A Shout Out for Iowa!

4/8/09 Here’s a shout out for the Iowa Supreme Court which ruled that equal rights in Iowa requires that two men or two women who seek a marriage license have the same right to one as heterosexual couples and to the leaders of the Iowa legislature who immediately embraced this decision as good for Iowa! […]

Good Questions

4/3 I spoke a few days ago at the Six O’Clock Series, a monthly public lecture program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I was excited to learn from the young man who greeted me when I arrived that there had been a lot of talk around the student union anticipating my topic: Marriage on Trial: […]

Quashing Dialogue: The Sound of One Hand Clapping

3/27 Of course I was disappointed and saddened that our community here in Pittsburgh voted No on Amendment 08-B, the proposal to revise the ordination requirements in a way that will open ordained office to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender faithful in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). That outcome is not what grieves and perplexes […]

Coming Down on the Side of Grace: A Father’s Plea for His Church to Embrace His Gay Son

3/23 Mike introduced himself to me several years ago as a Presbyterian and the father of a gay son. Just last week he represented his church at the Pittsburgh Presbytery meeting where the majority voted down Amendment 08-B, the revision of our church Constitution which would open the door to ordination of GLBT people in […]

To be a Student of Lisa Larges’ Honesty and Integrity

3/20 I met Lisa Larges several years ago when she came to Pittsburgh for a That All May Freely Serve weekend with Rev. Janie Spahr and Rev. Ray Bagnuolo. As is TAMFS practice, we went together for a courtesy call with the Executive Presbyter. I became right then a student of Lisa’s skill as an […]

Hope Amidst the Disappointment: Pittsburgh’s Vote on Ordination

3/16/09 In the special meeting on March 14, 2009, Pittsburgh Presbytery voted 206 to 105 against Amendment 08-B to revise the ordination requirements to emphasize obedience to Jesus’s teaching and example as illustrated for us in Scripture. This would open the door to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people to ordination in the Presbyterian […]

Tomorrow’s Conversation: Our Vote on Ordination

3/13/09 I find myself waiting with nervous anticipation for this Saturday, when the Pittsburgh Presbytery will vote on Amendment 08-B. If passed, this amendment would allow all of us who follow Jesus’ teachings and example and who feel called by God — including our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers in Christ — […]

Embracing the Times

3/11/2009 I would like to welcome you all to my Web site and blog, an online space I’ve dedicated to prayerful dialogue about how we can create a place in our community and our hearts for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) sisters and brothers in Christ. As a Presbyterian, I belong to the […]