Inching Closer to Marriage Equality in the PCUSA

Dear All,

As many of you know, the PCUSA currently understands that marriage is between one man and one woman. However, an amendment was passed at the last General Assembly in 2014 to modify it as "between one man and one woman" and “unique commitment between two people”. Currently, the Presbyteries are voting on this amendment, and there are 60 Presbyteries out of 172 Presbyteries who have voted in the affirmative for such a change.  That means that were I to marry my partner Dean of 19 years, our marriage would be recognized as "valid" not only by the eyes of the states of OR and NC, but also the PCUSA.

Here's a link to the article:http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/02/23/Gay-unions-getting-nod-in-voting-by-Presbyterian-Church-U-S-A/stories/201502230007

 What do you think of this move by the Church?

Pax!

Pastor B

The Creative Tension of Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras, and Ash Wednesday

I'm always struck by the creative tension of Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, followed so quickly by Ash Wednesday.  There are two sets of emotions that share in common a certain intensity of feelings. Shrove Tuesday at St. Andrew's was a rollicking good time (thanks Fellowship Committee), with plenty of pancakes and condiments that ranged from healthy (berries) to enough chocolate to simply make us happy. We acted out "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," laughing with one another, learning about the meaning of Shrove Tuesday.

On Ash Wednesday, there was a quiet solemnity brought to our worship at both 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Maybe it was the candle, the music, the overall atmosphere of the group.  As Jeremy quoted Nadia Bolz-Weber, Ash Wednesday doe not bring forth a grand celebration of special cakes and cookies, clothes accessories, or display window ornamentation. At St. Andrew's, we began our Lent with a sense of purposefulness, using this time to reflect, ponder, and search within ourselves and the world around us the presence and the meaning of following Jesus more closely.

Pastor Brett