's program special events
and projects or 2007 reflected our efforts to nurture hospitality, and
to educate, equip, and advocate more effectively.
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Presbyterian Promise continued a fruitful partnering
with Plowshares Institute and moved into a second phase of the Reconciling
Dialogue Project (RDP II). The second phase included:
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a February training session led by Plowshares staff
to develop a cadre of persons trained at what might be called "reconciling
advocacy." Several participants in this session went on during the year
to develop and lead book studies focused on Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality
at the Hartford, Stamford, and New Haven churches.
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a March 15 visit by Jack Rogers, former GA moderator
and author of Jesus, The Bible, and Homosexuality, The visit included
a luncheon with PSNE presbyters and a public talk on the author's book
and personal journey at First Presbyterian Church, New Haven.
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One of our primary educational events took place
on February 17. A forum called "Focus on LGBT Youth" explored the problems,
needs, and hopes of LGBT young people, and some helpful resources. This
program, designed primarily for CE leaders, youth ministers, and others
who work with youth in our churches, featured Robin McHaelan, Director
of True Colors, an agency serving the needs of LGBT youth, Jane Feral of
the New Haven chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG),
Carol Wade, a high school counselor in the Naugatauck Valley, and Rev.
William Goettler, Co-pastor, First Presbyterian Church, New Haven. The
event drew Presbyterians from as far away as Providence and Stamford and
also included non-Presbyterians and parents of an LGBT child.
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A late September visit by Field Organizer Michael
Adee treated Presbyterians in Hartford and New Haven to a taste of Michael's
amazing gifts for ministry and advocacy. Michael preached at Hartford and
spoke at a lively dinner at New Haven. Ties with More Light Presbyterians
(MLP) were strengthened in this fall visit. Michael helped energize both
New Haven and Hartford, whose sessions voted in November and January, 2008
to become More Light churches.
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The year brought a first for Presbyterian Promise.
Working during the summer, in association with Plowshares Institute, Presbyterian
Promise submitted a proposal to the Carpenter Foundation, a private foundation
in Philadelphia that funds projects in the arts, theological education,
and LGBT advocacy. Presbyterian Promise proposed a strategy summit
that would bring together the primary LGBT advocacy groups in the denomination
for a summit consultation facilitated by Plowshares Institute. The summit's
goals are to build better ties and communication, and a strong commitment
to work together at the 217th General Assembly in June, 2008. The Carpenter
Foundation accepted our design and rationale that a movement toward justice
in a major mainline denomination was an important element of the ongoing
struggle for equality of LGBT people. Late in February, approximately 11
people representing TAMFS, More Light Presbyterians, the Covenant Network,
and the Witherspoon Society will gather at Stony Point Center for this
unique and hopeful experiment.
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In a "minute for mission" during worship at First
Presbyterian Church in Stamford, Presbyterian Promise presented the church
with a plaque in recognition of the session's decision to support us and
in affirmation of our mutual ministry.
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A special joy of 2007 was to gather in farewell celebration
of the Rev. Janie Spahr's concluding ministry with That All May Freely
Serve. Graciously hosted by Sue Asher, we enjoyed good food, the company
of old and new acquaintances, fond reminiscences and the presentation of
Janie's portrait by Wayne Osborne. Exploring the idea that advocacy should
bring people together in joyous community, we concluded the year with a
Christmastime gathering at Pat Wales' home.
Ongoing Activities
Presbyterian Promise's ongoing activities are
as essential to carrying out its mission as its special events and projects.
Here is a summary of what we do every year all the time.
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As a study and advocacy group of the presbytery,
Presbyterian Promise staffs a table with educational resources at every
presbytery meeting where interactive tabling is allowed. We try to creatively
develop thematic exhibits, e.g., resources for pastoring LGBT persons and
their families. Our continuing presence at presbytery provides an opportunity
for conversation and dialogue as well as a venue to promote our activities.
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Our presence at regional Pride events is a way to
reach out and declare a welcome for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
people seeking a church community. In 2007 we provided an inviting religious
presence and informational materials at the (Providence) Rhode Island and
Hartford Pride Events. Each of these experiences reminds us of the value
of our public witness.
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This year we added attractive and colorful new invitational
brochures to Presbyterian Promise News (our newsletter) and our web site
as tools for introducing ourselves and our activities and for providing
thoughtful reflection and commentary. The board decided to make Presbyterian
Promise News a twice yearly publication in 2007. Newsletters are posted
on the website, which is created and maintained by our web- and print-
master, Ralph Jones. Presbyterian Promise strives to maintain interactive
communication with our sponsoring churches and others. We have appreciated
the opportunity to hold our quarterly board meetings and other events at
various member churches during the year.
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Presbyterian Promise fund raising is done primarily
through appeals to our supporting churches, and to individuals through
our newsletter and appeal letters. Contributions have remained adequate
to support our work, but the means to carry out future endeavors will be
a challenge that the board must attend to.
It has been a joy to pursue justice in a spirit of
clear-eyed commitment and with a heart yearning for reconciliation.
We welcome the new members to the board and pray that we can continue to
embody hope and welcome in this time and place.
Respectfully submitted by
Dan Blackford and Dick Hasbany
Co-Moderators
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