More Light Presbyterians begin plans for Unity and Diversity Conferences By Paula R. Kincaid The Layman Online Monday, July 26,1999 "So, all of us need to be proactive and vigilant in ensuring that GLBT [gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender] concerns and voices are part of the U/D Conference process - from start to finish - planning, preparations, facilitation, speaking and participation," said Michael J. Adee, national field organizer for More Light Presbyterians (MLP) in an e-mail message posted on an internet discussion list run by MLP. In his message entitled "Unity and Diversity Conferences and MLPs," Adee requested, "Please share this information and these requests for action and participation with your MLP chapter, GLBT people and our allies in you area and network, etc. This GA recommendation is an incredible opportunity for us all across the county. May we seize it and be good stewards of the possibilities." Three recommendations Adee's e-mail recommended: " Contact your presbytery executive and stated clerk and ask to have a Unity/Diversity Conference held in your presbytery. Get the ball rolling now. (I understand that less than 20% of presbyteries participated in the ones regarding human sexuality/ordination - we can and must do better than that!) " I am working to get MLP Resources into the 'official Unity/Diversity packet' as approved and recommended by the Stated Clerk. I am told by Kirkpatrick's office that there will be a meeting of all Executive Presbyters and Stated Clerks regarding these U/D Conferences. Ask your EP and Stated Clerk to recommend at this meeting in October 99 to have MLP Resources in that 'official resource packet.' "I have reason to believe that some people might want to restrict the U/D Conferences to matters of biblical authority and racial/ethnic issues - and not include GLBT concerns/sexuality and ordination. So, all of us need to be proactive and vigilant in ensuring that GLBT concerns and voices are part of the U/D Conference process - from start to finish - planning, preparations, facilitation, speaking and participation." Unity and Diversity Conferences The Unity and Diversity Conferences spoken of by Adee were approved by the 1999 General Assembly in Fort Worth, Tex. Instead of approving Overture 99-2 from Milwaukee Presbytery, which would have recommended that the PCUSA's 173 presbyteries delete G-6.0106b, the so-called "fidelity and chastity" provision from the denomination's Book of Order, the Assembly approved a minority report which: Instructs the Stated Clerk to make available to all presbyteries, sessions, and interested Presbyterian groups resources that assist in the development of conferences and discussions on "The Nature of the Unity We Seek in Our Diversity," within the Presbyterian polity and theology. Declares that Overture 99-2 be answered by the action on this motion; and Directs the Stated Clerk to recommend to the 212th General Assembly (2000) that all business related to G-6.0106b be referred to the 213th General Assembly (2001), so that the study and dialogue can be completed.

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