More Light Presbyterians protest ordination standard By John H. Adams The Layman Online Sunday, May 25, 2003 215th General Assembly Denver, Colo. May 24-31, 2003 DENVER – The lobbying for the repeal of the constitutional standard that prohibits the ordination of practicing homosexuals and adulterers began in earnest Sunday with a public rally across the street from the entrance to the Denver Convention Center. Under the banner of More Light Presbyterians, about 100 people sang, chanted, waved banners and signs and demanded "justice now." More Light Presbyterians is one of a number of small groups that have lobbied for the repeal of G-6.0106b, the "fidelity/chastity" ordination clause in the Book of Order. More Light protesters demand 'justice now' during protest. The group has decided to carry on the battle at the 215th General Assembly even though the draft horse on the repeal team – the Covenant Network – has decided to sit this one out. The Covenant Network is laying low – temporarily – to avoid the PR shock of another overwhelming defeat in a denomination-wide referendum. The denomination's presbyteries voted by a 73.4 percent margin in 2001-02 against the 213th General Assembly's proposal to repeal the ordination law and erase a previous policy that says homosexual practice is sinful. But More Light Presbyterians believe in persistence, not patience. "We are straights and gays together," the protesters sang repeatedly Sunday as thousands of commissioners, observers and participants passed nearby en route to the official opening worship service of the General Assembly. A few stopped momentarily to listen. The More Light chorus' song suggested their cause is a life or death issue. "We are singing, singing for our lives," they sang. "Justice cannot wait. Justice cannot wait." More Light Presbyterians and other gay-ordination advocates will begin arguing their "justice-now" case before the General Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry. The committee holds its get-acquainted meeting tonight and will get down to business Monday morning. The agenda includes a number of overtures relating to G-6.0106b. One would repeal the ordination law, while two others call for the General Assembly to issue an authoritative interpretation on the current law. The committee will report its decisions back to the full General Assembly on Wednesday.

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