3 - 5 PM
25 January 2009

First Presbyterian Church
Hartford, Connecticut
 

Apropos of the mission of Presbyterian Promise, the 218th General Assembly brought to an end a 30-year-old judgment that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) persons ought not be ordained in the Presbyterian Church. 

The year also brought a tragic end to a young life in a classroom in California and others – less well publicized – in other places: lives diminished or ended altogether because of an inability to tolerate, let alone appreciate a diversity of sexual orientation or gender identity in God's creation.

Full marriage equality began in Connecticut; began and ended – at least for the time being – in California.

Our General Assembly also started (again) a process of voting on the reformation of G-6.0106b the Book of Order paragraph the 208th GA crafted, some dozen years ago, to deal with the debate over homosexuality.

Throughout the year, Presbyterian Promise has worked in many ways to bring about this reformation and reconciliation in the Presbytery of Southern New England:

• Continued to witness to the welcome of our organization and its supporting congregations at Presbytery meetings and Pride Festivals.
• Welcomed (if not yet formally) our newest supporting congregation, Westminster Presbyterian Church of West Hartford.
• Through a $15,000 grant from the Carpenter Foundation and with the Plowshares Institute, planned and facilitated a gathering at Stony Point Center (in New York), of Presbyterian reform-minded organizations including That All May Freely Serve, Covenant Network, More Light Presbyterians and the Witherspoon Society to coordinate General Assembly efforts.
• Initiated and helped fund a project which placed copies of Jack Rogers' book Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality in the hands of all Commissioners and Advisory Delegates to General Assembly (an outcome of the above "summit").
• Offered an experience of worship, mini-workshops and fellowship at and with Wilton Presbyterian Church.
• Again with Plowshares conducted a day of sharing, learning and contemplation of the coming votes on proposed constitutional amendments with colleagues from the three New England presbyteries.
• Continued to contribute to the well-received and appreciated annual retreat of GLBT inquirers and candidates.
• Accomplished the renewal of our status as an advocacy group under Presbytery by-laws.
• Became intentional about welcoming and introducing Presbyterian Promise to new members of Presbytery.
• Commemorated the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Letty Russell with the handcrafting and contribution of a stole for the Stole Project. Letty was a founding co-moderator of Presbyterian Promise. Her stole was presented as a part of a week-long observation of National Coming Out Day at the First Presbyterian Church in Hartford.
• Enjoyed good food, fellowship and conversation with friends through the generous hospitality of John Merz and Bill Starkowski (July) and Ralph Jones (December).

The Board will have at least one appointed director from each Sponsoring Member."

The nomination process this year was headed by Pat Wales and Dick Hasbany. The following were elected:
 
 

Marriage equality: why it matters for states, religious communities and individuals in same sex relationships.

Panelists:

• Anne Stanback, president of Love Makes a Family CT
• Bill Goettler, co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church in New Haven