For more information on resources you or your church could use while discerning your future in the PCUSA, contact Paula Kincaid at pkincaid@layman.org or call (828) 758-8716.
And don’t forget to keep in contact with the latest Presbyterian happenings by signing up for our email list. Just click here to sign up.
6 Comments. Leave new
On October 7, the Presbytery of a East Iowa voted to close the the Middletown Presbyterian church. In the next few months the church continued to
Meet at the regular time of worship, the acting administrative commission never returned to tell the congregation the status of what, why, when or how the process would be handled. On Monday, December 29, one member of the administrative committee changed all the locks of the doors, turned off electricity and natural gas and water, a posting in the doors states the presbytery is now in ownership of all the property and lists a local presbytery telephone number to call 319-354-9220 which a message relates the office is closed until January 4, 2015. Our congregation has a lot of questions and no answers, we would like our voices to be heard, please advise what we can do. Thank you
For what I understand, you were left without a place to meet. Is that so? My congregation was not locked out for we left before the Presbytery executed the reccommendation of the heretical Commission. What we did was that we rented the amphitheater of a school and we’re meeting there tamporarily. We had to look for green pastures and still waters and our Pastors lead us there. God wanted us to march and I believe He wants your congregation to do likewise. Don’t look back the Lord will provide new things for your congregation. Just look for a place to meet and God will provide a place. You may also contact friendly Christian congregations . Our congregation will pray for yours. God bless you and your people.
Paula:
Please inform your readers who really is responsible to inform the congregation regarding the current status of the PCUSA regarding all the presbytery votes on marraige definition that is occuring currently? I am also curious to know once presbytery reaches the 86 vote, what really happens officially. I wish somebody in your staff can write an article that will establish some timeline options that are coming our way from the PCUSA? The more we are informed, the better each member can make proper vital decisions in their church. Please advise.May be there is such an article in your website.
Presbyteries have one year from the prior General Assembly meeting to vote on Amendments. That process is now underway for the amendments sent to the presbyteries from the 2014 meeting of the GA.
I expect the vote on marriage re-definition (14F) to reach 86 by mid March. Once that vote threshold is achieved the language will be seen as “in effect” even though all presbyteries will not have voted at that point.
You can compare it to the reality of national elections. Polls close in the eastern United States before they close in the West. So, it is conceivable that an election could be decided before Alaska and Hawaii even weigh in.
What other “timeline” questions did you have?
Carmen:
My other timeline question is when the changes in the Book of Order will take place? Also when the Book of order new revision goes into effect? what is the obligation of PCUSA church members toward the new revisions, if members think its theology is against Christ’s theology and definition of marraige?
Currently I am writing a letter to our clerk of session, insisting them to be more open about this topic to the congregation and asking them to be courageous about explaining the different ramifications it could have on church members. Our session only discusses these topics with the acting elders and tries to keep it hush hush.
Please advise