A leftward tilt By Paula R. Kincaid The Presbyterian Layman Volume 32, Number 5 Posted November 11, 1999 Church & Society Sept/Oct cover Several writers who contributed to the “hate” issue of Church & Society magazine give the denominational publication a distinctly leftward tilt. Chris Glaser, author of the book Coming Out as a Sacrament, which equates a homosexual’s coming out with the sacraments of baptism and communion, wrote “If the Church Had Been There, Matthew Shepard Would Not Have Died.” His article was also printed in the More Light Update, March-April 1999. The More Light Update is the publication of the More Light Presbyterians whose mission is “the full participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).” Presbyterian minister W. Mark Koenig’s article “Breaking Heart, Aching Soul” was adapted from his article in the Network News, the publication of the Witherspoon Society, fall 1998. The Witherspoon Society describes itself as a “society of justice-seeking Presbyterians ... advocating for peace, justice, the integrity of creation, and the full inclusion of all God’s people in church and society.” Sara Pottschmidt Lisherness, coordinator of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of Congregational Ministries Division, wrote the introduction “Hate: A Journey.” She also served as content editor for this issue of the magazine. Other writers Non-Presbyterian writers include Gilbert Schroerlucke a Methodist minister who is also editor of Voice for Choice, the newsletter of the Kentucky Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Hong Tan is a minister, elder and member of the board of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. According to its Internet page, “Metropolitan Community Churches were created in 1968 as a way of providing an environment where homosexual Christians could freely worship God and grow in their spiritual journeys. … The services we offer are specially – but not exclusively – geared to people in the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transsexual community.”

Respond to this article

Home · News · PLC Publications · The Presbyterian Layman Online Reviews · Archives · History of the Lay Committee · Feedback · Links